I am trying to find a combination to make this gun shoot? Thus far I have tried benchmark and now currently using Varget with 69grain Sierra HPBT Match with not much sucess. I just ordered a batch of 75 grain Hornaday A Max and planning on loading with Varget. Do you guys have any other suggestions? Thanks

These guns have a reputation for shooting very well. Try a couple of different powders and bullet weights. If something doesn't shoot pretty well fairly quickly, you might just have a bum gun.

I've got some 77 gr Noslers and 75 grain Hornady BTHP if you'd like a few to try. Win 748 has worked well in my fast twist .223.

LWD

Thanks LWD Im still tinkering with the 69 grain Sierras and ordered the 75 grain A Max. I hope this thing starts to shoot. I appreciate the information. I will look at buying some of the Noslers as well. I did see an improvement as I have continued to go up in bullet weight. Does your rifle OAL like the seated out further or closer in?

quote:

I did see an improvement as I have continued to go up in bullet weight.

Then you might have more success with the heavier ones then because IIRC the Tikka .223 is a 1:8 twist.

On my .223s, which are ARs, I did not measure and seat based on the lands because I was more focused on function than anything.

Good luck.

LWD

What is your twist rate, t3's come in 1:12 or 1:9

1:12 or 1:8 I believe is correct for .223 . Esox357 , how many rounds have you put down the bore ?.

An how did you break in the barrel ?. Personally I don't even look for groups until I've conditioned or

broke the barrel in .An that's usually 30-50 shots Min. .

I use bulk 55 grain BT for load development , then when things look promising switch over too Match bullets

an adjust powder weight and OLA as needed . Everybody does it different .

What kind of groups are you typically getting ?. In mine 69 grn Sierra's or 68 grn Hornady's work really well

an I use BLC-2 I'm running 25.2- 25.7 grains of it . H-335 I run around 23.2 23.5 grains with excellent results.

No pressure issues and if I do my part I stay inside a quarter @ 100 meters and sometimes half of that .

I did Lap polish my bore prior to shooting it , I honestly can't say it helped as I just don't know .

It sure didn't hurt as far as I can see .

My Tikka has a 1:8 twist. What is the heaviest bullet that can be used with a 1:8? I used benchmark originally starting with Vmax and without much luck. The gun is improving with Varget and 69grain Sierras but not impressive yet. I tested it on a day that it was 90 degrees and the targets were more for sighting in then for actual grouping? I have a couple of groups that may be promising at 100 yards. My first two shots went through the same hole and then the third went about an inch and a 1/2 low right? Another group triangled 1 inch at 100 which looked like a consistent group. The 3rd group I pulled a shot and it went one inch from the first two which grouped approximately a 1/2 inch. So it is imporving. Origninally with the Vmax I was getting 3 plus inch groupings. I am going to sit back down at the bench with the Varget and continue testing and hopefully with cooler weather. Im expecting to have this around 1/2 or 1/4 inch groups at 100? Maybe I expect too much?

77 -80 grain is as heavy as I ever have gone . 75 grain Hornady's worked fairly well in mine .

Although 68-69 grain have given the most consistent scoring groups .

I never expect anything as far as accuracy goes ,from a factory NIB Rifle or pistol .

Have been surprised in both directions with inexpensive an high dollar firearms ,in regards too accuracy

and function . IMO ; Expecting .25 .50 consistent groups is reaching , NOT saying it can't happen

it's just RARE if it does !. Again IMO ,Sub MOA is or should be achievable with proper barrel break in

and right combination of powder bullet an length out of the lands .

One thing you might check ; Clean your barrel REALLY GOOD , then fire two shots just Fouler loads

Then if you have a way of looking down the bore preferable with a light ,try an see if there is

copper fouling on one side more than the other . If so either polishing or Tubbs final finish bullet

system may be in order . I Can't guarantee anything but it has helped a few of my Rifles tighten groups

an sure made a couple far more enjoyable too shoot , as their not such a PIA too clean anymore !. BOL ...

quote:

My Tikka has a 1:8 twist. What is the heaviest bullet that can be used with a 1:8?

The Berger website says that this twist will stabilize everything but their 90 grain bullets. Of course, it may be too fast for lighter ones especially varmint bullets.

LWD

I am getting very good reports on Ramshot's TAC.
Here is some data from their manual.

