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75gr Amax 100yrd groups & Load data for TIKKA 223.
This was a long project with a lot of range test at both 100 & 200yrds, and the final results of the entire process was range tested today 1 final time with “2” rifles. Some of you have been following the post started from a previous topic outlining my 200yrd range test. Here's the final range test with complete load data. All work started with an 200yrd OCW test that verified an internet load,… then load tested for 200yrd range results,… then 1 load tweaked for both my Lite and Varmint 223 rifles. It shoots equally well in both rifles.
Load Data
Brass – Hornady (trimmed to 1.75″)
Powder – Varget = 25.3grs
Bullet – 75gr Amax
COAL – 2.45″ +/- for your rifle, its will need some fine tuning to be perfect.
Jump to lands – .030″ – .035″10rds over Chronograph (fps) T3 Varmint / The t3 Lite barrel shot 25 – 30 fps slower on average.
2898 2889
2901 2889
2909 2913
2879 2896
2914 2903AVG = 2899.1 fps
SD = 11.31 fps
ES = 35 fpsGun Tested – 223 T3 Lite / Nikon M223 Scope 4-16 x 42mm
Gun Tested – 223 T3 Varmint / Vortex Viper HS LR 6-24 x 50mm2 – 100yrd “Routine Groups”…1/4” MOA average or better is possible.
Yellow circle outlined on both targets is 1/2″ outside diameter…all shots from both rifles are inside 1/2″…
Each target had 2 – 3 shot mags fired from each test gun, for a total of 6 shots at each target from each rifle. The T3 Varmint shot better on average but the T3 Lite was no slouch!
All shots fired from modified T3 factory mag rebuilt to handle the extra COAL needed for the longer bullets…mag mod should handle 80gr Amax & 90gr Bergers as well -
17 Replies
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75gr Amax 100yrd groups & Load data for TIKKA 223.
updated 7 years, 3 months ago
3Members
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17
Replies
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Ok to be clear the varmint was 24″? And the light was about 22″?
So much thanks for the info!
I'm trying to correlate my 24″ Sporter with your Varminter.
This is good work and should be noted on every target forum! -
Correct, different barrel lengths…exact measurements:
Lite = 22 7/16″
Varmint = 23 3/4″ -
Shot this load out to 900yrds this past weekend…firing at a rock face across a small canyon from an elevated position on the opposite side.
The load held sub MOA even out to 900yrds in a slight wind. Maybe 5mph at most with some gust to 10mph. Out of the 3 rifles on the hike (223 Tikka / 30-06 Browning / 7mm Mag Browning), the 223 was the most accurate with some impacts seeming to hit exactly the same spot.Hoping to take pictures of the impacts on rock face the next time we are on that side on the canyon.
Got some coyote calling in as well…can't wait to take a dog with this load at long range, but no luck on this trip. -
So cool Dog!
I finally got my IMR 4166 load development rounds loaded in once fired neck sized ww brass. Hope to shoot them soon, and will keep you posted.
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Update but no info… Sorry guys I have been conspired against by nature and man lately. My gun club had a complaint and I have been on the road. Soon as the wind dies and I am free for half a day I will shoot and post my data on the IMR 4166 in .223 with 75 gr amax (moly).
Keep shooting!
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Ok I finally got some range time!, it was cold and windy but I think I got some good data. I am posting my velocity info in a minute but the upshot was i was up to 2800+ fps with 75 gr amax (moly coated) and didnt get to serious pressure indication. I will post pics of my empty cases and a pic of my crono data. my best groups were at about 2800+ fps but will post targets as well (after i scan them and put on “on-target”.
here are 2 pic of my primers to see if you agree with my assessment of “not over pressure”, i will add a 2nd pic with better resolution.
2nd picOk from left to right i loaded 4 rounds with increasing wheights of powder using the same primer (Wolf smrifle)
I will attach the velocities in a minute.
here they are:
Ok I see that I did not go far enough with the load development to get the High end of loads…. I think with these bullets i could have gone .6gr or even 1 gr higher. I will post the targets tomorrow and you can evaluate the whole package. I will tell you now that my best 3shot group was under 1/4 inch at 100 yds in the 2800 fps range.
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I can't wait to rescan the targets. here is a preliminary target that includes my best group (#17 on the load data sheet).
No. 4 on this pick is no. 17 on load development pic.
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Here is a pic of my set up… I love the Tikka T3 Sporter!!!
Also the Vortex Viper 6-24 is excellent for my purposes!!!
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Looks really good Eric.
My load came together around 2900fps…There was a difference in the groups from 2800 – 2900fps when tested at extended ranges like 200 & 300yrds.
Everything looks really promising with what you have posted. NICE WORK!
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Still working on target evaluation but just a reminder that these were moly coated bullets so don't use the load data as is for naked bullets
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I was hoping IMR 4166 was going to yield a little better velocity at the higher charges, especially with the moly treatment…Varget is getting harder to find these days…Its barely in stock anywhere, and sells out quick. I was thinking of switching powders but rethinking the entire approach after comparing pressure and velocities between the 2…
If your #17 load holds same MOA at 200 then I'd say you found a keeper. Are you cleaning the inside of the necks when reloading? I only ask because I've seen a couple guys do this and it was bad for lowering ES.
FYI…
I've just went though a couple bad range sessions with some 75gr Amax…nothing grouped well and I was like “what the hell is gong on”…then I started inspecting some of the rounds I had not shot..and saw alot of variance in the tips…some of the tips were actually off centre…I ended up tossing about 50 projectiles in the trash due to this issue. I've since switched to 80.5gr Bergers. Pretty much same BC as the 75 Amax and way more consistent in weight and length. Something else for you to try, I'm liking them more than the amax's so far. -
Hi Bergers are an excellent choice, I don't know what it's like in the U.S. but over here in England there about 50% more to buy , but in my world there so much better and also there always available because most people go for the cheaper heads ,then they compare there grouping to mine and wonder why they can't get sub 1/2 moa
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I have 100 Berger 80.5s on hand I wil change primers to 205 Feds and redo this test (not the low end of course). I plan also to do the test with Varget. I do like h4895 with SMK's 80 gr.
I cleaned these cases with stainless steel pins and always use redding neck lube (the ceramic pellets with graphite or similar).
I am concerned about my ES. I used good technique I think, so it's either primer or powder variability I'm guessing. I know wolf primers are “cool” although consistent, and maybe hotter primers are the way to go.
All my charges were thrown with my chargemaster, tho not checked.
As a side note; the IMR 4166 did not need to be compressed, although I used a Frankford arsenal drop tube funnel to pour the charges.
I had some feedback from another site that suggested that wolf primers are soft and give high pressure signs early. That is why I'm trying fed 205s.well that and I found some at Scheels in Fargo lol.
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Only mentioned the interior neck cleaning because some guys use a bore brush or steel wool on the inside of the neck to make everything nice and clean but it effects your neck tension… you will get a big variance on ES…wasn't sure of you were over cleaning your brass.
One of the best things I did to help improve my reloading was buying a trimmer that uses the case shoulder as its reference / index point to trim. I use the Little Crow Gunworks trimmer for all my 223 & 308 loading and its a dream to use. You won't believe how great they are until you use one and trim 100 cases in 10 minutes or less and not break a sweat and they are all perfect! It was a noticeable improved in accuracy with this addition to my reloading bench.http://www.littlecrowgunworks.com/wft.html
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Hey Dog, your exp with 75gr a-max is concerning. Do you have any method of checking them for concentricity? I see they are avail at brownells in 600 ct lot now
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