Tikka T3 .243 *Range Report*

[JMAN80]

I'm running Speer 85gr BTSP over AR2209 (H4350 over there). They are cheap, accurate and have worked well on pigs here in Australia. I was told they would be too soft for pigs but they have worked fine. They feed perfectly in my Tikka T3X.

Buddy of mine uses them on deer as well as pigs and seem to hold up very well… like you said… hard to beat the price also!

 

[dryhumor]

Those partitions are fantastic!

Nosler had them at half price on their website either late last year or early this year. Three boxes should last a good while.

 

[JMAN80]

Nosler had them at half price on their website either late last year or early this year. Three boxes should last a good while.

A lot of killing!

 

[Luke Miskol]

I have the same gun. Have yet to find a load that doesn't shoot great or pretty darn good. I've sent 58 gr Hornady thru 100gr Round Nose and everything in between with IMR 4064 and IMR 4831. My gun just shoots great, doesn't care. If I could pick one ? 90gr Nosler BT on a Max Charge of IMR 4831( per Hodges web sight ) will stick 5 of them in the same hole. Dont like shooting the 58gr at hyper speed because I don't want to wear out this barrel. But, moving them along with a start load 3400 fps with 4064 shoots awesome. Can I express how much I love this rifle? Nope. I'd be writing for hours.

 

[JMAN80]

Well….. 85gr barnes tsx on the left and 85gr Sierra hpbt Gameking loaded on the right. Range report soon to follow!

I did buy a .243 lot off here that included 58gr and 75gr Amax. Might be fun to play with those!

 

[K22]

His is never fired and mint T3 with a illuminated reticle Burris 3-9x40 which is perfect for the deer woods or powerline as we will get dialed in at 300 yards!

When I first started hunting with a centerfire rifle back in the mid to late 60's, I had a 243 Win Model 70 with a 3 x 9 Redfield scope which in those days, was the top-of-the-line scope. Never found this set up lacking for deer, foxes, or ground hogs probably because I was so confident with this simple, but effective setup.

 

[JMAN80]

We are almost ready!

 

[Luke Miskol]

My dad shot everything from mice to elk with a .243 Winchester. He was a great shot and never lost an animal. And he shot ALOT of big game

 

[JMAN80]

My dad shot everything from mice to elk with a .243 Winchester. He was a great shot and never lost an animal. And he shot ALOT of big game

My son has had some pretty cool guns and I’m pretty sure he was getting burnt out on the long distance stuff so he asked to get another .243 like he started off with so here we are! Pretty pleased with the Tikka so far!

 

[koger]

Try 37 gr of IMR 3031 behind that 85 Sierra, my wife has taken 31 deer with that load from 40-275 yds

 

[JMAN80]

Try 37 gr of IMR 3031 behind that 85 Sierra, my wife has taken 31 deer with that load from 40-275 yds

Wish I had some 3031…… did get .9” groupings with 1st load tested

 

[std7mag]

Took my wife's Rossi R243 deer hunting once, just to do it.
Typical 1:10 twist barrel.
100gr Sierra BTSP GameKing over a charge of RL26 really puts the smack on a doe!!

 

[JMAN80]

Took my wife's Rossi R243 deer hunting once, just to do it.
Typical 1:10 twist barrel.
100gr Sierra BTSP GameKing over a charge of RL26 really puts the smack on a doe!!

Everyone is under the impression that you need a magnum to kill deer lol! I’m going get myself a mint Savage Model in .243 today as a matter of fact! I’ll shoot the barrel out the rebarrel 6mm creed!

 

[std7mag]

Everyone is under the impression that you need a magnum to kill deer lol! I’m going get myself a mint Savage Model in .243 today as a matter of fact! I’ll shoot the barrel out the rebarrel 6mm creed!

I've taken deer with my lowly 250 Savage.

Don't fall for the marketing hype!

6CM really gives you nothing over the 243 Win.
Get the right twist, and some slow burning powder and the 243 really comes alive with heavier bullets.

 

[JMAN80]

I've taken deer with my lowly 250 Savage.

Don't fall for the marketing hype!

6CM really gives you nothing over the 243 Win.
Get the right twist, and some slow burning powder and the 243 really comes alive with heavier bullets.

I’d have to throat a .243 to run heavies…… factory takeoff savage barrels are 200.00 lol.

 

[std7mag]

I’d have to throat a .243 to run heavies…… factory takeoff savage barrels are 200.00 lol.

I've been selling mine for way too cheap then!!

 

[JMAN80]

I've been selling mine for way too cheap then!!

You selling used barrels or something?!

 

[std7mag]

You selling used barrels or something?!

Just the ones that I've taken off to do specific builds.

I think i'm down to one now.

22" Savage Axis II sporter barrel in 22-250.

I need to start buying my donors in CM cartridges. They would probably sell faster. Lol

Most are new take offs.

 

[JMAN80]

Just the ones that I've taken off to do specific builds.

I think i'm down to one now.

22" Savage Axis II sporter barrel in 22-250.

I need to start buying my donors in CM cartridges. They would probably sell faster. Lol

Most are new take offs.

Probably so lol.

 

[Luke Miskol]

I ended up with 12# of IMR 4064 before the " current administration " took over. And I've found many good to great loads with this powder and the .243 having a accurate gun trumps powder selection in my opinion. I'm sure there is better powders for this cartridge but, I've had great experiences from 58-100 gr. Dont get huge velocity with 100's but accuracy is great.