Tikka 22-250 Seating Depth?

[flur60]

I bought a factory Tikka Varmint in 22-250 (24" barrel w/ a 14 twist). As expected it's a shooter. Due to the throat depth of the Tikka I'm jumping the bullets anywhere from .060" to .150"

Every gun I've shot so far has preformed best when the bullets are either touching or jammed into the lands to some extent (with the exception of Barnes TSX style).

The throat is so deep that you can't even touch it with Sierra 52gr BTHP. With Berger 52gr FBHP Match, the bullet is only .015" into the case neck when touching the lands. I'm not comfortable with such little engagement.

So, my question is, to all you 22-250 Tikka guys: What bullets are you shooting out of your 14 twist 22-250's? Should I go with heavier pills to touch the lands or let the light weights jump? What does your load testing show?

Thanks folks,
Flur

 

[Erik Cortina]

As expected, it's a shooter.

How do you know it's a shooter? If you say it's a shooter you must have a load that shot good in it, if that's the case, I would keep that load.

Now onto the jump question.
Seat bullet where you are comfortable, and do powder charge testing. When you find the powder node, start seating bullet into the case .003" as you shoot groups and find seating depth node.

 

[flur60]

Erik,

First 3 shot group after sighting in measured .155 ctc! ;D This was with some rounds previously loaded for my model 70 sporter. Just grabbed them to sight in and smiled all the way home. Those rounds were 52gr MK's over IMR4895.

Further testing with 4895 & varget have produced multiple 5 shot groups no larger than:
.438" with 52gr MK's,
.410" with 52gr Berger's
.478" with 52gr Nosler CC
Most of these groups have at least 3 bullets in one hole and a flier or two.

There's still a lot of development yet to do but as you can see I've been working with 52gr pills to this point. Just curious what other bullets folks might be using that could get me back into my comfort zone of touch or jam length loads.

 

[jonbearman]

I use the flat based 53 grain Hornady's with quite similar results in a Remington 700 VS and it shoots great with quite a bit of jump , so I wouldn't worry about jamming unless you have it re chambered with a short free bore to be able to do it in the first place.

 

[pacificman]

While not a Tikka my Remington 700 is 1-14 twist and likes the 55gr. V-max with 35 thousands jump. I have left things alone and used this load for many years now and shoot dime size groups very consistently.