Tikka 7RM - What weight bullet?

[Mr Drysdale]

I shoot a Tikka T3 SL in 7RM. I tried 140 gr Federal loaded with Nosler Partitions with 2+ inch groups. Went to Remington Core Lokts in 150 gr and shoot consistent 1.5 “ groups. That’s what I have been hunting with. I sighted in today with the Core Lokts waiting 10 minutes between shots. Still 1.5” group. The twist is 9.5” in this rifle.

I’m pretty sure I’m doing my part as I also sighted a Browning A-Bolt 308 and shot 3/4 inch group. Same scope on both rifles.

Question is: Does the 9.5” twist shoot a certain weight bullet better?

Does anyone else shoot this particular rifle and have better groups? Which ammo?

I do not hand load and mainly hunt Whitetails. Most shots under 300 yds.

 

[marshland_max]

Well I would try Federal Fusion myself. I have a 9.5 twist and it shoots tiny groups with the 150's. It's a bonded bullet and I've taken black bear and deer with it so far with no issues. These are pictures of 2,3 and 5 shot groups after switching to the Fusion ammo. Everything is under 1/2 moa. Until I can find hand loads that shoot better I'll be using these. Out of my 23" barrel I'm getting 2975 fps on avg for these 10 shots. I couldn't be happier.

Good luck with your search!

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[JollyRoger]

My T3X Lite 7mm shoots HSM with the 168gr Berger VLD really well. I've also shot 165gr Sierra Game Kings from Federal, and 162gr ELD-X from Hornady. All shoot pretty good, but the edge goes to the Berger.

I've never shot anything lighter than 160gr in mine.

 

[RockChucker30]

My T3X Lam S/S likes the 162 ELD-X Hornady load, reliable MOA to slightly under, verified out to 700.

 

[belly-deep]

I would try Federal "blue box" 150 grain loads. If it doesn't shoot that, try the Federal ammo loaded with 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips.

If it won't shoot those, you might have a mechanical issue. I'm not surprised the Partitions and Core Lokts didn't shoot very well. But the blue box Federal stuff has shot well in almost every gun I've tried it in. And its cheap.

 

[marshland_max]

I would try Federal "blue box" 150 grain loads. If it doesn't shoot that, try the Federal ammo loaded with 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips.

If it won't shoot those, you might have a mechanical issue. I'm not surprised the Partitions and Core Lokts didn't shoot very well. But the blue box Federal stuff has shot well in almost every gun I've tried it in. And its cheap.

A lot of the guys from my group shoot Federal Blue box and it works great. Good stuff.

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[Muttly]

Another Federal blue box 150s...

 

[cooperjd]

160 accubonds, 160 barnes tsx, 150gr ttsx; why shoot a magnum if you're not going heavy? you can shoot 140s from a 7mm08 and not deal with the recoil and noise.

 

[BigHink66]

Keep trying till you find one. Gets expensive if you don’t reload

 

[RyanC]

The Hornady ELD-X 162grain bullets shoot really well out of my Tikka SL 7RM. I initially shot 160g accubonds but the ELD-X shot consistently better. Worth a try.

Ryan

 

[5MilesBack]

I always shot 175gr Partitions and A-frames in my 7mag, but I reload. In the last two years I tried the 168gr Berger Classic Hunters and they are extremely accurate. I have a Browning A-bolt with the 9.5" twist.

 

[HonkeyMcGee88]

I would also recommend trying the 162 ELDX ammo.
Hornady ammo shoots well out of most rifles and the 162 bullet performs well. I have some experience with it in a SAUM.

 

[Trial153]

my dads tx3 likes 162 interlocks, I used a few other factory loads however the Hornady really stood out.

 

[Muley Buck]

According to Hornady the 162 gr. ELD-X is ideal for 9.5 twist. And I'd have to agree with that. I run them in my Sako 85, same twist, same barrel as Tikka if I'm not mistaken and they are solid performers in every way.

 

[RedRidge]

My Tikka 7RM loves 160 Accubonds. I tired Barnes 140s, Factory Nosler Partitions, Factory Barnes 140s, and loaded partitions, but the accubonds have been the best so far.

 

[duckhunter175]

If you are shooting factory ammo then go splurge on the good stuff. HSM (with Berger bullets) or Hornady Precision hunter. I've shot both brands in multiple rifles factory and custom (Rem 700, Rem 783, Win 70, TC) in multiple cartridges (25/06, 257wby, 6.5x284, 270, 280ai, 7RM, 7RUM, 308, 30/06, 300wm).

I recommend those two options because I've seen them perform well every time I've tried them at the range and I've seen what they do in the field as well. Less than 1" at 100 and stay sub moa past 300 from what Ive seen.

Doesn't mean their aren't other options that your rifle might like-- but I find with factory ammo you are better off to "buy once / cry once" and get the quality (and more $$) than to try 8 different types of $20/box ammo to find one that maybe gets you below an 1" at 100yd.

 

[duckhunter175]

So to put my bottom line at the bottom-- 168gr HSM or the 162gr Precision Hunter

 

[NW307]

I have the same gun, which I absolutely love. I’ve been using hornady superformance 154gr sst with great results. I’ve taken two elk around 450 yds and several closer range including one a couple days ago at 310. Almost all were one shot affairs. I don’t have any ballistic data because I only really pay attention to meat in my freezer and bullets hitting where I want. I can guarantee they’d do fine on a whitetail too.
Good luck

 

[Conundrum]

Sub MOA with factory 162 SST at just over 3,010 FPS average. Usually around .75 MOA if I’m shooting well. I haven’t tried a ton of options as these were about the fourth or fifth bullet I tried and started getting good results. Tried some lighter and heavier bullets and 160-162 seemed to be the sweet spot.

 

[COwineguy]

Mine loves 160gr accubonds