New Tikka T3 Lite .308 Ammo Suggestions?

[Sharkbait08]

New to the forum, had a friend suggest I join for reloading tips, but then I discovered all the good info on different firearms...

So, I just ordered a new Tikka T3 Lite SS Left Handed model in .308 yesterday, expect it to arrive Thurs or Fri.

I've seen alot of people talk about different factory loads do better in one rifle or another, even among the same model. I've already got the essential 10/22 and a Stag 8L, both of which do well with just about anything I feed them. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what factory loads I should start with to try and find a good general purpose range load? I'm new to the larger rilfe calibers and have no idea where to start with the .308 bullet size, let alone brands.

Thanks!

 

[interlock]

my buddy has one and it just loves privi partisan 150gr soft points.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

my T3 lite SS is in 6.5 x 55 and best factory loads I have found are the Hornady Custom SP 140 grain and the old reliable Remington Core Lokt in 140 grain, consistent 1" groups with both loads.

 

[HKGuns]

I use Hornady SST .308. They work extremely well and are quite accurate. Obviously these are hunting rounds, which is what I assume you bought the rifle to do. I don't typically use my hunting rifles for plinking. Typically practice only or sighting in before a hunt.

 

[dalv]

Good Choice!

I have several Tikkas - mine are the older version 595 Whitetail in .223 and .308. You'll probably find your gun shoots MOA with most any factory load. I like the Black Hills Blue Box (factory reloads) in the .223.. incredible accurate. I have trouble handloading as good.

I have played around with several loads but haven't settled on the best for the .308. Try a couple out of your favorite manual and see what shoots best. I like 165 gr for deer. Best part of the reloads is the cost but you need the factory for the brass - have fun!

 

[MIL-DOT]

My T3 lite SS .308 ( right handed ) does really well with Federal Gold Medal Match 165 gr. Sierra boat-tailed hollow points. I orginally got them for a Remignton 700 PSS that's fallen by the way-side, but the Tikka loves 'em, too.

 

[BrocLuno]

Drop by Graf & Son and see what they have on sale? Lots of choices in 308. I have found Prvi Partizan to be very goof and relatively inexpensive Cor-Lok's seem to work well for me too

 

[Sharkbait08]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Rifle failed to show up as "promised" at end of last week. Some screw up with UPS or Fed-Ex I guess. So now I get to wait paitently for yet another week...

I'll post results of first range trip hopefully this weekend (if it shows up in time...)

 

[shaggy430]

My dad has one that will literally shoot anything you put through it under an inch. We tried about 6 different combos of handloads and factory loads and all shot excellently.

 

[chrt396]

I have toyed around with quite a few styles of ammo. Hornady SST Superformance, Remington Core Lokt, winchester Silver tip (ballistic tip), Barnes VTX and then Federal Premium MatchKing 168 grain HPBT ammo. By far..in my Savage 10FCP .308, the Federal is BY FAR, the most accurate for punching holes in a target. Sub-moa is the goal and depending on the rifle-ammo combo, it is possible. Savage-Federal is my combo. I bought a case of 200 from Target Sports USA for $229 otd, shipped to my door.

Now....in my Thompson Center Icon .308, I use Winchester Silver tips
In my Browning X-Bolt hunter, 30-06, I use Hornady SST's.
But these are hunting rifles, and usually anything that is deadly is good for me.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

IMHO, the best factory fodder in my .308s has been Federal Gold Medal Match followed closely by Rem .308 Match, both of which use a 168gr Sierra Match King bullet. I get sub MOA groups in my R700 SPS SS and one of my M1As with that. While I haven't tried it, I have also heard excellent things about Hornady's match .308 load, and, IIRC, Zak Smith wrote an excellent piece comparing .308 match loads.

I try to duplicate the Fed GMM with 42gr of Reloder-15 under a 168gr SMK and CCI BR2 primers...safe in my rifles but work up to it...YMMV.

FH

PS- and accurate as hell...I tore a 3-shot group of less than 0.5" at 100 yds today from my Rem 700 SPS SS out of a Caldwell Leadsled to sight in, 0.75" off my Harris bipod practicing for a forthcoming hunt. I'm stoked, and for you naysayers on Remmy's, work on your shooting. I've got a $600 bad boy I'd hunt with anywhere on anything (though I confess I'd like to keep it under Eland, etc).

FH

 

[Fumbler]

I've also got a T3 in 308.

Federal Gold Metal and Black Hills Match (both 168gr Sierra Matchking) will be a consistent 0.5MOA, often times a little better.
Federal Premium with 150 or 165gr Nosler Ballistic Tips are also accurate, usually 0.75MOA (often right around 0.5MOA). Winchester Supreme CT Ballistic Tips shoot the same.

I haven't really been disappointed with any factory ammo. The worst was plain 150 gr Rem Core-lokt but even they shot about 1.25-1.5 with the biggest groups. That's not bad.

 

[rust collector]

My T3 lite stainless seems to prefer bullets heavier than 150 grain. They all work fine, but I get the nice little groups with the 165s and 168s.

I am very happy with my T3, and suspect that you will enjoy it when it finally arrives.

 

[J.Boyette]

I use a new up and comming ammo company for my .308 and .223 loads

South West ammunition is the way to roll until you start reloading.

---> LINK Great prices and the quality is second to none. Look at the video in the link to see how well the ammunition performs.

 

[chrt396]

I've also got a T3 in 308.

Federal Gold Metal and Black Hills Match (both 168gr Sierra Matchking) will be a consistent 0.5MOA, often times a little better.
Federal Premium with 150 or 165gr Nosler Ballistic Tips are also accurate, usually 0.75MOA (often right around 0.5MOA). Winchester Supreme CT Ballistic Tips shoot the same.

I haven't really been disappointed with any factory ammo. The worst was plain 150 gr Rem Core-lokt but even they shot about 1.25-1.5 with the biggest groups. That's not bad.

I agree with FUMBLER. Federal Premium Gold Medal Matchking 168 grain and it's cousin from BlackHills Ammo are the two most consistantly accurate rounds out there for punching paper. I spoke with the owner of a gun shop in my area and he is the one that suggested those same two configurations and he shoots competitively. There has to be some truth to this!!

 

[horsemen61]

Good info guys thanks

 

[dprice3844444]

New Tikka T3 Lite .308 Ammo Suggestions

if you google above question,it will pull some previous thr threads and info about the tikka