Bullet recommendation

[Judd]

I've got a Tikka 223 1:8 twist that I've never worked up a load for, it's time...what bullet would you chose to take PD hunting? A buddy uses 75g Amax or ELD in his fast twist 22-250 but I am not sure I'll be fast enough to see the impressive hits his gun gets. So I was thinking about using a 60 Ballistic Tip Varmint bullet.

Thoughts from the experts....awe heck, even if you aren't an expert...whatcha think?

 

[redrockranger]

I've got a Tikka 223 1:8 twist that I've never worked up a load for, it's time...what bullet would you chose to take PD hunting? A buddy uses 75g Amax or ELD in his fast twist 22-250 but I am not sure I'll be fast enough to see the impressive hits his gun gets. So I was thinking about using a 60 Ballistic Tip Varmint bullet.

Thoughts from the experts....awe heck, even if you aren't an expert...whatcha think?

53 gr. V-Max, IMR 8208 XBR. 60gr. Nosler BT nice also, IMR 8208 XBR also, uncertain about velocity.

 

[spife7980]

Not for prairie dogs down here in TX but I used to shoot the 60BT until just recently. Over 23.6 gr of 8208 it went 2670 out of my 16" barrel with RP brass. I have moved to the 53 varmageddon as it has a higher BC than the 60BT and I get a bit more speed out of it. Guess that falls right in line with what redrockranger has said right above me, just on the other side of the manufacturer coin. Im shooting it over 24.6 gr of 8208 and getting 2900 in lapua brass. Dont have a comparison of the two loads in identical brass yet.

The 53 seems more at home against a prairie dog even though the varmageddon is just a flat base version of the ballistic tip.

 

[people]

I like the hornady 52gr HPBT bullet. I spin up all my AR-15's with a 1:8 twist. With that being said anything in the 50 to 55gr will work great as long as your rifle will shoot them.

 

[K22]

I'm not an expert but I recently purchases the same rifle you have. I have a lot of experience with 12" twists 223's but this new rifle was my first 8" twist.

I tried both 50 and 55 grain Noslers BT's; my go to bullets for the 223's which I've used for years with outstanding results but I could not obtain consistent results with these in my Tikka.

Next I tried the 60 grain Nosler BT's and Hornday Vmax's. Both shot more consistent the edge to the 60 Vmax which surprised me..

All test were conducted with H4895 and Federal 205M match primers. I focused on finding the lightest bullet that would give me consistent results since I wanted the flatness shooting bullet for predator hunting.

 

[Jaybo]

VMAX

 

[Idaho-45]

I'd look hard @ the 53 Grain V-Maxes!!!!!! They shoot very well out of my 1-9 twist Remington 700 5R! I use them with Varget, but, looking at BenchMark & IMR 8208xbr too!!!!! Good Hunting!!!!! Idaho-45

 

[Judd]

Thanks guys...that's what I was thinking and I'll look at the Vmax's also.

 

[Mr. Ten-X]

You may well find that the thin jacketed bullets will vaporize coming out an 8" twist. Be advised.

When I did tonnage of varmint hunting, my go-to bullets were the Horn SX, SIE blitz and the Speer HP. Began to economize a bit and went to the Win 55gr soft points. Would still blow the feathers out of PD's to 250yds using a .223 and for a lot less money. Was taking 4 trips a year to SD and WY to grind up those little critters.

 

[machineman98]

50-55 gr. VMax over 26.5 gr. of CFE-223. 3200fps 26" barrel 12 Twist Remington and 9 Twist Savage.

 

[sdbob]

I have a Tikka tactical with the 20 inch heavy barrel 1:8 twist that I shoot 50 grain vmax's for p-dogs and 60 grain vmax's for coyotes. 8208 works great for me also. I work up loads on the mild side finding the best accuracy. Easy to see your shots but will never have the flip factor of the 22-250. This my favorite factory gun.

 

[jpx2rk]

I have a Cabelas/Savage FV12 223 (9T) that likes the Nosler 55g FBHP and Varget with S&B primers, mixed LC brass.

 

[Mike Parent]

You may well find that the thin jacketed bullets will vaporize coming out an 8" twist. Be advised.

When I did tonnage of varmint hunting, my go-to bullets were the Horn SX, SIE blitz and the Speer HP. Began to economize a bit and went to the Win 55gr soft points. Would still blow the feathers out of PD's to 250yds using a .223 and for a lot less money. Was taking 4 trips a year to SD and WY to grind up those little critters.

 

[Mike Parent]

I shoot Fed. 55 sp in my tikka 22-250...would'nt even think of changing. They are very accurate (sub moa even over 300 yds). You get alot more depth in smaller big game like deer & black bear. I did some tests to compare : fed.55 sp...vmax 55 & vmax 50's at 250 yds. I shot in same pile of catalogues. Th feds were far better & the lesser ones were th 50's. All are very accurate and will do the job on pd's.

 

[VaRandy]

I shoot Fed. 55 sp in my tikka 22-250...would'nt even think of changing. They are very accurate (sub moa even over 300 yds). You get alot more depth in smaller big game like deer & black bear. I did some tests to compare : fed.55 sp...vmax 55 & vmax 50's at 250 yds. I shot in same pile of catalogues. Th feds were far better & the lesser ones were th 50's. All are very accurate and will do the job on pd's.

Hard for me to believe they are suitable for clean bear kills or for that matter that they are legal for that.

 

[long40shot]

I'd give the 53 v-max and 60 v-max a try.

 

[Bc'z]

60 gr sierra hp, 55 gr nosler balistic tips. Both on top of 25 gr benchmark. Shooting out of ar's, one has 1:9, the other has 1:8 twist. .3-.4 inch groups @100 yards.

 

[DogBuster]

53 V max

 

[AckleymanII]

Tikka's have very long throats combine that with fast twists, and things get a little complicated.

Acrobatics comes from speed or high rpm's.

Your shooting will be divided up into two categories

, short range, long range.

Work up a load for shorter range, and I am sure that some tikka 8" T freeks will chime in. 75g will get you way out there, but don't expect much more than them just falling over.

How much wind you will be shooting in is also a consideration. The Dakota's can have 15 mph wind for days on end. This is where the 75's will shine.

I shot the 50g Nosler BT in 9T, short leads with excellent results in 223's, 8T jumping a long way will be a can of worms...you will just have to try it.

I have no tikka's, will relate this from past experience. As the leade gets very long, bullets with less than a VLD design will shoot better and for longer periods of time. These bullets include 55g Winchester, 55g Sierra Semi point, and 63g Sierra semi point. These type bullets with more lead exposed really blow up well on coyotes to p. dogs. Also, the 52g speer HP worked very well on p. dogs.

I will not say that the 53g Hornady will not work, but what I want to relate is that bullets with more bearing surface will be more accurate, as a general rule of thumb, ie. the 55g Hornady flat base maybe a better choice if the jacket will take the rotational torque as the barrel gets very hot and fouled.

I have shot a lot of p. dogs, and I hate a load that has the trajectory of a rainbow that leads to a lot of shots going under and over a dog...the only answer is velocity.

 

[JSH]

52 grain Hornady match, case full of Varget (I have not tried the Vmax, dunno if jacket is thinner or not). I don't sort cases either. 1/2" and under mostly @100.