.223 1:8 Twist - Bullet Recommendations

[Frithy]

I’ve picked up a Tikka T3X in .223 with a 1:8 twist barrel. Are there any bullets people would recommend to suit this?

I’m trying to gain some knowledge here as to what type/weight bullet suits this barrel rather than say the other flavour 1:12 twist.

I got some boxes of bullets with the rifle and they specifically mention 1:12 twist on them so I’ve assumed that some bullets will suit certain barrels better than others.

Any input welcome here

 

[DavyG]

Sierra 69gr (TMK or MatchKing). Lapua scenar 69gr. Both work extremely well in my 1:8 twist.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Fast twist = use heavier than normal bullets so 60 grains and up.

 

[Frithy]

Fast twist = use heavier than normal bullets so 60 grains and up.

This is the sort of answering I was hoping for. From what I had picked up reading was that heavier bullets will stabilise better in a faster barrel. But I wasn’t sure if this meant lighter bullets wouldn’t?

 

[scrumbag]

That 65gr Sierra SBT is a lovely bullet.

Also have a look at the 70gr Nosler accubond for munties / CWD / Scottish Roe.

I'd also be tempted to see how the 70gr GMX would go (62gr Barnes as well in non-lead)..?

 

[NP435]

I’ve picked up a Tikka T3X in .223 with a 1:8 twist barrel. Are there any bullets people would recommend to suit this?

I’m trying to gain some knowledge here as to what type/weight bullet suits this barrel rather than say the other flavour 1:12 twist.

I got some boxes of bullets with the rifle and they specifically mention 1:12 twist on them so I’ve assumed that some bullets will suit certain barrels better than others.

Any input welcome here

When they quote the twist rate it is the minimum recommendation. a faster twist will not hurt a thing unless the projectile is intended for 22 Hornet and is pushed way past normal velocity hence rotations per minute. A badly eroded bore will contribute as well.

 

[Frithy]

When they quote the twist rate it is the minimum recommendation. a faster twist will not hurt a thing

Thanks for clearing that up

 

[Malxwal]

Thread 'Barnes TTSX .224 62gr' For Sale: - Barnes TTSX .224 62gr

 

[User00044]

This is the sort of answering I was hoping for. From what I had picked up reading was that heavier bullets will stabilise better in a faster barrel. But I wasn’t sure if this meant lighter bullets wouldn’t?

It's length as opposed to weight that dictates twist rate .

If you're ever unsure when choosing bullets , there are couple of twist rate calculators online . The JBM Ballistics one is easy to use and they have a comprehensive bullet data list . I'm assuming you're handloading.

The 1 in 8 will give you a wide choice of useable bullets. If it's a short barrel it may fail to meet a velocity acceptable to yourself.

 

[Frithy]

It's length as opposed to weight that dictates twist rate .

If you're ever unsure when choosing bullets , there are couple of twist rate calculators online . The JBM Ballistics one is easy to use and they have a comprehensive bullet data list . I'm assuming you're handloading.

The 1 in 8 will give you a wide choice of useable bullets. If it's a short barrel it may fail to meet a velocity acceptable to yourself.

Yeah will be handloading myself. Thanks

 

[NP435]

It's length as opposed to weight that dictates twist rate .

If you're ever unsure when choosing bullets , there are couple of twist rate calculators online . The JBM Ballistics one is easy to use and they have a comprehensive bullet data list . I'm assuming you're handloading.

The 1 in 8 will give you a wide choice of useable bullets. If it's a short barrel it may fail to meet a velocity acceptable to yourself.

yes true or design such as the 53grn V-Max recommended if I recall for a 12 twist or faster. Thats why I never tried it in 22-250 my twist is 1-14. In the bad old days weight made for longer projectiles too. Then came monolithic's.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

This is the sort of answering I was hoping for. From what I had picked up reading was that heavier bullets will stabilise better in a faster barrel. But I wasn’t sure if this meant lighter bullets wouldn’t?

I loaded last week for the neighbours bolt action 5.6x57 some 55 grain PPUs that shot all over the place and 65 grain sierras that shot a very close group and matched POI to his RWS factory loads both with CFE223 37.8 gr.

 

[DVS1]

I use 50gr sbk, vmax, 52gr eld, 60gr tmk, 62gr ttsx, 69gr stmk all work and will give me .3 moa if I do my part

 

[scrumbag]

I use 50gr sbk, vmax, 52gr eld, 60gr tmk, 62gr ttsx, 69gr stmk all work and will give me .3 moa if I do my part

What powder you using for the 60gr TMK please?

Scrummy

 

[Cyres]

69 TMK with N140 Lapua case remy7.5 primers.

 

[trickie]

I use ‘Hornady 75gr ELDM, in Lapua case and Vihtavuori N540 out of my 24” Tikka CTR. A 24” barrel gets better performance from N540, a 20” barrel I’d use N 140 and 69 gr bullets, mine is fully stable and repeatable out to 600 yards

your 8” twist will push 55 grain or heavier up to 75gr, possible 77, Ive not tried them in mine. The Heavier bullet may not be stable from a 12” twist, definitely not a 12’ twist Tikka barrel (don’t ask).

 

[DVS1]

What powder you using for the 60gr TMK please?

Scrummy

Rs40 23.9gr, lapua brass, cci br4 primers in my 23" bartlein tube buddy

 

[Zetter]

I just had my .223 rebarrelled in 1 in 8 twist and though its early days on the reloading front for this rifle I am having a lot of success with 75 grain Hornady they seem to have a noticable edge on the 53 grain bullets I started with. On the inital load ladder I only had a couple of 5 shot groups that went above 1/2".
This was loaded with Vit 140.

 

[plumber01]

I have a 1:10 26 inch, and it will go up to 69gn, lapua for target and hornady for hunting, the only thing you may find is that you need the bullets going quickly to stabilise, I think mine needed about 24gn of n140 , below that they were all over the place , I ended up with a load a little of max for best results. good luck

 

[JTO]

80 Gr A-Max goes well in mine, but so does 40 Gr Nosler BT.
Just started to work up a load for 40 Gr V-max.

24" barrel.