I recently purchased a Tikka t3 varmint and discovered that it had a 1 in 8" twist barrel. The owners manual that it came with stated the twist for .223 was 1 in 12. I mainly shoot 50-55 gr. bullets in my 223 rifles and am concerned about this twist rate. I Would appreciate any information on the ability to shoot light bullets in this rather fast twist rate. The gunshop I purchased the gun at is willing to let me return it within a week if I don't fire it. I really like the gun and would like to keep it if it will handle 55 gr bullets. Thanks in advance....Scott

Coyotescott ,
Unfortunately you won't know until you try it . Rifles with 8 inch twists can shoot 50 and 55gn projectiles very accurately . Theoretically it is not optimum for those bullet weights .
My 9 inch .243 Ackley was built to shoot the 95gn Nosler VLD but does it's best with the 55gn Nosler .

Hello,
If you reload, the twist you have for the 223 is ideal for the 69grain Sierra HPBT match bullets and they are hollow points and are devastating on varmints. Yes the lighter bullets, 50-55 range will work OK, but not optimum for accuracy, but as said earlier, give 'em a try and see what happens. Would think a lot depends on whether you dealer will let you return after you have shot?? Good Luck
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dsiteman

Coyotescott,

I built a .223 last year with a 1-8 twist Krieger barrel. It shoots the 50 and 55 grain bullets just fine. I got the barrel cheap and could not pass it up. Have not regretted the decision one bit. A real surprise is the accuracy I am getting out of 40 gr. Sierra HPs. A five shot group measured .196 at 100 yds.

“Over rotating†a good bullet (within reason of course) does not often cause problems. In your case I would have to guess the quality of the barrel will have more to do with accuracy than the twist rate.

If the gun is not very accurate, I don’t think the twist rate will be the cause. On the other hand, if the gun is accurate, you will be able to shoot more bullet weights than the 1-12 would have. Let us know what you do. (I can hardly stand the suspense, really)

Jim

KEEP IT! I bought a Sako 75 SS off Gunsamerica last year thinking it would have the 1-8 twist like the website says. Suprise! Its 1-12. But its incredibly accurate so I'm happy with it. I wanted the tight twist to shoot the 65 gr Sierra's and other heavies. Try some 60 gr HP Sierra's in it if your wanting a good BC varmint bullet. If your wanting pure speed (and remember the light bullets are going SLOWER when they hit yon doggie) you might ought to get a slower twist.......or a 22-250. FNMauser

I have no accuracy issues with two AR-15
uppers, with 1:8 twists. The 20" RRA
Varminter, with a Wilson air guaged, Wylde
chamber, barrel puts 55 gr. Nosler BTs into
.5 MOA or less depending on the trigger work,
and the 16" RRA Pre-ban puts the same 55 gr.
Nosler load into .9 MOA. I see no problems
with accuracy, with 55 gr. bullets in these
two 1:8 barrels. I recently purchased a
Tikka T3, and I hoped it would be a 1:8
barrel, but it is a 1:12. I would expect
excellent accuracy out of the Tikka with
a 1:8 barrel, with 55 gr. bullets.

Squeeze