Problems with the new Tikka 25 06

[tscott]

After a hard decision I ended up buying a new Tikka 25 06. I have cleaned the barrel after 3 shoot groups. I've loaded Nosler 115 BT and 100 BT's with three different powders. RL#22, RL#25 and IMR#4350. I started low and worked up. I get better groups out of my Rem 700, 300 Win Mag at 600 yards than Im getting with the new gun at 100. My groups are terrible. What am I doing wrong? Or do you think there is a barrel problem?
Tim G

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

WOW! I'm speechless. It has to be something thats wrong with the rifle or scope or mounts, sounds like to me for a couple reasons. First off, Tikkas come with a 1 MOA guarantee, there accurate rifles. Second 25-06 are not finicky calibers and are usually very inherantly accurate calibers in good rifles. Third you are using 2 known accurate bullets and at least 2 good well known powders IMR-4350 and RL-22. I dont know what could be going wrong, but I dont think its your loading procedure anyways. The barrels cleaned, man I"m stumped. Usually 51g-52g IMR-4350 and 100g btips shoots great for many people. Kinda universal load right there. Also 57g RL-22/100g btip is a good one, as well as 53g RL-22/115g btip. I have a lot of loads for 25-06 and different makes of bullets, weight, and different powders, as well as couple different primers tried. Try some H-4831 maybe. My winchester absolutely shows a preference for this powder over any other. My ruger shot really well with IMR-4350 and RL-22. I dont know what else to recomend. Make sure everything is tight, as usual and maybe give Tikka a call. See what they say. I sure dont want you to turn on the 25-06 yet, its a great cartridge believe me. If anythign you may have got a lemon. It happens. Happened to me with a Savage in 270 WSM. Rifle wouldn't group better then 1.25" at 100 yards with probly 50-60 different loads trhough it. SO much for my Savage being a shooter! Keep us posted on how it does and maybe some other members will chime in.

 

[Coyboy]

Buy a box of premium ammo and try that after you check screws scope and such. If it dosen't shoot to the 1" standard call Sako. I wouldn't even bring up you reloaded for this gun, might void the warrenty.

 

[Spino]

Is the scope new or already a known used scope? As mentioned double ck the scope mounts & try some premium factory ammo.. Maybe somebody has a Tikka that they are using factory ammo in the .26-06 that could share some info? 1st I've hear of the Tikka not being a shooter or having any problems. Did you get the stainless?

 

[tscott]

Spino, The scope is a Nikon 3 to 9 that worked great on a Rem 700. It is tight. I am going to try some factory rounds before I send it back. I came within a whisker of buying the 270 wsm, instead of the 25 06.
Tim G

 

[Spino]

Remember that either caliber has exceptional accuracy capabilities and without a doubt long range performance. You may need to buy & try several different brands of premium ammo to find the one that works in your gun. Try a couple different bullet weights & see what she likes.

Don't give up on her just yet.. You picked the .25-06 for a good reason (It's a great caliber).

110 Gr. Nosler AccuBond 3300 $30.88 -- Conley Precision Ammo


Oh, I use these guys for my ammo before I have started to reload my own to see how they shoot, they seem to have tighter tollerences that the factory premium ammo, but you may have to wait for 3/4wks: http://www.cpcartridge.com/25-06P.htm

Best of luck!

 

[dakor]

You did not say what kind of Tikka it was some are free floated some are not. I would check to see if it is free floated. If it is not sand the pressure point out of it then try shoot it. Your rifle might not like B-tips either I have seen this on a couple of 25/06's. Maybe try a 120 HP hornady or a 117 Sierra. I would also give H-4831 a try.

 

[tscott]

dacor- The new gun is a Tikka T3 Lite. I did try a 120 factory hollow point and it liked them better but not as good as I expect. I'll be hunting for elk now so my 25 06 will be my project when I return.
Thanks for the help.
Tim G.

 

[dakor]

Tim you might want to check the pressure point tword the front. My dad has a 7mm-08 in a Tikka T3 lite and he ended up sanding it out because it was not touching the same on one side of the barrel as the other side. Shoots well now.

 

[NorthernSniper]

Tim I have found in some Tikka's and Sako's that they have to much free bore, you might want to check this out as well. I have sent 2 Sako's back on the 1 MOA garantee and had both replaced by Sako although it's a slow process. good luck /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif