I'm a bit sad

[Hook'N'Bullet]

I managed to pick up some 165gn .308 ADI Sierra Game Kings. I was very excited to see how they'd shoot out of my Tikka.
Went out over the weekend for some ammunition testing (sh!ts and giggles really and very informal).

Sent two 3 shot groups of the Game Kings and to my dismay, they grouped about the size of an orange at 100 meters. Probably about 3 to 4 inch groups. I was devastated after hearing such good reports on the Ammo and the projectiles on game.

I subsequently went on to test another 3 brands.

Federal Prem Nosler BT 150 grn
Sako Super Hammerhead 150 grn
Hornady SST 150g

All of which grouped no bigger than an inch at 100 meters. SSTs were most accurate producing a ragged hole, closely followed by the Sakos.

As far as I know the standard Tikka barrel is 1:11 twist so maybe this is why it didn't like the slightly heavier load? I didn't think 15grns would make that much of a difference

 

[Acm]

I wouldn't worry about it, they are great bullets but no better than the others you've tried that shot better.

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

I wouldn't worry about it, they are great bullets but no better than the others you've tried that shot better.

Yeah I know. Just have a box of bullets now and nothing to shoot them at!

 

[Acm]

Yeah I know. Just have a box of bullets now and nothing to shoot them at!

That is always annoying. sounds like you'll be fine for deer with 150m though, or pass them on to a mate!

 

[Smellydog]

I have the perfect solution.
Send them to me for recycling.
They make good small game loads in my 30-30.
Loaded backwards ofcourse.

 

[User00033]

As far as I know the standard Tikka barrel is 1:11 twist so maybe this is why it didn't like the slightly heavier load? I didn't think 15grns would make that much of a difference

The twist won’t have anything to do with it. I’ve shot 165s, 175s, 178s and 180s out of my Tikka 1:11” no problems. The 165s I shoot now (and will do forever probably) shoot extremely well.

It’s just luck of the draw really. Some rifles are fussier than others. It’s interesting that its ADI. Is it the ammo in the blue box or is it the Outback branded stuff made by ADI? Asking because I’d have shot several hundred of the “blue” ADI branded 165gr GKs out of a Tikka .308, bought it in bulk 500 round ammo boxes. I finished one tin (still have it) and had to leave the remains of the second tin with my mate when we moved from Aus back to NZ. Never had a problem with it. Would periodically check zero, always grouped well.

So no help to you but I sympathise because it’s shite when a good deal on ammo doesn’t work out cos it won’t group. Been there with cheap ammo and expensive ammo too! As least you’ve found something the rifle does like.

Something that I will do if I’m not happy is complain to the manufacturer. If you’re that way inclined, sent ADI and email with the batch number and evidence - e.g. the ADI group and then the other groups. You never know what might happen…. There’s a lot of complaints around the world about Covid era ammo quality - I’ve been refunded on a bit batch of CCI I bought that was utter rubbish. Took some effort but was a very satisfying outcome!

 

[Muir]

I bought ADI 300 AAC loaded with 125 grain MKs. The load sucked.
Just because it's a good bullet doesn't mean they will shoot well. ~Muir

 

[enfieldspares]

Loaded backwards of course.

You're not expecting an attack of British tanks are you? The Germans quickly worked out that if they pulled the bullet of their issue Mauser rifles and inserted it back into the case loaded backwards that it would be more effective against the tank (or rather the crew as all anti-tank weapons are actually anti-crew weapons). The jacket would supposedly hold the core together and thus the tank armour could be penetrated or if not the armour would "spall" or if a seam between two plates was hit the lead would drive through as "splash" that could blind a crewman. Thus these goggles. So other that it wasn't an explosive projectile the Germans were early HESH pioneers!

face mask, anti-splinter, tank crew

face maskthick leather mask with slatted eye pieces and chain mail extending from the bottom to cover the mouth.

www.iwm.org.uk

Reversed bullet - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Smellydog]

You're not expecting an attack of British tanks are you? The Germans quickly worked out that if they pulled the bullet of their issue Mauser rifles and inserted it back into the case loaded backwards that it would be more effective against the tank (or rather the crew as all anti-tank weapons are actually anti-crew weapons). The jacket would supposedly hold the core together and thus the tank armour could be penetrated or if not the armour would "spall" or if a seam between two plates was hit the lead would drive through as "splash" that could blind a crewman. Thus these goggles. So other that it wasn't an explosive projectile the Germans were early HESH pioneers!

