I'm looking for a 1/10-1/12 twist .223 bolt gun

SARuger · June 22, 2016, 09:42 PM

Not a benchrest gun, I want something to hunt with, mostly groundhogs etc. My plans are to load light bullets, 40g-50g

Ruger has everything in 1/8 twist, Mossburg has the MVP in 1/9 twist, Savage has the 11/111 in 1/9 twist.

Tikka shows some promise with both a 1/8 and 1/12 twist listed on their website(terrible website I might add) but my distributor can only get the 1/8 twist.

From the Tikka T3 lite spec page;

SYNTHETIC 223REM / 8” - 12" / 6 4 RDS BLUED STEEL STANDARD TRIGGER RIGHT

SYNTHETIC 223REM / 8” - 12" / 6 4 RDS BLUED STEEL STANDARD TRIGGER
RIGHT

SYNTHETIC 223REM / 8” - 12" / 6 4 RDS BLUED STEEL STANDARD TRIGGER
RIGHT

SYNTHETIC 223REM / 8” - 12" / 6 4 RDS BLUED STEEL STANDARD TRIGGER
RIGHT

SYNTHETIC 223REM / 8” - 12" / 6 4 RDS BLUED STEEL SET TRIGGER (STECHER)
RIGHT

SYNTHETIC 223REM / 8” - 12" / 6 4 RDS BLUED STEEL STANDARD TRIGGER
RIGHT

SYNTHETIC 223REM / 8” - 12" / 6 4 RDS BLUED STEEL STANDARD TRIGGER
RIGHT

SYNTHETIC 223REM / 8” - 12" / 6 4 RDS BLUED STEEL SET TRIGGER (STECHER)
RIGHT

Any thoughts on the Tikka and/or any other suggestions.

Mobuck · June 22, 2016, 09:47 PM

H O W A

603Country · June 22, 2016, 10:42 PM

I shoot 40 Nosler BT's in my 9" twist Ruger and get tiny groups. Why go for the slower twist?

SARuger · June 23, 2016, 04:08 AM

Quote:

I shoot 40 Nosler BT's in my 9" twist Ruger and get tiny groups. Why go for the slower twist?

I could get by with a 9" twist. My 8" twist Ruger won't shoot anything good under 75g, but at 75g, its a tack driver.

I want something to handle the smaller pills with.

David R · June 23, 2016, 04:53 AM

Savage model 25, twist is 1:9.
Thumhole laminated stock, "Lightweiht Varmiter"
Shoots 55 fmj and soft point great. Heavier bullets do not shoot as well in THIS rifle.

David

Sent from my SM-T900 using Tapatalk

Mobuck · June 23, 2016, 06:31 AM

"My 8" twist Ruger won't shoot anything good under 75g, but at 75g, its a tack driver."
We're using 3 different types of 50 grain factory loads in several 1-8 twist barrels with excellent accuracy-must be a quirk of your specific rifle.
The HOWA rifles(have both sporter and HB versions) shoot 40-55 grain factory ammo as good as you could ask for. 60 grainers not so well and 64-69 not worth the trouble.
I don't even bother with 75 grain bullets in .223. If I need what a 75 grain offers, I'll just use a .308.

T. O'Heir · June 23, 2016, 01:32 PM

Don't think I'd worry too much about the twist for a hunting rifle. Most current rifles are 1 in 9 etc because of the trend towards using 'em for deer. However, 1 in 9 will stabilize light bullets with no fuss.

603Country · June 23, 2016, 01:41 PM

Being that the OP is a reloader with a 1-8 twist rifle, I'll suggest those Nosler 40 gr BT's over H335. I tried other powders and other 40 gr bullets, but the magic combo was those two ingredients. Barrel 1 liked the powder charge right at max. Barrel 2 likes it about a grain off max. Unfortunately, I have reached that happy/unhappy place with the rifle, in that it shoots so darn well (and with 55 and 65 grain bullets) that I'm extremely happy with accuracy, but now really have no experimenting left to do with it, which is sort of sad.

If there was a new 223 to buy for myself, it would absolutely be a Tikka with a 1-8 twist (since 1-9 isn't an option), a 20 inch barrel, in the Lite Stainless version. I have that combo in a 260 and could not be more pleased.

bn12gg · June 23, 2016, 04:23 PM

I've been pleased with my new Browning X Bolt Medallion in 223. Shoots many brands of 55 grain 223 quite nicely.

.02.

turtlehead · June 23, 2016, 05:42 PM

When I bought my Tikka T3 Lite last August it was only available in 1:10. Was told that's what they were selling to the American market. Have your dealer check again more carefully. Not on the website.

Cowboy_mo · June 23, 2016, 07:32 PM

Every time I read one of these twist discussions, I wonder if the poster/responding debater has looked at the sticky on the "general rifle" section of this forum.

