New Rifle Arrive - Wow!

[K22]

My Tikka T3X Varmint in 223 Rem finally arrived yesterday. After cleaning, adjusting trigger, mounting scope, measuring max COL for bullet I intend to use, and removing that flat forearm piece I hit the range today. One thing I noticed, this rifle has a more free bore than my Tikka T3 Lite, 223 Rem. I guess that's good if you want to shoot the heavies.

Had some 60 Vmax's laying around - loaded them with H4895, Federal 205 match primers and virgin Hornady brass. Bullet seated .025" off lands. Wow - first five shot group at 100 yards off the bench .485. Good enough for me. Adjusted scope to give me an approximate 1.5 inches high at 100 yards.

Next I set up to shoot off my shooting cross sticks. After some shots for scope adjustment refinement for shooting off the sticks I shot five shots at 100 yards. Wow - all five shots in a sloppy 1 inch circle at 100 yards - Moved the target to 200 yards - five more shots - 4 in the 2" circle and one slightly outside the 2" circle off the sticks. Very pleased - ground hogs beware.

This isn't my first Tikka but my first heavy barrelled one. The rifle handles exceptionally well and has excellent balance for a heavy varmint barrel rifle. Of course, like all Tikka's the trigger is outstanding and the extraction system is very reliable. Not crazy about the 8" twist since I like to shoot 50 and 55 grain bullets but 9" and 8" twists are the norm these days in the 223 Rem.

Purchased this rifle to be a winter practice rifle to stay sharp for spring / summer varmint hunting - the excuses we use to buy another rifle This shot so well that it's going to see live action this spring. Those 60 Vmax should hit like a sledge hammer.

My only problem is going to be resisting getting another one in 22 250 even though the 223 Rem handles 95% of my varmint / predator shooting needs - but there is that other 5%

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

My Tikka T3X Varmint in 223 Rem finally arrived yesterday. After cleaning, adjusting trigger, mounting scope, measuring max COL for bullet I intend to use, and removing that flat forearm piece I hit the range today. One thing I noticed, this rifle has a more free bore than my Tikka T3 Lite, 223 Rem. I guess that's good if you want to shoot the heavies.

Had some 60 Vmax's laying around - loaded them with H4895, Federal 205 match primers and virgin Hornady brass. Bullet seated .025" off lands. Wow - first five shot group at 100 yards off the bench .485. Good enough for me. Adjusted scope to give me an approximate 1.5 inches high at 100 yards.

Next I set up to shoot off my shooting cross sticks. After some shots for scope adjustment refinement for shooting off the sticks I shot five shots at 100 yards. Wow - all five shots in a sloppy 1 inch circle at 100 yards - Moved the target to 200 yards - five more shots - 4 in the 2" circle and one slightly outside the 2" circle off the sticks. Very pleased - ground hogs beware.

This isn't my first Tikka but my first heavy barrelled one. The rifle handles exceptionally well and has excellent balance for a heavy varmint barrel rifle. Of course, like all Tikka's the trigger is outstanding and the extraction system is very reliable. Not crazy about the 8" twist since I like to shoot 50 and 55 grain bullets but 9" and 8" twists are the norm these days in the 223 Rem.

Purchased this rifle to be a winter practice rifle to stay sharp for spring / summer varmint hunting - the excuses we use to buy another rifle This shot so well that it's going to see live action this spring. Those 60 Vmax should hit like a sledge hammer.

My only problem is going to be resisting getting another one in 22 250 even though the 223 Rem handles 95% of my varmint / predator shooting needs - but there is that other 5%

50-55 grain bullet's will be fine in your 8twist. Switch to Lapua brass, try other powders. That gun will shoot .200" easy with proper loads. Congrats.

 

[jonbearman]

That rifle sounds awesome. A factory shooting that good is fantastic. I actually have a Remington in .308 that shoots right at or less than .500. Been very happy with it. However after working at gander mountain 17 years ago I got to cycle and study basically what you have. The Tikka has a super smooth bolt manipulation. Keep us updated on what other loads it likes.

 

[Homerange]

Wow - first five shot group at 100 yards off the bench .485. Good enough for me.

Easily capable of .3's I regret to inform you.

