Tikka T3 Lite, in .223 Rem.

[Ed from Maine]

I just picked up a slightly used T3 Lite, in .223 Rem. The shop clerk told me that this particular one had a 1:12 rifling , rather than a 1:8 twist. What does that mean in terms of desired bullet weight? 55 gr. OK?

 

[husker]

I have a 1 :12 or its a 1:14 cant remember off had . Any way it likes 40 to 45 grain V-max

 

[unwise11]

neat. I dont like Tikka, but enjoy your new gun.

 

[Kachok]

Love my Tikka it is my baby. There simply is no other 6 lbs rifle in the world that shoots such tiny groups. To anwser your question most 40-55 gr should shoot very well with a 1:12 twist, but I think I would leave most 62gr alone, althouh not all bullets are constructed the same, remember that it is the length that you have to stabalize not the weight.

 

[stormspotter]

Check the left side of the barrel, mine has 223 8". Meaning it's a 1 in 8" twist.
A couple days ago I dropped a nice 8 point buck, at about 80 yards, using a Sierra 65 grain Gameking. The 223 will do the job as long as you use good judgement.

If it's a 1 in 12" twist you can probably use up to a 60 grain bullet, if it has a flat base. Have fun, they're great rifles.


Check out Sierras reloading manual here, lots of good info. http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223rembolt.pdf

 

[Ed from Maine]

wrong info

The clerk told me wrong, it says 8" right on the barrel. I will try a few different rounds, see how they do.

 

[rbernie]

My 1:8" twist Tikka 223 barrel will put five rounds of just about ANYTHING that I feed it (milsurp ammo, cheap offshore commercial ammo, you name it) into an inch or better at 100 yards. It's freakishly accurate, well beyond expectation or reason.

Enjoy!

 

[Ed from Maine]

info on CZ site...

I just remembered that I was thinking of ordering a new CZ in .223 a while back (I am quite fond of my rimfire CZ rifles), so I went to their site, saw that they offered both a 1:9 and 1:12 model, with the following comment:

The 527 Varmint models in .223 Rem feature a 1:9" twist barrel which is able to stabilize bullets up to 70 grains, while the 527 American models in .223 feature a 1:12" twist more suitable to bullet weights 55 grains and less.

I think I am good to go with whatever I can lay my hands on .

 

[viking499]

Are you going to replace the Tikka with a CZ? Or going to have two variations of the 223?

 

[Ed from Maine]

No, this was a stumble-upon/impulse buy, the Tikka will be instead of the CZ, .....unless of course, I later change my mind...it is possible I might get the long distance bug, and start spending some serious change. That would be appropriate, in the fair and balanced sense, since my preference in handguns is snubby revolvers...cover all the ground.

 

[45crittergitter]

Don't you just love gun shop clerks? I mean, they know everything....