there are no shortcuts, all rifles behave differently. If your range time is limited, then you're not going to get a great load. For whatever it's worth, I've found that my Tikka t3 likes 25.0 of Varget or 23.5 of benchmark over a CCI magnum primer with a moly-coated AMAX. However, you're still going to have to do your own legwork, as there's no guarantee that these will work in your rifle accurately, or safely.
I am giving the 75gr A-max/Varget/GM205's a try with my stevens 200 , and I must say at the starting loads it grouped horrable but as I worked up at .2gr increments it got tighter and tighter. I am still working up ,but I found a few loads in the middle/top end that are worth going back too with confedence that they will produce some bugholes![]()
Still no luck! Tested 3 loads 24.2 Varget, 24.6 Varget, and 25.0 Varget, all keyholed at 100 yards, I do not think my rifle is a 1 in 8 twist, I've got a feeling its 1 in 12. My buddy has a newer T3 Varmit, I'm going to give that one a try. Is there any way I can check the twist in my rifle?
The Tikka T3 Varmint in .223 that I have right here has 8", roll stamped right into the barrel.
Interesting, no marks on my barrel at all regarding twist?
I ALWAYS start lower with untested load data, It's pretty much an unwritten rule for the reloader.
Is there any way I can check the twist in my rifle?