My only problem is going to be resisting getting another one in 22 250 even though the 223 Rem handles 95% of my varmint / predator shooting needs - but there is that other 5%

If you do be sure to get one with the faster twist rate so to be able to use heavies to buck the wind at ranges a 22.250 can push out to.
A buddy bought one or their earlier 22.250's when they only produced the slow twist rate and it wouldn't shoot heavies for the LR varminting he did so he rebarrelled it to 6mm Rem, got the bigger mag and shifted the bolt stop and no other changes. Shoots 1.25" groups @ 500.

 

[joshb]

Tikka Tikka Tikka!
Where’s that guy who’s looking for a 223 and is on the fence, looking for suggestions?

 

[Intheshop]

Nothing better than the "new rifle smell".

I sorta need both, .223 AND the 250. The former is a more relaxed,no excuse for a miss because of it's "pleasant" nature. The 250 for me is about tearing up stuff and will give a bit of accuracy/precision for terminal effect. Moreso than range qualification.

 

[Texas10]

What's the street price for a new Tikka T3X?

 

[joshb]

What's the street price for a new Tikka T3X?

I’ve been showing this to another guy so I don’t buy it:

 

[wa11abee]

Josh, I am confused...…...which gun would you get again?
lol

 

[joshb]

Josh, I am confused...…...which gun would you get again?
lol

Bergara .

 

[Zero333]

Congrats on your new Tikkakoski !!

 

[K22]

That rifle sounds awesome. A factory shooting that good is fantastic. I actually have a Remington in .308 that shoots right at or less than .500. Been very happy with it. However after working at gander mountain 17 years ago I got to cycle and study basically what you have. The Tikka has a super smooth bolt manipulation. Keep us updated on what other loads it likes.

I know that a .485 group isn't going to impress too many guys here nor should it but I just kind of threw this load together just to get an initial sight in and to get the feel of the rifle. The brass was new and hadn't formed to the chamber yet. In my experience most of the time it will shoot better after the initial use.

I plan to do some load development (which I hate) with either some Nosler or Sierra bullets which are my preferred bullets. I've actually had quite a bit of success with H4895 in the 223 Rem. My custom 700 with a Douglas match barrel shoots in the sub .25's with this powder and Nosler 50 BT but this rifle has a 12" twist - a real ghog slayer.

 

[joshb]

I know that a .485 group isn't going to impress too many guys here nor should it but I just kind of threw this load together just to get an initial sight in and to get the feel of the rifle. The brass was new and hadn't formed to the chamber yet. In my experience most of the time it will shoot better after the initial use.

I plan to do some load development (which I hate) with either some Nosler or Sierra bullets which are my preferred bullets. I've actually had quite a bit of success with H4895 in the 223 Rem. My custom 700 with a Douglas match barrel shoots in the sub .25's with this powder and Nosler 50 BT but this rifle has a 12" twist - a real ghog slayer.

I’m impressed! By you and the gun! Throwing everything together quickly and getting that group is great!

 

[Homerange]

I’m impressed! By you and the gun! Throwing everything together quickly and getting that group is great!

Yes well you can strike it lucky at times. My sons Tikka fluted stainless Hunter in 243 first shots at the range with once fired range pickup brass basic prepped (LCD NS) and stuffed with a friends pet load shot similar to the OP's.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

I don't own a Tikka, but they do have an excellent reputation. I recently built a Remington action .223 with a 1/8 twist. Try 80 gr. Bergers target bullets with 21.8 gr of Vargat. My Bartlein barrel likes to be seated .0010 off the lands. This is a light load but every group I shoot is 1/4 or less and less is the norm.

Thanks to Joshb for the beautiful stock.

 

[JimSC]

current .223 is approaching 3K rounds now and will need replacing soon, I have eyeballing a Tikka T3X sporter in .223 and I am pretty sure one will be in my gunsafe soon

 

[SPQR70AD]

My Tikka T3X Varmint in 223 Rem finally arrived yesterday. After cleaning, adjusting trigger, mounting scope, measuring max COL for bullet I intend to use, and removing that flat forearm piece I hit the range today. One thing I noticed, this rifle has a more free bore than my Tikka T3 Lite, 223 Rem. I guess that's good if you want to shoot the heavies.

Had some 60 Vmax's laying around - loaded them with H4895, Federal 205 match primers and virgin Hornady brass. Bullet seated .025" off lands. Wow - first five shot group at 100 yards off the bench .485. Good enough for me. Adjusted scope to give me an approximate 1.5 inches high at 100 yards.

