Tikka T3X .243

[Johnnywood]

I bought a new Tikka a few weeks back and I’m struggling to get on with it, can’t get it to shoot anything accurately enough for my liking. Federal 80g is pants, Sako game head in 90 and 100g marginally better with Hornady 75g the best, but I can’t get that sub 1” at 100m. I’ve got exactly the same rifle in .223 and can get sub 1” at 200m consistently. It’s going back Tuesday when the shops open, but anyone else had a similar experience with a brand new tikka??

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

Have you checked that the bolts/screws/moderator/muzzle brake are all as tight as they should be? Could be something as simple as a loose bolt on a scope mount or Picatinny rail that’s causing the issues.

 

[SikaSeeker]

Are you chasing holes around the target or are they big groups?
I bought a new t3x in .308 last year and it shoots sub moa for the get go
Fiocchi 150grs was the only stuff it didn’t like, I’d say 7” group at 100 yards.

 

[Jodie5864]

I use Norma 100gr soft points they group well. Used them for years in my Tikka T3 243

 

[Johnnywood]

Have you checked that the bolts/screws/moderator/muzzle brake are all as tight as they should be? Could be something as simple as a loose bolt on a scope mount or Picatinny rail that’s causing the issues.

Yup, I’ve taken the action out and popped it back in, everything snug. And the barrel is free floating where it should as far as I can see.

 

[Johnnywood]

Are you chasing holes around the target or are they big groups?
I bought a new t3x in .308 last year and it shoots sub moa for the get go
Fiocchi 150grs was the only stuff it didn’t like, I’d say 7” group at 100 yards.

I’m pretty much chasing holes. The hornady superformance 75g at about 1 1/2” is the best I can get. Their reputation and my experience with other calibres in this make suggests I should be printing clover leafs at this distance.

 

[bullet chucker]

If you are it doubt on the free floating barrel slip a bank note along the length of your barrel, it should be easy to feel if touching?

BC.

 

[Jelen]

I had the same issue with a new Tikka a few years back, struggled to get 1" at 30 yds. It turned out to be the new PES moderator I'd bought with the rifle. Put a different mod on and bingo, sub MoA at 100.
Might be worth a try if all else fails.

 

[Rake Aboot]

Check the moderator and failing that get it back to to where you bought it for a check over

That gun should shoot single hole groups at only 100 mtrs with pretty much any generic ammo

 

[bullet chucker]

Wear suitable ear defenders then shoot your rifle with out the moderator?

BC.

 

[Jelen]

Wear suitable ear defenders then shoot your rifle with out the moderator?

BC.

That's what I did eventually and the rifle grouped. The next thought was 'is it the Mod or the thread?' So tried 2 different Mods and the rifle grouped, hence it wasn't a duff thread , but a duff Mod. Fortunately our Game Keeper witnessed it all. My local RFD was great and refunded me the cost of the Mod and the 3 brands of factory ammo I used.

 

[Rake Aboot]

Result

 

[farmer7]

I bought a new Tikka a few weeks back and I’m struggling to get on with it, can’t get it to shoot anything accurately enough for my liking. Federal 80g is pants, Sako game head in 90 and 100g marginally better with Hornady 75g the best, but I can’t get that sub 1” at 100m. I’ve got exactly the same rifle in .223 and can get sub 1” at 200m consistently. It’s going back Tuesday when the shops open, but anyone else had a similar experience with a brand new tikka??

I had a bad .223 T3 Varmint, I tried about a dozen different bullets. The very, very best it would do was a bit over an inch.
I've two other T3 Varmint's, one in .308 and one in .260 - both lasers!

 

[Scottb123]

Check the recoil lug I had issues with mine consistently throwing 2 groups turns out it was only contacting on the very edge had to relive it and bed it

 

[Taff]

Usually one of two things, recoil lug or suppressor, fire without suppressor

 

[bullet chucker]

I have a varmint 223, when first' shooting with it, I was told to buy 55gn and some 50gn. Why' was my question, Because a 223 can be fussy? The 50gn target holes were off to my point of aim,55gn spot on at 100yd. Stuck with them. I recently.3weeks ago' acquired an as new t3x 223 lite left hand, So off to Bisley Zero range bought a box of cheap 55gn FMJ at the range office and went along to shoot them not expecting anything, I also had in my holdall some soft point 50gn and 55gn Remington ammo. Having bore sighted the gun, elevation had to be brought down a lot of inches, to get some where near to my sight of aim. I was pleased to realize it was grouping very well. Last thing was to try the the soft point, same again! To my utter amazement! when I changed to a 50gn bullet my first thought was where did that go? through the same hole. Very pleased with it, and a wildcat suppressor now good to go. Tried to attach a picture from my phone but no joy.

BC