Tikka T3x Varmint Hunter in .233 - 50gr hand loads

[matt20]

Looking to purchase a Tikka in Varmint Hunter 223....anyone out there bought one of these and happy to provide a review/thoughts on this rifle? Will look to reload 50-55gr bullets as will get a 1-12 twist rate so let me know what your reloads shoot like. Will most likely try and work up a Hornady Vmax 50 or 53gr load using 2206H.

[JohnV]

Don't get a 1 in 12 twist it won't stabilize longer heavier high BC bullets . They might group ok at 100 meters but can shoot badly at long range . Get a 1 in 8 twist .
You can't go too far wrong with a Tikka . All the load information you need is on the ADI site .

[Oldbloke]

Don't get a 1 in 12 twist it won't stabilize longer heavier high BC bullets . They might group ok at 100 meters but can shoot badly at long range . Get a 1 in 8 twist .
You can't go too far wrong with a Tikka . All the load information you need is on the ADI site .

Yep, and consider the 55gr Sierra superoos

[JimTom]

G’day mate
I have a Tikka T3 Lite, not a varmint and not a hunter but it is a 1:12 twist. I shoot 55gn projectiles and use BM8208. It is an absolute tac driver. Other powders ie 2206H and 2208 also shoot really well.
Being a Tikka, no doubt yours will shoot well also.

[bigrich]

Looking to purchase a Tikka in Varmint Hunter 223....anyone out there bought one of these and happy to provide a review/thoughts on this rifle? Will look to reload 50-55gr bullets as will get a 1-12 twist rate so let me know what your reloads shoot like. Will most likely try and work up a Hornady Vmax 50 or 53gr load using 2206H.

benchmark 2 is also a very good powder with 55 vmax . it's fine grained and flows beautifully when weighing charges for reloading . it's what i use for comps in my 1-12 223 tikka

[Bello]

Hello Mate

Can I suggest, if you don't shoot that much, you try the preloaded 223 ammo from ADI.
It shoots a treat, and it may save you a lot of mucking around trying to develop a load.
The Tikka rifles seem to like them.

Otherwise, I load a 55gr V-Max using ADI BM 8208 and this seems to be quite accurate for my 223, 1 in 12 twist.
Almost all of my hunting is done within the 200-meter mark and the 1 in 12 twist is just fine for that range.
good luck