First time reloader- .223 Tikka T3 lite

[Sasse_101]

Hi guys! New to the forum and shooting bought my first rifle being a Tikka T3 lite stainless with synthetic stock. Just after some advise and options on loading for my .223
I have made up a few loads using BENCHMARK 1 starting with 5 loads at 20grains going up in .5 increments all the way to 22.5grains with 55gr Vmax's with 2.250" OCL.
And same thing with BENCHMARK 2 starting at 24grains with 55gr BlitzKings with 2.250"-2.350" OCL
Do these loads sound like a good starting point or am I heading for disaster? :-/

 

[roggom]

Welcome,

I will say that I like Benchmark for 223 and a 55 grain bullet. My first question is what is your Tikka's twist rate?

Some of the Tikkas are 1:8 and if so, you can use the 69's and 77 SMK. Not that the 55's wont be fun to shoot, but the 69's and 77's have a higher BC for better performance in the wind.

As for the loads, research the OCW method and compare your loads with at least two published manuals to ensure you are working safely. The little 223 case is easy to go over pressure with as little as case type and seating depth.


OCW Overview - Dan Newberry's OCW Load Development System

 

[Juma]

T3 8 twist use BM2 26gr with 53gr Sierra, 26gr BM2 Barnes TSX 55gr, 24gr BM2 63gr Sierra.

 

[Joop]

My wife has a T3 Lite in .223. We're running the Hornady 68gr BTHP Match bullets over 23.5gr Benchmark. I forget the COAL at the moment, but I know I routed out the front wall of her mags just a little bit to get a little better length. You'll probably never get anywhere near the lands if you're loading to run through the mag, but any little bit helps. This rifle has shot great with everything we've run through it, from Hornady 40gr V-Max, 55 FMJ and V-Max, 68 BTHP, Nosler 60gr BT and Sierra 55gr Blitz King. All of them over Benchmark. With the 68 BTHP, she can make first round hits on prairie dogs out to 600 yards, so long as the wind isn't too nasty. I've found that it's extremely difficult to make any Tikka T3 NOT shoot well.

 

[Sasse_101]

Thanks for the info guys. My tikka is 1:12 twist even though I'm sure I asked for a 1:8 :/
I shot my first loads on the weekend with pleasing results! Not sure if I'm getting better since it was my third weekend out or the gun has been broken in but it shoots great. I'll post photos up of my best groups at 100 yards. Wanting to go 200 max as I'll never be hunting anything over that especially with just a 223.

 

[Juma]

8 twist will allow you to shoot heavier projectiles and you need fast twist for Barnes. Don't underrate the 223. Best stag is 348m with one shot on big sika stag here in NZ.

 

[Sasse_101]

T3 8 twist use BM2 26gr with 53gr Sierra, 26gr BM2 Barnes TSX 55gr, 24gr BM2 63gr Sierra.

Hey mate what OACL were you running? Just loaded a few with 55gr Sierra blitzkings on 26gr BM2 @ 2.250" OACL and there isn't much room for the powder to shake around, can just hear it :-/ thoughts? Go or no go?

 

[Juma]

Never any problems with BM2. Loading with Redding 30BR. Fill up and gently tap and settle the powder. Please note we anneal all our brass for each loading. We clean with SSM. Never had an issue with pressure signs but any brass that looks dodgy is biffed into the bin. Use mainly WIN and PMC brass. Loaded up some Federal brass a while back. Simply superb brass.Some people hate Federal but it was extremely nice to load. We use a T7 press.

Best advice? go back to the beginning of the Reloading section and read all the articles. There are some clued up and extremely knowledgeable blokes who happily share their accumulated reloading wisdom.