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First time out with my Tikka Varmint in .223
Finally got out to shoot my Tikka Varmint in .223 that I bought as part of the group buy here last February. Love the rifle coupled with a Leupold VX-3 6.5-20 w/varmint reticle.
Bought three different types of ammo. Winchester VarmintX 55gr, Hornady 55gr FMJ/BT, and Federal 69gr Matchking BTHP.
First up, 100yds.
I used up the WinchesterX at 25 yds getting the scope adjusted. With the target out at 100yds, switched to the Hornady ammo. Needless to say, this rifle does NOT appear to like the Hornady ammo at all. All the rounds up and to the right in the picture are the Hornady. My buddy started making cracks about the barrel being shot out already…I didn’t see the humor in it at the time. The nice group in the middle is after switching to the Federal Matchking. I didn't change my aim point at all between brands.
Next up, 300yds. Re-used the target after shooting a group with a 45/70 at 25yds. To make it easier to see, I purposefully aimed off to the right of the rings so I could see them at range better. There was a decent cross-wind, nothing too crazy, but I can’t say how much that affected the shots.
I can see a gun liking a certain brand or type of ammo, but I was surprised at how badly the Hornady shot in the gun. Unfortunately I had shot all the WinchesterX at 25yds so I couldn’t use it at 100yds to see if the change in accuracy was 55gr vs. 69gr.
The gun was advertised as having a 1:10 barrel, but when I check it using a cleaning rod/jag/patch and carefully count one revolution, it comes out at exactly 1:8. I'm curious how much that actually affects the accuracy. Could that have made the difference between the Hornady 55gr and Federal 69gr?
Can’t wait to put more ammo through this gun! Love the Leupold VX-3 scope. The varmint reticle in it worked out perfect for 100/200/300yds by just dropping down one or two cross-lines in the reticle depending on range.
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