tikka t3x 223

[Deerstalker6]

Hello,

Just asking will 40/50/55 gr bullets stabilise in a 1:8 twist 223 tikka, theres an absolute minter online just tempted at the moment

 

[ChesterP]

I have used mine with 50 and 55gr. 50 I've found on the limit. 40 grn would likely be a little too short/light for 1.8 and I wouldn't like the chances of them shooting well from one. I have Shot Remi Accutips in 50gr from my 1/8 with no issues at all other than in my barrel length they didn't shoot as well as 55 or 60gr bullets like the Vmax which zip out at close on 3200fps and group very tightly. A 1/8 is better really from 55 to 77 or 80grns depending on bullet design but some 50's will shoot well enough from one. The Tikka's a great .223, especially the T3x Lite. Shame about the long action on a 223 which is the only thing some wont much like.

 

[Southern]

The T3 came in 1:10 and 1:12. I have only seen the T3X .223 in 1:8 and 1:12. 1:12 works very well with 55-gr BT and lighter, but my Howa shoots 62-gr and 64-gr bullets, too.

1:10 is a great rifling for a range of varmint and hunting bullets. 1:8 is more for long range matches. 1:9 is the standard military for 55 to 63-gr FMJ bullets.

 

[User00033]

I had a 1:8” twist T3 Super Varmint .223 for a couple of years. It was a very versatile rifle. From my load notes I see that the lightest bullet I used was the 40gr Nosler BT Varmint, which I don’t remember much about because I didn’t carry on with it past the 100 in the packet. Notes say “sub MOA” thats all. I think it was fine, just not as effective downrange as the heavier bullets.

On the varminting forums you’ll read about guys using 40 and 45gr bullets quite successfully with 1:8” twist .223s.

By far the most successful bullet I used with that rifle was the 60gr Nosler BT Varmint, which would deliver very tight groups.

As usual I think its down to the specific rifle and the load development. I’ve never considered the 1:8” shooting light (short) bullets to be a problem in the same sense as 1:12” shooting heavy (long) bullets.

 

[ChesterP]

I had a 1:8” twist T3 Super Varmint .223 for a couple of years. It was a very versatile rifle. From my load notes I see that the lightest bullet I used was the 40gr Nosler BT Varmint, which I don’t remember much about because I didn’t carry on with it past the 100 in the packet. Notes say “sub MOA” thats all. I think it was fine, just not as effective downrange as the heavier bullets.

On the varminting forums you’ll read about guys using 40 and 45gr bullets quite successfully with 1:8” twist .223s.

By far the most successful bullet I used with that rifle was the 60gr Nosler BT Varmint, which would deliver very tight groups.

As usual I think its down to the specific rifle and the load development. I’ve never considered the 1:8” shooting light (short) bullets to be a problem in the same sense as 1:12” shooting heavy (long) bullets.

Yes, you have a point there dk. It depends on velocity I guess. The issue with shorter bullets as I understand it, is that when you launch a short bullet (and relatively thin jacket) at high velocity, there'll come a point where the bullet wants to go down the barrel, spinning a bit faster than the jacket can hold up to (centrifugal forces combined with stripping of the jacket?). Nothing to say that a lighter bullet launched at moderate velocities shouldn't hold up well...all depending on bullet construction of course.

 

[Whitebeard]

The T3 came in 1:10 and 1:12. I have only seen the T3X .223 in 1:8 and 1:12. 1:12 works very well with 55-gr BT and lighter, but my Howa shoots 62-gr and 64-gr bullets, too.

1:10 is a great rifling for a range of varmint and hunting bullets. 1:8 is more for long range matches. 1:9 is the standard military for 55 to 63-gr FMJ bullets.

Tikka T3 has only ever been available in 223 twist rates of 1:8 and 1:12 here in the UK.

Ian.

 

[User00033]

Tikka T3 has only ever been available in 223 twist rates of 1:8 and 1:12 here in the UK.

Indeed, the T3 was the same choice as the T3x, 1:8” or 1:12”.

