Rifle Scopes Options for tikka supervarmint 223

[Aussieshooter97]

Hi all, from down under
I just purchased a tikka supervarmint 223 Remington 1:12 twist rifle

I am planning on using it for close to long range varminting and steel target plinking (up to 800yd)

I was torn between a Swarovski z5 ballistic turret scope with the 4w reticle in either the 3-18 or 5-25

however started to ponder maybe the nightforce equivalent.

budget will be around the $2000-2500 mark Aussie dollars.

I’d like a scope that I can dial my elevation in with but also holdover with the reticle for quicker shots.
So thinking first focal plane would be most suited?

thanks for reading, just wanted to get some opinions as I’m pretty new to it all.
Thanks!

 

[MarinePMI]

I'd think a faster twist barrel would be better for longer, heavier bullets at long range...

 

[patriot07]

I'd be surprised if you could get that rifle anywhere near 800 yards with a 1:12 barrel. I had a 1:8 barrel and couldn't get my Tikka Varmint to 700, mostly because it had such a slow accuracy node. But at 1:12, you're going to be using light, low-BC bullets and with the slow Tikka barrel, my guess is that 500-600 is probably going to be your max and you're going to be blown all over the place by the wind past 400 yards. Not trying to be a downer, but I am trying to set expectations realistically.

If you're looking for long range, I'd personally go for a scope tailored to that more than the hunting-centric Swaros.

There are lots of good options - Nightforce, Vortex, Minox, S&B, etc.

 

[Aussieshooter97]

I'd think a faster twist barrel would be better for longer, heavier bullets at long range...

Yeah I’d agree with you 100% but I only plan on just using 40-55 grainers and just seeing what is the most I can get out of them.

 

[Aussieshooter97]

I'd be surprised if you could get that rifle anywhere near 800 yards with a 1:12 barrel. I had a 1:8 barrel and couldn't get my Tikka Varmint to 700, mostly because it had such a slow accuracy node. But at 1:12, you're going to be using light, low-BC bullets and with the slow Tikka barrel, my guess is that 500-600 is probably going to be your max and you're going to be blown all over the place by the wind past 400 yards. Not trying to be a downer, but I am trying to set expectations realistically.

If you're looking for long range, I'd personally go for a scope tailored to that more than the hunting-centric Swaros.

There are lots of good options - Nightforce, Vortex, Minox, S&B, etc.

yeah your totally right, I never thought I’d have any real consistency at that distance but thought it would be fun to try and get somewhere close to it or at least what Is challenging yet achievable for that rifle.
Forgive my ignorance but what do you mean by slow accuracy node and slow tikka Barrel ?

 

[MarinePMI]

I'd be surprised if you could get that rifle anywhere near 800 yards with a 1:12 barrel. I had a 1:8 barrel and couldn't get my Tikka Varmint to 700, mostly because it had such a slow accuracy node. But at 1:12, you're going to be using light, low-BC bullets and with the slow Tikka barrel, my guess is that 500-600 is probably going to be your max and you're going to be blown all over the place by the wind past 400 yards. Not trying to be a downer, but I am trying to set expectations realistically.

If you're looking for long range, I'd personally go for a scope tailored to that more than the hunting-centric Swaros.

There are lots of good options - Nightforce, Vortex, Minox, S&B, etc.

Tikka barrels aren't slow in .223, that's only been the case in 6.5 CM. Do you own a Tikka in .223?

 

[patriot07]

Tikka barrels aren't slow in .223, that's only been the case in 6.5 CM. Do you own a Tikka in .223?

I did own a 223 Varmint. Sold it when I couldn't get to 700 yards with my reloads. I should have tried a few other powder/bullet combos and I'm sure I could have got to at least 700. But I'm in a low/humid area and that doesn't help either. But...I still think the 1:12 barrel is going to struggle getting to 800.

I can't even remember what powder/primer/etc I used since it's been probably 2-3 years now since I had it, but I was running 75 ELD-M bullets at around 2,700 fps IIRC. Had some 2" groups at 500 yards, still tight at 600 yards, and couldn't hit a 2 MOA target at all at 700. One left, one high, one right, one left, one low - it was silly.

 

[MarinePMI]

Running 75ELD’s at 2925fps with XBR, at 400 ft elevation and low humidity of the SW. The barrel certainly isn’t slow.

