First Journey - 223 8" Twist

[K22]

Well I finally gave in and bought the Tikka T3X in 223 which has an 8" twist. This is my first experience with a fast twist 223, all my current 223's have 12" twist.

I loaded up some test rounds with H4895 and 55 Nosler BT's which is the only bullet I had on hand. It shot ok (for me), five shots .957", four shots, .507". I think I pulled the fifth shot which expanded the group to .957.

This is my third Tikka, I have a 243 and 308. I plan on trying the 53 gain VMax since I've been told that this light weight bullet works well with fast twists. I prefer to develop a load with a lighter weight bullets that will work with this twist so I don't have to compensate for too much arc in the bullet path for hunting ghogs and predators. However the new 65 grain Sierra bullet look real interesting and I might give it a try.

 

[Texas10]

The 53 gr V-Max and IMR3031 or 8208XBR shoot well out of my 8 twist 223. You might also try the 69 gr tipped match king, that also shoots very well with 8208.

 

[Shynloco]

Might wanna try Sierra 52 & 53 gr being pushed by VVN140 (100-200 yds) to see how well you new rifle likes it. Works great for me in a Savage VLPDBL. If you care to venture further for longer distance, the Sierra 69 & 77gr also works nicely for the longer haul.

Alex

 

[jpx2rk]

My RAR 223 8T with pencil barrel likes the Nosler FBHP 55's and 23.0g of Varget.

 

[JBT47]

Try a 75gr Amax if you can find any or the 75gr ELD-M

 

[Idaho-45]

K22, mine"s a different animal, I realize, a 1-9 twist Remington 5R. But, I've had great results with Varget & the Hornady 53 V-Max!! I'll bet that bullet will fly great in your 8 twist & it'll work great on varmints & coyotes!! Idaho-45

 

[swadiver]

73 Bergers will punch your ticket fer sure

 

[USMCDOC]

73 Bergers will punch your ticket fer sure

The USMC Rifle Team used to use this bullet quite regularly.. not sure if they still do..

 

[stacy]

DONT OVER LOOK H-4895 ITS SERVED ME WELL WITH BULLETS FROM 50 TO 75GRS

 

[swadiver]

DONT OVER LOOK H-4895 ITS SERVED ME WELL WITH BULLETS FROM 50 TO 75GRS

+1 on the H4895. works awesome with the 80.5 gr Bergers in a 1 in 7.7 twist Bartlein .223

 

[JAlfred]

swadiver covered the 80.5 Berger and it is awesome. I would add the Sierra 69 and 77 gr TMK to your short list. If you want to save some money, the the Nosler 80 gr CC. It may be the most underrated bullet out there and can be had cheap if you are patient.

XBR 8208 works amazingly well with the Sierra and Nosler bullets I mentioned

 

[Zero333]

Around 25gr of Varget under 69 gr SMK always works.

8" twist will work for you up to 80 grainers.

I think for short range and lighter bullets (50 to 55 gr), Benchmark and imr8208xbr work like a charm.

 

[K22]

I got some 60 grain Vmax bullet and loaded them with H4895. Under load development and shows some promise. I couldn't get any 53 Vmax's, all sold out.

 

[grovey]

The 53 gr vmax will work in a 12 twist. Elevation is a matter of clicks. Bucking the wind with high BC bullets is what the tight twist is for. I jumped onto the 8 twist train twofold this week myself. 75 gr ELD'S will be the first course.

 

[fourpower]

Well I finally gave in and bought the Tikka T3X in 223 which has an 8" twist. This is my first experience with a fast twist 223, all my current 223's have 12" twist.

I loaded up some test rounds with H4895 and 55 Nosler BT's which is the only bullet I had on hand. It shot ok (for me), five shots .957", four shots, .507". I think I pulled the fifth shot which expanded the group to .957.

This is my third Tikka, I have a 243 and 308. I plan on trying the 53 gain VMax since I've been told that this light weight bullet works well with fast twists. I prefer to develop a load with a lighter weight bullets that will work with this twist so I don't have to compensate for too much arc in the bullet path for hunting ghogs and predators. However the new 65 grain Sierra bullet look real interesting and I might give it a try.

you might try some 70gr bergers. out of a Mossberg mvp they hold my 900yd record and no one has been able to best the groups the Mossberg shoots. the powder they use is varget and this not just 1 Mossberg this same load shoots the same out of 3 of them. also shoots great out of a savage.

 

[K22]

you might try some 70gr bergers. out of a Mossberg mvp they hold my 900yd record and no one has been able to best the groups the Mossberg shoots. the powder they use is varget and this not just 1 Mossberg this same load shoots the same out of 3 of them. also shoots great out of a savage.

Does the Mossberg have an 8" twist?

 

[fourpower]

Does the Mossberg have an 8" twist?

the Mossberg we all have is older model and has 1in9 twist and they all love the 70gr bergers. they do have new models with 1in8 and some with 1in7 twist but we have not tried any of them yet. we are waiting for one of the barrels to go south so we can rebarrel so we can shoot 90gr bergers but so far all barrels are strong.

 

[Huckleberry75]

swadiver covered the 80.5 Berger and it is awesome. I would add the Sierra 69 and 77 gr TMK to your short list. If you want to save some money, the the Nosler 80 gr CC. It may be the most underrated bullet out there and can be had cheap if you are patient.

XBR 8208 works amazingly well with the Sierra and Nosler bullets I mentioned

Where did you end up with the TMK's and 8208xbr?

 

[Huckleberry75]

The 53 gr V-Max and IMR3031 or 8208XBR shoot well out of my 8 twist 223. You might also try the 69 gr tipped match king, that also shoots very well with 8208.

Same question as above, where did you find the sweet spot with 69tmk and 8208xbr? I have a few hundred each of the 69 and 77 TMK's and 9# of imr8208xbr to tinker with.

 

[JAlfred]

Where did you end up with the TMK's and 8208xbr?

23.4 gr, WSRM, COAL 2.32. Shoots extremely well, I am using it on the 300 yard line at next match.

Listening to several people smarter than me, consensus fell between 23.2 and 23.5gr