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Bullet tips get deformed in Tikka T3 magazine
My T3 in 300 WSM is deforming the tips of the bullets in the magazine (Hornady SST and Nosler Accubond). I called Beretta customer service and he said they get that complaint a lot and there is nothing they can do about it. Apparently Tikka does not know how to design a magazine that can hold the bullets tight enough so they don't slam forward and deform. The Beretta customer service guys solution was for me to try a lead tip bullet, seriously, as if that would deform less on impact than a polymer. Not to mention that shooters should not have to limit themselves to pre-1990s bullet technology in order to have an accurate follow up shot with a Tikka. I am shocked that Tikka and Beretta expect customers to shoot bullets with deformed tips. In todays world of long distance accuracy shooting this is completely unacceptable. I have not tried calling Finland to see what they say, but most likely will just sell the gun, if I wanted a single shot I would have bought a Ruger No. 1. If anyone knows about an aftermarket magazine that functions properly or if you have had success working directly with Tikka please let me know. Thanks
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10 Replies
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I load my 300 wsm accubond to mag length. thats one way to deal with it i suppose.
Never had that problem with factory ammo though.
good luck -
Here is an update: I sent the magazine in to Beretta and explained what was happened and asked for a new magazine, just in case the original was defective. I also had been shooting out of a lead sled, which I thought could possibly be more jarring to the gun and magazine than if shooting offhand. Last weekend I tried the new magazine and shooting offhand and the bullet tips still deformed. I've talked to a lot of people in the last month at Winchester, Hornady, Nosler, as well as local stores and friends and apparently deformed lead tips in the magazine of magnums is fairly common, but not polymer.
So my next move will be to try 165 g bullets and see if the lighter load reduces the problem and increases accuracy. I put nearly 100 rounds through this gun with 3 different 180 gr bullets, 3 powder types, 3 primer brands and did not find a load that would shoot under an inch. As of now I am very disappointed in this Tikka.
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What brass / Projectile / powder combination did you try?
One issue that I have found shooting a T3 300wsm myself is max velocity loads is not the answer for accuracy if range shooting and looking for groups, banging steel and hunting is a different thing.
The sweet spot for a 180gr projectile is somewhere in the 2800-2900fps from all my experience with T3 rifles in 300wsm.Here's one of my favourite combinations for my target / long range hunting gun:
Winchester brass / Nosler brass
CC1 250 Mag primer
180gr Accubond
65.5-66.5grs H4831sc
.030-.040 off the lands (pretty close to mag length)
Velocity is 2800-2850fps depending on gun and final charge weight / brass used.This load produces average or consistent 1/2 moa groups at 100yrds and is a solid performer at long range.
Its does not have the velocity that a lot of guys are chasing with hot loads but it is extremely accurate with moderate recoil. H4831sc powder is easy to dial in and you are not crushing powder leaving die marks on the projectiles trying to jam them in a case with this powder charge weight (common problem with my hornady dies and compressed loads).Let us know how you make out. I've got alot of experience shooting Tikka 300wsm's so if you have any questions give me a shout.
***if you don't have a muzzle break for range shooting, get one…you may think you aren't recoil sensitive but you will be surprised how much better your groups will be if you are completely relaxed and not tensed up holding the gun***
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You could try mountain tacticals new billeted mags
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Larkin- that billeted magazine looks very promising and I will definitely order one ASAP.
Dog down- I was working up loads with RL17 and IMR 4350 with Fed and CCI mag primers and Winchester Brass. Starting a couple grains below max and working up. I recently found some Fed 215m primers so will start using those exclusively until I find the right powder and bullet combo for this gun. I bought a box of 165 gr Nosler ballistic tips to see if the shorter and lighter bullets might be the trick for this gun. If it doesn't work with the powder I have, then maybe I will try the H4831 that you recommend.
I'll let you know how it turns out, but it might be a month or more due to busy schedule. thanks guys.
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I have had this same issue with my t3 7 mm rem mag the spring pressure is very weak on these single stack mags letting the cartridges slam forward under recoil
I made a youtube video showing the deformation called hornady eld-x warning precision hunter tikka t3.
What i am currently doing for hunting is i have one eld-x bullet in the chamber and keep fusion in the mag the fusion does not deform -
Have you done any testing with reloaded 26? I’m not even sure it is applicable in this caliber..
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I finally got one of the Mtn Tactical billeted magazines, very nice product compared to the crappy plastic mag that Tikka builds. However, the bullet tips in the magazine still get banged up and deformed due to recoil. It is less noticeable on the Fusion bullets, because they are shorter and flatter to start with, but they are getting some additional flattening.
Regarding accuracy, I finally found a load that will consistently shoot under an inch (62 gr of RL16 and 180 Nosler accubond), its about 2920 on the chronograph. I went through a lot of bullets and powder to find an accurate load.
Overall, I'm not impressed with Tikka, I haven't decided if I'll keep it or sell it, but definitely would not buy another one.
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I found that Berger 185 gr classic hunters, loaded to mag length do not deform in the Mtn tactical mag. So my hunting solution is to have Berger reloads in the mag. The Berger’s and nosler accubond shoot the same out to 500 yds and the Gun is now consistently around 1 MOA, so I guess I’ll be keeping it.
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Damaged Bullet tips are not generally the fault of the magazine in the sense that other magazines would prevent damage. If for example a magazine was designed to prevent forward movement, it would be so tight it would not feed properly in a Tikka action. I have never had this problem in my Tikka’s and would like to hear more about your symptoms
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