Suggestions for factory ammo - Tikka T3 lite 30.06

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I'm wondering what most guys like to shoot for factory ammo on a Tikka T3 lite (stainless). I've only been shooting 180gr winchester XP so far and am looking for low-cost factory ammo to shoot while I get enough brass to use for reloading (have that part figured out).

Federal? 150? 165? keep going 180 to get ready for hunting season? I'm all ears.

- T
 
My FN M70 shoots Hornady 165-168gr best. It's not "cheap" at "$32+" a box but gets tight groups.
Hunting is a different matter. Minute of Animal is more then MOA so use any suitable hunting cartridge.
I've had good luck with Fedrel Blue Box 150 and up to group in the kill zone for about at buck a bullet.
YMMV.

TomJones
 
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I've had good luck accuracy wise with the Fed 180 blue box as well though I have never shot an animal with it.
Personally I prefer the Fusion brand; its consistently accurate and performs well on game (I've used it in deer and moose).
Fusion 165s or 180s would be my choice. I believe Cabelas and WSS have them for 24/box.
 
If you're looking to collect brass I'd stick with one brand. In my limited experience, I prefer Remington and Winchester brass over federal when it comes to reloading.
 
If you're looking to collect brass I'd stick with one brand. In my limited experience, I prefer Remington and Winchester brass over federal when it comes to reloading.

X2 about sticking with one brand of brass. I like Winchester myself though over both Remington and Federal.
 
My m70 shoots hornady 165gr sst superfromance under moa. I have also tried federal vital shock 180gr interbond and got ~3-4" groups. Winchester super x 150gr psp shoots 1.5-2". My handloads shoot moa with 150 and 165gr bullets.
 
I'm going to be getting into reloading. Can you expand on that a bit more?
Thanks.
TJ

Different brass has different capacities. What is a goo dload with one brand might be over pressure with another or under the pressure of different brass. For reloading I use winchester brass mainly. I have a bag of remington for very light plinking loads.
 
Shoot a box of each bullet weight in one particular brand of ammo.
The results will become self evident from your load testing.

Anyone willing to suggest what works in their rifle hasn't really got a grasp on the fact that your rifle is different than theirs and it just might shoot their pet load like crap. ( bad advice)

Trigger time is the best way to decide.

Good luck.
 
Anyone willing to suggest what works in their rifle hasn't really got a grasp on the fact that your rifle is different than theirs and it just might shoot their pet load like crap. ( bad advice)
Good luck.

That depends. Pretty regularly 57gr of 4350 and a 165gr bullet shoots pretty well in most 30-06's.
 
That depends. Pretty regularly 57gr of 4350 and a 165gr bullet shoots pretty well in most 30-06's.

Well I've got two take off barrels, in my basement that can attest to the fact that even with that fine load the end result was pretty dismal.

In fact those barrels showed a marked prefrence to bullets with much longer bearing surfaces, shooting quite nicely with 200gr. bullets, and actually being what I'd call not bad with long bearing surface 180's (square base)

165's were diplorable as a matter of fact, be it boatail, square base, and all manner of powders ranging from 4064, right up to 7828. Yes both 4350's too. ( don't even get into seating length, or bedding, or what ever, this is not my first church picnic)

See that's why you can't make blanket statements, about loads.

Let the rifle(barrel) tell you what it likes! That takes range time. And that's a 100% way of telling 100% of the time!



FWIW: The one action (Sako AV) now is a 25'06, and the other (Rem 700), is now a 280AI. I'd have kept either as a 30'06 if they'd have shot 165's worth a pinch, but the 200gr. thing is totally not required for where and what I hunt, so that's why the semi custom route was taken.
 
I'm going to be getting into reloading. Can you expand on that a bit more?
Thanks.
TJ

Brass is an important component. Case capacity and neck tension will effect the way your gun shoots. I'm an average joe reloader and prefer Win brass also. I loaded up on Win brass for my 270 win when the local Co-op had gray box Winchester ammo on sale for $17. Oddly enough I can hardly find a hand load that shoots as well as the gray box 130 gr.

George
 
In addition to what's already been said - it just keeps things consistent having one brand of brass to work with developing loads. Consistency is the key I think!
 
I'm wondering what most guys like to shoot for factory ammo on a Tikka T3 lite (stainless). I've only been shooting 180gr winchester XP so far and am looking for low-cost factory ammo to shoot while I get enough brass to use for reloading (have that part figured out).

Federal? 150? 165? keep going 180 to get ready for hunting season? I'm all ears.

- T

I have the same rifle, I tried many different factory rounds, mine shot best with Fed 165 gr Sierra GameKing BTSP. Good Luck
 
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