Tikka t3x lite 300 win mag accuracy help

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Liebs138

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Hey guys. I have a few questions. I have a tikka t3x lite in 300 win mag. Topped off with a vortex viper 3-9x40 scope. All the rings and scope mounts are torqued properly. I sighted in the gun in -15 weather. Hands were a bit cold but the gun seems to shoot well. I am using federal fusion 180gr ammo. I find if i want to do a 3 shot group. My bullets will start to get further apart. I am strictly a hunter so i am looking for that one shot accuracy. But, i expected a bit more. If i wait 5-10 mins between shots its almost bang on. But if i shoot 3 rounds in a 3 minute period its a bit unpredictable. Im using a bi pod with rear shooting bag. For example. I am sighted in for 200 yards. Perfect bullseye first shot. Second shot 1.25 inches off bullseye. Adjust bullet drop for 300 yards not even on an 8 inch by 8 inch target. Let the barrel cool. 300 yards compensating for bullet drop. Bullseye. Should I try a different ammo? Was it a flyer? And if so does anyone have any recommendations? Any advice for me? Is this just the nature of the lite model with the lite barrel? Thank you.
 
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I would try different ammo. Never had any luck with federal fusion. You may want to look at remington core lokt psp. A bit more money but a lot better ammo from my experience.
 
its a hunting rifle no need for more than three shots to put game down - am sure the barrel is warmed up after the first shot - at 200 yard zero bullet drops about 6.9 inches which leave 1.1 inches of target since your 2nd shot is off by 1.5 inches I would say with certainly that you just missed the target. As long as your first shot (cold bore) is where you want it - its all good. With a 150 grain bullet your drop is just under 2 inches less. Your mileage (drop) will be greater since when they calculate bullet drop they usually use a 24 inch barrel since you Tikka is likely less than 24 inches you really can not depend too much on ballistic charts - best advice I can give is - use the 180 as long as your first shot is dead on at the range you want your good to go. What, I do not mention is your scope is probably has a fixed parallax of 100 yards or so - that may affect your longer distance shooting.
 
Factory stock? You might want to do the dollar bill check to see if the stock still has the pressure points. If it is clear, have someone help you when you are in shooting position. Some people load a bipod enough to flex a stock and touch the barrel.

If the pressure points are there, you can consider removing them and trying. If you google it, there are several schools of thought on the subject. I have seen factory stocks molded with enough twist to press fairly hard on the barrel. One stock was on a Remington VTR, so twisted I re-leveled the reticle several times before I realized the stock was so bad. Tikka stocks are generally decent though.
 
How warm is your ammo when you shoot? If it's -15 when you first shoot, then you throw a round in the warm chamber, the powder warms and can change the MV? I'd fire a 3 shot group at 100 first, see what sort of grouping you get. Might tell you a lot about what may be going on. Then you can work out to 200, 300, etc. Also, different ammo can make a difference.
 
I try to match my ammo temp to the bore. Warm bore, ammo in insulated pockets for 10-15 mins while shooting. Cold bore cold ammo. I am no expert marksman by any means. And when i missed the target im sure it was me, i probably flinched.

Yes it is a factory stock and i ran a peice of computer paper and it goes down about 6 inches between stock and barrel. no pressure spots. I think as the barrel gets hot there is more friction in play. I was gonna try some barnes ttsx and remington core lokt. All 180 grain. I know tikka fires 3 rounds each 5 second apart and if it is under 1 moa it passes and is released. Maybe im over analyzing i just dont like having to wait so long for barrel to cool down to get perfect accuracy.
 
I'm no Tìkka expert, but the last one I owned years ago I could slide a bill all the way back to the recoil lug, it was a very accurate rifle. It wore a wood stock (595) and over time the stock warped enough to touch the barrel and killed the accuracy. It was a simple fix of some sanding and back to awesome. I not familiar with the T3x's
 
I was told there is a pressure point on the tikka synthetic stocks in magnum caliber to reinforce the stock so it doesnt break. No clue if that is true or not. Waiting for a call back from stoeger canada.
 
For whats its worth, Was told by the tikka man to ditch the fusion. Federal trophy copper. Barnes ttsx. Or some berger hunter. Got a box of barnes and the trophy copper to try.
 
It almost seems like my stock is twisted a bit. I have no idea how to post a photo on this site but i took a photo of how far the dollar bill slides back. I can see the stock reinforcing where the bill stops. Then after that i can slide it in on one side of the barrel and stock but not the other. It seems twisted in the stock.
 
DMS1 said:
The pressure points I have seen were typically right at the end of the forearm. If a dollar bill goes in, it should go all the way to the action, imho.
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As with most Tikkas, there is a contact point about 4" forward of the action. When you contact it, wiggle the paper around to make sure the contact is complete and uniform. If not, you can simply file it down yourself to make sure it's even. You'll see it is very easy to do. I haven't found there is a big difference with or without that contact point to be honest. If it's a Hunter wood stock, there is no contact point. Also, as it is after all a mass produced stock, don't leave it lying on it's side near a heat source or in the hot sun. The stock will take a set and you might find that you'll get some stock contacting the barrel - as I did once! It is correctable though as you can then file the contacting part down.
 
My 25-06 loved fusion. I would try a few different ammos my 7 mag loves hunter eldx my 338 likes barnes.
 
I free floated my barrel and torqued down the bottom screws correctly and saw some good improvement in my grouping. Best ammo i tested was vital shok trophy copper 180 grain. Shoots much better now. Thank you for advice and help!
 
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