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

Update

I just got back from the range with some very promising results.

1st off the SST's shot the same with the factory stock and different scope. The mystery of scope, stock has been solved, it's the ammo. That being said I'll give my boy back his scope and put my Zeiss back on to confirm wether or not it is lending to the problem.

2nd, before I headed out I cleaned all the stock material away from the tang area on the B&C stock and I took it along with my tools to do a stock swap should things look promising.

I picked up a box of 120gr fusion and a box of 120gr Nosler BT. They both group about 1.25" with the factory stock and even a little better with the B&C stock. There is always a small flyer of an inch or so leaving me to believe that I have a little more barrel channel sanding to do. I may enlist a friend to help me bed it but that will be sort of a last resort.

All in all I'll just have to be satisfied for now. I am sure that there is a factory load out there that will clover leaf for me but I would rather shoot a 1.5" group with a bullet that hits like a freight train than something that sometimes does what it should at .75". I load for 7MM RM and 308 so I have some bullets and powder to try after I get some dies.

On one hand I'm relieved, on another I'm some what annoyed as I was hoping to forgo all this which is why I bought a famed Tikka, maybe its just that the 7-08 is finicky like some others are saying. Either way I'll get it were I want it to shoot with good quality bullets and if it still pisses me off I'll make it into a trusted 308!!!:cool:
 
All rifles regardless of make and model have ammo preferences. Yours might just be pickier than others but the notion that it's a Tikka so it should shoot everything into an inch is a little ridiculous.

Patrick
 
MackForce said:
Here we go... This thread is going to turn into another Tikka bash.. and a "my Stevens shoots better than any Tikka"
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You are the first and so far only person to say something negative about the Tikka.

I have seen as many people complaining about the poor performance of that particular cartridge (7-08) as I have people complaining about superformance ammo generally.

Interested to hear that the scope wasn't part of the problem. Makes me wonder what was wrong with the other two rifles that the scope was used on with poor results?

My only Tikka is in 300WSM, and with handloads it typically groups around 0.3-0.5 MOA out to at least 300 meters. Even federal blue box groups 3/4" at 100 meters.

OP i am sure that regardless of the calibre, you can find a handload that can hone in on some good results.
 
Cameron SS said:
You are the first and so far only person to say something negative about the Tikka.

I have seen as many people complaining about the poor performance of that particular cartridge (7-08) as I have people complaining about superformance ammo generally.

Interested to hear that the scope wasn't part of the problem. Makes me wonder what was wrong with the other two rifles that the scope was used on with poor results?

My only Tikka is in 300WSM, and with handloads it typically groups around 0.3-0.5 MOA out to at least 300 meters. Even federal blue box groups 3/4" at 100 meters.

OP i am sure that regardless of the calibre, you can find a handload that can hone in on some good results.
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Thanks, the first rifle it was on was a 2012 M70 in 308, i got tired of spending money on it and I eventually sold it. The only MOA grouping I could get was with VLD's and they were too long to fit in the magazine. I gave total disclosure to the buyer and he didn't seem to care. The other rifle it went on was my Husqvarna in 308. That rifle shoots the bullseye out of a target all day long. I was going to use it as my go to hunting rifle so I took the Bushnell Trophy off and mounted the Zeiss. Not sure what went sideways with that one but it could have been too much locktite and it got between the rings and was causing torque on the tube. I'll be heading out again real soon with the remaining factory ammo and the Zeiss. I am going to talk to my gunsmith later today about making sure the B&C stock is holding the receiver correctly.

I'll keep you posted, maybe with some pictures.

Kozyn
 
Try different ammo as well. That specific load may not be the best for your barrel. All the Tikka's I've owned have been tack drivers but I also handload.
 
Ltbull01 said:
Try different ammo as well. That specific load may not be the best for your barrel. All the Tikka's I've owned have been tack drivers but I also handload.
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Thanks Bull

I have to get up island to one of the big box stores to get some dies then I'll start reloading for it. I'm really hoping that it likes Varget and 120gr TSX's ;)

In the mean time i've got about 60 rounds of factory ammo to shoot, 40 of it Hornady so I'll use that brass to work up my loads.
 
To wring the best accuracy from your rifles, handloading is the only way to fly. Not saying you have to......but if you don't most will suffer through with the same frustrating experience as the OP. I can honestly say I didn't understand accuracy and how just tiny changes in you ammo can effect rifle accuracy until I stated to handload.

No matter what the rifle type or mfg'er handloading for it will improve its accuracy.
 
