Tikka T3 Accuracy Issues

[bradbeer]

Hi guys,
This is my first time posting here, rather than just lurking. Great website!
I am fairly new to this gun but, I have a tikka T3 in a 25-06 and am having accuracy issues.
It shot okay with factory ammo when I first got it. Now I am reloading for it. I started loading with Nosler Ballistic tips, they shot fairly well but I could get a good group with the occasional high flyer. I had a hard time getting a good supply of bullets but found a good supply of Nosler ballistic silver tips that I started to hand load. Unfortunately, accuracy just kept getting worse.
Upon doing some research, I thought my issues may be around how clean the barrel is. Upon inspection, I found it to be quite fouled. So I cleaned it as best I could. (still some slight copper streaks on the lands)
Yesterday I went to the range. I borrowed a friend's Coronagraph. I found the muzzle velocities quite puzzling. I shot 10 rounds and got two errors. Here were my valocities:
2924
2884
2981
2999
2978
3301
3102
3445
This is my load:
50 gr IMR4350
115Grain Nosler Ballistic Silver Tip
Winchester Large Magnum Primer

Is the increasing velocity due to the lubalox coating building in the barrel that is increasing my velocities? Would shooting a few more rounds have worked my velocities to a more consistent rate? My accuracy is obviously off with those inconsistent velocities.

Any help is much appreciated!

Thanks,
Brad

 

[gohring3006]

Hi guys,
This is my first time posting here, rather than just lurking. Great website!
I am fairly new to this gun but, I have a tikka T3 in a 25-06 and am having accuracy issues.
It shot okay with factory ammo when I first got it. Now I am reloading for it. I started loading with Nosler Ballistic tips, they shot fairly well but I could get a good group with the occasional high flyer. I had a hard time getting a good supply of bullets but found a good supply of Nosler ballistic silver tips that I started to hand load. Unfortunately, accuracy just kept getting worse.
Upon doing some research, I thought my issues may be around how clean the barrel is. Upon inspection, I found it to be quite fouled. So I cleaned it as best I could. (still some slight copper streaks on the lands)
Yesterday I went to the range. I borrowed a friend's Coronagraph. I found the muzzle velocities quite puzzling. I shot 10 rounds and got two errors. Here were my valocities:
2924
2884
2981
2999
2978
3301
3102
3445
This is my load:
50 gr IMR4350
115Grain Nosler Ballistic Silver Tip
Winchester Large Magnum Primer

Is the increasing velocity due to the lubalox coatiang building in the barrel that is increasing my velocities? Would shooting a few more rounds have worked my velocities to a more consistent rate? My accuracy is obviously off with those inconsistent velocities.

Any help is much appreciated!

Thanks,
Brad

What convinced you to use a mag primer? My best guess would put you around 3000 fps with a 24in barrel. I would try a Large rifle primer first, and if that doesn't help it would be a different powder for me... I never did like that lubalox coating. Also, I would try to get another Chrony to confirm the extremely large spreads... Some of those velocities make wonder about very high chamber pressure....

 

[MOA Chaser]

Nosler No. 7 has max load with IMR 4350 listed at 49 grains for 115 grain BST. With a magnum primer you may be pushing it even further. I would go with a WLR primer and start around 45-46 grains and work you way up in 1/2 grain increments.

 

[bradbeer]

Nosler No. 7 has max load with IMR 4350 listed at 49 grains for 115 grain BST. With a magnum primer you may be pushing it even further. I would go with a WLR primer and start around 45-46 grains and work you way up in 1/2 grain increments.

Thanks,
I started working my loads up from 47 grains. I saw the Nosler load data too. The Hogden site says max 52 grains for a max Velocity of 3106. I have no pressure issues such as liquified primers or stiff bolt. I am sure 3500 is too much. Has nayone used a chroni starting with a clean barrel and these Silver tips?

Thanks,
Brad

 

[aaroncarp]

My buddy has a T3 .308 win. He had average accuracy with it out of the box but then he put about 100 bucks into it with some parts from tikkaperfomance.com, they make a kit that replaces all the cheesy plastic pieces like the bolt shroud, and some type of recoil lug upgrade too.

I doubt that helps much if the gun is still almost new but he saw incredibly increased accuracy.

I also just checked the website, and their kit is now $200 but it might be worth it.

 

[bradbeer]

My buddy has a T3 .308 win. He had average accuracy with it out of the box but then he put about 100 bucks into it with some parts from tikkaperfomance.com, they make a kit that replaces all the cheesy plastic pieces like the bolt shroud, and some type of recoil lug upgrade too.

I doubt that helps much if the gun is still almost new but he saw incredibly increased accuracy.

I also just checked the website, and their kit is now $200 but it might be worth it.

Thanks! I have the Pillar/recoil kit. It is installed!!!
It has a titanium recoil lug and a set of aluminum pillars. Its a very nice kit from Lumley Arms.

 

[pods8]

I suspect something go messed up in the chrono positioning causing funky readings later (or sunlight screwing with things) I doubt those readings are real (assuming you weight your powder accurately).


Also what are you using to clean that you couldn't get it clean? My tikka (in 7-08) cleans up quite fast (compared to my 700 for instance), I use patchout typically (but everyone has their favorite).

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

I'd go with a bit slower powder. My Pops is using I4831 in his 25-06 with a 100grain bullet, and the 115- 120 grain bullets can make use of even slower powders. The magnum primer is a non issue if you account for it in your load.

hodgdon is using a 117 hdy bullet, not the 115 nosler. and they are using a standard primer in their data.

I would say you either have a poor chrono or a sticky scale as 400 fps is a monster velocity variation.