Tikka T3 Lite barrel length

I

igor

New member
I am ordering a T3 in .243 and understand I can get it in 20 or 22 7/16 inch barrel. I understand the 20 has a 1-10 twist and the 22 7/16 has a 1-12 twist. Could use some education please. I will be mostly shooting 70-80 grain hand loads. I understand that powders like IMR 4350 or Varget are fully burned by up by the time they exit an 18 inch barrel. Seems to me a shorter barrel is a stiffer barrel and consistant barrel vibration should be easier to achieve in a shorter barrel. And there are also also slightly better weight and transport issues to consider. What is the advantage of the longer barrel option. Thanks
 
Sorry, I misread your post. I had 223 on my mind. For up to 80 gr bullets I would get the longer barrel. The 1-12 should push them fine. You get what I call free velocity with a longer barrel, and they don't seem as loud as the shorter barrels.

 
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So is the formula tighter twist for heavier bullet? If so shouldn't a tight twist also stabilize a light bullet? Sorry, I am having trouble with the physics. I'm probably over thinking this because Tikka guarantees MOA with factory loads and in .243 they are mostly 90-100 grainers. Didn't even know they offered a 20 inch until today and I am just trusting that the dealer knows what he is talking about when he says they offer both. Have not seen anything in Tikka info about barrel choice.
 
I don't have a .243 right now.
The 1/10 will stabilize heavier bullets to around 100 gr.
The 1/12 will probably stabilize to around 90 gr.
Depends a bit on what your intended use is. The 1/10 might shoot down to 55 gr suitably.
My Tikkas are all the 22 inch and good. 20 is news to me and might be handy and slightly louder. I am surprised they offer this option. May be to compete with Ruger or for can mounting

http://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/guns/rifles/2007/09/testing-twist-myth
 
I may be wrong but I'm looking at the tikka.fi website right now and it only lists 1-10" twist on 243 for the Tikka T3 Lite, also the 20" barrel is threaded and costs extra than the standard 22" barrel.
 
Glad I kept researching. Dealer didnt tell me the 20 inch barrel is in the compact model. Don't want that. Thanks
 
The Beretta USA website is not currently showing any rifles.
In the past Tikka.fi(Finland) has shown some rifle versions that are not available in the US.
 
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