Bought myself a Christmas present a bit ago. A Tikka T3 lite 30-06, 11 twist. Yea maybe not much different than the .308 W. if you want that sort of velocity. My wish was to push the 168's and 175's fast and accurate, 2800 FPS +.
I tried using the popular mid range powders plus an odd ball H V 100 with tempting success, no speed but with .308 accuracy almost. As I had little IMR 4350 in the jug left so really wanted to stick with Varget types of powders.
After a couple hundred rounds of testing I decided to go with what little IMR 4350 I had left and the last of my 175 TMK's .
Unlike my two other Tikkas, I was beginning to wonder if this one would shoot like I wanted it to. Hesitant to go much over Max. load data, thrown to the wind, I would keep a close eye on primer over pressure signs and any other indicators of danger. Nothing changed from the usual performance of other tests until I got the case bullet pumping full of IMR 4350 ( 59.8 grains ) finally a .280 group at 2855 FPS, I do have a Witt Machine brake on it which tames it adequately and a 36 X Scope. Gonna try 60.
I tried using the popular mid range powders plus an odd ball H V 100 with tempting success, no speed but with .308 accuracy almost. As I had little IMR 4350 in the jug left so really wanted to stick with Varget types of powders.
After a couple hundred rounds of testing I decided to go with what little IMR 4350 I had left and the last of my 175 TMK's .
Unlike my two other Tikkas, I was beginning to wonder if this one would shoot like I wanted it to. Hesitant to go much over Max. load data, thrown to the wind, I would keep a close eye on primer over pressure signs and any other indicators of danger. Nothing changed from the usual performance of other tests until I got the case bullet pumping full of IMR 4350 ( 59.8 grains ) finally a .280 group at 2855 FPS, I do have a Witt Machine brake on it which tames it adequately and a 36 X Scope. Gonna try 60.