Hi All,

I just picked up a Tikka in 223, 1 in 12" twist. I am interested in shooting out to 300 yards accurately, and as with all cartridges, there always seems to be a go to load. Also, I am really just interested in punching paper and may, occasionally, use it on varmints. I would like to stick to 52/53, or 55 grain bullets. Any and all help and or suggestions would be helpful. For powders I have H380, Varget, H4350, H4831sc and H414. With the exception of Varget, I think all my powders won't be goo starters. I have both the Nosler and Sierra manuals, but wouldn't mind some suggestions from those who shoot this cartridge.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Regards

Mark

27.5 grans BL-C(2) and a 50 grain V-Max.....substitute a Nosler ballistic tip or Speer TNT if you like.....all very fine loads.

My standard load for 12" twist (14" twist also) bolt action and single shots has always been (since 1972) a 55 Hornady SX over 26 gr of H335 (AA2230 works great also) in US milsurp cases sparked with a CCI 450 or WSR primer. Velocity is 3200 fps out of 22-24" barrels, accuracy is excellent and the terminal ballistics are awesome. I've killed everything from small ground squirrels up through.. you wouldn't believe it if I told you. It is a very good bullet and load for the .223. The SX bullets are every bit as accurate and destructive as the polymer tipped bullets and cost a lot less these days. That is always my "go to load".

Actually, in deference to vapodog, I have to admit to burning up a lot of BLC (the original) when I got my first .223 (a rechambered .222) in '69. I used a lot of 27.5 gr loads under 50 gr Sierra Blitz bullets and 50 gr SXs. When I ran out of original BLC I found H335 and the AA2230 and the 55 gr bullet very much to the demise of thousands of squirrels, rockchucks and a couple hundred or so coyotes.

Larry Gibson

another great load is 27.5gr. ac2520 , 52gr. FB hp, Berger or a number of other bullets from 50 gr. to 55gr. same powder charge. roger

I used to use Benchmark, with very good results, but had a period when we could'nt get any so changed to Vit N133 (24.8 grns under 52 grn A-MAX)excellent out to 200/300 metres on Fox