[627PCFan]

I'm a proud owner of a new Tika T3 7mm rem mag. I handload my own ammo for accuracy. After barrel break in and fire sizing cases, I began trying different loads. I have determined my gun likes 64 grns of IMR4831 paired with 140gr NBT's and Winchester cases. That being said I'm getting .28' groups @ 100 and .65" groups at 200. I have to do a couple of tests @ 300 but my scope isnt up to the challenge now. Is anyone else getting groups this tight with handloads?

[Fumbler]

Quit bragging.

I do have a T3 Lite in 308Win. With Sierra Matchkings, Varget, Fed Match primers, and Fed Black Hills cases I've shot many 0.25-0.30" groups at 100 yards, but 0.5MOA is the norm.

[MCgunner]

Being as I hunt, 1 moa is excessive, but I generally strive for 1 moa. The kind of groups you're getting will win sporter class at bench rest matches. Me, I just hunt. Excellent groups, though. My 7 is a Savage 110 and I've only added a free floated plastic stock to it which keeps the vertical stringing it had down. I set the trigger as low as it would go, but perfect for hunting at 3 lbs. It is real picky about the bullets it likes. I've not tried the Nosler BTs, likes Sierra Game Kings, but then I don't own a rifle that doesn't like Sierra Game Kings. :D It also seems to have an affinity for the 160 Nosler Partition.

For me, the 1 moa I get out of that gun means that at my self imposed maximum yardage of 400, I will place the bullet within 2" of my POA. Now, that means I'll be in the kill zone of a deer, hog, or elk easily on a broadside shot if I can do my part. Can't ask for much more, well, maybe a shooting bench and machine rest out in the field, but I mean, the gun will do ITS job. :D

[MCgunner]

Oh, I've found RL22 to be a great powder for power and accuracy in 7mm Rem Mag. If you ain't worried about horsepower, H4831 is okay, but I couldn't get the velocities out of it I wanted for hunting.

[627PCFan]

Ive tried H4831 with moderate success but nothing as good as IMR. Reloader 22 is HOT, more than I need and it patterned bullets. I saw the Chuckhawks review of the T3, and thought Im doing ok. Did I get a crown jewel during the production run by sheer luck of the draw?

[ojibweindian]

I'm getting 0.375 inches at 100 yards using RL-19, WLR, and a 150 Remington Core-Lokt. I can't recall the powder charge off the cuff, but it's a few tenths of a grain above 56.

I suppose my load's comparable to a hot 280 Remington. It works, though :D

[esmith]

I've shot many 0.25-0.30" groups at 100 yards

Considering 7mm is .284" how can you shoot .25" groups? Are you saying the space between your shots was less .25"s apart?

[Jim Watson]

Uh, esmith, groups are measured center to center of the widest bullet holes. He is saying his hits overlapped in the proverbial one ragged hole.

[Fumbler]

And my 308Win bullets aren't 0.284" :)

What I usually do is shoot a "measuring hole" off to the side of the target then measure the fouling ring of that hole.
I measure my group outside to outside of the fouling marks and subtract the measuring hole to get the group size.
It gives you the same reading as a center-to-center measurement...of course if the holes overlap then you can't exactly measure center to center, or edge to corresponding edge of two holes.
I actually think that's more accurate than trying to guess the centers of two holes with calipers.

When I first started shooting I never understood why other people could shoot smaller groups than I could...until I realized they weren't measuring the absolute outside of the holes.

[George Hill]

http://www.madogre.com/Interviews/Limbsaver.htm
Try this.

[esmith]

Uh, esmith, groups are measured center to center of the widest bullet holes. He is saying his hits overlapped in the proverbial one ragged hole.


I was measuring my groups as an overall distance from edge to edge from one shot to the next that was the farthest away from it. Hmm. Thanks for clarifying.

And my 308Win bullets aren't 0.284"


Never said they were.

[ocharry]

hi JR,, i have a savage tactical rifle,,fat barrel,,trigger breaks at 1 3/4 lbs.,,one of the old ones and it likes the H4831 powder with the 150gr sierra bullets purty good,,,i have shot a lot of groups at 175 yrds. that you could cover with a nickel,,, this one is a shooter,,,,i really like to hear these big boomers go off,,,,,nothing like the sound,,,,

i got it out of an estate,,for a song,,the rifle was new in the box with a 4-12 Leopold scope,,,and all the bullets and powder the guy had that would work with it,,,i ain't gona tell you how much cause it would make ya throw up LOL,,,, it is one of the best deals i ever got,, and i didn't even ask for a lower price cause i was a sceerd to,,couldn't get the money on the table fast enough though

sounds like you got a dandy too,,, you are gona love that gun

i know i sure like the looks of them Tika T3's ,,,,, my .02

ocharry

[jpwilly]

No my rifles and handloads just don't shoot that good...sure you have some form of evidence like a trophy or maybe a publicity contract to tour the world - right!

[627PCFan]

No but I now have no use for my old Savage 112 .223 POS.

[MCgunner]

Groups that small from a sporter are pretty amazing. I've been chastised for my quest for 1 MOA in my handloads, sayin' I'm too picky and that's overkill. LOL! Well, bench rest shooters go to some unreal lengths to get those tiny groups, like weighing all their bullets and tossing those that don't weigh within a certain criteria or measuring case volume on all cases and tossing those that are not consistent. Me, a case is a case and a bullet is not left wasted over a half inch of group size, LOL! 1 moa is probably too picky for a hunting rifle, but it gives me confidence and whatever gives me confidence is at least a psychological edge if nothing else. And, I know folks for whom 1/2 moa ain't good 'nuf even in their hunting rifles, so hey, I ain't that special! :D

[jpwilly]

You could give that Savage POS to me!

[MCgunner]

Give? :D If I had the .223, i'd rebarrel it to something I could use. No prarie dogs or woodchucks in my neck of the woods.

[627PCFan]

McGunner- bullets are weighed to .1 grain and sorted anything more than .3 gr off gets used for firesize loads, powder to .1 grn the same, brass is weighed each firing, Neck wall thickness measured each firing. Bench rest habits in a sporter.

[Fumbler]

Never said they were.
No, you didn't, but you quoted me and I don't have a 7mm.