TAC 36 BAR VG 26.1 3,415 29.0 3,794 52,151 2.180
TAC 40 HDY V-Max 25.1 3,380 27.9 3,756 54,861 2.240
TAC 45 SIE SP 24.6 3,219 27.3 3,577 53,591 2.230
TAC 50 BAR VG 23.3 2,964 25.9 3,293 53,151 2.180
TAC 50 NOS BT 24.3 3,103 27.0 3,448 54,961 2.260
TAC 53 BAR TSX 23.7 3,002 26.3 3,336 55,000 2.180
TAC 55 SIE BK 23.4 2,966 26.0 3,295 54,881 2.240
TAC 60 SIE HP 22.3 2,818 24.8 3,131 55,000 2.250
TAC 62 BRG HP 22.0 2,775 24.5 3,100 55,000 2.250
Frangible Bullets
X-Terminator 45 SF WTP 24.3 3,186 27.0 3,540 54,177 2.224
X-Terminator 55 SF WTP 22.8 2,926 25.3 3,251 54,987 2.224
TAC 45 SF WTP 24.7 3,177 27.4 3,530 53,987 2.224
TAC 55 SF WTP 23.1 2,929 25.7 3,254 54,177 2.244
223 Remington (1 in 7 or 9 twist)
Barrel: 24" ■ Twist: 1-7" or 1-9" ■ Primer: FED 205 ■ Bullet Diameter .224"
TAC 68 HDY BTHP 21.7 2,714 24.1 2,980 52,580 2.260
TAC 69 SIE HPBT 21.6 2,668 24.0 2,965 53,500 2.260
TAC 75 HDY BTHP 21.2 2,511 23.6 2,790 50,760 2.260
TAC 77 NOS HPBT 21.2 2,515 23.5 2,794 52,500 2.260
TAC 80 SIE HPBT 20.7 2,444 23.0 2,715 53,500 2.260

Hmm, that didn't work out very well. Take a look at their website and you can download the manual.

I also know that H335 is really good in the .223
Not very clean burning but still good.

Thanks. I will try changing the bullets first then if all else fails switching the powder. I will give Tac a try next. Esox357.

Do you true the necks of you're cases ? How far off the lands do you set your bullets ?.

Do you neck size only FLR or set shoulder back ?

Do you fire your brass cartridges ( Once Fired in your chamber ) prior to prepping your loads ?



Powder is only a small % of the equation other factors LOOM LARGER IMO .

Example H4895 BLC-2 IMR 4895 4064 H335 Varget H322 Benchmark and I'm sure others as well, have worked

very respectfully in my AR'S as well as Bolt guns although I've personally not used anything other than what

I listed . I'll admit some powders work BETTER than others , I'll also state for the record in MANY CASES

it takes calipers to measure the differences !. Some people swear by one powder and at others ,some prefer

Alliant IMR Hodgdon Ramshot Vihtavuori and ? . IMO ;Carefully building a particular load of 15 rounds

for one powder and one bullet . # 5 on the low side # 5 in the middle and # 5 on the higher side of the

charge.YOU pick your powder and Bullet for YOUR needs .



Then go too the range with # 3 Clean targets a Rock solid Bench and resting device take as much of you

out of the scenario as possible !. Now clean your barrel an fire 2-4 whatever factory or old handloads just

for fouling shots , Not on your targets !. OK start with Low loads space each shot 1.5 minutes apart

fire all #5 , now Wait 15 minutes repeat using middle loads , repeat same requirements for faster loads .

NOW the results will show you What your Rifle prefers as far as FPS by the groupings .

DON'T CARE IF IT'S GOOD GROUPS OR NOT , ONE WILL BE BETTER THAN THE OTHERS ,Now concentrate in that loading

bracket , Adjust off or into the lands step powder by 1 or 1/2 grain increments try another primer .

NOW switch too another powder if need be and repeat ONLY in the loading bracket you've established .

YOU WILL GET THERE as quickly and confidently as possible . Some people use 3 shots I personally find

that inaccurate data others will argue . BY CAREFUL shoulder spacing ( Sizing )I again prefer 0.002 "

set back, trued neck, ultra careful powder weight and bullet off the lands ( IN BOLT GUN ) 0.010 "

and further back ( Excluding Barnes type bullets then 0.040 " 0.065 " !!!. ) This will give you the BEST

Chance for the early success IMO . ALL of us tend to forget the second rule of reloading

there is NO MAGIC LOAD FOR EVERY GUN ! . Factory's would have patented it LONG AGO !!!BOL ...

Thanks for the advice. I will keep it in mind and hope to get this thing to drive tacks. Esox357.