Next I set up to shoot off my shooting cross sticks. After some shots for scope adjustment refinement for shooting off the sticks I shot five shots at 100 yards. Wow - all five shots in a sloppy 1 inch circle at 100 yards - Moved the target to 200 yards - five more shots - 4 in the 2" circle and one slightly outside the 2" circle off the sticks. Very pleased - ground hogs beware.

This isn't my first Tikka but my first heavy barrelled one. The rifle handles exceptionally well and has excellent balance for a heavy varmint barrel rifle. Of course, like all Tikka's the trigger is outstanding and the extraction system is very reliable. Not crazy about the 8" twist since I like to shoot 50 and 55 grain bullets but 9" and 8" twists are the norm these days in the 223 Rem.

Purchased this rifle to be a winter practice rifle to stay sharp for spring / summer varmint hunting - the excuses we use to buy another rifle This shot so well that it's going to see live action this spring. Those 60 Vmax should hit like a sledge hammer.

My only problem is going to be resisting getting another one in 22 250 even though the 223 Rem handles 95% of my varmint / predator shooting needs - but there is that other 5%

I had a colt H-Bar AR with 1x7 chrome lined barrel and with 52 gr HP's I shot tiny bolt action groups at 100 yds with issue sights. I always figured it was better to over stabilize a bullet then under stabilize it

 

[K22]

current .223 is approaching 3K rounds now and will need replacing soon, I have eyeballing a Tikka T3X sporter in .223 and I am pretty sure one will be in my gunsafe soon

I have one of their T3 Lite's in 223 Rem*, - you won't be disappointed - has all the great attributes of the Tikka's - very accurate, reliable extractor, smooth action, factory stock stiff enough, and great trigger - easily adjustable. This rifle was the reason I wanted to try their heavy varmint - it's even better. Now I have to resist buying a 22 250 in this model. which I really don't need but who doesn't need another varmint rifle.


*Also have a 243 Win and 308 Win - the 308 recoil is a bit much for me in this light weight rifle but the rifle shoots well under 1 moa even with me flinching. Went to 125 grain Noslers and reduce loading w/ H4895 and it helped. At 2,600 f/s recoil is relatively mild but the load still effective for deer out to 200 yards.

 

[K22]

I had a colt H-Bar AR with 1x7 chrome lined barrel and with 52 gr HP's I shot tiny bolt action groups at 100 yds with issue sights. I always figured it was better to over stabilize a bullet then under stabilize it

I'm new to the 8" twist 223 Rem. Most of mine are 12" twist. I did get my Tikka T3 Lite in 223 Rem to shoot the 55 Noslers pretty good but I had to reduce the velocity to about 2900 f/s.

It's frustrating for us old guys with all these new changes - in the old days a 223 Rem with a 12" twist and 50 grain bullet would push out at about 3,200 f/s in a 24 / 26" varmint barrel - no need to have 30mm expensive scope with repeatable "dial up" capability or complex reticles that look like a hair do gone bad - good to 250 yards with some hold over - the simple days are gone.

I shot a bunch of ghogs, predators (foxes) and deer in the 60's and early 70's with a 243 Win and 3 x 9 Redfield scope. True most of my shots were under 250 yards but stalking is part of the fun of hunting - at least for me. Sorry - just venting but I do like my new Tikka T3X varmint with the 8" twist.

 

[Homerange]

I'm new to the 8" twist 223 Rem. Most of mine are 12" twist. I did get my Tikka T3 Lite in 223 Rem to shoot the 55 Noslers pretty good but I had to reduce the velocity to about 2900 f/s.

It's frustrating for us old guys with all these new changes - in the old days a 223 Rem with a 12" twist and 50 grain bullet would push out at about 3,200 f/s in a 24 / 26" varmint barrel - no need to have 30mm expensive scope with repeatable "dial up" capability or complex reticles that look like a hair do gone bad - good to 250 yards with some hold over - the simple days are gone.

I shot a bunch of ghogs, predators (foxes) and deer in the 60's and early 70's with a 243 Win and 3 x 9 Redfield scope. True most of my shots were under 250 yards but stalking is part of the fun of hunting - at least for me. Sorry - just venting but I do like my new Tikka T3X varmint with the 8" twist.

Try some 50gr Nosler BT's above a medium load of medium fast powder and you'll have your 3200 back.
No issue to get that from my 18.5" 223 Model 7.