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New T3X .308 Accuracy Help
Hi All,
Purchased a new T3X a couple months back and mounted a Vortex Crossfire ll 4-12 X 40 with Burris rings
Have tried 3 different ammo types so far and can't seem to get acceptable groups.
Hornady American Whitetail 150 grain
Hornady Custom 150 grain SST
Federal Premium 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip
So far I have fired the gun 21 times, only once did it display the gun I thought I was purchasing otherwise I am wondering if I need to try moving up to 165 grain ammo, keep trying different ammo or try a different scope?
Any help is appreciated.
Thank you,
John -
19 Replies
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What's “acceptable”? 1 inch at 100, .5 inch at 100, …?
I had trouble for a long time wit a .30-06 (not a Tikka). Installed a recoil pad to deal with flinching, installed a new trigger because the old one was very stiff, and everything else was the shooter, including a very dirty barrel and poor concentration.
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Is the scope on tight
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What's “acceptable”? 1 inch at 100, .5 inch at 100, …?
I had trouble for a long time wit a .30-06 (not a Tikka). Installed a recoil pad to deal with flinching, installed a new trigger because the old one was very stiff, and everything else was the shooter, including a very dirty barrel and poor concentration.
I currently can't shoot better than a 3″ group out of this Tikka. I am getting 1.5″ groups out of my Traditions muzzleloader with blackhorn 209 and Barnes 250 grain T-EZ's at 100 yards.
I've cleaned the barrel after every 3 shots with Butch's…
My .375 Winchester kicks, this .308 has such a light kick comparably I could shoot it all day.
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Is the scope on tight
When I purchased the gun, I watched the guy install the base, rings and mount the scope using a gun specific torque wrench. He even loosened everything and re torqued, he is a competition shooter himself and I trust he did a good job setting it up.
I will go over everything to ensure, certainly don't want to overlook something so simple.
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Try backing off the cleaning , your barrel might like a bit of copper inthere to shoot , also just check to see if the barrel is floating all the way to the front of the action
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Try some of the Federal Gold Metal Match ammo in 168 and 175 grain. One of those might work well.
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Thank you Larkin and ShtrRdy, I will check to make sure the barrel is floating and take more shots before cleaning plus pickup a box of the Federal Gold Match in the higher grains.
Will update after I get back out to the range!
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Also did you check that the rail was tight before you put the scope/ mounts on
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I second the motion to try heavier ammo, say 168gr with standard overall length.
My T3 non-X 308 likes Berger bullets (hunter or hybrid) at 168 gr.
My 7mmMag T3X likewise likes heavier grain bullets. Might be an intrinsic preference of the rifles from Finland. -
I will check over rail, rings and all to ensure everything is tight. Already tried to grab some heavier ammo, Wal-Mart only had Winchester 180 so I passed on that and will either have to order online or pay a little more at one of the local gun shops.
Hope to shoot again this coming Sunday after I get back from traveling most of the week for work.
Sat in the woods this past weekend with my bow, no more target shooting at the farm until after rifle season ends November 21st.
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+1 for heavier bullets. Mine loves 155 gr Lapua Scenar and upwards from there on.
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I've got a new Tikka T3x Forest in .270 and have the same problem. Terrible groups and excessive recoil. I used a bunch of different ammo and a quality scope – no change. My barrel also overheats like crazy.
These guns are light.
I'm beginning to think Tikka means “Show Gun” in Finland.
They are only for show and not for shooting. SAD!
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Good morning all, wanted to report back now that I have had a chance to correct my problems. After talking with my local gun dealer and Vortex directly, my LGD agreed to replace my scope with another new, right out of the box scope so I wouldn't have send mine to manufacture and wait.
I simply told LGD, it would be different if I had the scope for some time and then a problem occurred but that fact is the scope was faulty from the start and I wanted it replaced. They did not give me any problems and after inspecting the condition and torque specs of the rings, base etc. simply pulled another from their inventory and proceeded to mount a new one and bore sight it. I was in and out in less than 30 minutes.I am pleased to report at the range yesterday, I first shot 3 clips of Federal Premium 150 grain Nosler ballistic tip with decent and consistent results, then shot 2 clips of Hornady Custom 150 grain and was able to shoot all 6 shots in a 1″ group.
Looks like I am good to go, will report back if Vortex scope number two holds up!
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Glad you able to find the problem. Sometimes we get a bad scope. I've always had great accuracy
with my Tikka's they all shoot sub MOA. You might try some 168gr ammo they shoot really good in mine.Enjoy your new rifle.
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Thanks for the update. Glad to hear you LGD was so willing to help you try something different and to figure out the problem.
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