223 or 6.5crmr

[Karhumies]

First: a T3 is a T3. It doesn’t really matter which particular flavour you get - the barrels and actions are all the same. So why restrict yourself to the A1, which limits your calibre options.

I’d instead start with the calibre choice, get whichever t3 comes in that calibre, then customise it. That’s the beauty of T3s - they are endlessly customisable.

6.5 isn’t really a hare shooting calibre. I have done it, quite a lot, out to about 300m. It works, but it seems like absurdly unnecessary overkill, and the trajectory is quite unforgiving at longer range.

I would get a hot .22 centrefire for the specific application you mention: .22-250, .22BR, .22ARC, .22 Creedmoor. I got a .22ARC in part for precisely this: shooting hares at longer ranges. It is perfect for the job.

Why is it overkill for you? genuine question. I havent tried the 6.5 creedmoor but my 30-06 Works fine on hare for instance. Bigger hole sure but no real difference in effect on the edible meat, not like iam eating the head.

Thing is i want THAT chassis. I really like it. And i feel like il pay alot more getting a super varmint in 22-250 and buying a MDT chassis for instance. On another note entirely, how many shots can you even get from a barrel when shooting 22-250 with an 1:8 twist? seems like that combo would wreck barrel life unless pressure is neutered.

 

[25 Sharps]

Are there very many factory 223's that can stabilize a 75gn + bullet ?

Yeah, any 1:8

 

[25 Sharps]

i know the channel. I know wich rifle i want, its not the "best" for the job, that would be something like the tikka ACE game wich also comes in 22-250, 270, 6mm PRC you name it. But iam a big boy that wants a big toy and the tikka t3x tact a1 has the cool and fun factor for me despite its almost unpractical weight. If someone told me it was some kind of .50 cal i would almost believe them.

as for calibre, tho endless there is merit to discussing it when it comes to pushing beyond normal hunting i think.

223 is not really any cheaper than 6.5 tho when it comes to handloading unless we get stingy on a few grains of powder. The premium bullets mostly cost the same for any conventional calibre nowadays or the difference is negligible unless you regularly put hundreds of rounds downrange. Anything i can handload for under 2 euro a shot is normal priced for me. A box of cheap 223 meant for assault rifles costs maybe 35 euro per 50, a box of Sako target ammo costs maybe 60 and lapua match ammo is over 2 euro a piece regardless of calibre. I pay the same for 30-06 and less for 6.5x55.

Our ammo economy is weird like that.

So i expect to pay average 1,50 per triggerpull for any serious shooting that isnt pointing my AK at a siluette and exclaiming leroy jenkins. Wether 308, 30-06, 6.5x55, 223 or 6.5crmr. My 243 being the exeption, factory ammo for it costs 120 euro a box....

So the only factor for me here is wich of the 2 cartridges will suit my shooting best. So far it seems like 223 doesnt really hold any advantage over 6.5 creedmoor other than being less overkill wich is also far less relevant than its often made out to be. i have shot rabbits with a 30-06 and had a decent meal from them. I dont eat the head anyway.

The .223 will give you less recoil, less powder burned, those are the only advantages over the creedmoor.

If I were you I’d look at the 6.5 creedmoor, or even a 6 mm creedmoor for less recoil but all the benefits of the 6.5.

 

[Mungo]

Why is it overkill for you? genuine question. I havent tried the 6.5 creedmoor but my 30-06 Works fine on hare for instance. Bigger hole sure but no real difference in effect on the edible meat, not like iam eating the head.

This may be entirely subjective (most of shooting is), but to me it just seems odd to be using 40+ grains of powder and a 140+gr bullet to kill something that weighs 5kg. I also shoot hares in areas with quite a lot of public access, often needing to shoot 2-3 at a time, so I prefer to keep noise and disturbance to a minimum. Finally, the bulk of my hare shooting is at night, using a thermal scope, and I find it a little harder to maintain sight picture and keep track of what's happened with the larger cartridge.

I agree that ultimately dead is dead, and it you hit it in the head, it doesn't really matter what you use.

On another note entirely, how many shots can you even get from a barrel when shooting 22-250 with an 1:8 twist? seems like that combo would wreck barrel life unless pressure is neutered.

I think if you're using it as a hunting rifle, rather than target, then barrel life isn't really something you need to worry much about.

But given all you've said, I think I'd prefer the .223 over the 6.5CM.

 

[Mungo]

The .223 will give you less recoil, less powder burned, those are the only advantages over the creedmoor.

Ammo is quite a lot cheaper!

 

[25 Sharps]

Ammo is quite a lot cheaper!

Is it?

I have to be honest the only factory ammunition I buy is 0.22LR, 0.22 WMR and 7.5x55, reload everything else!

That said the OP has said there is not a lot in the ammunition cost in his location, see his post #21.

Edit:

Just looked at Daunstey's website, 0.223 £30-£40 per 20, creedmoor £40-50 - so you're right and I'm bloody glad I reload!! Currently loading 0.223AI at 30pence a pop

 

[Karhumies]

Ammo is quite a lot cheaper!

not in Finland unless you use basic fodder. With the bullets iam looking at its a moot point exept for the powder.

There is cheaper ammo for 223, but 223 isnt nessesarily cheaper

as an example, a box of 6.5mm berger VLD is 124 euro. A box of 224 VLD is 115 euro. Thats a few cents per shot. And iam not someone who shoots volume unless its 22lr or 308(my kalashnikov)

 

[Jim Hutton]

Misses can just as well be wounding shots.
If you insist on trying to do head shots on small animals at long range, buy the gun that is less impacted by wind, and hae more killing power.
Also once you start stretching the legs, the Creedmoor will take you further, with more consistent results.

