[K22]

I have been lobbying for 1:8 twist for 3 years! I spent over $800 more than needed on a T3 Sporter just bucause it had a 1:8 twist.
Do not encourage Berreta to import slow twist .223's please!
If you want to shoot 45 gr pills be my guest, but please don't imagine that slow twist is good for anyone I know!

I don't shot 45 grain pills. I shoot 50 and 55 grain bullets which are idea for varmint hunting. The 12″ twist is ideal for these weight bullets. If I wanted a target rifle it wouldn't be a light weight sporter which is most suited for hunting. No, problem, I brought a Browning X Bolt, 223, Stalker with a 12″ twist. I'm happy. Shoots like a dream with reloads.

[K22]

I would seek the advice of a professional rifle smith but I believe you would be better served by pillar bedding the stock.

Are you have accuracy issues?

[K22]

I would trade you my Tikka Lite 1:10 for a 1:8 any day.

Why?

[K22]

The 8-twist in the tikka 223 has been proven to stabilize everything from 40-80.5gr projectiles without sacrificing too much speed with the lighter pills…I've always thought a 10-12 twist was ideal in a 223 as well but that was before I started realizing the 8 twist will stabilize just about any round you can buy off the self for short to long range shooting.  Something you can't do with a 10 or 12 twist. 
The 8 twist has also proven to be a hand loaders dream with the T3…

Have you shot 50 0r 55 grain bullets in an 8″ twist? Would be interested in hearing what kind of groups you achieved and if you reload, what bullets and powder you used. Thanks.

PS: I waited too long to get the T3 Lite at the local gun store, it had a 10″ twist. When I finally go the money together to purchase it they were sold out and told me that they could only get the new T3X which only comes in an 8″ twist – reason for my frustration – he who hesitate is lost  🙁

[K22]

There should be one in a slot embedded in the stock that keys to a notch in the barrel. Its somewhat unconventional but it must work since a lot of Tikka's I've seen shoot really well.

[K22]

First, you've selected a truly outstanding cartridge.

I really like the Tikka T3 Lite rifles but the Model 70 Winchester with the control feed mauser action would be my choice. The triggers are about equal. The Model 70 has a traditional recoil lug design which I also prefer.

The 270 is not a brutally recoiling rifle so I wouldn't make my selection based on recoil. Recoil would also depend which stock in on your Model 70, the wooden ones tend to be heavier thus have less felt recoil.

It's hard to imagine going wrong with either choice.

[K22]

I don't shoot factory ammo so I can't comment on factory offerings. As far as bullets, the 50 to 55 grain bullets have worked very well in all my 12″ twist 223's. The most accurate for me have been the Nosler BT's in 50 and 55 grains. Another excellent bullet is the Sierra 55 grain BTHP. Vmax's are also very good especially the 55 grain Vmax.

[K22]

Thanks for the input – Scope is a 50 MM Obj Bushnell.

The Talley Lightweights and DNZ interest me. Any suggestions were I can order them. Thanks.

[K22]

I've yet to try the Berger bullets but I've tried Nosler, Sierra, and Hornady in this weight range.

With the 90 Noslers I found that IMR 4350 shoots the most accurate in my T3 Lite 243. This is a big game bullet.

With the 85 BTHP Sierra's and 87 Hornady VMax's, Varget gave me the tightest groups. These two bullets are classified by the manufactuers as varmint bullets. The 85 BTHP with Varget was particularly impressive shooting in the sub 1/2 moa range.

[K22]

Mustangman,

I have a T3 Stainless lite in 243 that is truly one of the most accurate rifles that I own.  85 grain Sierra HPBTs over 37.7 of Varget will shoot 5 shots that can be covered with a dime.  My 6.5×55 will do the same or better with 120 Nosler Ballistic Tips.  (Don't think you can get the 6.5×55 or the 260 here in the US at this time).

The 243 will be a lot more versitile, not like you are hunting PDs.

No need for a heavy barreled rifle… Those Lites just shoot lights out!  Top 'em with some good optics  and you will be very happy.

Great for carrying, put the bullets where the cross hairs are.

Mike

Very good advice – I brought the same rifle last year but primarily as a back up deer rifle. Shot fantastic with IMR 4350 and Nosler 90 BT's – groups in the sub 1/2 moa range. This summer I tried some Sierra 85 BTHP's with Varget and was very impressed with accuracy and performance – totally deadly on a ground hogs. You're correct – don't over look the 243 especially if you want a dual purpose rifle and are a low volume varmint hunter.

[K22]

Several new Rem 700's I've seen at the range have been plagued with extractor problems causing difficulty to feed and gouging a junk of brass out of the rim of the case. I'd been a Rem 700 fan for over 40 years and I was sadden to see the decline in quality.

I purchased a Tikka T3 Lite in 243 last year and have been very pleased with the rifle – so much so I'm looking for another one in either 223 or 22 250.

[K22]

The 223 is an excellent choice for varmints out to 250 yards but if you plan on shooting consistently beyond that the 22 250 is far superior. I used both calibers for many years hunting varmints and predators and both are very good.

The 22 250 is just as capable as the 223 accuracy wise however you will be handicapped with factory ammo in both cases. Federal Preimum ammo is a good option for the non reloader but you many have to try different bullet weights to get the best accuracy.

Ground hog and predator hunting is not a high volume activity so the I wouldn't be concerned about barrel wear or the price of ammo.

Its hard to imagine going wrong with either of these calibers for your purposes.

I have no experience with the 204 Ruger so I'll defer to others however I'd be concerned shooting the light bullets long range in the wind.

[K22]

Thanks for the replies – I think I'm going to take the plunge and buy the T3 Lite Stainless in 223 with the 8″ twist. I love the way the rifle feels in my hands and the action is the smoothest I've ever work. I would have bought this months ago except for my concerns with the fast twist rate but you guys have convinced me.

I'll be starting off my testing with 50 and 55 grain Noslers and Varget powder.

I'll report back when I start shooting which may be in a few weeks.

[K22]

Two types of fouling are incurred when you shoot jacketed bullets regardless of whether the barrel is stainless or carbon steel. These are powder fouling and copper fouling. Both need to be removed over time (normally after 25 to 30 shots) depending on the caliber to maintain accuracy.

I used Shooter's Choice which removes both. Brushes are needed to do a through job of removing the powder fouling. The copper solvent reacts chemically with the copper fouling to remove it. Follow the instructions on the bottle and you will have no problems.

Make sure that you use a bore guide to protect the throat and rinse your bronze brushes in alcohol after using to stop the reaction with the copper solvent. I recommend that you use a high quality rod like a Dewey coated rod.

After the barrel is cleaned you should run a patch of lightly coated high quality light gun oil though the barrel to make sure that all traces of the copper solvent has been removed.