Broke in the barrel on the T3 today, but didn't get the accuracy I expect. The loads:
Remington 95-grain Accutip, WLR primer, WW brass, 42 and 42.5 grains Re 19. Groups beyond 1.5 inches at 100 yards.
Barnes 85-grain TSX, WLR primer, WW brass, 42 and 42.5 grains Re 17. Groups larger than 2 inches.
A friend's T3 doesn't like the Barnes TSXs either.
I expect this gun to give me 1/2-inch with the right primer, powder and bullet. Any advice?

I would spend more time at the loading bench, so you can test more than two powder charges at a time. You are just wasting your time if you expect to get .5" results without doing a complete load workout. Start low and work up is the saying. As far as the TSX bullets go, you will need to seat them deeper than expected, start at .100" (not .010" or .001")off the lands to start. As far as powders for the .243 go, there are severl that work well. The best results for me have been with IMR7828ssc and Win Supreme 780. My Savage likes R-19 with either the 90gr Ballistic Tip or 90gr Hot-Cor. My other .243's like R-19 ok, but much prefer IMR7828ssc. Historical accuracy loads consist of H414 or one of the 4831 powders.

Start the Barnes .010 off the lands. The load you tried is OK or try 38 grains Varget. If it won't group there (don't waste time or bullets trying more than three) then back off to .050 and bump backwards .010 each trial. When you are close you can adjust the powder +- .5 grain.

Thanks guys. Took the Tikka back to the range today and fired a number of test groups with different powders: IMR 4350, Re 22, H4831SC, etc. and got some promising results. Changed primers to CCI 200s too. I got just under an inch with 4350 and the Barnes TSX 85, which will be my current deer load until I can tweak it a bit. Still aiming for 1/2-inch, but will be patient ...

Bill,

not for max velocity...you lose a 100 fps or so of max velocity, but I find IMR 4064- RL 15- W 748- Varget burn rates are ideal for accuracy with 75 to 105 grain bullets..

if you need max velocity and accuracy, then in my rifles H 414 is the powder to go to...or W 760 being the same powder essentially...
applicable for bullet weights from 75 to 105 grains...

if you have a fast twist barrel ( one in 8) try a 115 grain Berger, with a charge of 44 grains of RL 19...work up of course...

when I see ya next time over at the store.. let me know how that is working out for ya!

Seafire: Sorry I was so busy Friday when you came by. Will take your advice on powders this Sunday.

My T-3 Hunter does best with the 90 gr. Speer Hot Core and 44gr. of IMR-4831. This is one grain over Speer's book max but shows no pressure problems in my rifle. So work up if you choose to try it.

It has shot right at 1/2 MOA enough times in practice with a rest to give me confidence to neck shoot does and not have to track. It has worked well for that so far.

Various 100 gr. bullets shoot about 1.25 MOA in that rifle with same powder and 85 gr. Sierra bthp shoots only slightly better: about 1 1/8 MOA so I think 90 gr. is the rifle's favorite bullet weight and has worked well on deer for me so far.

I love that rifle. Good luck with yours. Merg

I have a T-3 and it is my most accurate rifle. My best loads to date are. 95gr BT with 41gr of H-4350 and a 85gr Sierra BTHP with 36gr or H-4895. Both loads shoot a little over .5 inch for 3 shots. Long bullets like the 95gr and heavier Berger bullets do not shoot as well because the twist in the T-3 is not fast enough. The 90gr and lighter Bergers shoot real well. I agree with Merganser. I have had the best luck with the 85-95gr bullets. The best factory load I have shot as far as accuracy has been the Federal Fusion load.