turbo33 Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 From the research I can find, the Tikka t3 lite I am looking at as a foxing rifle is available in 1-12 twist or 1-8. My understanding is the lower rate is needed for heavier rounds, above 55grns........and predominantly target use? I Shall be using this for foxing, so I expect 40-55grn rounds. As I have the choice, do I need to go 1-8 for any reason or is 1-12 what I should go for? Thanks T33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxwell Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 Hi T The lighter stuff will be ok in a 1:12 and you may be lucky with the 55's but they are usually too heavy for that twist as they like a 1: 9, that said the 50's stop foxes very well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jam1e Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 I would go for the 1 in 8. My Tikka T3 is a 1 in 8, and gives me sub 1" groups all day long at 100 yards with 45 grain bullets to 75 grain bullets. (Never tried anything over 75 grain) I would prefer to have a choice, rather than a limitation of a 1 in 12. You may be able to sell/trade a 1 in 8 more easily if you ever come to sell it as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savhmr Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 1 in 12 is fine for your needs. It should stabilise bullet weights up to 65 grains (depending on bullet profile) well enough. 1 in 8, as you say, is better for 65gr+ and good out to over 600yds for target. I shoot 55grs in mine which is 1:12 and it (after a bit of bedding work!) shoots sub moa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 (edited) My Tikka is 1:12 and it shoots 53 grain v-max brilliantly. I think you'd have to specially order in a 1:8 if that's what you decide. Edited November 13, 2015 by walshie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert 888 Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 Go and have a look what your local rfd has in stock in the way of factory ammo for fox. Factory 55g vmax and 60g hornady tap work well in my 1/9" and my mates 1/12, 55g sp ppu works well enough but wont get sub moa. I've loaded 40g,52g,53g,60g,68,69g target rounds in mine all shoot sub moa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutiny Posted November 14, 2015 Report Share Posted November 14, 2015 I had a 6 month wait for my 1:8 T3, not sure if there is still a waiting list but that may help you make a decision if you want/need it quickly....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redgum Posted November 14, 2015 Report Share Posted November 14, 2015 I had a 6 month wait for my 1:8 T3, not sure if there is still a waiting list but that may help you make a decision if you want/need it quickly....... If you have to get a variation for a 223 then order a 1.8 now, apply for variation and the gun will still be in stock well before the paper work is sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo33 Posted November 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2015 Thanks for the replies and advice chaps Redgum, variation done 3 day turnaround! Not desperate at the moment and as the old adage, "Time spent on recon is seldom wasted"! I just want to get it right and so the advice given is very much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted November 14, 2015 Report Share Posted November 14, 2015 Have a 1.8 tikka t3 and it will shoot anything from 40grn up to 75grn (never tried heavier) God i love that rifle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted November 14, 2015 Report Share Posted November 14, 2015 1/12 for me being a hunting guy, what I can't do with up to 60grns I ain't interested in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 1/12 for foxing down here for me 1/8 north for roe personally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 1in12 is normal for a 223. The 1in8 was developed for the military for use with the long 69 grn ss109 bullet because they found that the 55grn tended to tumble and become less accurate at extreme range (500 yards) whereas the 69 wound gave more casualties which tied up the enemies resources better. I've got 1in12 and use 55grn through it OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 My understanding is the lower rate is needed for heavier rounds, above 55grns........and predominantly target use? I Shall be using this for foxing, so I expect 40-55grn rounds Thanks T33 The 1in8 is a faster twist and is used to stabilise long and heavy bullets EG 55 and larger. A 1in12 is more the normal standard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo33 Posted November 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 1/12 for me being a hunting guy, what I can't do with up to 60grns I ain't interested in! To be fair Underdog, you have a level of skill to be revered!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 To be fair Underdog, you have a level of skill to be revered!! Not at all bud. Just a woods bum.I actually struggled with roe stalking in Scotland. Considering a few decades ago 222@50grn bullets were considered mustard on roe(and it was/is) with a 1/14" twist I fail to see how a hunter would need more than 1/12". Of course this is just my opinion, go for what you want. I am concerned about expansion reliability with the 70grn+ bullets at the velocity a 223 can throw them! Maybe some one can give their experience in that regard? U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bornfree Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 1-12 works for me but I only use it for foxing with 55g Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo33 Posted November 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Not at all bud. Just a woods bum. I actually struggled with roe stalking in Scotland. Considering a few decades ago 222@50grn bullets were considered mustard on roe(and it was/is) with a 1/14" twist I fail to see how a hunter would need more than 1/12". Of course this is just my opinion, go for what you want. I am concerned about expansion reliability with the 70grn+ bullets at the velocity a 223 can throw them! Maybe some one can give their experience in that regard? I very much respect your opinion Underdog, its all new territory to me and one I am grateful for advice on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 70 grain didn't work well for me expansion wise but only tried 2 brands 50-55 grain in 222 or 223 have done all I've every needed especially for foxing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewsher500 Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 weight has nothing to do with it it is length...get short stubby flat base heavies instead of sexy VLD BTBT's I shoot hornady 60gr flat base soft points in two 1:14" .222's with no problem whatsover Flattens every roe I have used them on out to 200yds the sako however has a real problem shooting 52 Amax, long, point, boat tail pull the tips out of them and they shoot just fine have had to move to SBK's in 40gr for a BT alternative the BRNO 1:14 shot everything I threw at it from 40-60gr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 It also matters the speed of the bullet. I might have missed it somewhere else but I don't see where the OP specifies 223. The faster the bullet, the less barrel twist it needs. A 22-250 could get away with a 12 and a bit heavier bullets than a 222. In fact, the standard barrel for the 22-250 was a 14 twist with 50 or 55gr bullets. My own 223 is a 12 but I had no intentions of going over 40 grains when I got it. thanks, rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 weight has nothing to do with it it is length...get short stubby flat base heavies instead of sexy VLD BTBT's I shoot hornady 60gr flat base soft points in two 1:14" .222's with no problem whatsover Flattens every roe I have used them on out to 200yds the sako however has a real problem shooting 52 Amax, long, point, boat tail pull the tips out of them and they shoot just fine have had to move to SBK's in 40gr for a BT alternative the BRNO 1:14 shot everything I threw at it from 40-60gr Totally agree with length of bullet being more important than weight regards twist rate. My comment was regarding 70 grain bullets I can't seem to get them fast enough in my 222 or old 223 to expand properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 From the comments made about guns that are offered for sale, it would appear that a .223 with a 1 in 8" twist is easier to sell when you want a change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo33 Posted November 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 It also matters the speed of the bullet. I might have missed it somewhere else but I don't see where the OP specifies 223. The faster the bullet, the less barrel twist it needs. A 22-250 could get away with a 12 and a bit heavier bullets than a 222. In fact, the standard barrel for the 22-250 was a 14 twist with 50 or 55gr bullets. My own 223 is a 12 but I had no intentions of going over 40 grains when I got it. thanks, rick Thanks for the reply Rick. Yes sorry, the intended is a 223. Its for general varminting not target work. I am thinking 40-55grn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewsher500 Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 nope sorry if the length is too long for the twist you can shoot them at 4000fps if you want.....they won't stabilise, at least that is the direct results I have had trying and testing heavy for calibre loads I have run 52gr over max loads at close to 3500fps in a 1:14 (which I suspect is more like a 1:14.5"-1:15") made no odds at all, they are spiralling into the target creating an angled splash pull the tips and I can run them right down to 3000fps the 60gr in 1:14" run fast or slow would open up like a shotgun up to and above 6" but still impacting straight on run them around the 3000-3100fps mark they shoot lovely liitle touching groups Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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