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

[matt20]

Tested out some reloads on the weekend in the new 223......using 2206H and 25 - 25.5gr all the bullets tested grouped well under MOA. Best results were with 53gr adn 55gr VMax. The 53gr Nosler Varmageddon grouped well too. Went out shooting foxes Saturday night...very quiet only saw 3 for the night and got a shot at 1....about 150m head shot with the Varmageddon.....

Have sighting the rifle in 2inch high at 100m so should zero at 250m i hope....what are others sighting in at?

[bigrich]

Tested out some reloads on the weekend in the new 223......using 2206H and 25 - 25.5gr all the bullets tested grouped well under MOA. Best results were with 53gr adn 55gr VMax. The 53gr Nosler Varmageddon grouped well too. Went out shooting foxes Saturday night...very quiet only saw 3 for the night and got a shot at 1....about 150m head shot with the Varmageddon.....

Have sighting the rifle in 2inch high at 100m so should zero at 250m i hope....what are others sighting in at?

i sight in 1 1/2" at 100 for a 200 yard zero with 55 vmax loads . 60 vmax also shoot very good in my t3 12 twist sporter and hit harder on chest shots. down to .3's very regularly with both loads in adi brass BM2 powder . 12 twist is optimum for 50-55 bullet weight . 60 vmax shoot well cause they're a flat base. leave the 8 twist for heavier long range stuff . never had a need for heavies in what i do . at a guess 2" at 100 would give me a 230 yard zero with my 55 vmax load. i would suggest settling on a load and shooting at a range to determine your trajectory and use "Kentucky windage" on longer shots

[matt20]

Twist rate is 1;12.... Looks like i might have to drop the 100m height to 1.5inch high. Using Hornady new brass plus Winchester brass and will neck size so hopefully groups will close up nicely. Can get the Vmax for just under $50 from Cleavers so it makes for an economical reload.

[bladeracer]

Tested out some reloads on the weekend in the new 223......using 2206H and 25 - 25.5gr all the bullets tested grouped well under MOA. Best results were with 53gr adn 55gr VMax. The 53gr Nosler Varmageddon grouped well too. Went out shooting foxes Saturday night...very quiet only saw 3 for the night and got a shot at 1....about 150m head shot with the Varmageddon.....

Have sighting the rifle in 2inch high at 100m so should zero at 250m i hope....what are others sighting in at?

I use the 55gn Gameking, very cheap bullet, especially if you buy Cleaver's bulk specials when they have them. I zero 70mm high at 100m. At 260m it's 30mm low. 26.5gn of AR2206H at 2.290", making 3325fps if full-length sized, or 3235fps if only neck-sizing.