Tikka accurizing for Tikka newbie

[Rob5589]

Before getting too out of hand, try some different ammo. You already have seen a difference of 2 moa just by switching ammo. Keep working on finding what it prefers.

 

[jeffminokla]

My tikka did not like Hornady American Whitetail. Did decent with Federal Partitions. Shoots great with Remington Accutips. Looking at trying Accubonds next. Would be nice if they group like the Accutips cuz those accutip are soooffttt!

Like others have said- keep trying different brands until you find one your rifle likes!

 

[BjornF16]

Swapped scope out for SWFA HD 5-20x. Increased torque on scope base to action to 35 in-lbs and ring screws to 25 in-lbs.

Removed action from barrel and reinstalled. Was wondering if maybe I didn't have action sitting on recoil lug properly (this is my first Tikka after all). Doesn't seem like a lot of the recoil lug sits proud of the stock slot.

Picked up some Remington Core-Lokt and Hornady Precision Hunter ammunition while waiting on brass and dies for reloading.

Hopefully I can find some range time tomorrow evening.

 

[fightthenoise]

When you place the barreled action into the stock give it some back and forth (fore end butt) wiggle and you’ll feel it seat the lug into the recess, then double check your barrel channel looks right. But yeah it’s something to pay attention to when reassembling because it will go back together with the lug not seated properly and your barrel will be sitting high in the channel.

 

[sdupontjr]

My tikka did not like Hornady American Whitetail. Did decent with Federal Partitions. Shoots great with Remington Accutips. Looking at trying Accubonds next. Would be nice if they group like the Accutips cuz those accutip are soooffttt!

Like others have said- keep trying different brands until you find one your rifle likes!

My .308 didn't care for the Hornady ammo either. After talking to several on the site, I picked up a few boxes of Federal Blue box ammo, $12/box and with a mail in rebate, they were under $10/box. Damn thing bug holes em. So I went from $30+/ box ammo to blue box Walmart ammo 150's and haven't looked back.

 

[willfrye027]

My .308 didn't care for the Hornady ammo either. After talking to several on the site, I picked up a few boxes of Federal Blue box ammo, $12/box and with a mail in rebate, they were under $10/box. Damn thing bug holes em. So I went from $30+/ box ammo to blue box Walmart ammo 150's and haven't looked back.

My 30-06 loves 150 gr blue box too

 

[jeffminokla]

My .308 didn't care for the Hornady ammo either. After talking to several on the site, I picked up a few boxes of Federal Blue box ammo, $12/box and with a mail in rebate, they were under $10/box. Damn thing bug holes em. So I went from $30+/ box ammo to blue box Walmart ammo 150's and haven't looked back.

I have a box of those 150s to try also.

 

[BjornF16]

Back from range after swapping scope, reseating recoil lug, verifying torques and thoroughly cleaning barrel.

Shot Remington and Hornady PH 150 ELD-X.

5 shot sight-in then moved to 100 yard range (see bench setup pics). Not a good start. Some improvement at the very last group. Remington consistent 1.2 MOA at 100 yds; best 3-shot group with Hornady PH was 0.8 MOA.

I shot 24 rounds total today. See grouping pics.

I've got another 36 rounds available while awaiting brass and dies.

 

[Rob5589]

Getting there. Is the third shot the one you keep throwing out?

 

[BjornF16]

Getting there. Is the third shot the one you keep throwing out?

No, it seems to be second shot.

 

[HighUintas]

Try different ammo. Those you mentioned are what shoots the worst in my t3 30-06. It’s not apples to apples but still worth exploring other rounds, particularly different bullet weights.

My 30-06 loves 150 gr blue box tooView attachment 182902

I also have a .30-06 t3x. I've really only hand loaded for mine, but I did find out it also doesn't like the Hornady PH.

I'm wondering what kind of set up you guys have with your .30-06's?
Did you remove the stabilizing nubs from the barrel channel?
Factory stock? Bedded or not?
Torque?
Ammo that it likes?

