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Thinking of upgrading the barrel on my T3
I have a 308 T3 hunter and am thinking of going to a heavier barrel and a 1:10 twist rate to improve accuracy at longer distances and was just wondering what you guys thought or if I'm looking in the right direction. The gun seems to only like 150gr with a 42 grain load any higher grain bullets and I'm all over the map at 200yards. Any advice would be greatly appreciated
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3 Replies
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Thanks for the help fellas
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I don't own that caliber or model so these are shots in the dark.
Are you sure it's the rifle and not the shooter? I have had that problem in the past. How large are your groups at 200 yards? If you're hunting, 3″ is all you need to kill the game you'd be shooting at that distance. If you're competing, different story.
I hand load for a Tikka in .223 and another one in .243. My groups run around 1 to 1-1/4 inch. The .223 doesn't like Aguila's .223 made with once-fired cases and there was one other type that it shot badly. How many different rounds have you tried in that rifle? How are the groups at 100 yards?
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Hi Craig
I would hesitate to switch barrels because there are so many other possible causes for variable accuracy. Also if the rifle shoots 150 grain well I doubt its the barrel. The Tikka .308 is a 1 in 11 twist which can handle loads a lot heavier than 155 grain, so something is not right. I shoot 165 grains with my t3 lite and get moa groups which is all I ever hope for or need in a hunting rifle. Mine would NOT shoot certain powders though. It would give me poor groups using Hodgdon Bl-c2, but fine groups with IMR 4320. So here are some things to consider instead of changing instead of the barrel 1. the type of powder and the amount of powder – there's a lot to play with here 2. Your case shoulders might be shy – have you checked them with a case length gauge? – believe me this can make a difference 3. Have you considered what your jump rate is? If your bullets are sitting too far from the rifling things will never be very accurate. I always make a dummy round and set the bullet long without a crimp and put it into the actual chamber of the rifle I'm loading for to find out just how far I have to set the bullet to just get to the rifling – There are plenty of articles on how to do this. . Some precision shooters have their bullet actually engage the rifling and have zero jump. For a hunter not a good idea, but you want that bullet close even touching is ok. These are just some of the variables to consider before even thinking of re-barreling. Again if it shoots 155 well I doubt its the barrel. If it were it would not shoot anything well. I hope this helps
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