I really like the Tikka T3 Lite stainless in 223 but my dealer told me it only comes with a 8" twist. I intend to use the gun for varmint hunting as a light weight alternative. I have a lot of 50 and 55 grain bullets (Nosler BT's). Will these weight bullets shoot accurately out of a barrel with this twist? If not, which bullet / powder combination would you recommend. I don't anticipate any shots over 250 yards.
There is a good chance that the 8 twist barrel is throated for heavier than 50-55 grain bullets. You might not be able to seat the lighter bullets out far enough to touch the lands. It all depends on what level of accuracy you want but you might not get the best results from an 8 twist with the bullets you mentionned. They will shoot but you will only find out how well by trying it your way. Beware of predictions. My 8 twist 223 shoots 69 gr. SMKs seated into the lands using Varget, for target work.
In regards to the twist rate itself, no worries shooting 50-55gr stuff. I had a Savage 7 twist .223 that shot the 52/53 class bullets quite well. I would bet that they chambered it with a "standard" throat cut for factory, mag length ammo, but you need to find out more. Shooting bullets with a lot of jump isn't necessarily bad, but if you have a bullet that prefers jamming then you could be in a pickle, if they throated it "long."
I have a Hart Barreled 22 250 1/8 twist that shoots 55 gr sierra like a laser, it also shoots 69 gr sierras the same, but does not do as well with 75 gr Hornady A Max, I would not hesitate with a 1/8 for 55 or 60 gr., nver tried the 50 gr.
My 8 twist Hart, chambered in 223 Rem. & throated (.077" FB) for the 80 gr. SMK's does very well with the 55 gr. Hornady V-Max.
I have an 8 twist 223 Ackley that shoots the 52 grain SMK into "bugholes" even while fireforming brass.
There are plenty of folks shooting 52/53gr MKs out of their High Power guns (long throated, and 7-8" twists) to very good effect on the reduced courses. You may be able to wring a bit more accuracy out of a slower twist and shorter throat, but I would expect that set up to work very well with the light bullets.
Then the 53 Grain V-Max with the .290 BC is your best choice. It is long for grain wt. like the Barnes bullets. It has the best BC for any bullet under 63 grains. Expect faster velocity with great performance out to 400 yards. Long bullet that utilizes the 1-8 twist. Another choice would be the 50 Grain Barnes Varmint Grenade. It's as long as the Sierra 69 MK's. The beauty of these 2 bullets is the light weight, you can shoot these very fast and their long length shoots well in a 1-8. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 50 grain barnes VG 24.0 H-322 or 22 grains of IMR 4198 or H-4198 Lake city brass CCI-450 1MOA out to 200 yards. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ I use 8208XBR with these (53's) In my 1-8 twist .223 25.5 grains. 1/2MOA at 200. Work up to this load! Lapua Brass CCI-450 53 V-Max Very stable in hot 100+ or cold 6' weather.....
I used a Savage varmit rifle in 223 for 2 years...I think it was 8 twist...... South Dakota P Dogs...I shot Hornady SX 50 grain one year and Nosler 40 grain the second year....First year I hit 4 in a row at 385...Downwind...No problems with light bullets....LT
I have shot a couple thousand rounds of Nosler 50 grain BT's in a heavy barrel 1-8 twist AR15. It groups in the sub half inch range and has been very effective on Kansas & Wyoming Prairie Dogs. Barrel has a long throat for heavy bullets, but I just loaded it to magazine length and never looked back.
Had my AR at the Pa. Savage Shot was hitting steel at 200 yards. with 55gr BT bullets with my DPMS 24in. 1/8 twist SS barrel had to stop as it was becoming ADDITIVE
I run 55 noslers BT in my Douglas barreled AR 1/8 twist, jumping .060-.080 and will shoot aggs in the .5 MOA range @ 200yds with benchmark. Other bullets will shoot in the .3's but only going out to 250 yds equals .5 difference. If the intent is game, you would be hard pressed to hold that well (in hunting situations I know I can't).
I'd be happy as a pig in mud with .5 MOA at 200 yds. Sound like the 8" twist will work with 55 Noslers which meets my needs exactly. Going rifle shopping after deer season!
