223 best ammo

[mjones123]

Hi Iv just bought a tikka t3x light adjustable in a 1-8 twist. I couldn’t get the 55 grain vmax to group well enough . Tried 75 grain black Hornady hollow point and they grouped amazing. Will these be okay to use on foxes ? And is there any other heavier ammo anyone could recommend for fox. Thanks

 

[rocketdogbert]

I don’t shoot game, but with a 1 in 8 you really need heavy ammo. I used 69gr GGG Match in my Tikka

 

[Mike1979]

They are more then enough for a fox. I used 55 grain ballistic tips when I had a .223 ...now use a .243 with 58 grain Varmint X

 

[Mike1979]

Lets just remember that foxes arent exactly tough animals from a skeletal perspective. Plenty killed with .17 HMRs and 17 grain bullets.

 

[Kjf]

They will be fine , if they are accurate ,use them

Don't overthink it . Them rounds will drop all the small deer aswell and are legal for roe in Scotland and cwd and muntjac in England

Get a few boxes and go n enjoy ur foxing/ shooting

End of

Kjf

 

[Dougal McGuire]

1:8 will definitely shine best with 62-77 grain. I have gotten very good accuracy though with 55 grain Nosler Varmageddon in 1:8 and 1:7.

 

[Heym SR20]

The 50 to 55gn bullets where designed for the original 1 in 12” twist for the 223 / 5.56 NATO.

With the desire for better long range penetration of particularly steel helmets and body armour NATO/ US military adopted a 69gn bullet which requires a 1 in 8” twist rate.

Whether of not light bullets shoot well in fast twist barrels, or whether its a particular bullet, from a particular manufacturer in a particular barrel will be subject to endless debate. There are less contentious problems such as trying under the opposite sex.

 

[C h r i s]

My 1:8" twist Tikka T3x loves the 40gn VMAX, pretty flat trajectory out to 200, velocity around 3800fps, tiny groups.

Don't believe everything you hear about the 8" twist only liking heavy bullets. Mine doesn't like 69gn but does like 53gn VMAX and 75gn ELDM.

 

[nic531]

my 1 in 9 barrel does not get on with light bullets, was bad enough with 62 gn and like a shotgun with 55. I use 75 gn now for target but am about to try 69 gn TGK game changers for fox/vermin

 

[Woodwalker1]

My Tikka t3x super varmint has excellent accuracy with both factory and home loads in 55g vmax. Also home loaded 60g vmax.
It is a 1 in 8 twist. Might be worth trying a different batch. Only a thought.
Good luck with your search.

 

[Woodwalker1]

Also 55g Sako gameheads work well.

 

[C h r i s]

You cant over-stabilise a light bullet (unless you can blow it up), but not all barrels like all bullet shapes, how well the bullet shoots is more down to the bullet design than the weight when shot from a fast twist barrel.

 

[mjones123]

Thanks for your help lads. Il stick with what Iv got for the min as I no they work. And will have a play about with different ammo when I go the range. Thanks

 

[ashray]

MY 223REM tikka tac a1 shoots the 40gr v-max up to 77 smk under an inch at 100 yards its a 1 in 8 twist 20" barrel. it is excellent with the 60gr v-max . try the 60gr for your foxing needs ,messy but very effective.

 

[shezza87]

My 1-8 twist shoots 53gr vmax in a ragged hole at 100 mertres. They are actually longer than the 55gr vmax…perfect for a faster twist. Give them a try. Federal load them in factory if you don’t reload.

 

[villaman]

I’ve tried 35 gr NTX made by hornady through my 1-8 howa 1500sa works really well out to 200 yards at 3750 fps