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T3 Varmint
Hi I'm new to the forum but not to shooting. I've always told anyone who would listen I have never had a Tikka that wouldn't shoot right out of the box, well this week that all changed. I purchased a T3 Varmint in .223 1-8 twist unfired. I have tried 6 different bullets from 40 to 68gr BTHP MATCH and 3 different powders I lightened the trigger a bit, I relieved the barrel around the shank area. Yesterday I took it to a gunsmith he used a bore scope on it and said it looked fine including the crown. I tried rests on different locations under the forearm, I also experimented with bullet seating depths all with no luck, my groups are all in the 1.5 to 2 inch and follow no particular trend, last evening I mounted a new scope which I'm sure will not cure the problem. At this time I would generally glass the action but with the recoil lug arrangement of the Tikka I'm not sure what to do? I thought about glassing the recoil lug only then the next day glassing the tang and area around where the recoil lug fits into the barrel? Has anyone used the new steel lugs that are offered? thanks BOB
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8 Replies
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T3 Varmint
updated 9 years, 4 months ago
4Members
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8
Replies
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Bob,
We need to get to the bottom of this. This may sound strange, but anytime I've encountered this, look to see that when you put the rifle back together, you had the lug seat INTO the slot, not accidently on top of it.
You can still put the rifle together, but it'll be squeehawed.
Then try 25.0-26.0 gr Varget w/50-55gr V-Max seated .010″ off the lands.
35 inch pounds torque on the action screws.
Take the bolt apart and clean it, put back together dry.
Do NOT let the front sling stud contact your rest.
That's a start.
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The recoil lug is definitely in the slot, I have some 53 gr VMAX on the way (bullets are hard to find) I cleaned the bolt but did not take it apart. I have shot off of a bi-pod and sand bags which were placed behind the sling stud. I also picked up some 55 gr FB Berger HP MATCH bullets that will be the next thing I try?
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I have the steel lug. it did not make miracles for me. I opened the stock and bedded it to the stock.
I can not say the gun shoots any better with it ; all I know is it has to be more solid.
my tikka strangely shoots Bergers the best. it's not your caliber though.one guy told me he couldn't get the 40gr to shoot in his .223. same problem for me in my interarms mark x 22-250… I could not get the 40v-max to shoot good … I got my best results with Berger 52 ft varmint for this 22-250
could it be you may be loading to hot? My tikka doesn't like to hot….
good luck
stef -
Nope not hot.
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Windy day I took the T3 to the range I used charges of 25 and 25.5 grs of Varget, 55 gr Berger Match and 53gr. VMAX BULLETS seated at .010 off the lands. One good group with the 53 gr VMAX. I will try again when the conditions are better also I will pick up the 69 gr MKS to try.
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you might need a wider spread…I would load starting at the minimum all the way to the top ( watch pressure signs), in 0.5gr increment, 5 of each no less. shoot one round every 3 minutes ( more or less, adjust to the ambient temp ) Clean every 10 shoots, then 1 scrap ammo for fooling. you should see some interesting things. ..then fine tune…
I do it this way because we only have a 100 y range . they are other ways if you have more range.
I am not an expert in any way, but some good guys told me to do so.have you tried with commercial ammo match grade ?
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This may come off like newbie voodoo, but I have at least one rifle that I cannot make boat tail bullets group worth a s**t, but it will shoot flat bottom bullets lights out. Might be worth a try anyway.
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I have never purchased match grade ammo, I have tried FB bullets, this morning I had some luck with the 53 gr VMAX & 26grs of Varget set a little closer to the lands, also I used a test group with 69 MKS and 22.5grs of AA 2230 .690″ not bad I wish I had some AA 2015 I remember this working well in small calibers before?
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