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First time out with my Tikka Varmint in .223
Finally got out to shoot my Tikka Varmint in .223 that I bought as part of the group buy here last February. Love the rifle coupled with a Leupold VX-3 6.5-20 w/varmint reticle.
Bought three different types of ammo. Winchester VarmintX 55gr, Hornady 55gr FMJ/BT, and Federal 69gr Matchking BTHP.
First up, 100yds.
I used up the WinchesterX at 25 yds getting the scope adjusted. With the target out at 100yds, switched to the Hornady ammo. Needless to say, this rifle does NOT appear to like the Hornady ammo at all. All the rounds up and to the right in the picture are the Hornady. My buddy started making cracks about the barrel being shot out already…I didn’t see the humor in it at the time. The nice group in the middle is after switching to the Federal Matchking. I didn't change my aim point at all between brands.
Next up, 300yds. Re-used the target after shooting a group with a 45/70 at 25yds. To make it easier to see, I purposefully aimed off to the right of the rings so I could see them at range better. There was a decent cross-wind, nothing too crazy, but I can’t say how much that affected the shots.
I can see a gun liking a certain brand or type of ammo, but I was surprised at how badly the Hornady shot in the gun. Unfortunately I had shot all the WinchesterX at 25yds so I couldn’t use it at 100yds to see if the change in accuracy was 55gr vs. 69gr.
The gun was advertised as having a 1:10 barrel, but when I check it using a cleaning rod/jag/patch and carefully count one revolution, it comes out at exactly 1:8. I'm curious how much that actually affects the accuracy. Could that have made the difference between the Hornady 55gr and Federal 69gr?
Can’t wait to put more ammo through this gun! Love the Leupold VX-3 scope. The varmint reticle in it worked out perfect for 100/200/300yds by just dropping down one or two cross-lines in the reticle depending on range.
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11 Replies
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I bought a Tikka Varmint in .223 from Bud's. Was “settling,” because I wanted a 1-in-8 twist, and the Bud's listing was for the 1-in-10. Much to my pleasant surprise, when I took the action off the stock to adjust the trigger, I discovered “8” stamped on the barrel.
I bore-sighted @ 25 yds. by actually looking through the bore and conforming the scope to the bore, so I didn't waste much ammo on the sighting-in part. Quickly moved out to 100 yds., and first five-shot group measured .356″, center-to-center. 😀
Ammo was some bulk fmj 55gr Hornady bullets that I'd loaded for my ARs.
I couldn't adjust the trigger below about 3#, so I ordered the “Ernie the gunsmith” trigger spring, which brought the pull down to a great 1.5#.
Good luck with your Tikka. OF COURSE the p.o.i. will be different for 55gr and 69gr bullets. 8)
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If I knew they were a 1 in 8″ barrel I would have bought one.
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The Hornady ammo it didn't seem to like were factory loads, Hornady #80275.
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Have any of you guys tried .223 Hornady 53gr V-MAX, #8025? How'd it shoot?
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I haven't tried hornady but get great results with Berger 52 gr match sub .3 moa at 100 meters
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Have any of you guys tried .223 Hornady 53gr V-MAX, #8025? How'd it shoot?
I have a Sporter .223 (1:8″). I tried these Hornady factory loads and if I remember correctly, they were quite good: MOA or just under. I got the best results with factory Black Hills Match 50gr. I tried factory loads up to 70gr. but the light ones shot better. Cannot understand why that would be the case with 1:8 twist .
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Any recommendations on other factory loads that I should try? I picked up the Hornady V-Max 53gr rounds, looking to try others.
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congratulations on a fun rifle!, you might try Black Hills 77 gr. I don't have the box handy but they shot well in my T3- sporter 1:8. Good luck !
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With all the shooting I do with my Tikka Varmint (8 twist)…the slower speeds from 2900-3200 seem to be the sweet spot for the best shooting factory ammo. If you experiment with various bullet weights in this FPS range you should find a really good shooter.
Hornady's 53gr Amax won't shot that will in a 8 twist barrel, better suited for 10+ twist from my test with it.
That being said I have shot some good groups but nothing consistent, they seem to like a slower speed out of a 8 twist barrel…(if you hand load they are a dream to shoot around 3100-3200fps). I think my barrel shots the factory rounds at 3350-3400 but it does not hold groups well. If you slow them down they are deadly accurate.Factory Ammo that shots well in my Tikka 223 (8 twist)
Hornady's 55gr Vmax shots exceptionally well in every 8 twist I've shot.
Nosler Match Grade Ammunition 60 Grain Ballistic Tip shoots amazing.
***Try Nosler 77gr Custom Competition shoots very very well!***…I've shot 1/4″ groups at 200yrds with this ammo, and its seems to shoot consistent 1/2moa groups from box to box.
Eric's suggestion on Black Hills 77gr is also an excellent choice. They should perform equal to the Nosler 77gr.
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The Hornady 53g VMax didn't group consistently. Around 1.5MOA. Plenty good to take on sage rats…but I want better 🙂
The Federal Premium 55g Nosler BT rounds didn't do much better. Dropped two almost in to the same hole, and had three fliers about 3/4 inch around that.
By far, the Fed 69g MatchKing's have shot the best so far at 1/2MOA consistently. I will definitely try the rounds you guys mentioned.
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Dogdown is right on the 53 gr v-max. The 1:8 twist spins em up too fast. I do use the 53 gr hpbt moly coated on my foulers but I know that this is not the fix for my 1:8 Sporter.
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