223 debacle

[sierracharlie338]

Ok let’s hear it from the 223 faithful…

Currently have a 223 that is a factory REM 700 (you read that right FACTORY) barreled action sitting in a Bravo chassis with a 1:9 twist. I’m at sea level and no chance this barrel will shoot the 75g+ in an acceptable manner, I’ve tried.

Here’s my dilemma, this barrel shoots the 69g stuff very well at about 2850. So well in fact I’m torn on where to go from here. Pic for reference. My daughters Tikka 223 can’t print groups like this but these are handloads and I’ve only shot factory ammo out of the tikka.



What’s a guy to do? I have good stock of both 69 and 77tmks. Planning to load up on 80eldms for another project but wouldn’t mind trying them in the 223 also.

The way I see it, I have 1 of 3 options:

Sell the whole set up and start from scratch with a Tikka?

Rebarrel with a proper twist rate for the heavies?

Keep shooting the 69s and quit overthinking the situation?

Let me know what y’all think.

Sc

 

[CJ_BG]

If it's gonna be used on deer sized game and won't be used super heavily I'd just keep using it with the 69 tmk. They kill very similarly to the 77 on deer they just don't exit as often

 

[bojangles808]

you have a 223 Tikka also? keep shooting the 69s in the 700 and the 77/80s in the the tikka. and then build a 22cm for the 80s lol

 

[sierracharlie338]

you have a 223 Tikka also? keep shooting the 69s in the 700 and the 77/80s in the the tikka. and then build a 22cm for the 80s lol

Yeah technically it’s my daughters…… lol

 

[waspocrew]

Stick with the 69s. No need to fix if it isn’t broke.

Although I totally understand the need to scratch the itch haha.

 

[Wprinkle]

Ok let’s hear it from the 223 faithful…

Currently have a 223 that is a factory REM 700 (you read that right FACTORY) barreled action sitting in a Bravo chassis with a 1:9 twist. I’m at sea level and no chance this barrel will shoot the 75g+ in an acceptable manner, I’ve tried.

Here’s my dilemma, this barrel shoots the 69g stuff very well at about 2850. So well in fact I’m torn on where to go from here. Pic for reference. My daughters Tikka 223 can’t print groups like this but these are handloads and I’ve only shot factory ammo out of the tikka.

View attachment 967397

What’s a guy to do? I have good stock of both 69 and 77tmks. Planning to load up on 80eldms for another project but wouldn’t mind trying them in the 223 also.

The way I see it, I have 1 of 3 options:

Sell the whole set up and start from scratch with a Tikka?

Rebarrel with a proper twist rate for the heavies?

Keep shooting the 69s and quit overthinking the situation?

Let me know what y’all think.

Sc

What are you intentions for the 700 .223? (I live about 4 hours North of you) and have merked everything in this state except Nilgai and buffalo with a 22-250 shooting a 52 grain Berger. IMO keep the 700 and keep shooting 69 grains pills and when you need a Tikka to do Tikka things use the Tikka. A LOT of us that swear by the Tikka RokSlide Special still have and use other platforms with a lot of success. Yes a Tikka RSS is a super reliable amazing delivery system but think if it this way.. A Tikka RSS with 77 TMK's is your Toyota Hilux.. Will always run never fails, The 700 is like a Range Rover.. Takes some regular f'n with has some issues you need to know about but when they are ginnin man do they gin...

 

[Rockpicker]

Hard to believe that outside of the US hunters kill deer on up with bullets less than 77gr. Must be voodoo in their 50-75gr bullets.

 

[sierracharlie338]

What are you intentions for the 700 .223? (I live about 4 hours North of you) and have merked everything in this state except Nilgai and buffalo with a 22-250 shooting a 52 grain Berger. IMO keep the 700 and keep shooting 69 grains pills and when you need a Tikka to do Tikka things use the Tikka. A LOT of us that swear by the Tikka RokSlide Special still have and use other platforms with a lot of success. Yes a Tikka RSS is a super reliable amazing delivery system but think if it this way.. A Tikka RSS with 77 TMK's is your Toyota Hilux.. Will always run never fails, The 700 is like a Range Rover.. Takes some regular f'n with has some issues you need to know about but when they are ginnin man do they gin...

Yeah I’m a long time 700 user and new “convert” to the tikka platform per se. Mainly just S Texas deer, pigs and vermin.

 

[KenLee]

Dont you dare booger with that accurate rifle, especially for a Tikka

 

[sierracharlie338]

Hard to believe that outside of the US hunters kill deer on up with bullets less than 77gr. Must be voodoo in their 50-75gr bullets.

No it isn’t. I’ve killed literal truck loads of deer with a 55g Vmax before it was cool on Rokslide.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

People have been killing deer with 55-grain SP out of a .22-250 or .223 for a long time.

Those 69-grain loads will work just fine. I shoot a ton of the 69-grain ADI for practice. The .224 caliber bullets are not legal on deer in Virginia, or I would be looking at them for that.

 

[Deere_Man]

This isn’t a debacle, it’s actually more of a conundrum…

I’d keep it and hammer away. I’d shoot 62gr Gold Dots or see what else it likes in the 55-70gr arena.