Feel free time PM me so we don't hijack the thread. I'm just curious because I'm relatively new to tikkas and it seems the .30-06 is just not so hot anymore!

 

[HighUintas]

Removed

 

[Rob5589]

So, a bunch of owners of a particular rifle aren't to be trusted? And spend 150 bucks in books to get a rifle shooting well? Not to mention all the "forum advice" you just gave. Copy that...

 

[fightthenoise]

I for one am glad I can go to forums and get opinions from as many people who have been there and done that as I can, even if it “makes my head spin.” Having your head spin is good for you every once in awhile. Give me all the POV’s, theories, anecdotes, data, and experiences you’ve got and I will sort through them and draw my own informed conclusions. I’m glad I don’t have to get my information from a single source.

 

[Scottyboy203]

My 3006 will shoot the 150 grain blue box federal 3 shots touching. On,y thing done to it is adjusted the trigger down.

 

[HighUintas]

So, a bunch of owners of a particular rifle aren't to be trusted? And spend 150 bucks in books to get a rifle shooting well? Not to mention all the "forum advice" you just gave. Copy that...

I see your point and yes it seems hypocritical. I just mean to say it's hard to get good information in such a situation because there's so much bad info out there mixed in with the good, and hard to know which direction to go when you're new to it. I always prefer books to anecdotal information. It at least gives a single, proven path to follow, if nothing else. I'm always perusing the forums for information; at the same time I'm trying not to second guess things I've been doing

 

[sdupontjr]

Funny thing is, each rifle is different. Man when I went to the range and was pumped on that Hornady ammo, mainly due to my Rem 700 loved them. Well after a few shots with 3" groups at 100 yards, I was getting pissed thinking it was the gun. I decided that was enough and loaded some of those Blue box. 1st shot was dead nuts. 2nd shot couldn't tell. I looked through the spotting scope but still couldn't see the hit. Now I'm really getting nervous. So I waited for everyone to finish, walked down to check target and it was in the same hole. Put a fresh target up and started shooting. Everytime I pulled the trigger, I giggled. The guy next to me thought I was nuts and asked if I was ok. Told him he can have the rest of my Hornady ammo, cuz this Walmart stuff if stacking dots. haha. So he took my box of Hornady to try in his rifle later.

 

[HighUintas]

Funny thing is, each rifle is different. Man when I went to the range and was pumped on that Hornady ammo, mainly due to my Rem 700 loved them. Well after a few shots with 3" groups at 100 yards, I was getting pissed thinking it was the gun. I decided that was enough and loaded some of those Blue box. 1st shot was dead nuts. 2nd shot couldn't tell. I looked through the spotting scope but still couldn't see the hit. Now I'm really getting nervous. So I waited for everyone to finish, walked down to check target and it was in the same hole. Put a fresh target up and started shooting. Everytime I pulled the trigger, I giggled. The guy next to me thought I was nuts and asked if I was ok. Told him he can have the rest of my Hornady ammo, cuz this Walmart stuff if stacking dots. haha. So he took my box of Hornady to try in his rifle later.

I picked up some of the blue box 150gr on my lunch break because oh, well, now I have to try it

 

[wakedye]

I also have a .30-06 t3x. I've really only hand loaded for mine, but I did find out it also doesn't like the Hornady PH.

I'm wondering what kind of set up you guys have with your .30-06's?
Did you remove the stabilizing nubs from the barrel channel?
Factory stock? Bedded or not?
Torque?
Ammo that it likes?

Feel free time PM me so we don't hijack the thread. I'm just curious because I'm relatively new to tikkas and it seems the .30-06 is just not so hot anymore!

There are two tikka t3 30-06 in my family and they have both liked the federal premium nosler accubond 180 grains. both rifles were completely stock.

 

[slowelk]

There are so many flavors of koolaid to drink! I like Form's koolaid, as he has called out the dude from ballistic studies at least a couple of times, and what Form has said made sense. Personally, I have not been comfortable with the idea of cranking my action screws to 60+, but my two tikkas do well at 50, and they both improved by completely floating the barrel.