Tikka .270wsm Range Report

[Karbon]

Well, a few weeks ago I picked up my new Tikka T3 SS Laminated in .270WSM. I have it matched with a Burris Fullfeild II mounted with the factory Tikka rings.

I went to the range on Saturday to dial it in and the bore sight the guys at Sportaman's Warehouse performed put me just 5 inches right and 6 inches high at 100yards. Three shots later I was happy (for now)

It was a hot day (low 90's) so it was hard to keep a real cool barrel. The wind was light, 5-10mph. I was shooting only Federal Premium 140 grain Nosler Accubonds. Needless to say, I'm happy I spent so much time researching my new rifle. I love my new Tikka, check the pics and let me know waht you guys think. All shots are at 100 yards. Not to bad with factory ammo and my first time out with her...

That five shot group was with the first two shots to the left of center, I cranked the scope 3 clicks right and, shot the 3rd wich was the farthest right hole. I then clicked it back 3 clicks and shot the fourth just inside the same hole as the first. Then the last (5th) was the closest shot, just to the right. All with in 5 min or so.

 

[Karbon]

I guess I have one question for the group.



Is this an acceptable amount of variation for a five shot group?

If not...

What should I expect?

By the way, the barrel was warming up quickly due to the hot range temps and the wsm loads.

 

[dfaugh]

Is this an acceptable amount of variation for a five shot group?

By the way, the barrel was warming up quickly due to the hot range temps and the wsm loads.

If the 2 shots to the right, were the 4th and 5th then you've answered your own question. With a sporter weight barrel, I would expect some movement if the barrel gets hot. If it will put 1st 3 in a 1" group, before the barrel heats up, that's just peachy for a hunting rifle.

 

[Karbon]

That's what I was thinking... For my deer hunting needs that's plenty of accuracy. I was just hoping this would be typical for an "accurate setup"

That five shot group was with the first two shots to the left of center, I cranked the scope 3 clicks right and, shot the 3rd wich was the farthest right hole. I then clicked it back 3 clicks and shot the fourth just inside the same hole as the first. Then the last (5th) was the closest shot, just to the right. All with in 5 min or so.

I'm also fairly sure the gun is more accurate than I am, so there's probably a lot of my error there too.

I think it will do the trick out to 200. In the next few weeks I plan on going back and shooting the 100 again, followed by a few hours at the 200 and 300 yard range. I just want to experience first hand how my hunting rifle will shoot at those distances with just a 3X9 scope.

 

[hoghunting]

Karbon,
Not bad! I shoot 3 shot groups and clean the barrel between each group. This also helps in cooling the barrel down. With the 270 WSM, on the bench, take your time shooting. I usually shoot one shot - a fouling shot, then wait about a minute between shots, and finish up with my 3 shot group. Then a quick cleaning of the barrel. The WSM will powder foul until you have about 100 shots through them. Then they are not so bad.

 

[Karbon]

I'll have to try that. I could only get 18 rounds through the gun, just to darn hot of an afternoon. I should have paid more attention to the first fouling shot. I woud clean inbetween each of my first 4 shots, dialing it in, and then after every 3. The one Five shot group, was all one after another, min or two apart and no cleaning.

But if I'm out hunting don't I want to know where the clean barrel shot and the following are going to impact the target? I'm assuming my first shot at a deer this year will be a clean barrel.

As the barrel is broken in (30-40 round through the barrel), are the fouling shot and the next few nearly the same or always different?

My barrel was remaining fairly clean. I saw little powder and no copper when I was cleaning...
Are the Federal Premium's and Nosler Accubonds fairly clean rounds?

 

[hoghunting]

What I have found is my fouling shot usually lands inside my 3 shot grouping. When I was working on my loads, sometimes it would be just outside the group.

What you are doing now is getting the ammo that is the most accurate in your rifle. After you find that ammo, then you shoot to find out where the first shot from a clean barrel hits the target in relation to your group.

Are you sure you're not getting much fouling? I use Butch's at the range and the barrel is semi-cleaned between groups. After getting home, I used Wipe-Out in the barrel and it came out nasty - especially during the first 100 rounds.

I can't tell you much about factory ammo as I only shot 1 box of Win BT so I would have fired factory cases to check case head expansion during load development.