Tikka knowledge?

[Birdhunter1]

OK, I have a Tikka .243 Laminated stainless. Factory says they do not leave without shooting a 3 shot sub MOA group, whish I would believe, but does anyone know what ammo they are using for their tests?

I bought a box of Winchester Super X 100 grain power points (because they were dirt cheap) to break it in with and get the scope on target before I start working on a .55-58 grain load for it. The Winchester Super junks shot about 1 1/4- 1 1/2 with 3, didn't expect much better from them but at least I was able to do a break in and cleaning and get the scope on a 4"x4" card.

Next question, I looked on Tikka's website a while back and I thought it said it had a 1/10 twist, but maybe it said a 1/9 twist. Does anyone know what it has for sure?

Third question, does anyone have a succesful load in this gun with a 55 grain bullet?

 

[saskboy]

Try cleaning the gun, my tikka 22-250 really opens up when its dirty. Also have another experinced shooter try it, sometimes its all to do with the operator.

 

[huan]

I just picked up this exact rifle on my way home from work today.

It's a 1-10" twist. Haven't fired it yet, but hoping for sub moa. I'll take it out this weekend.

I'm also curious which over the counter ammo people are seeing their better groups with...

 

[mulyhuntr]

I have one in .243 and shoot reloads with either 100gr sierra spbt or 75gr hornady vmax, my gun is easily sub moa with either bullet.

 

[Shawnee]

I would sure expect your Tikka to be very accurate once you figure out some loads for it. Any brand of rifle can be a bit finicky. Hang in there.

I haven't handloaded any 55-58gr. bullets for the .243 but Hornady's 58gr. V-max ammo has proven very accurate in three different .243s that I've shot them from. It would take some doin' to improve on their accuracy by any significant amount... at least in the rifles I've tried them in.

I know someone who shoots mind-boggling groups with the Sierra 70gr. HPBT Matchking bullets out of an old 700 BDL, but he is not only a good shot but also one of the most skilled handloaders I've ever met.

The most accurate and consistant loads I've produced in .243s use the Hornady 87gr. BTHP, and they have always been splendid.

Good Luck !

 

[ilike223s]

I have a tikka stainless in 223,It has a 1-8 twist, I tried factory loads.win,fed,rem,all at 50 -55 gr,my gun wont shoot a 3 in group,I shoot 3 shot groups, I waited for it to cool. then i clean it, seen no dif,I started reloading, I weighed all my cases,imade sure all the powder was the exact amount, every charge was put on the scale.
I made sure all were right at the OAl. just what all the books said they should be,It didnt work,Man I chanded powder types diferent charges,still no good groups.I talked to other owners, they said oh i get 1/2 groups right out of the box.damn, what am i doing wrong,well I changed my OAL.big time. what a dif,I can shoot 1/4 and sometime even smaller, Did the gun finely break in after 400 shots, or was it the oal.I dont know. as i keep all at the same lengh now.

 

[ilike223s]

I say keep shooting,and clean,your gun,good bore cleaner,take your time, it will come around,check the mounts,and scope screws,lighten the trigger,let some one shoot it...try resting the forend closer the your trigger guard, that some times makes a dif,

 

[AirPower]

What do you mean you changed OAL? The length of the case that you're reloading?

 

[a-sheepdog]

My 7mag likes Federal 150 grainers. Cheap and shoots sub moa, just gotta keep it clean. Love my Tikka and the 7mag caliber.

 

[greyling22]

try different bullet weights. I hear the 223 is kinda particular about twist rate and bullet weight. besides, sounds like you have tried everything else.

 

[Birdhunter1]

The gun hasn't been shot much and I have not realoded anything for it yet.
I cleaned it the other day after doing some shooting just to get teh scope on paper, surprisingly the barrel had no trace of copper buildup in it.

 

[Horsemany]

I've been amazed at how little my T3 copper fouls too. I've never had a rifle with a bore that smoooooooooth!

 

[countryrebel]

Try some different loads, I reload 75 grain v-max for my T3 stainless 243 and it will shoot 1/2 inch at 100 yards. It might also like lighter bullets with the 1-10 twist?

 

[hotlead]

Hmm, Shot scope? Maybe you can try a different scope? Borrow one from your buddy, or just swap one out from a different rifle. Its worth a shot!

 

[Birdhunter1]

Nothing is wrong with the scope I have and I wasn't expecting it to shoot these loads well, I would just like to know what Tikka tests these rifles with.

 

[garyhan]

My .243 Tikka approaches 1/2 moa with Hornady 95 gr light mags, and Black Hills 62 gr varmint grenades.

gary

 

[Birdhunter1]

What powder and charge on the 62 grain loads?