 

[patriot07]

Running 75ELD’s at 2925fps with XBR, at 400 ft elevation and low humidity of the SW. The barrel certainly isn’t slow.

Different guns like different stuff. I pushed mine faster and it started throwing things all over the place. My groups at 100 went from .3-.5 to 1.5-2 inches.

I don't think OP will be able to shoot 75s though.

 

[patriot07]

yeah your totally right, I never thought I’d have any real consistency at that distance but thought it would be fun to try and get somewhere close to it or at least what Is challenging yet achievable for that rifle.
Forgive my ignorance but what do you mean by slow accuracy node and slow tikka Barrel ?

Each barrel has an accuracy node. My barrel happened to be accurate when the bullet was really slow.

Tikkas in general are known for slow barrels. I thought it was caliber-wide, but marine PMI is saying it's really only related to 6.5 CM. Honestly I only have owner experience with Tikka 223 and 6.5 so if he's saying his 223 doesn't have a slow barrel, then maybe mine was a one-off, but it is a well-known issue with 6.5 Creedmoor.

Either way, I'm not sure either of our 1:8 223 barrels are indicative of what your 1:12 will do. You'll get more speed than we did just because you're shooting lighter bullets. But with the lower BC, you'll struggle to push it out really far.

If you're not set on a specific yardage, then just find a sub-60gr bullet you like with a high BC and work up a load as fast as you can, and you get what you get out of it. I'm sure it'll be a blast. Not much is more fun than a heavy 223 bolt gun with great accuracy and no recoil.

 

[Aussieshooter97]

Each barrel has an accuracy node. My barrel happened to be accurate when the bullet was really slow.

Tikkas in general are known for slow barrels. I thought it was caliber-wide, but marine PMI is saying it's really only related to 6.5 CM. Honestly I only have owner experience with Tikka 223 and 6.5 so if he's saying his 223 doesn't have a slow barrel, then maybe mine was a one-off, but it is a well-known issue with 6.5 Creedmoor.

Either way, I'm not sure either of our 1:8 223 barrels are indicative of what your 1:12 will do. You'll get more speed than we did just because you're shooting lighter bullets. But with the lower BC, you'll struggle to push it out really far.

If you're not set on a specific yardage, then just find a sub-60gr bullet you like with a high BC and work up a load as fast as you can, and you get what you get out of it. I'm sure it'll be a blast. Not much is more fun than a heavy 223 bolt gun with great accuracy and no recoil.

Thankyou for the help really appreciate it.

 

[lennyo3034]

Each barrel has an accuracy node. My barrel happened to be accurate when the bullet was really slow.

Tikkas in general are known for slow barrels. I thought it was caliber-wide, but marine PMI is saying it's really only related to 6.5 CM. Honestly I only have owner experience with Tikka 223 and 6.5 so if he's saying his 223 doesn't have a slow barrel, then maybe mine was a one-off, but it is a well-known issue with 6.5 Creedmoor.

Either way, I'm not sure either of our 1:8 223 barrels are indicative of what your 1:12 will do. You'll get more speed than we did just because you're shooting lighter bullets. But with the lower BC, you'll struggle to push it out really far.

If you're not set on a specific yardage, then just find a sub-60gr bullet you like with a high BC and work up a load as fast as you can, and you get what you get out of it. I'm sure it'll be a blast. Not much is more fun than a heavy 223 bolt gun with great accuracy and no recoil.

My Tikka in 7 mag was very slow. 7mm-08 velocities at max charge.

 

[Quarter Horse]

CZ-527 Kevlar Varmint in .223. It is an early production gun so 1 in 12. Loves the 40gr V-Max. It has killed a bunch of rock-chucks out to 300yds.+

Remington VTR, early production. One in 9+. I shoot the 53gr. V-Max. Very good BC for it's weight. Killed a coyote at 400+ a couple of months ago.

Your going to love the cartridge. Good barrel life if you don't hot rod it. It's easy to load for. Recoil is minimal. There is a lot to like.

As to the question of scopes, I don't have any idea of pricing in Australia. I also don't know if there are any ITAR restrictions. Here in the U.S. there are very good deals on the Vortex Razor IIs but they are quite heavy. For a walking varminter you might consider the Eotech Vudu 50-25. It's an ultrashort and about 30 ounces as I remember. I , again, have no idea of availability and pricing where you are.