My first tikka

[Steve Ladino]

I've spent many hours this summer trying to get my son in laws new T3 308 to shoot 150gr Hornady IL's. I tried multiple powders, seat depths, brass, primers, bedding etc. 1.5 plus at 100 which is good enough for it's intended use here, but I am familiar with a lot of Tikka rifles and know they are more accurate than this one. Finally gave up on the 150 Hornadys, and tried 125 gr Sierra prohunters. First 3 shots .269. Later tests all 3/4 moa and less. Shot one into 3 water filled gallon jugs with a box of wet catalogs as a backstop at 50 yards.. Bullet went through all 3 jugs and was stuck in the outside end of the box perfectly expanded and weighed 67 grs. That will work. Barlow

Mine are particular as to what they will shoot bullet wise, but what they like they really like which is most everything
appropriate for it's twist rate.

 

[nmkid]

They are great shooters. I have a pair of twins. One in .243 and the other in .223. They both have bushnell 4200 2.5-10x40 now. Both were moa on the first day with cheap to moderately priced ammo. I use the .223 for jack rabbits and cheap practice. I use the .243 for predators, and eventually medium game if I ever draw a tag. I have had the .223 for about 10 years. It has taken countless jack rabbits, coyote, and a wild boar.

Picture of the jackrabbits almost looks like the Owens Valley in California.

 

[centerlineseal]

Picture of the jackrabbits almost looks like the Owens Valley in California.

Sure does. From 40 years ago drive thru. Very scenic.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

Picture of the jackrabbits almost looks like the Owens Valley in California.

It is the owens valley after a year of record rain.

 

[loud_noise]

I have two Tikkas, one in .260 (aftermarket hardy barrel added) and another unmodified .223 Varmint, 24” barrel with a 1:8 twist.

The .260 is great, solid action and shoots very well. Limiting factor is that I don’t devote enough time to the load development side of things. But still excellent.

The .223, however, is a dream! It shot amazingly well first day out of the box with quality factory 69gn ammo with about .7MOA.

Since then I have developed a hand load for this rifle using Berger 80.5gn bullets and 24.2gn of varget and it’s gone from excellent to spectacular. This rifle with this load shot a .28MOA at 300M 2wks ago! Again this is with the factory varmint barrel still installed. The rifle was installed in a KRG W3 stock.

I will be a Tikka owner for life.