New Tikka T3x 7-08 shooting 3" 3 shot groups

mkozyn

mkozyn

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Alright gang, I just bought a Tikka T3x in 7mm-08. I am not a fan of the factory stock so I put a Bell & Carlson Medalist stock on it. I have a Zeiss Terra 3-9X42 mounted with Weaver bases and Quad-Lock rings. I made sure I had nothing but metal on metal and I torqued the stock to 60"lbs. I ran some 220 grit sand paper down the barrel channel until I had no resistance. I grabbed 2 boxes of Hornady Superformance 139gr SST's and headed off to the range. To my dismay I was shooting at least 3" groups off of a Caldwell bench rest with sand bagged butt.

Here's some results:
-MPI changed from left to right, then back to the left,
-I let it cool 15 minutes between groups,
-this is the 3rd rifle this scope has been on and I have never had good groups with it, I thought it was my hand loads, the other 2 were 308's and one of them clover leafs all day long with a Bushnell Trophy scope on it,

I am pissed because I am tired of these problems which is why I bought a Tikka. I have a plan to eliminate the problem:
1) put factory stock back on and reshoot, if the problem still exists,
2) mount an old solid 4X fixed scope just to eliminate the scope and or rings and mounts, lastly
3) try different brand of ammo.

Am I missing something? I don't buy into the "barrel break in" methodology so please don't suggest it. It's hard to believe that a soft copper jacket can have any effect on metal that is only slightly softer than a metal file. I bought the B&C because I have one on another rifle and I really like it. I love the metal on metal so that I don't have to bed it. The recoil lug is machined as part of the metal chassis that the receiver fits on so that can hardly be an issue.

Thanks

Kozy
 
first I would change out the scope. you said its been on three rifle no luck. second I would try two or three other types of ammo. clean every time you change ammo brands. I have never had a tikka that shot that poorly and I have owned a few although I have had a 300wsm that shot better in the tikka Tupperware than the b&c. .
 
Ive owned 5 tikkas now. 4 of the 5 shot well. 1 did not. It was a T3 in 308. I had it in a factory stock and a boyds, bedded. Several types of factory ammo. It would not group better than what you are describing. That is the extent of my knowledge with tikkas. Anything I tried could not make that 1 rifle group.
Hope you find the issue.
 
I own a few Tikka's and haven't had this problem with any of them.
But I did have a Rem 700 that had this problem. Could not hit s**t. I was adjusting my scope like crazy trying to figure out what I was doing wrong.
Got frustrated so the shooting day ended for me.
About a month later I went out again and with a couple different brands of ammo for it. First 5 shots (same ammo as first time ), same story. Took a deep breath and started chambering the next 5 of a different brand. 1" @ 150 yards.
So before changing up too much, try the ammo switch. And reloading is a great way to figure out the best recipe for that rifle.
 
Before I started reloading, I tried the factory superformance in a few different calibers and rifles. Had nothing but disappointing results when it came to accuracy. Given the history of your scope, I would say that is where you should start. Followed by ammo. Also,when torquing action screws, I always go from rear to front.
 
shoot it in stock configuration with different factory ammo - doesn't group well? contact them and send it back - no use in wasting money trying to get it right - btw my Savage Axis in 308 shoots under 1 inch groups at 100 yards - five shot stings is what i consider groups - scope has 150 yard parallax when i shoot at 200 am just under two inches five shot groups - and no i do not let the barrel cool down - not knocking the Tikka a guy at the range had one in 223 and was shooting under an inch at 200 yards with factory ammo.
 
First and for Most shoot it in the factory stock. Then go from there. I put a bell and Carlson on one of my tikka t3 s and it shot wonderful in the factory stock. 2 inch plus groups in the bell and Carlson. Turns out the tang of the action was hitting stock before the metal did around the rear screw. Relieved some material in the rear tang area and it shot great after that.
 
MackForce said:
Here we go... This thread is going to turn into another Tikka bash.. and a "my Stevens shoots better than any Tikka"
Click to expand...

Not bashing tikkas at all been looking for one for months now - only thing i upgraded on the Axis is the trigger rest is stock - the guy I saw at the range was shooting amazing groups with his Tikka seen it with my own eyes
 
I have seen very disappointing results in a few rifles with the Superformance loads. I also would not trust a scope that has been suspicious on multiple rifles. I would try a different load first, if that shows no improvement, then change scopes. If there is still no improvement, re-install the factory stock and torque to 45inlbs.
 
I have accuracy problems with mine in 7mm-08 as well. It has a nightforce on top and a b&c stock. Got sick of wasting components and ordered a new barrel from insite arms.
 
1. Try different ammo,
Honestly, assuming that there's an issue without at least trying a different type of ammo is silly.

2. Swap to a different scope,
You've said it's suspect in the first place.

3. Put it back in the factory stock.


I owned a Sako A7 in 7mm-08 (similar rifle) that was not only inaccurate (3"+), but inconsistent. I Tried 5 different factory loads because I wasn't hand loading at the time......no luck. I swapped scopes, Burris E1 to VX2 to Elite 4200...... no luck. Free floated the barrel, and adjusted the action screws in inch/lb increments..... no luck.

I wasted $500 in ammo and waaaay to much time, I didn't feel like dealing with a warranty return, so I sold it cheap to a guy cheap that was convinced he'd make it shoot......Nope.

Pissed me off cause I though I was buying a Sako so I "wouldn't have to deal with this kinda stuff". It was too bad, cause I really liked that rifle.

Since then I've talked to 2 others with A7's in 7mm/08 that have similar problems.
 
I always like these posts, take a brand new rifle swap out the stock and expect great things. Leave it alone bone stock and try different ammo. Cheap federal blue box seems to work well in most rifles. My bone stock T3 varmint 223 is the most accurate rifle I have. That said I have a new T3x 243 stainless on its way for up coming hunting season.
 
Lots of great responses, thank you.

I have my sons Redfield on which came off his 243, I know that it is a good scope.

I put it back in the factory stock

I will try another brand of ammo today

I can see the impression from the tang in the material, after I get it grouping at least MOA with the factory stock I'll address this issue and retry it.

I've read posts from guys who simply loosened the screws to 50"lbs and they were sub MOA.

I will keep you posted.

Kozy
 
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stubblejumper said:
I have seen very disappointing results in a few rifles with the Superformance loads. I also would not trust a scope that has been suspicious on multiple rifles. I would try a different load first, if that shows no improvement, then change scopes. If there is still no improvement, re-install the factory stock and torque to 45inlbs.
Click to expand...

And yet the only rifle I ever used the Superformance or "Light Magnum" as they used to be called in was a Ruger M77 Mk11 in .30-06. The groups shrunk in half from the 180gr .30-06 factory Hornady Custom load. Went from 1 3/4"- 2" groups to 3/4"-1" groups.
 
I myself have had @#$% for luck with SST or GMX bullets. Factory always shot poorly while my reloads after hours spent playing with grains and bullet seating depth, I was finally able to get them to shoot decently. However, I never had factory SST or GMX shoot as poorly as 3".
 
For what is worth, I worked on a browning micro midas 7-08 for a friend, as it would not shoot. He worried about the scope that was on it.
He wanted to be able to use factory ammo for it. He gave me a part used Superformance box. I bought some Fusion and brought some of my handloaded rounds that work well in my Weatherby.
The superformance were about 3 inch groups in that Browning. My handloads were all 1/2 inch and the Fusion were well under 1 inch. His scope and rifle were fine.
 
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