I used super performance in a 300 A bolt and was getting 1" groups at 200 tried them in a Vanguard 270 don't remember how big but was all over the paper,did not group at all. Switched ammo in the 270 (Fusion I think) problem solved. I also would try another scope first, it's free.
 
mkozyn said:
Thanks Bull

I have to get up island to one of the big box stores to get some dies then I'll start reloading for it. I'm really hoping that it likes Varget and 120gr TSX's ;)

In the mean time i've got about 60 rounds of factory ammo to shoot, 40 of it Hornady so I'll use that brass to work up my loads.
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My 7-08 LOVES H414 and the Barnes 120 gr TTSX bullet ! RJ
 
remington jim said:
My 7-08 LOVES H414 and the Barnes 120 gr TTSX bullet ! RJ
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Hey thanks RJ. I load for my 308 and my 7mm RM, I have 4 different powders that are suitable for the 7-08 but no H414! I have 2lbs of Varget and 60 139gr Hornady GMX bullets to try. My wife is strongly encouraging me in that wifely manner to switch to non lead bullets.....

Kozy
 
Another Update

Got back to the range today with some very satisfying results. What I have learned most of all is that the Superformance ammo I have is very inconsistent. There are times when it is hard to lock the bolt, then the next round no problem. I fired 9 into the same target, same point of aim and I had 2 fliers in total opposite directions, one of them I believe was a hard locking one and it is 5" away from the group.

At the recommendation of my old gunsmith I cleaned up the B&C stock real good.

I put the Zeiss back on

I fired the Nosler 120gr BT into a 1.25" group @ 122m and a 2" group @ 200m.

The scope is solid, the gun works beautifully, I'll start working up my load this weekend, but not before I send some pictures to Hornady!

Thanks for the great responses fellas.

Kozy
 
mkozyn said:
Got back to the range today with some very satisfying results. What I have learned most of all is that the Superformance ammo I have is very inconsistent. There are times when it is hard to lock the bolt, then the next round no problem. I fired 9 into the same target, same point of aim and I had 2 fliers in total opposite directions, one of them I believe was a hard locking one and it is 5" away from the group.

At the recommendation of my old gunsmith I cleaned up the B&C stock real good.

I put the Zeiss back on

I fired the Nosler 120gr BT into a 1.25" group @ 122m and a 2" group @ 200m.

The scope is solid, the gun works beautifully, I'll start working up my load this weekend, but not before I send some pictures to Hornady!

Thanks for the great responses fellas.

Kozy
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Different guns like different ammo's. I use superformance in a few guns and it shoots under moa.

How did you clean up the b&c stock?

Good to see you got things figured out though.
 
Sounds like you are getting it figured out...congratulations on that! Just a few experiences I have had might add some insight, if not please disregard. I have had similar results with the Hornady Superformance Ammo, it is very often hard to chamber and gives inconsistent results on target. I have however had great results with Hornady match Ammo, good enough results that for the Tikka Tactical 308 I have had for three years I haven't even bothered to work up a load for it. Next is scope ring torque settings, some scopes can't take heavy torque on the ring screws, I have found 16-18 inch pounds is all that is necessary to hold a hunting scope on a standard rifle, heavy scopes, or heavier recoil might require a bit more torque, but I have never torqued a ring screw beyond 22 inch pounds.

Hope this helps, and good luck with your load development.
 
hometownhero said:
Different guns like different ammo's. I use superformance in a few guns and it shoots under moa.

How did you clean up the b&c stock?

Good to see you got things figured out though.
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I used some 220 grit sandpaper and my rotary tool with a cone stone to remove any fibreglass that could touch the receiver. I went real slow and had it in and out of the stock what seems like a dozen times. Probably way more than I needed to but it payed off.
 
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And this should be my last update, I have loaded up some 139gr Hornady GMX bullets with Varget powder. I used the Hornady brass that I fired so I use a neck collet die. I started at 10% above minimum since this barrel seems to like low velocity and wouldn't you know it, loads # 3,4,5 turned out beautiful. I'll mess around a little more with loads since the factory magazine limits COAL to 2.855" there is nothing I can do with that. I have some Benchmark that I want to try as it be a pretty forgiving powder as well.

I emailed Hornady and I got a great reply from them. I took that info and the promising results from the slower factory ammo from Federal and decided to start low to see what would happen. It's a beautiful shooting rifle. My son and I agree that the recoil is easy on the shoulder, we both think it feels very close to a .308 but without as much staying power. I say that because it is a recoil but I can stay on target.

All said and done I am very happy with the rifle and my load progress, I look forward to many years of happy walks through the woods with it.

Thanks everyone for your help

Cheers!

Kozy
 
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