223 Rem 1 in 8 twist

Andrzej · #1 03-26-2013, 10:06 PM

I am getting Tikka T3 Lite SS in 223 with 1 in 8 twist.

Search function is not much help.
So I need some help as to what bullet weights and powders are popular choices for this twist.
There is lot's of military surplus for this caliber, are those cases reloadable ?
Brands, types of ammo to avoid ?
Any info will be appreciated.

I have been reloading for 20+ years for multiple cartridges and have most of current reloading manuals.
If you are aware about threads re 223 or care to share your experience with 223 please do.

Thanks Andrew

Wrongside · #2 03-26-2013, 10:21 PM

If your Tikka is anything like the one I owned years ago, and the 1-8 Pacnor M700 I currently own, Varget and the 75 Amax would be a good first load attempt.

purgatory.sv · #3 03-26-2013, 10:24 PM

I have the same brand and twist rate, it has shot 50 to 75 grain bullets well.
Small magnum primers with h335 [h335 21 to 23g, 75g hornady, best was 21g]
Small and magnum primers with imr 4007[imr4007 22g-25.5g 75g hornady best was 23.5]

elkhunter11 · #4 03-26-2013, 10:29 PM

My T-3 Tactical in 223rem likes the 69gr Matchking in front of IMR4064.

FallAirFever · #5 03-26-2013, 10:33 PM

Here is a link with a bit of help.
http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/223.html

http://forums.gunsandammo.com/showth...-rate-of-twist

http://www.shootersforum.com/rifles-...ate-twist.html

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/i.../t-158429.html

From this and from the research I did last year when I bought my 223 it looks like yours will be suited to stabilize the heavier bullets, a big plus if you want to stretch out your distance. Bullets in the 60-75 grain range might be the ticket. Mine is a 1-12 and shoots 50 grain Hornady V-max very well.

Good luck with the new gun they are a lot of fun.

Great meeting you today! Thanks again

Andrzej · #6 03-26-2013, 10:58 PM

Thanks all for suggestion's keep them coming.
I will follow those links FallAirFever and likewise it was nice to meet you.

lannie · #7 03-26-2013, 11:18 PM

I have the tikka varmint in 223 and it does very well with 69 gr, BK's and 75 gr. Amax's with BLC2 behind them.

Silverado04 · #8 03-27-2013, 07:52 AM

I have a T3 lite in .223 in the 1:8. I haven't experimented with a whole lot of different powders and projectiles but I can tell you it loves 55 vmax over H335 and 75 Amax over H335 or Varget. Very tight groups with these for me.

Good choice on the T3 .223, great rifles, and they shoot like a damn!

cbc_anderson · #9 03-27-2013, 10:20 AM

75 grain Hornady hollow point boat tail bullets over 24.0 to 24.5 grains of Reloader 15 work great in my 1/8 twist 223s. Also heard great things about 75 grain A-max in 223.

Hotwheels81 · #10 03-27-2013, 12:43 PM

Avoid the milsurp ammo and the AE tactical stuff... It's emotionally cheaper to buy new brass then put up with 2MOA out of a nice rifle.

Silverado04 · #11 03-27-2013, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotwheels81

Avoid the milsurp ammo and the AE tactical stuff... It's emotionally cheaper to buy new brass then put up with 2MOA out of a nice rifle.

Emotionally cheaper... well put!

Andrzej · #12 03-27-2013, 05:48 PM

Wow tell me about crisis in reloading supplies.

Managed to get SMGK in 65 gr 19.99 for 50 + tax
SMGK in 77 gr
and Hornady A max in 75 gr (Last from Shooting Edge)

Powder BLC(2) fro WSS
H4895 -my old stock
IMR 4064 -my old stock
Primers CCI small rifle 400 (last brick from WSS Calgary)

No new cases, so I've got 5 boxes of 20 of Winchester 55gr FMJ at WSS
and 1 box of 40 of Winchester 45 gr hollow points.

No Varget or H335.

I think to try Match Kings 65with IMR 4064
and 75 Amax with BLC2

Do you use small rifle primers or small rifle Magnum?

Silverado04 · #13 03-27-2013, 06:37 PM

Small rifle.

Remember that the published loads are done with small rifle primers. And when you substitute magnum primers you're adding a new variable right there, and diminishing, if not outright throwing away, the validity of that data.

I'm not sure what the procedures are, if any, of switching to magnums, but the small rifle work just fine and you won't catch me switching them out.

elkhunter11 · #14 03-27-2013, 07:18 PM

Quote:

I think to try Match Kings 65with IMR 4064

Sierra does not market a 65gr Matchking, but they do market a 65gr Gameking, and a 69gr Matchking.

Andrzej · #15 03-27-2013, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Sierra does not market a 65gr Matchking, but they do market a 65gr Gameking, and a 69gr Matchking.

You right I've mentioned I've got 65gr SMGK and than mislabelled them Matchking.

New to cartridge, almost feels like new relation...

Hotwheels81 · #16 03-27-2013, 08:41 PM

....actually magnum primers are used quite often with spherical powder in .223... I have had good luck with standard and BR primers tho so I don't keep track of the load data.

If you want data for mag primers try looking on snipers hide or AR-15 forum....

Silverado04 · #17 03-27-2013, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotwheels81

....actually magnum primers are used quite often with spherical powder in .223... I have had good luck with standard and BR primers tho so I don't keep track of the load data.

If you want data for mag primers try looking on snipers hide or AR-15 forum....

Yeah I'm not saying that they aren't used, just that it changes pressures and aren't a straight swap for published data, isn't that true?

Hotwheels81 · #18 03-27-2013, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverado04

Yeah I'm not saying that they aren't used, just that it changes pressures and aren't a straight swap for published data, isn't that true?

Yup that's fair to say... Small cases are very sensitive to pressure in both the case head expansion and velocity departments so its always best to start with an established and cross checked load and work up to it... But don't be scared to try mag primers, they can actually do wonderful things with the correct powder.