Quote:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=530927

Not picking on anyone, just pointing out there is some great information on this site that sometimes seems to be underutilized.

RC20 · June 23, 2016, 08:42 PM

Thank you, I had missed that as well.

Very good information and I like the chart, makes more sense.

What search string?

I would be interesting in the same information for 308 and 30-06

roashooter · June 23, 2016, 09:20 PM

CZ452..or 455

surveyor · June 23, 2016, 09:58 PM

Cz 527 is a 1:9 currently.
Nice little mini mauser, the single set triggers on the varmints are nice as well.
The older cz non varmints were a slower twist, if you can find one.
I think they changed a couple years ago.
The only thing about the cz I don't like is the ring options, but dip makes a 16 mm dovetail to picitinny base that solves that.
http://www.diproductsinc.com/Detail....33585&CAT=4268

A pre 2014 cz american might be what worth looking for. 1:12 twist.
http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-527-ame...-1-rings-incl/

SARuger · June 24, 2016, 04:17 AM

I found a Tikka T3 Lite on Galleryofguns.com that says its a 1/10 twist.

Before I spend the money, I'm going to try a few ladder tests with some of the 50-60g bullets in my Ruger American, again. I went down this road but I did not try all of the powders, just a couple.

I stated in my original post that it only shoots 75g AMAX accurately. It will shoot the 75g into one ragged hole at 100yrds. I can get the 55g into a 1.5" group at 100yrds with the work I have done so far. Maybe with more testing I can make one rifle do all for me.

I did read the sticky about .223's and twist rates a few months ago and found it interesting that what the charts showed, didn't work out with my rifle. But to be honest, I didn't try every available bullet/powder/primer combo.

s3779m · June 24, 2016, 06:18 AM

I have a tikka lite 8" twist that shoots just about anything under a ". It likes 45 grain winchester white box varmint load. You can cover 5 shots with a dime at 100 yards.

bamaranger · June 25, 2016, 01:05 AM

The YZ Mini Mausers, imported by several different firms over the years might be an option. Interarms, Charles Daily, even Remington, handled the little rifles. I think now they can be found new searching under the Zastavia name.

They are old school wood stocked ( I think the Rems were laminate) and blue steel rifles. And I think they are slow twisted at 1-12", at least the old ones were.

Prof Young · June 28, 2016, 08:51 PM

I had a Remington Model 7 in 223. Kind of a short barrel, but accurate. 1-10 twist rate. Passed it on cause I wanted to shoot heavier bullets.

Live well, be safe
Prof Young

June 22, 2016, 09:42 PM	#1
SARuger Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2014 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of VA Posts: 954	I'm looking for a 1/10-1/12 twist .223 bolt gun Not a benchrest gun, I want something to hunt with, mostly groundhogs etc. My plans are to load light bullets, 40g-50g Ruger has everything in 1/8 twist, Mossburg has the MVP in 1/9 twist, Savage has the 11/111 in 1/9 twist. Tikka shows some promise with both a 1/8 and 1/12 twist listed on their website(terrible website I might add) but my distributor can only get the 1/8 twist. From the Tikka T3 lite spec page; SYNTHETIC 223REM / 8” - 12" / 6 4 RDS BLUED STEEL STANDARD TRIGGER RIGHT SYNTHETIC 223REM / 8” - 12" / 6 4 RDS BLUED STEEL STANDARD TRIGGER RIGHT SYNTHETIC 223REM / 8” - 12" / 6 4 RDS BLUED STEEL STANDARD TRIGGER RIGHT SYNTHETIC 223REM / 8” - 12" / 6 4 RDS BLUED STEEL STANDARD TRIGGER RIGHT SYNTHETIC 223REM / 8” - 12" / 6 4 RDS BLUED STEEL SET TRIGGER (STECHER) RIGHT SYNTHETIC 223REM / 8” - 12" / 6 4 RDS BLUED STEEL STANDARD TRIGGER RIGHT SYNTHETIC 223REM / 8” - 12" / 6 4 RDS BLUED STEEL STANDARD TRIGGER RIGHT SYNTHETIC 223REM / 8” - 12" / 6 4 RDS BLUED STEEL SET TRIGGER (STECHER) RIGHT Any thoughts on the Tikka and/or any other suggestions.

June 23, 2016, 01:32 PM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Don't think I'd worry too much about the twist for a hunting rifle. Most current rifles are 1 in 9 etc because of the trend towards using 'em for deer. However, 1 in 9 will stabilize light bullets with no fuss. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

June 23, 2016, 08:42 PM	#12
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	Thank you, I had missed that as well. Very good information and I like the chart, makes more sense. What search string? I would be interesting in the same information for 308 and 30-06 Last edited by RC20; June 23, 2016 at 08:51 PM.

