New Tikka T3x in 30-06

Joined
Apr 18, 2017
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21
Location
wisconsin
I just bought a new Tikka T3x blue, in 30-06. I won't be handloading but just wondering in advance, what hunting factory loads you have seen fly the best. Whitetail and elk rounds. I will try several to see what my gun likes, but just looking for some that you have good results with, to start with. Thanks.
 

dmoto

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 22, 2017
Messages
114
Location
AZ
I've been running Nosler Trophy Grade 150 grain Partition in my Tikka T3 30.06 Hunter Stainless. Consistent grouping and not very expensive. One shot on a nice sized cow elk did the job. Took maybe a step and dropped.
 

oldillini

Lil-Rokslider
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Feb 13, 2015
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190
Location
Indiana
Can't say about the T3x, but my T3 Hunter 7RM loves Federal Premium w/ Nosler Partition.
 

Eagle

WKR
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Feb 27, 2012
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Western Kentucky
My T3X loves Barnes TTSX factory loads. Cloverleafs at 100 for me with that load, I believe with 150 grain pills. Need to shoot some of the heavier bullets to figure out what to use for elk.
 

brushape

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Nov 13, 2013
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rohnert park, Ca
My T3X loves Barnes TTSX factory loads. Cloverleafs at 100 for me with that load, I believe with 150 grain pills. Need to shoot some of the heavier bullets to figure out what to use for elk.

I wouldn’t worry about heavier with the Barnes, lighter the better with those bad boys
 

SEtoNWHunter

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Feb 17, 2017
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SW MT
I have the same rifle, except in stainless. It loves Barnes factory loaded 168gr TTSX. If I do my part, this rifle/load is consistently sub MOA. Dropped a cow elk with this combo a couple weeks ago.
 

robtattoo

WKR
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Mar 22, 2014
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Tullahoma, TN
The old federal blue box 150s are the most accurate thing mine's ever seen. Probably wouldn't take them for elk, but they've accounted for a literal ton of whitetail for me, over the years.

I actually use them as a 'litmus test' for every rifle I buy. If it won't shoot them well, solid chance it won't shoot anything well.
 

BigWoods

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Jan 28, 2017
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389
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NH
I had a t3 in 30-06 that really liked a diet of 165gr Federal Fusion. They held together nicely in game and were affordable.
 
Joined
Jun 15, 2015
Messages
368
Location
Washington
my t3 superlite in 06 likes the 168 grain eld x precision hunter rounds.
shooting over a chrony they were fairly consistent as compared to others as well
 
Joined
Oct 24, 2015
Messages
1,550
Location
W. Wa
Ive seen many tikkas shoot the cheap stuff as well as the expensive stuff, so don't hesitate to try the green or blue box stuff too!
 

michihunt

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 21, 2017
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205
Location
Michigan
Reviving an old thread as I am in the same boat as the OP. Any changes of opinion or any other options since a year and a half ago?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Dirtriding4life

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 17, 2017
Messages
111
Location
Bend, OR
My 30-06 T3 likes the 150gr federal blue box for shooting practice. It shoots the 150 gr TTSX even better for hunting. This year I'm trying the 175 gr VOR-TX LR factory ammo to get some more energy at longer distances with better BCs. They shoot well.

The only thing my Tikka hasn't liked is 165gr Partitions loaded by Federal.
 

robtattoo

WKR
Joined
Mar 22, 2014
Messages
3,345
Location
Tullahoma, TN
My 30-06 T3 likes the 150gr federal blue box for shooting practice. It shoots the 150 gr TTSX even better for hunting. This year I'm trying the 175 gr VOR-TX LR factory ammo to get some more energy at longer distances with better BCs. They shoot well.

The only thing my Tikka hasn't liked is 165gr Partitions loaded by Federal.

Oddly, mine is exactly the same. I handload 165 partitions for mine, but I cannot get them any more accurate than factory TTSX.
 
Joined
Feb 3, 2019
Messages
959
every 30.06 Tikka T3 or T3x superlight I've shot or loaded for had multiple highly accurate loads from 150 gr to 180 gr Nosler-Berger-Barnes-Federal-Sierra - I think 7 in all
 
Joined
Feb 3, 2019
Messages
959
OAL "can" be the secret - rather than struggling with the "off the lands" B.S. simply seat bullets so they will just function in the Tikka magazine, try that OAL for accuracy
 

TwoTikkas

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Mar 8, 2012
Messages
495
Location
W.Central PA.
180 Hornady Spire point. Cheap. Priced for practice,and kill like nobody's business. 100 in a box like it should be too. Bout $27 a box at Midway I believe.
 
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