Tikka T3X Varmint in .223~any great-shooting 55gr.-60gr. V-Max loads? (1:8)

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

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Hey guys~I load for a Savage .223 1:9, happy to share my load data for that. Just wondering if any of you guys are loading for your Tikka Varmint and getting great results with Hornady V-Max bullets in the 53gr.-60gr. range? If so, care to share your load data?

thanks!
 
.22LRGUY said:
Hey guys~I load for a Savage .223 1:9, happy to share my load data for that. Just wondering if any of you guys are loading for your Tikka Varmint and getting great results with Hornady V-Max bullets in the 53gr.-60gr. range? If so, care to share your load data?

thanks!
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My Tikka Varmint 223 1:8 likes heavier bullets in the 62-69 grain range. I have not reloaded with any V-Max bullets, only shot factory Hornady and it was a little less than MOA. The heavier stuff has been half-MOA consistently. To be honest, I haven't found V-Max bullets to be super accurate in anything that I've owned. They shoot consistently and are great for coyote hunting but they are a fairly pedestrian bullet when compared to some of the BTHP's that I seem to have much better luck with.

For reloading, I use Varget in both my 223 and 308, close to max loads for both usually. I have tried 75gr A-Max but I have not owned a rifle that has shot those well.

I am probably going to shorten my Varmint from 24" to 20" to make it a little handier in the field.

Patrick
 
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What works in one rifle won't necessarily work in the next identical model.

IMR 8208xbr works well in a lot of 223's, work your load up with your set of components
 
Try the standard Hornady 75 grain BTHP. I h ave found these exceedlingly accurate in my 1:8 twist Ruger and they are pretty damned inexpensive.
 
Thanks guys. I've read that these rifles really favor heavier bullets (unlike my Savage 1:9), but the V-Max "requirement" (=wish) has to do with proven performance of those bullets on varmints like groundhogs. I've thrown allot of bullets their way, surprisingly different results. Anything that isn't highly frangible doesn't make for "immediate" results on body shots, and "immediate" is what I'm after.

I have had great accuracy results from Hornady V-Max if I'm being 100% honest, and much LESS from bullets like 69gr. SMKs...which most people told me ought to be stellar.
 
.22LRGUY said:
Thanks guys. I've read that these rifles really favor heavier bullets (unlike my Savage 1:9), but the V-Max "requirement" (=wish) has to do with proven performance of those bullets on varmints like groundhogs. I've thrown allot of bullets their way, surprisingly different results. Anything that isn't highly frangible doesn't make for "immediate" results on body shots, and "immediate" is what I'm after.

I have had great accuracy results from Hornady V-Max if I'm being 100% honest, and much LESS from bullets like 69gr. SMKs...which most people told me ought to be stellar.
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Have you tried the Nosler Varmageddon line? I have shot both 53-55gr in mine and they shot better than the V-Max, I believe also they are highly frangible as the name would suggest. They come in polymer tipped and HP with a flat base. Worth a try,

Patrick
 
Nosler varmageddon did well for a 204 I had. I wouldnā€™t mind owning a tikka varmint again but in 223 this time. Maybe with a shorter barrel though. My bighorn tl3 223 has a 24ā€ barrel and weighs a ton. Too heavy for field use.

I donā€™t see anybody talking about the good ol Barnes varmint grenades anymore. My 204 tikka shot those into 1/4ā€ or less groups on the very first reloading test
 
I use 55gr almost exclusively in my Tikka T3 varmint. 1/2 MOA on most days.

55gr VMAX pushed by AA2230 o H335 powder is my go-to. Get about 3250fps and blows up gophers really really really well.
 
I was tempted to buy a tikka t3lite in 223 the other day. They dont fit me at all in factory form but put it in a chassis then maybe. Either way i passed on a great deal. $599 brand new
For my inaccurate winchester 70 fwt with a very slow twist it shoots best with the noslers 40gr varmegedden bullets.
 
60 grain Hornady flat based hollow point and varget was effective coyote load in mine, although it was is a sporter. 53 vmax factory shoots almost as good. Playing in other directions with my handloads now. Still have enough loaded up with the 60 grain HP to last me another 20 years coyote hunting.
 
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.22LRGUY said:
Hey guys~I load for a Savage .223 1:9, happy to share my load data for that. Just wondering if any of you guys are loading for your Tikka Varmint and getting great results with Hornady V-Max bullets in the 53gr.-60gr. range? If so, care to share your load data?

thanks!
Click to expand...

The 55Vmax over Varget has been accurate in every 223 I've owned or been around. Same for 22-250s. The 223 Tikka I owned years ago loved the combo. Also shot the 75 Amax well, which is a pile better in the wind and surprisingly effective on gophers. šŸ˜‰
 
My Tikka Varmint shoots 50 grain Nosler Ballistic tips into tiny, tiny groups with Varget as the go to powder. Best group so far has been 0.4" at two hundred yards. Any Nosler book loads between 25 and 26 grains have been outstanding.
 
Wow...lots to think about guys, greatly appreciated!

I'm actually wanting a Tikka varmint in .204R, hoping in 2019. In my case, I've got a desire to shoot 32gr. V-Max as fast as I can get them going. When I had a Cooper in .204, I tested them on paper...and ultimately, on groundhogs. They weren't the best shooting, but POI was 3/4" left of where my pet load was (+/-) so I brought some, and took out a groundhog @ just under 100 yards with it. Inspiring results. I've since asked the question on another forum about what 204s shoot the 32gr. best, the overwhelming response was "Tikka".
 
I shot a lot of 55/60 grain vmax in my T3 1:8 twist. They both worked well with a max charge of varget. Always sub moa.
Nosler varmageddon was great also. I tried the 75 grain supeformance ammo and I was unimpressed untill i pulled the bullets and inserted varget. Mine never like lighter bullets so I stuck to 55 grain and heavier. Mostly 60 grain. I did try the Barnes 70 grain tsx which also worked very well.
 
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I get very good accuracy with 50 grains Sierra SP behind a pinch of H322 - very tight group (4shot) at 50 yards - sub MOA at 100 and 200 yards. This is what seems to be working for my Tikka - if it matters my ole girl has just over 3,600 rounds through the barrel and shoots amazing - bullets are seated consistently at or 0.002 below 2.260. These are the are the rounds I tested yesterday at the range since my Leupold is in for service check up and I installed an old bushnell 3-9x40 that i bought in 2005 to use on my Tikka for varmints.

Hoping to get the same if not better accuracy out of my T3-204 once my T3x action is used for a custom build.
 
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