.223. 1in12 v 1in8 for fox out to 300m

[Jelen]

Hi.
i've got the option of two .223 rifles. A Wide Veil 22" 1in 12 barrel, or a Tikka Lite 20" 1in8 barrel.
I'm only interested using it on Fox and vermin but would really like to use it out to 300m due to the nature of the land on my permissions.
What do owners of .223's think is preferable?

 

[Malxwal]

Previous owner, but I'd go 8 twist. Had 55gr bullets doing 3350.out of 20", and the 8 twist keeps your options open for bullets that'll behave better in the wind.

 

[JockStalk]

I’ve a 7 twist and super with copper. Should be great with heavies but have yet to play with that yet

 

[JockStalk]

But if leaded and 35-60gr, the 12 will be fine

 

[Will the chippy]

im sure copper only bullets will be mandatory sooner or later so I'd go 1 in 8 twist for versatility.

 

[Jelen]

One of the reasons why I posted was the total failure in my search for a 1 in 8 Tikka. definitely not helped by not one advert - either on Gun Trader or dealers - stating the barrel twist! Even GMK's official site is wrong, they showed 4 rifles with 1 in 8 twist in stock. My RFD ordered one in and it turned out to be a 1 in 12. He phoned them and they said it was a misprint . So he's hanging on to the Veil Wide land for me just in case (I do like the middle weight barrel at 22").
Short of phoning every dealer I'm stuck. Very frustrating.

 

[Will the chippy]

I bought a howa instead. It's perfectly good.

 

[Triggermortis]

Will a barrel with a tighter twist burn out sooner?
I.E does a tighter twist automatically mean shorter barrel life .

 

[Bo Diddley]

Short of phoning every dealer I'm stuck. Very frustrating.

Try "Forest Lodge Guns" in Wragby if you haven't already.

 

[Jelen]

I bought a howa instead. It's perfectly good.

Sadly they won't fit in my spare PSE stock

 

[Will the chippy]

Sadly they won't fit in my spare PSE stock

Ah, bugger. Didn't know that bit.

 

[Lloyd90]

I understand that 223 is below the calibre limit they are becoming copper only… so we can carry on with lead 223?

 

[Jelen]

I understand that 223 is below the calibre limit they are becoming copper only… so we can carry on with lead 223?

Yes on fox and vermin.

 

[Ludders]

I shoot a 1-12 my cousin shoots a 1-8.
We reload the same 55gn v max and notice no real difference out to foxing ranches. His rifle is a t3x varmint with 1/8 20 inch. Mine is a t3 lite with 1/12 20 inch. My rifle is a lot lighter on the shoulder when carrying.
if foxing at night 300 metres is a long way!

 

[old keeper]

I shoot a 1-12 my cousin shoots a 1-8.
We reload the same 55gn v max and notice no real difference out to foxing ranches. His rifle is a t3x varmint with 1/8 20 inch. Mine is a t3 lite with 1/12 20 inch. My rifle is a lot lighter on the shoulder when carrying.
if foxing at night 300 metres is a long way!

A very long way!

 

[gixer1]

I have a 1:8 twist SV and shoot 73gr at around 2850fps with good effect and they seem accurate enough.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[Cyres]

1:8 will love 69 TMK

Same terminal effect as a Vmax.
D

 

[Sniper308]

Get the tikka

 

[hendrix's rifle]

53g vmax will do either at that range and further. I can't remember exactly velocity but my last one was around 3450fps with 50g blitzkings and they were brilliant on long range fox/corvids. Hit a crow at 400 and watch the poof of feathers.

Any 50g bullet will do well out to that distance but I did prefer the 50g sierra or the 55g vmax (found it less picky than the 53g vmax)

 

[scotch_egg]

53gr V-max generally won’t stabilise in a 1-12. It’s my go to bullet in a 1-8 tikka T3 20” at 3300fps 24.7gr N140 and cheap PPU brass.

Works well with a pard night stalker and I’ve had fox at 300. I like to get closer but sometimes needs must.