You’re right ChesterP, the 1:8” twist will shoot 40-50gr bullets as long as the jackets are not too thin, so the theory goes. I’ve read heaps about thin jacketed bullets disintegrating due to excessive spin but never seen it happen. For years I only used Noslers in my .223s simply because they worked and I couldn’t be bothered to experiment, and I wonder if their supposedly ‘premium’ bullet status means they are thicker jacketed than other varmint bullets, don’t know is the truth of it.

Thinking about it now if there was a scenario for bullets to disintegrate I would have thought the .22-250 1:9” twist Savage we use sometimes here would be a good candidate. My mate happily shoots various little .22cal bullets with that at insane velocities, he only uses the heavy expensive pills for specific purposes. But anyway thats heading off topic.... again....

 

[Whitebeard]

I’ve read heaps about thin jacketed bullets disintegrating due to excessive spin but never seen it happen.

243 Ackley 1:8 twist 70g SMKs, no idea how fast they were going chrono would not give a reading, bullets were turning into puffs of grey smoke at about 30yds from the muzzle.

Ian.

 

[Muir]

243 Ackley 1:8 twist 70g SMKs, no idea how fast they were going chrono would not give a reading, bullets were turning into puffs of grey smoke at about 30yds from the muzzle.

Ian.

A 35 grain Sisk bullet at full snort from a 22-250 Ackley IMP. Same thing. ~Muir

 

[User00033]

Was having a chat tonight with my AR15 mate about goat control. Asked him what he was currently shooting... 40gr V-Max! Did not expect him to say that. 1:8” twist. Uses them for head and neck shooting, he’s very good at it. Its quite a tricked up AR he has, custom barrel of some kind. Reckons the little V-Max flies just fine from the AR, matches his 1:12” twist .223 bolt rifle!

 

[Yorric]

I had a batch of hot loaded 243 65grn Vmax that shot bug holes at 100 yards & didn't reach 200 last year. I didn't see them blow up - just disappeared! This was out of my std slow twist Tikka.- Maybe I should go to Specsavers!
I still have 50 of these pills to load up - must watch closer or down load them a bit. Probably best to do the latter due to the cost of powder these days.

Ian

 

[Whitebeard]

A 35 grain Sisk bullet at full snort from a 22-250 Ackley IMP. Same thing. ~Muir

I had 35g Bergers going 4890fps in my 22-250 AI but it was a 1:16 twist barrel accuracy was not the best.

Ian

 

[Deerstalker6]

well I've done it going for a varmint t3x my local rfd had in 1:8 twist version, just going to stick with 55gr factory.

my local rfd's all stock hornady vmax, win varmint x and federal 55's.

I decided because of my issues with the stock and the cz's trigger, just couldnt get used to it to trade my 204 in for the tikka

 

[Whitebeard]

well I've done it going for a varmint t3x my local rfd had in 1:8 twist version, just going to stick with 55gr factory.

my local rfd's all stock hornady vmax, win varmint x and federal 55's.

I decided because of my issues with the stock and the cz's trigger, just couldnt get used to it to trade my 204 in for the tikka

If you are going to only shoot 55g factory ammo get a 1:12 as that is the twist rate optimised for that weight range of bullet, 1:8 isnt

Ian.

 

[ChesterP]

well I've done it going for a varmint t3x my local rfd had in 1:8 twist version, just going to stick with 55gr factory.

my local rfd's all stock hornady vmax, win varmint x and federal 55's.

I decided because of my issues with the stock and the cz's trigger, just couldnt get used to it to trade my 204 in for the tikka

Great choice. 60gr Vmax shoot very well from my 1/8 223 but so does 55gr factory. A above, if you're never going to shoot heavier than 55gr, then the 1/12 might have been the more optimal choice but the 1/8 should shoot well with most 55gr factory.

 

[boe]

well I've done it going for a varmint t3x my local rfd had in 1:8 twist version, just going to stick with 55gr factory.

my local rfd's all stock hornady vmax, win varmint x and federal 55's.

I decided because of my issues with the stock and the cz's trigger, just couldnt get used to it to trade my 204 in for the tikka

I’ve just done the same traded my Howa 204 in for a T3x in 223 as I could get decent groups from it no matter what factory ammo I used

 

[Bo Diddley]

Holy Thread Resurrection ...