Tikka T3 30-06 Ammo

[elfhunter]

Well here is where I am at....

I am new to shooting and hunting. I have taken my CFSC and CORE and received both licenses. (I have a drawn my first Mule Buck tag for Oct.) I then purchased a Tikka T3 30-06 and put a Bushnell 4200 3-9X40 scope on it. I joined a local range and have started shooting but can't find the "right ammo". I have shot some Premium Barnes but at 50-75$ a box it doesn't leave me much room to practice as often as I want. On the cheaper end I have shot some Fusion and Hornady but no where near the accuracy as the Triple shot Barnes.

My question is what other Tikka owners are shooting with this same setup? I would like to get the nice groupings of the expensive ammo but without the cost. (Baby in diapers) Also I have read that loading your own ammo could help put together some deadly groupings, but I am not interested in investing in loading stuff right now as I have my hands full just learning my new rifle. Is there somewhere in BC where you can buy hand loaded ammo for this gun?

Thanks for your time and knowledge.

 

[nasho]

Ammo Accuracy

Hi, EH:

I'm quite the noob too, but I know enough to suggest that you relax about the ammo. It is just barely possible that your Tikka does not "like" Hornady or Fusion bullets. The difference will not be as important as the fact that you are just getting used to the rifle. Shoot cheap and often. If you find a bargain on "Brand X" 30-06, buy it all and shoot it all.

'Round about a year into your experience with your Tikka, you will start to have a good understanding about bullet weights, barrel twist, blah, blah, blah, and you will know without question that you can get a good group cold from a certain factory load. Then it's not expensive at all, because you just need a few to zero your scope.

And, eventually, you will buy a super Tikka or a Sako and reload for it - but that's down the road.

 

[sunray]

Hi. Since you're not reloading, you should try a box of as many brands and bullet weights as you can to find the ammo your rifle shoots best. Yep. It can get expensive.
You don't need premium bullets. Any 165 grain hunting bullet will do nicely. A 165 will kill any game you care to hunt. The .30-06 loves 'em, but you really need to try the brands.
Remington Cor-Lokts, any Hornady(they make 6 different 165 grain bullets.), Winchester's Super-X or any other standard brand will usually run around $23ish per 20. Try the Remingtons. Runs $23.95 per 20 here in Ontario. Should be close to that in any B.C. gun shop. Look in Walmart and Crappy Tire.
Once you've found the most accurate ammo(Two to 3 inches at 100 yards is accurate enough for deer of any kind.), sight in and practice shooting, off hand, at 100 yards, at a 9" pie plate until you can hit it every time. Then re-sight in about 4" high at 100.
"...buy hand loaded ammo for this gun?..." Maybe, but it won't make any difference. It'd be just like shooting any other factory ammo. Generic. A commercial reloader has to be licenced too. That has nothing to do with you though.
The only way to have ammo tailored for your rifle is to load it yourself. Look into an RCBS Beginner's Kit. The initial outlay is around $400-$500. Pays for itself, eventually. How long, depends on how much you're shooting. Not something you need do immediately though. Just keep all the factory brass you shoot.