My New Scope!

[HuntClub]

Well, picked up a Swarovski Z3 at a local store to replace the Leupold, with exposed turrets, that cost me a BIG Buck, that I have nightmares about, that I can't get out of my mind, that.... well, y'all understand I'm sure.

Anyway, couple of things: First, mounted rifle back on factory stock after camo job. Rifle was not shooting first shot low on Boyd's stock but, is now shooting first shot low and then follows the next two shots at the zero point I intended to have. Shooting at 100 yards but Setting for 200 yard zero. Two 3 shot strings were identical. I adjusted left for the second string. After giving this some thought, I am ok with the shot placements because of the consistency. First shots were from "cold" barrel followed by 2 & 3 shots at two minute interval. Anyone experience this before? Wondering if it is the Tikka stock pressure point thingy???

Second, my first camo job on a stock. How do you like it?

 

[mike a]

Well, picked up a Swarovski Z3 at a local store to replace the Leupold, with exposed turrets, that cost me a BIG Buck, that I have nightmares about, that I can't get out of my mind, that.... well, y'all understand I'm sure.

Anyway, couple of things: First, mounted rifle back on factory stock after camo job. Rifle was not shooting first shot low on Boyd's stock but, is now shooting first shot low and then follows the next two shots at the zero point I intended to have. Shooting at 100 yards but Setting for 200 yard zero. Two 3 shot strings were identical. I adjusted left for the second string. After giving this some thought, I am ok with the shot placements because of the consistency. First shots were from "cold" barrel followed by 2 & 3 shots at two minute interval. Anyone experience this before? Wondering if it is the Tikka stock pressure point thingy???

Second, my first camo job on a stock. How do you like it?

I like it! What cartridge?

 

[HuntClub]

I like it! What cartridge?

7mm Rem Mag. Love this round. Also shoot 7mm08.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Very nice paint job.

 

[JoeDuke]

Deer will never know it was a bit low. However, since your first shot should be a kill shot, why dont you set the scope to hit where you want on the cold barrel shot and deal with the followup should it be necessary.

 

[littlebuddybr]

Deer will never know it was a bit low. However, since your first shot should be a kill shot, why dont you set the scope to hit where you want on the cold barrel shot and deal with the followup should it be necessary.

This

 

[Ccrider]

What Joe said^^^^.

Nice paint job.

that cost me a BIG Buck, that I have nightmares about, that I can't get out of my mind, that.... well, y'all understand I'm sure.

Been 5 years and a couple of good bucks ago and I still ain’t over it.

 

[Tesoro]

had a bunch of z3's. probably the best 3-10 out there. never had the 3-9 version tho. not sure what you have but looks like a 3-10. shooting could be much better tho!

 

[Tesoro]

had a bunch of z3's. probably the best 3-10 out there. never had the 3-9 version tho. not sure what you have but looks like a 3-10. shooting could be much better tho!er

looked again and you must have the larger objective version being 4-12x50 vs the old 3-10x42. night vision goggles not required

 

[HuntClub]

looked again and you must have the larger objective version being 4-12x50 vs the old 3-10x42. night vision goggles not required

That's it. Picked it up Friday at a local store running Christmas / New Year's special - $869 plus a store "rebate" of $100. Then I had a few bonus dollars built up too! Walked in just in time to buy the last one in stock to end the sale - Happy New Year for sure!

 

[Tesoro]

enjoy!!!

 

[DumpHollow]

Well, picked up a Swarovski Z3 at a local store to replace the Leupold, with exposed turrets, that cost me a BIG Buck, that I have nightmares about, that I can't get out of my mind, that.... well, y'all understand I'm sure.

Anyway, couple of things: First, mounted rifle back on factory stock after camo job. Rifle was not shooting first shot low on Boyd's stock but, is now shooting first shot low and then follows the next two shots at the zero point I intended to have. Shooting at 100 yards but Setting for 200 yard zero. Two 3 shot strings were identical. I adjusted left for the second string. After giving this some thought, I am ok with the shot placements because of the consistency. First shots were from "cold" barrel followed by 2 & 3 shots at two minute interval. Anyone experience this before? Wondering if it is the Tikka stock pressure point thingy???

Second, my first camo job on a stock. How do you like it?

Looks like you are shooting off of a lead sled or similar rest. I would recommend shooting that rifle off of a good sandbag tripod rest and a rear bag. Your vertical stringing may disappear if you get away from the lead sled. Rest the forend over the chamber section or just forward of it. Lead sleds are bad juju.

 

[marchx]

I have a kahles helia for hunting and I would say this kind of group is something very acceptable for hunting purposes out of x10 magnification especially if you are shooting 308 or similar caliber. I meet hundreds of hunters at my local shooting range and most of them would be happy with such groupings. Of course, there is always room for improvement. Good luck with your hunt.

 

[FeMan]

Rifle looks great! I agree with the above. I have seen a couple Tikkas that had minor clearance issues in the barrel area with the factory stocks that made them shoot strange but a little clearancing cured that. I am sure you checked this if you did a camo job but might want to take a look just in case.

 

[K22]

Looks like you are shooting off of a lead sled or similar rest. I would recommend shooting that rifle off of a good sandbag tripod rest and a rear bag. Your vertical stringing may disappear if you get away from the lead sled. Rest the forend over the chamber section or just forward of it. Lead sleds are bad juju.

This is absolutely spot on - seen this many, many times at the range - guys preparing for a western hunt with big magnums using a lead sled - the worse invention ever for a hunter in my opinion.

First, it's an excellent way to ruin a scope since the full recoil g forces are absorb by the scope especially in magnum calibers when the sled is loaded with heavy bags. Second, the rifle will shoot differently in a hunting posture so a sight in off this contraption is worthless to a hunter.

If recoil is bothersome, get a recoil shoulder pad. Sight in using a forearm hold, not free recoil. This will give you a more representative sight in for hunting and lessen the felt recoil.

PS: There is a premier high end gun maker nationally known in my area that will not use a lead sled when he certifies the groups for his very expensive rifles, and he make super-duper magnums for African and Canadian hunts for dangerous game.

 

[K22]

Being a primarily a varmint and predator hunter, cold barrel and clean barrel shots matter a lot to me.

I have worked very hard to establish consistency for both of these types of shots.

For cold barrel consistency in a fouled barrel, I've found that bedding is absolutely critical for consistency. Also, free floating the barrel aids significantly. However, free floating almost always requires solid bedding the action to produce consistent point of impact. Free floating without a solid bedding can actually make the rifle shoot worse.

For clean barrel consistent point of impact, I found that cleaning is the issue here. I made a new year resolution to get off my "soap box" on this issue so I can't go into detail, but I have a number of posts in 2022 addressing this issue. Do your own testing and draw your own conclusions but you do not have to live with clean barrel flyers. I've eliminated them.

PS: I have several Tikka's in their original stocks that shoot consistent cold barrel shots with no additional bedding. I don't know how they do it especially with that "floating" recoil lug, but it works at least in the rifles I have. However, the heaviest caliber I have own in a Tikka is a 308 Win. The Tikka T3X lite, while a wonderful hunting rifle, is very difficult to shoot precisely for me with any caliber heavier than a 243 Win due to the punishing recoil. But I'm a little guy and old.

 

[spudgun]

Your first shot looks like it just cleaned the barrel out and your follow up shots were higher due to a increase in FPS on a cleaner barrel.

Just my thinking...