Tikka T3X COAL
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My T3x 6.5cm is the CTR model, with a 143gr ELDx touching lands, OAL is 2.97" ~ with a blunter profile bullet, 120gr Nosler BT, touching lands is 2.89" OAL
Mag length is 2.95" for the T3x Lite model with the polymer 3 round mag
Mag length is 2.95" for the T3x Lite model with the polymer 3 round mag
Load the round long and chamber. Does the rifleing leave a mark? Seat deeper and try again. Note the length where the bullet stops touching the rifleing. This length will be different for each bullet weight and profile. In your log book, note the mag length.
My Tikka T3X mags for the 223 will all handle seating bullets long enough to touch the lands.
My T3X chambered for the 6.5x55 will not.
Follow Ganderites advice. It's the best way, if you're not sure.
Tikkas tend to have "very long" throats, with tight tolerances, so depending on what you're shooting, don't be surprised if you can't reach the lands.
My T3X chambered for the 6.5x55 will not.
Follow Ganderites advice. It's the best way, if you're not sure.
Tikkas tend to have "very long" throats, with tight tolerances, so depending on what you're shooting, don't be surprised if you can't reach the lands.
In 222 (55gr), 30-06 (180gr) and 300wsm (180gr), no. In 7mm Rem Mag, yes with 170gr Norma bullets, but with serious pressure signs at even mid-range loads. At least that's been my experience hand loading for myself and guys I hunt with.
I would also say that loading out that far doesn't always accomplish what you'd expect - is this for target shooting, hunting, long range? What chambering and what bullet do you want to use?
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Thanks for your reply. I was going to purchase a Tikka in a 6.5 Creedmoor however, settled for a 7mm Remington Magnum. So far, the 140 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip is .045 off the lands, which will barely fit into the magizine. The rifle is for big game hunting applications only, NOT for long range distant killing.
I'm going to try Hornady 139 gr. Interlock flatbase secant, to see if I can arrive closer to the lands, I wish to start-off at .025. Once I do find the most accurate load, I will then switch-over to the 140 gr. Nosler Partition.......cheaper to conduct load development with less expensive bullets. I've done this many times with Ballistic Tip, then switched to Accubonds.
You make no sense with that LOAD development Horn is no where near like a partition in design - shape !
But Nos BTips are very much like a Accubond .
Next Who cares about being close to the lands ? Its where the bullets shoot best that matters and better there not at max coal with hunting loads ! Jmo
lots and lots of bullets shoot WELL without jump too !
RJLet us know how you make out Track with the load development. I don't get too involved in load tweaking on a brand new barrel, I have found a lot can change from the first handful of rounds to when the barrel has a hundred or so rounds on it.
If there was a direct correlation between distance off lands and accuracy, I haven't seen it. My 308 Norma Mag is around 220 thou off the lands and can lay them in there out to 900 yards
The best group I shot last year was with my Tikka 6.5 Creedmoor, .112" off lands. Second best was another Tikka, 6.5 PRC .105 off lands, third best IBI barrel 22 Creed .118 off lands
If there was a direct correlation between distance off lands and accuracy, I haven't seen it. My 308 Norma Mag is around 220 thou off the lands and can lay them in there out to 900 yards
The best group I shot last year was with my Tikka 6.5 Creedmoor, .112" off lands. Second best was another Tikka, 6.5 PRC .105 off lands, third best IBI barrel 22 Creed .118 off lands
I believe you're right, the Hornady is a different shape; I believe that the Sierra Pro Hunter would be best, similar to the Partition. I'll try the ballistic tip first and see how they go with Reloder 19 and 22. A .045" jump seems far for me however, the rifle may love it.You make no sense with that LOAD development Horn is no where near like a partition in design - shape !
But Nos BTips are very much like a Accubond .
Next Who cares about being close to the lands ? Its where the bullets shoot best that matters and better there not at max coal with hunting loads ! Jmo
lots and lots of bullets shoot WELL without jump too !
Using Hornady 154gr Interlock in my Tikka 7mm RM. Loaded so they function in the magazine without issue, just to the bottom of the cannelure. Not anywhere close to the lands but shoot closer to .5moa than 1moa. Most Tikka’s I’ve loaded for don’t care about bullet jump.
Tikka T3 Varmint .204 Ruger, extensive testing regarding COAL and concluded that it couldn`t care less. Sierra 39 BK & Hornady 40 VM both produce excellent accuracy seated to maximum magazine length. .030 more or less meant nothing. 1/4" 5 shots x 100 is to be expected under decent conditions if I do my part, so I stopped there. Powder selection and charge was critical.
With Berger 140 hybrids I can't touch the lands and fit in either CTR or AISC mags. COAL to the lands with the hybrids is just over 3" in my CTR. I load to ~2.90" with a 110 thou jump. That leaves ~260 thou of bearing surface in the neck with that bullet. Feeds perfectly out of MDT's binder-less AICS magazines.
RL22. Is the best of those 2 . RJI believe you're right, the Hornady is a different shape; I believe that the Sierra Pro Hunter would be best, similar to the Partition. I'll try the ballistic tip first and see how they go with Reloder 19 and 22. A .045" jump seems far for me however, the rifle may love it.