Far more versatile than the 223 as well.

 

[MarinePMI]

not in Finland unless you use basic fodder. With the bullets iam looking at its a moot point exept for the powder.

There is cheaper ammo for 223, but 223 isnt nessesarily cheaper

as an example, a box of 6.5mm berger VLD is 124 euro. A box of 224 VLD is 115 euro. Thats a few cents per shot. And iam not someone who shoots volume unless its 22lr or 308(my kalashnikov)

Have you considered just getting an AI AT-X? or AT-XC? They offer a simple barrel swap, so 6mmCM, 6.5CM, 22CM or .25 CM are all viable options. Theoretically you could run a 22-250 bbl as well, but from what I understand you'll never get all 10 rds to feed from the magazine (7 seems to be the limit before they get all kittywompas in the mag).

And barrel swap is a cinch; just use the 4mm hex key that is tucked under the cheek rest, loosen up the lock bolt and spin the barrel out, and spin a different one in.

It would certainly be a unique rifle in most areas.

 

[Radstorm]

so I got the Tac A1 for the stock / system - it folds and locks up really strong, I wanted a magazine .223 - the mags work perfectly.

I think the .223 will work great - you can shoot it all day - it will certainly kill anything hit in your size range.

I think the only thing that required another think was a scope mount for the scope I had which was tall enough to keep the scope from touching the rail which runs the length of it. - I used a sphur mount as they are my new go to mounts.

 

[Karhumies]

Have you considered just getting an AI AT-X? or AT-XC? They offer a simple barrel swap, so 6mmCM, 6.5CM, 22CM or .25 CM are all viable options. Theoretically you could run a 22-250 bbl as well, but from what I understand you'll never get all 10 rds to feed from the magazine (7 seems to be the limit before they get all kittywompas in the mag).

And barrel swap is a cinch; just use the 4mm hex key that is tucked under the cheek rest, loosen up the lock bolt and spin the barrel out, and spin a different one in.

It would certainly be a unique rifle in most areas.

It would be if i could find one in Finland that doesnt come with an insane special import premium

 

[Cyres]

69 tmk with N140. Silly accurate out to 800m reading wind is the issue. TMK has same terminal effect as a vmax.
D

 

[25 Sharps]

69 tmk with N140. Silly accurate out to 800m reading wind is the issue. TMK has same terminal effect as a vmax.
D

This is what I used to shoot from my 1:9 .223, an awesome vermin bullet. Won’t stabilise in my current .223 AI unfortunately as it’s a quirky 1:14! It does spit out 50 gr vmax at 3550 fps though so good for 300 yards.

 

[BigT]

Not available in the rifle you want but that sounds like a job for 22 Creed

 

[Karhumies]

Not available in the rifle you want but that sounds like a job for 22 Creed

not available in any rifle i can afford haha

 

[Rafter]

Have you read the 223 for deer thread? 60+ pages of people proving that you dont need a biiig boomer to kill stuff.
Or you could just waffle.
Both are OK.

 

[Karhumies]

Have you read the 223 for deer thread? 60+ pages of people proving that you dont need a biiig boomer to kill stuff.
Or you could just waffle.
Both are OK.

agreed, i have put down a 110 kilo White tail buck cripple with a 222. but shooting a healthy one with 223 would not be legal

 

[Crowsfeet]

Message me if you'd like to have a bit of a haggle

Sold: Thread 'Sako 75 III stainless laminate - 22.250 varmint'

Oct 4, 2025

Offered for reluctant sale

Rebarreled by Ronin last year with a 24" GB Barrels in 1/9 twist (I think) and has since shot 48 rounds.

Comes complete with Bushnell Elite 4.5-30x50 scope
Reflex T8 mod
Rusan rail
Warne mounts
Spartan carbon bipod
and Z Aim sling.
All quality gear.

Genuine reason for sale.....
Whilst being rebarreled, I purchased a .223 and it's all I need and more. The Sako is a bit heavy for me too, lugging around the type of ground I cover.
It has been sitting in the cabinet since.

Needs to go.

Full setup. £1000

Possibly split

Based East Manchester.

• Crowsfeet
• Replies: 13
• Forum: Firearms

• 

 

[Karhumies]

Message me if you'd like to have a big of a haggle

Sold: Thread 'Sako 75 III stainless laminate - 22.250 varmint'

Oct 4, 2025

Offered for reluctant sale

Rebarreled by Ronin last year with a 24" GB Barrels in 1/9 twist (I think) and has since shot 48 rounds.

Comes complete with Bushnell Elite 4.5-30x50 scope
Reflex T8 mod
Rusan rail
Warne mounts
Spartan carbon bipod
and Z Aim sling.
All quality gear.

Genuine reason for sale.....
Whilst being rebarreled, I purchased a .223 and it's all I need and more. The Sako is a bit heavy for me too, lugging around the type of ground I cover.
It has been sitting in the cabinet since.

Needs to go.

Full setup. £1000

Possibly split

Based East Manchester.

• Crowsfeet
• Replies: 13
• Forum: Firearms

• 

ha, you handle the export/import paperwork?

 

[Crowsfeet]

ha, you handle the export/import paperwork?

Ah, didn't realise you were on Finland. What a shame though eh.