Long Time Long Ranger
Well-Known Member
Shot several rifles this morning and just continue to be amazed at what this rifle is doing with the 225 cutting edge bullets. Found a new load the rifle really likes. 128.5 grains of H-870 with a COAL of .411. Five shot group velocity was 3527, 3530, 3531, 3529, 3527. The group was 1.35" at 400 yards. The bc is still holding around .65 at this velocity. I do some radical things sometimes to find sweet spots. What I found with other rifles is the CE bullet does very well with a long jump into the lands. I seated the bullets way deeper than recommended with the seal tite band probably near .2 into the case instead of outside the case mouth. Other loads have shot very well but this radical step really brought this load into something way cool to shoot. 70 fps slower with the same powder charge and the bullet seated just outside the case mouth. also larger velocity spreads. The load is not a hot load at all with no pressure signs. I can go up a couple grains if I want but this is the sweet spot.
I have had this rifle for many years and it has been my go to long range hunting rifle for all those years. Through all those years it has shot all kinds of bullets and all kinds of powder well. Just really easy to get this rifle to shoot. About anything shoots well in it. 28" Hart 1-10 twist with standard wby freebore on a mk 5 action. But I have never shot this high a bc bullet this fast. This rifle is a lazer with the 225 ce bullets and just way fun to shoot. Over 6200 foot pounds of energy. Over 3100 foot pounds at 800 yards. I am good with mil dots to over 1200 yards.
The only problem it weighs 10 1/2 pounds scoped out which makes it hard to backpack. I have backpacked it for years but the little tikka sure feels better every year as I get older. Decisions, decisions. This gun has got to go to Alaska this year with the Tikka 338 SIN. I have got to shoot at least one caribou with it just for the cool factor.
I have had this rifle for many years and it has been my go to long range hunting rifle for all those years. Through all those years it has shot all kinds of bullets and all kinds of powder well. Just really easy to get this rifle to shoot. About anything shoots well in it. 28" Hart 1-10 twist with standard wby freebore on a mk 5 action. But I have never shot this high a bc bullet this fast. This rifle is a lazer with the 225 ce bullets and just way fun to shoot. Over 6200 foot pounds of energy. Over 3100 foot pounds at 800 yards. I am good with mil dots to over 1200 yards.
The only problem it weighs 10 1/2 pounds scoped out which makes it hard to backpack. I have backpacked it for years but the little tikka sure feels better every year as I get older. Decisions, decisions. This gun has got to go to Alaska this year with the Tikka 338 SIN. I have got to shoot at least one caribou with it just for the cool factor.