bullet weight for .223

colt45gunner

colt45gunner

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Hello,
I've posted in past re: which brand of rifle to buy, etc...

I'm going to be buying a Tikka 3 HB Varmit Stainless, 24"
it comes with 1 in 14 twist and wanted to know, what bullet weights can I shoot thru this ? are the .55 gr. just fine or ? ? I believe the gun can be ordered with 1 in 8 twist as well...
I'll be shooting out to 300 yards...

any expert advise on bullet weights in respect to barrel lengths, rate of twists, etc... would be appreciated.

Cheers,
 
To my understanding the T3's were most common in a 1 in 8" twist. I would get the 1 in 8 if I were you over the supposed 1 in 14. I myself have a 1 in 12 in my x-bolt that pretty much limits me to 60 grain bullets. Shooting with a 1 in 8 I have seen many people successfully shoot a wide range of grain weights. You also get the option of launching some of the heavier boys, for example 80 gr VLD's or 75 gr A-max, if you ever want to get into some long range shooting.
 
Varmint hunters want velocity, target shooters want high ballistic coefficients. This is why you find varmnt guns with slow twists.

While you can have terrific fun with a slow twist 223 (14") you will be having a difficult time in windy conditions using the light bullets.

If you are trying for accuracy, I would go with the 8" twist to open up your selection of excellent match bullets.

Nice rifle by the way, good choice.
 
o.k.. sounds good, 1 x 8 twist seems the way to go for pretty much all options...for now it will be for fun...competitions ? hmm..not likely..but never say never...just 55 gr. shootin for now and for a while...

Thanks, I'll order it with the 1x8 twist...
 
"...1 in 14 twist..." Will tend to shoot light bullets best.
"...1 in 8 twist..." Will tend to shoot heavy bullets best.
 
I have a T3 Stainless Varmint in 222 with a 1 in 14 twist. It will not shoot anything over 40 gr worth a crap. 40 and 36 gr are magic though. With the extra velocity MY barrel might shoot 55 gr well but I bet that's about it. If mine was .223 and I had a choice I'd have it in 1 in 8.
 
The Tikka .223 is a 1-8 or 1-12 twist both of which will shoot 55gr. bullets but if you intend to shoot 300yds the 1-8 is better as you will be able to load heavier bullets and these, as Obtunded said, are better in the wind for accuracy.
I just bought the same rifle for myself and I intend to use it for out to 600yd target work,but not until next year.
 
I have a question... my XR15 has a 1:7 twist and right now i seem to have 55gr sighted in nicely at 200 - 300 yards. If i were to just load up with lets say 62 or 80 gr ammo, how much is that bullet liable to drop at those distances compared to the 55gr? ie) would holding up an inch at 200 be about right?
 
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