Tikka not meeting expectations

BASG

BASG

CGN Regular
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Nova Scotia
Just two trips and 40 rounds down the tube I'm a little down. Thinking I'll have to take my Savage next time to cheer me up.
I broke it in proper first trip and it looked like it would shoot like I expected, this trip, not so much. I'm a hand loader and know I'll find what it likes, it's such a smooth rig, bore cleans out fast, love it.
I'm thinking it doesn't like my seating depth, I like running close to the rifling, like 10 thou. First trip up I just went by the book, this time I thought I had it by the arse, suggestions?
I'm thinking about trying the same loads, seated to factory specs.
 
what Tikka is that and caliber ? I used to have Tikka T3 tactical in 308 win, this thing is straight shooter with hand load. You can almost punch the same hole at 100 yards.
 
It's a T3 Forest, wood stock in 30-06.
58/h4350/165 sp interlock
61.5/r19/150 ab
50/n150/155 hpbt lapua
49/varget/167 hpbt lapua
 
The recoil lug blew me away, first time I saw that. I took it apart when I got back from the range, looking for what the problem could be, action screws seemed a tad loose. I lightened the trigger up, even though it was pretty nice, I like it a tad lighter.
I had four groups of five, all four had three nice shots just under an inch, which I'd be more than happy with but all four placed the two other slugs off in no mans land, 3" group or so, didn't measure, I threw up in my mouth a little.
 
Were those loads worked up, or did you start there? Your loads are either using powder charges that are at the max, or over the max listed in my manuals.
 
They are all under max loads, I used the books for the bullets I used, they are close granted, but under.
First time up I was a little more stingy with my powder. I took my chrony this time but the battery crapped out after a few shots, it was telling me I was okay, along with primers bolt lift etc.
 
They are all under max loads, I used the books for the bullets I used, they are close granted, but under.
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And by starting off at max or near max loads, you might be completely missing the sweet spot for accuracy in your rifle. Some rifles like to be pushed hard, some don't.

As well, are you at all aware why the manuals contain disclaimers about working up loads, while watching for pressure signs? It doesn't appear so.
 
BASG said:
It does jump out of my front rest to the right bad. I normally put my off hand on the front of the trigger guard, my last few shots I had it on the top of the scope to keep it down....
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To shoot consistent groups, everything must be as consistent as possible from shot to shot.

Are you using a rest that doesn't let the rifle recoil naturally?
 
stubblejumper said:
And by starting off at max or near max loads, you might be completely missing the sweet spot for accuracy in your rifle. Some rifles like to be pushed hard, some don't.

As well, are you at all aware why the manuals contain disclaimers about working up loads, while watching for pressure signs? It doesn't appear so.
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Guilty as charged. I've loaded for a few 06's and max loads were never max, I'll get caught one day maybe. Thanks for your concern though, first time up with middle of the road loads showed nothing so I bumped it up to where I was hoping to find what I wanted, speed and pressure is fine, not so much with groups. Maybe I'll go back down and try that. I'd rather good groups than speed. But.... :)
 
Id look at 180 grainers with 4350 and 4064 with 150s I was never able to get varget or n150 to shoot in my 06. For 165s I loaded 56gr of imr 4350
 
stubblejumper said:
To shoot consistent groups, everything must be as consistent as possible from shot to shot.

Are you using a rest that doesn't let the rifle recoil naturally?
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No, it's sitting on a rest with a small bag and a larger bag in the rear, I don't even take the rifle off of it (it does that by itself) like I said, I usually have my off hand on the front of the trigger guard, pulling the rifle into my shoulder a little, it has worked for me up to now. I'm not a trained shooter by any means but I've been at it for a spell.??
 
For 165s I loaded 56gr of imr 4350
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For the few 30-06 rifles that I helped develop loads for, that combination of powder and bullet weight has done well. I helped a friend develop loads for his Tikka T-3 light recently, and it really likes the 165gr Accubond in front of 56gr of IMR 4350. He does however only shoot three shot groups, because the light barrel heats up quite rapidly.
 
twosmokinspades said:
Id look at 180 grainers with 4350 and 4064 with 150s I was never able to get varget or n150 to shoot in my 06. For 165s I loaded 56gr of imr 4350
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I had to buy a jug with 2.5 pounds to get N150, I haven't found a rifle or caliber yet that likes it, it's getting down finally... 4064 is another powder that everyone loves but me it seams, my son burns it up in his 308 but I can't find a use for it, it's backwards from everyone else but I haven't had much luck with it. 4350 and r19, 760, I go through a lot of that.
 
stubblejumper said:
For the few 30-06 rifles that I helped develop loads for, that combination of powder and bullet weight has done well. I helped a friend develop loads for his Tikka T-3 light recently, and it really likes the 165gr Accubond in front of 56gr of IMR 4350. He does however only shoot three shot groups, because the light barrel heats up quite rapidly.
Click to expand...

It's still coolish here on the east coast, 2 hours to shoot 20 rounds so I didn't heat it up. It's not quite cold but not warm either, I won't shoot it hot.
 
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