face mask, anti-splinter, tank crew

face maskthick leather mask with slatted eye pieces and chain mail extending from the bottom to cover the mouth.

www.iwm.org.uk

Reversed bullet - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

View attachment 289131

No sir, I'm not expecting tanks but I do like them to cycle in my small action that is col specific and they do seem more humane on small game at modest velocities.
Thanks though for your research

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

The twist won’t have anything to do with it. I’ve shot 165s, 175s, 178s and 180s out of my Tikka 1:11” no problems. The 165s I shoot now (and will do forever probably) shoot extremely well.

It’s just luck of the draw really. Some rifles are fussier than others. It’s interesting that its ADI. Is it the ammo in the blue box or is it the Outback branded stuff made by ADI? Asking because I’d have shot several hundred of the “blue” ADI branded 165gr GKs out of a Tikka .308, bought it in bulk 500 round ammo boxes. I finished one tin (still have it) and had to leave the remains of the second tin with my mate when we moved from Aus back to NZ. Never had a problem with it. Would periodically check zero, always grouped well.

So no help to you but I sympathise because it’s shite when a good deal on ammo doesn’t work out cos it won’t group. Been there with cheap ammo and expensive ammo too! As least you’ve found something the rifle does like.

Something that I will do if I’m not happy is complain to the manufacturer. If you’re that way inclined, sent ADI and email with the batch number and evidence - e.g. the ADI group and then the other groups. You never know what might happen…. There’s a lot of complaints around the world about Covid era ammo quality - I’ve been refunded on a bit batch of CCI I bought that was utter rubbish. Took some effort but was a very satisfying outcome!

Yeah You're probably right. I just remember reading that 1:11 twist is best suited for lighter weight which I would have though anything from 150 to 168 grn would fall into that category.

Yes its the blue box ADI stuff.

Interesting that you mention complaining. I never really thought about production quality dropping over COVID. (Let alone the Ukraine situation) For the sake of the one box I bought, I'm not that pushed on following up

 

[gixer1]

Would two 3 shot groups not be a bit premature?

Could be that you need to adjust the load (charge, seating depth) and it might bring it in a bit….

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

Would two 3 shot groups not be a bit premature?

Could be that you need to adjust the load (charge, seating depth) and it might bring it in a bit….

Factory ammo from ADI in my OP ^

 

[gixer1]

Factory ammo from ADI in my OP ^

Ah, ok….you could pull them and reload? (Although maybe more hassle than you want?)

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

Ah, ok….you could pull them and reload? (Although maybe more hassle than you want?)

I'd love to reload but we cant at home here in Ireland unfortunately.

 

[Bowland blades]

The std your getting against others in similar weight ranges means more than a tweek being required . Funny they are from Australia because that is where all that really poor Winchester RF ammo was built ! Perhaps its the factory being very lax on QC or a bad powder lot say ??

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

The std your getting against others in similar weight ranges means more than a tweek being required . Funny they are from Australia because that is where all that really poor Winchester RF ammo was built ! Perhaps its the factory being very lax on QC or a bad powder lot say ??

I agree, the winchester stuff is terrible. Or at least it is in my .22rf

 

[gixer1]

I'd love to reload but we cant at home here in Ireland unfortunately.

Wow! Did not realise that….I have spent a lot of time in Ireland over the years (army brat with father who was in the forces and mother from Derry) but in all my time there I didn’t realise you can’t reload!

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

Wow! Did not realise that….I have spent a lot of time in Ireland over the years (army brat with father who was in the forces and mother from Derry) but in all my time there I didn’t realise you can’t reload!

Well we sort of can. I only know of one range that permits it. But you have to do it on sight. Can't roll your own at home.

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

Wow! Did not realise that….I have spent a lot of time in Ireland over the years (army brat with father who was in the forces and mother from Derry) but in all my time there I didn’t realise you can’t reload!

Back in the 90s you could bootleg it...illegally mind you. Imports to RFDs were not checked. If you knew a gunshop, they'd order the supplies (powders, projectiles, cases and equipment) in for you and off you went. I never did, was before I got into shooting.

 

[25 Sharps]

Yeah I know. Just have a box of bullets now and nothing to shoot them at!

Some oranges? Or maybe grapefruits as they are slightly bigger!