TIKKA 308 Round selection
jb4lcm
Member Posts: 119 ✭✭
After reviewing 8 different rounds including 4 soft points, and 4 polymer tipped rounds, I have concluded my tests in identifying what MY gun likes and what I will use for hunting deer.
TIKKA T3X in .308, 22.4" bbl, 1:11 twist
Rounds tested:
Winchester Power Point 150gr 2820 FPS
Remington Core Lokt 150gr 2820 FPS
Federal Power Shok 150gr 2820 FPS
Federal Fusion 150 gr 2820 FPS
Hornady Superformance SST 150gr 3000 FPS
Winchester Deer Season XP 150gr 2820 FPS
Barnes VOR-TX 150 gr TTSX BT 2900 FPS
Barnes VOR-TX 130gr TTSX BT 3125 FPS
In MY gun - the Hornady was the absolute WORST. It was ALL over the place.
My Final selection was the Barnes VOR-TX 130gr that resulted in 10 rounds fired with a
1.625 MOA at 200 yards. My fist is about the size of a deer's heart so I\m good with that. I would imagine a lighter trigger would aid in lowering the MOA, but for a FACTORY GUN - right out of the box - I'm satisfied.
Comments
Nice report.
Tikka makes some excellent rifles. I've got no complaints with mine.
Which T3x version do you have? Lite, superlite, hunter, etc?
🇺🇲 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson 🇺🇲
I have never had a 308 rifle that didn't shoot 165gr bullets with IMR 4895 pushed to 2600 FPS. I have found that most 308's don't like max loads they like med loads that go about 2550-2600fps. For bullets my goto was a sierra 165gr game king 4895 or 4064 match primer in winchester or norma brass.
Kevin_L it is a T3X LITE, with a Stainless BBL.
Do you have any leads on a new trigger? Something in the 2~4lb adjustable? Thanks!
Tikka trigger is adjustable.
As @dunbarboyz said, the Tikka trigger is adjustable. Lots of videos on how to do it.
But, I like the Tikka trigger feel and haven't even bothered to mess with mine.
🇺🇲 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson 🇺🇲
the "Singe Set Trigger" is not on all Tikka rifles. Mine does not have it. My manual says "if equipped". :(
Reading up on it, it seems that a lot of people have opted to just replace a spring to get a lighter pull.
I did a search for Tikka T3x trigger spring and there are a lot of options.
as for total replacement, there are a few but they get expensive in a hurry. The Timney trigger coming in at $250 could be good, but I’ve never used one.
🇺🇲 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson 🇺🇲
Kevin - - I just looked up a youtube video, took my bbl off the stock and found that my trigger IS adjustable! SUPER SIMPLE !! WOW!
NOW I gotta go back to the 100 yard target and get it sub MOA!
I believe my trigger pull was causing the overage . . . I will report back my results.
Thank you ALL for the replies!
Did you include terminal performance in your criteria? I won't ask about longer range trajectory since 250-275 yards should be the self imposed limit with a 3+" 200 yard accuracy level.
The reason I've asked is: some of the solid, expanding bullets don't seem to expand much on deer sized game-just punch right through. One brand I tried didn't expand at all until it would have exited a deer's chest cavity and then began tumbling and veered off at a 45* angle. UNACCEPTABLE
Terminal performance is stated to double in size - and the polymer tip aids in faster expansion.
My personal limits keep me at 200 yards. The majority of shots in the area I hunt are under 100 yards. The photo is one of the stands I like. The last white tail I took was at 78 yards.
I adjusted the trigger last night and believe the lighter pull will reduce the grouping. I hope anyway.