Tikka T3 6.5x55 swede

[bighorn06]

Requesting experienced owners load data and suggestions. Just got a slightly used one that looks impressive.

 

[Bigguy1951]

I wish I could give you the answer you want. My shooting buddy and I each bought one at the same time. Both of us shoot 130gr bullets for our local club competitions. Neither of us has the same load and now we have different bullets. Both of us started out shooting ELD-M's. Neither gun liked them but I persisted and have a decent load worked up for mine using RE-23 shooting about 2850. Bullet seating depth was sensitive to a 0.001 and the load didn't really tighten up until I used a limbsaver tuner on the barrel. His bullet is now the Norma Golden Target and he shoots it at about 2680 using IMR 4451 and has very good accuracy. I am currently working on a hunting load with Berger 140 VLD match hunting bullets, like the ELD-M, very sensitive. Still I am shooting them at 2950 and the groups are around an MOA, however they don't meet my requirements. I love the gun but would suggest that you replace the aluminum recoil lug with a steel one. You can get them from Beretta USA.

 

[bighorn06]

Thanks for the reply. It is supposed to have a steel recoil lug. the guy I got it from was working up a ladder with H4831 and the ELD-M touching the lands. I am thinking to start with H4350 that I have.

 

[bighorn06]

Thanks for the reply. It is supposed to have a steel recoil lug. The previous owner had a good looking ladder going with H4831SC and the 143 ELD-X at the lands. I have H4831SC and H4350 which I favor, also Hornady 140 AMAX I hope to try. Just looking to see where those that have more experience went.

 

[Bigguy1951]

The T3 has an aluminum lug unless the previous owner replaced it. The T3X has the steel lug and it is interchangeable with the T3.

 

[rardoin]

I shoot a 6.5 x55 Imp. (about 3-4gr more capacity than a standard SM case) and shoot 140gr+ bullets. H4831sc does well but I found my rifle shoots better groups with a little more velocity with the same charge of ReLoder-23. It would be worth testing if you can get some. However, you can probably find a great hunting load with H4831sc if that is on hand already.

 

[bighorn06]

I took it apart. Magnet says the recoil lug is not steel, so it will get replaced.

 

[jsthntn247]

I took it apart. Magnet says the recoil lug is not steel, so it will get replaced.

Be careful with those lugs. I swapped from the factory plastic stock to a factory wood stock that the owner had replaced with a steel lug. Gun went from shooting great to absolutely awful to the point I thought my scope was broke. Took the gun out of the stock and the lug fell on the floor. I had to bed the lug and action and it's curing right now, gonna break it free this afternoon and clean it up.

 

[Ares]

You should be looking for loads for the 6,5x55 SKAN /SCAN.
Witch is the modern version of the cartidge loaded to pressures fitting in modern day rifles.

The 6,5x55 Swedish Mauser loads are reduced load for the 1896 Mauser used by the swedish military where it was in use.
That is also why you find so much weak powered loads in load manuals etc.

Something people and producers in the US seems to be blatantly ignorant about even after soon 28 years.

Using Lapua brass, 136 gr Scenar L, 50 grains of N560 and CCI BR 2. Witch give me excellent accuracy and about 2950 fps out of a 24' aftermarket barrel.

Both N560 and N160 are excellent powders for the 6,5x55 using bullets of 140 grains or more.

 

[Bugs]

My factory T3 has a really, really long throat, perhaps they all do? ? ? I can barely reach the lands with 140 Berger VLD's. I was able to get over 2900 with RE17 but had mediocre accuracy; backed off to about 2700 and it now shoots well. Go figure.

 

[Ares]

Yes it is common for factory T3's to have really long throats.
If you buy them in long action calibers, its very common not being able to touch the lands, without having the cartidge being longer then the factory mags.

 

[bighorn06]

I really appreciate all this first hand experience. After traveling and spending Thanks giving with Kids and grand kids I am back home and hope to do some shooting this week end. Will post my findings.

 

[Bigguy1951]

My Tikka T3 has "normal" throating. And bullet seating, even in heavy jams, still leaves room in the mag. Odd that I have never heard of the excessive throating in the T3's. It is a problem in early Weatherby Mk V's and I have a Winchester model 43 in 22 hornet that has a 1/4 inch of throating, but never heard of it in the Tikka's. Not saying it hasn't happened, but never heard of it as common.