22-250 Re-barrel

605varminter

605varminter

New member
New to this forum, but looked like a good place to ask questions.
I have a Tikka T3X Ace 22-250 it came with 1:14 twist barrel and shoots Hornady 52gr BTHP, by the way I do my own reloading. Im not real satisfied with the grouping out to 500 yards, and in windy South Dakota the lighter bullets can be a challenge! I have been considering re-barreling it with 1:8 or possibly a 1:7.5 twist from Preferred Barrel Blanks. They offer a Tikka barrel that they claim is just a simple swap, its machined specifically for the Tikka T3. My goal is with a faster twist and heavier bullet will it perform better or is this a waste of time and money??? Better off going to a 22 Creedmore?
 
In reality, the bigger bullets with the better BC never really come into their own till 400 & beyond.

So the question is, how many shots/coyotes per year are you shooting beyond 400 yards?

And then, how many are you missing because of the wind?

But if it comes down to piss poor accuracy at distance, then that's a whole nother story if it can't be rectified with a different bullet in the 14".

If you're all set up with the goodies to load for the 22-250, it kinda makes sense to stick with it.

The CM is not a bad move, but as mentioned, I'd rather jump up to something in 6mm for the longer ranges.
 
I shoot tikkas. Bought a 1:14 22-250 as well. It likes the 55 nosler varmegedon. I also have a little 223 ranahan i rebarreled into a 1:8 223, 26" .86 muzzle barrel from urban rifleman in a prefit remage set up. Very happy with that. Shoots .4's at 100 with cheap 55sp's. Also slings 75gr bergers right at 3k fps.
 
My suggestion would be to keep your 22-250 as is, unless it needs rebarreled, and get yourself a Tikka T3X Super Lite in 243 Win.

I shoot a 220 Swift with a 1:14 twist barrel and mostly shoot Sierra 55 gr HPBT bullets for a load I have worked up for it. I live in Central Wyoming so I know all about the wind and feel your pain in that area. A few years ago I picked up the Tikka mentioned above and worked up a load for it using the Barnes 80 gr TTSX bullet. It will buck the wind like you want and that bullet is also a hammer on mule deer, whitetail deer and antelope.

Keep your 22-250 as it was intended, and that is to shoot a 50-55 gr bullet around 3800-3900 fps. My 220 Swift and 243 Win are always in the truck when I go to the country and depending on the wind that day will determine which one goes on the stand with me.
 
The answer to all varmint questions is 22 Creedmoor. The 75 ELDM slips through the wind and hits like lightning.
An 8 twist 22-250 is not necessarily wrong either. That will shoot the 75s, just a bit slower.
In either case, I would get a barrel nut Tikka barrel from Urban Rifleman. I recently did this with a Tikka, and it shoots outstanding.
Here's a playlist of the Tikka "build" I did:

 
605varminter said:
New to this forum, but looked like a good place to ask questions.
I have a Tikka T3X Ace 22-250 it came with 1:14 twist barrel and shoots Hornady 52gr BTHP, by the way I do my own reloading. Im not real satisfied with the grouping out to 500 yards, and in windy South Dakota the lighter bullets can be a challenge! I have been considering re-barreling it with 1:8 or possibly a 1:7.5 twist from Preferred Barrel Blanks. They offer a Tikka barrel that they claim is just a simple swap, its machined specifically for the Tikka T3. My goal is with a faster twist and heavier bullet will it perform better or is this a waste of time and money??? Better off going to a 22 Creedmoor?
Click to expand...
And by the way, welcome. You should count yourself blessed to live in Best Dakota. I'm in Worst Dakota now, but planning my escape back there.
 
Thanks for comments guys, I haven't made up my mind yet but I might leave the barrel alone for now. I did pick up a 22 creedmore from Horizon with a 22" barrel and thing is impressive. Drives tacks at 500 yrds, Im shoot 77gn TMK's with a load I worked up. The goal is to get it dialed in at 800 yrds.
 
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