Thread: Which bolt 223 to look out for

Originally Posted by ChrisW

I picked up a .223 1:8 twist Tikka Varmint after the announcement to ban semis.

It is incredibly accurate... I tested 4 loads last time I went out (same powder charge but different seating lengths), and the largest 5 shot group was 0.321inch and the smallest around 0.15inch at 100m. (the .402 and .385 are the same group, just measured from different sides, and the .402 isnt right on the edge of the hole. subtract .223 from total to get group size).

Anyway its bog standard and pushing a 75gr at close to 3000fps and shooting incredibly tiny groups...especially considering the brass is once fired brass that has been shot in other guns and hasn't even been tumbled or anything.
I may be biased but the results speak for themselves... the Tikkas are pretty damn good.

My 2c worth. Have owned four varmint contour Tikkas, a 1:8" .223, a 1:14" .22-250, a 1:12" .204 Ruger (all Aussie rifles) and the current NZ 1:12" .223 Super Varmint.

Every one of these rifles has printed bug holes out of the box with sensible hand loads. Uses were roo culling, thru' foxes and wild dogs, bunnies, and wallabys in TAS, to the current vermin and small deer now. In NZ the current Super Varmint has performed very well on fallow and yearling reds with soft 50-55gr bullets, Z-Max, Berger Varmint, Sierra Blitzking and Nosler Varmaggedon.

If I was to buy another .224 calibre, it would be a Tikka Varmint or Super Varmint every time no question. I do miss the 1:8" twist but in all honesty the 1:12" in the right place with a BllitzKing is deadly. Yes, I headshoot most of them. Because they have always been half MOA rifles from the get go.

Several other manufacturers make fine rifles in .223. CZ micro actions, Sako of course (thou overpriced), the Rugers are deadly accurate but shitty stocks, and others.

But if I could personally guarantee a fantastic out the box winner (I would if I could), it would be a Tikka Varmint or Super Varmint every time.