I ended up with another Tikka in 223rem , and I saw some 69gr Sierra TMK bullets in stock at a dealer, so I decided to give them a try. I opened the box, and these bullets are very long for the bullet weight. I measured the distance to the lands, and the magazine length, and in order to fit the magazine, the bullets would be seated about .085" from the lands. With the required COL, there is a lot of bullet in the case, and with powders like Varget, the loads would be compressed quite a bit. I loaded up ten rounds with the TMK and ten with the standard 69gr Matchking, using CFE223, which takes up less space in the case than Varget, and I was off to the range. The Matchkings did okay averaging under .750" for two five shot groups, but the TMKs printed .580" for the first five shot group and .350" for the second five shoot group at 100m. I was very impressed with the accuracy, and the B.C. is very high for a 69gr .224" bullet. I quickly picked up the phone, and managed to find another 400 of the 69gr TMK bullets, which I ordered. The next trip out, I will take the magnetospeed, and I will also try working the powder charge up a bit.
I was also quite impressed with the B&C m40 pattern stock that I bedded the Tikka action into. It certainly isn't a McMillan, but for $350, it is pretty decent.
The best five shot group
The rifle
Below are the 69gr TMK and the 69gr Matchking. The picture quality is poor, but the difference in length is obvious.
I was also quite impressed with the B&C m40 pattern stock that I bedded the Tikka action into. It certainly isn't a McMillan, but for $350, it is pretty decent.
The best five shot group
The rifle
Below are the 69gr TMK and the 69gr Matchking. The picture quality is poor, but the difference in length is obvious.
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