June 23, 2016, 09:58 PM	#14
surveyor Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2007 Posts: 770	Cz 527 is a 1:9 currently. Nice little mini mauser, the single set triggers on the varmints are nice as well. The older cz non varmints were a slower twist, if you can find one. I think they changed a couple years ago. The only thing about the cz I don't like is the ring options, but dip makes a 16 mm dovetail to picitinny base that solves that. http://www.diproductsinc.com/Detail....33585&CAT=4268 A pre 2014 cz american might be what worth looking for. 1:12 twist. http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-527-ame...-1-rings-incl/ Last edited by surveyor; June 23, 2016 at 10:10 PM.

June 24, 2016, 04:17 AM	#15
SARuger Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2014 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of VA Posts: 954	I found a Tikka T3 Lite on Galleryofguns.com that says its a 1/10 twist. Before I spend the money, I'm going to try a few ladder tests with some of the 50-60g bullets in my Ruger American, again. I went down this road but I did not try all of the powders, just a couple. I stated in my original post that it only shoots 75g AMAX accurately. It will shoot the 75g into one ragged hole at 100yrds. I can get the 55g into a 1.5" group at 100yrds with the work I have done so far. Maybe with more testing I can make one rifle do all for me. I did read the sticky about .223's and twist rates a few months ago and found it interesting that what the charts showed, didn't work out with my rifle. But to be honest, I didn't try every available bullet/powder/primer combo. Last edited by SARuger; June 24, 2016 at 04:35 AM.

June 22, 2016, 09:47 PM	#2
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	H O W A

June 22, 2016, 10:42 PM	#3
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	I shoot 40 Nosler BT's in my 9" twist Ruger and get tiny groups. Why go for the slower twist?

June 23, 2016, 04:53 AM	#5
David R Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2015 Location: The swamps of WNY Posts: 753	Savage model 25, twist is 1:9. Thumhole laminated stock, "Lightweiht Varmiter" Shoots 55 fmj and soft point great. Heavier bullets do not shoot as well in THIS rifle. David Sent from my SM-T900 using Tapatalk

June 23, 2016, 06:31 AM	#6
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	"My 8" twist Ruger won't shoot anything good under 75g, but at 75g, its a tack driver." We're using 3 different types of 50 grain factory loads in several 1-8 twist barrels with excellent accuracy-must be a quirk of your specific rifle. The HOWA rifles(have both sporter and HB versions) shoot 40-55 grain factory ammo as good as you could ask for. 60 grainers not so well and 64-69 not worth the trouble. I don't even bother with 75 grain bullets in .223. If I need what a 75 grain offers, I'll just use a .308.

June 23, 2016, 01:41 PM	#8
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	Being that the OP is a reloader with a 1-8 twist rifle, I'll suggest those Nosler 40 gr BT's over H335. I tried other powders and other 40 gr bullets, but the magic combo was those two ingredients. Barrel 1 liked the powder charge right at max. Barrel 2 likes it about a grain off max. Unfortunately, I have reached that happy/unhappy place with the rifle, in that it shoots so darn well (and with 55 and 65 grain bullets) that I'm extremely happy with accuracy, but now really have no experimenting left to do with it, which is sort of sad. If there was a new 223 to buy for myself, it would absolutely be a Tikka with a 1-8 twist (since 1-9 isn't an option), a 20 inch barrel, in the Lite Stainless version. I have that combo in a 260 and could not be more pleased.

June 23, 2016, 04:23 PM	#9
bn12gg Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2011 Location: Winter Park, Florida Posts: 470	I've been pleased with my new Browning X Bolt Medallion in 223. Shoots many brands of 55 grain 223 quite nicely. .02.

June 23, 2016, 05:42 PM	#10
turtlehead Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2015 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,203	When I bought my Tikka T3 Lite last August it was only available in 1:10. Was told that's what they were selling to the American market. Have your dealer check again more carefully. Not on the website.

June 23, 2016, 09:20 PM	#13
roashooter Junior member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Posts: 508	CZ452..or 455

June 24, 2016, 06:18 AM	#16
s3779m Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2012 Location: Lometa, Texas Posts: 341	I have a tikka lite 8" twist that shoots just about anything under a ". It likes 45 grain winchester white box varmint load. You can cover 5 shots with a dime at 100 yards.

June 25, 2016, 01:05 AM	#17
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,312	mini mauser The YZ Mini Mausers, imported by several different firms over the years might be an option. Interarms, Charles Daily, even Remington, handled the little rifles. I think now they can be found new searching under the Zastavia name. They are old school wood stocked ( I think the Rems were laminate) and blue steel rifles. And I think they are slow twisted at 1-12", at least the old ones were.

June 28, 2016, 08:51 PM	#18
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,404	Remington Model 7 I had a Remington Model 7 in 223. Kind of a short barrel, but accurate. 1-10 twist rate. Passed it on cause I wanted to shoot heavier bullets. Live well, be safe Prof Young