[Asgen Karlson]

I've got to agree with Eric on this. Twist rate is the major thing you should probably change. A twist of 1:8″ will handle anything well, especially if you're trying to stretch the range out. You'll need the faster twist to stabilize heavier rounds that have better ballistics for downrange performance.

I've recently put together a T3 similarly that now has a 32″ Bartlein on it in 1:8.5″ twist. It was built to handle the 7mm 180gr Berger Hybrid Target bullet, and it handles very well ending up with velocities of 3050fps from a .280 Ackley Improved.

From what I've experienced barrel length typically adds on average of 33 fps per inch.

[Asgen Karlson]

Alright Dog Down!, you wanted velocities. My brass fireforming load is 52gr of H4350 under a Hornady 139gr Interlock BT, which spits at a pretty consistent 2870 fps. This is basically a standard .280 Remington load to blow the shoulders out on the case.

For my actual finish loads I'm using Berger 180gr Hybrid Target bullets. I've tested a few powders so far with the same OAL of 3.340″ since that's as far out as I can seat until Jason puts the LA bottom metals out. I'm hoping to at least be able to seat closer to the lands which is ~3.485. Since I need to take the rifle back in to have the new metal installed, I'm asking my smith to cut the throat a little deeper too. We'll see what he thinks when I get parts.

So far, IMR 7977 just isn't dense enough to give me the speed I want before filling the case, so it caps out at 2800 and 2798 with 59.3 grains.

Accurate MagPro seems to have the tightest consistency, maxing out anywhere from 3002 with 61.2gr, to 2987 at 61.8gr. We were having light issues with the Chrono at this point, so I will need to retest a bit for a more accurate data set with this powder.

Reloder 26 seems to show the most promise, but again will need more testing (I recently acquired a Magnetospeed and am anxious to play with it, but it's cold outside). It managed a respectable 3034 and 3050 fps with a load of 60.4 grains.

I plan on working up more loads with different powders when there's more light available after work. Whomever suggested returning to Standard Time in the fall and winter needs to re-evaluate some life choices.

[Asgen Karlson]

Directly from the website order page for Gen2 rails:

“These rails are full, MIL-STD 1913 spec rails machined to an amazing +/- .002” tolerance.  Machined from one piece of 6061 aluminum and MIL-STD Type 3 anodizing, these rails will give you a lifetime of service.  Type 3 anodizing creates a hardened coating with a Rockwell Hardness value between 60 and 70.

Unlike standard Weaver style rail mounts with limited contact with the scope rings, our full picatinny rails make contact with the scope rings over the entire width of the mount.  This eliminates potential damage that can occur under heavy recoil.”

If there's any more question, I think someone can scare Jason up for a consult.

[Asgen Karlson]

As for the screws, get quality parts. I've got 3 pairs of the hardened action screws from the store here for insurance, since the second time I torqued down the factory screws to 35, they stripped the head. Haven't had a problem AT ALL, with the new ones, and have two spare sets.

My smith was cursing me for having a Tikka when he needed to remove the barrel. I think he eventually ended up soaking the entire action in penetrating oil for two days, it still didn't want to move. As he was reaching for longer bar for more torque, it finally broke lose and he was able to get it off. The first couple threads actually have thread locker on them, and it's screwed in stupid tight. All this however provided for a very secure fit for the new barrel going on, so it has tighter tolerances now than he usually gets with factory actions like Remington.

He now prefers a Tikka since he's worked on mine and discovered how true it was. He doesn't see that as often these days with the poor quality control in many mass produced rifle brands.

[Asgen Karlson]

How long is the barrel? It's also only 43 fps and not much sample size provided. How many at each charge weight did you chrono?

You're on the right track with the burn rate making a difference though, if the bullet's already exited the barrel while the powder is still burning because there was more of it to burn, then you'd lose speed. A lighter charge in the same space means there's more room for the existing powder to burn.

Of course, I'm not a ballistician, and don't know the sorcery involved.

[Asgen Karlson]

Damn it. This is why you shouldn't let the guys at Bartlein convince you that 1:9 twist will be fine. I KNEW i should have gone with 1:8, good thing i went with 1:8.5 inch twist in the end. It's better than 1:9 anyway. Thanks for the info on the 195's.  And they're hunters too!

Looking at the specs, they're only 0.022 longer than the 180's, with a bearing surface 0.096 longer as well. Should shoot fine from my rifle. Now I just have to find a box to play with.

[Asgen Karlson]

I too am anxiously awaiting new bottom metal. It's the final component of my rifle.

I've resorted to working up a load that fit in my magazine, as deer season is 3 weeks out. It's not really ideal, especially with those huge, long, 7mm 180gr Bergers, but it's what I've got to work with.

We did get em through the chrono at 3050 fps, but after that, pressure signs. Hoping the longer COAL with the bottom metal will let me crank up a bit faster with lower pressure and better case capacity.

[Asgen Karlson]

https://tikkaperformance.com/tikka-parts/tikka-t3/tikka-steel-lug

Solved. Mine fits perfectly, and very snug.

[Asgen Karlson]

To be honest Dog Down, so am I. The tripod was having a hiccup and so we weren't able to set the chrony up at the range last time. Apparently it's missing a screw and the diffusers don't work so well when they're pointed at the dirt.

It'll be interesting to see what velocities I'm getting with the fireform rounds as opposed to the eventual full power Ackley loads after workup and group testing. I CAN tell you that the last loads we worked up for my dad's Tikka 695 in 6.5-06 with Berger 140 VLDs were tested to 3084, but pressure signs forced us to back down to 2950 area. He's running a 31″ Douglas. Hunting load worked up, and what I used to harvest my buck last season, was 2900 from a 185gr Berger Juggernaut Tactical from a .30-06 with a 29″ sporter contour. (We did manage 2998 with an extra grain, but the recoil wasn't worth it, so we stuck to 2900 as acceptable)

We like long barrels. Except when we have to get creative to fit them in the safe  :-

[Asgen Karlson]

Thanks Al! Originally I ordered a 31″ and Bartlein ships an extra inch on the blanks for threading and crowning, however my smith has been so impressed with the quality of the Bartlein product, that he barely had to take any length off for either. He explained that somehow he managed to magically grow the barrel to 32″ when he measured it. I didn't care either way, so hey, extra inch.

Also, Southeastern Washington has basically no trees. It's mostly canyon hunting, so I wanted a bean field rifle.

I've used the Berger's on game myself, and the only difference with the Hunting vs the Target line is jacket thickness. The hunting jackets are the old Berger target stuff, and they had to increase the jacket thickness because some of the target guys with fast twists and sharp riflings were spinning the jackets off. The Hybrids also have less bearing surface so it's easier on pressures. There's an article they posted of an elk kill with, iirc, 210 Hybrid Target bullets in 30 cal. One shot kill. I love Bergers.

[Asgen Karlson]

If I remember correctly, all of the Tikka's have the same bolt length, so anything in the .30-06 bolt face 'should' work as far as I know. Since the case head is the same with all of the bolts in that group, headspacing shouldn't be an issue. I'm currently using the same bolt from my .270 Tikka T3 for my .280 Ackley Improved build and it works fine, despite the headspacing between the two rounds being completely different.

Price on the other hand, may be the deciding factor. I'd ask Jason if the store here has any spares in that boltface.

[Asgen Karlson]

Rebarrel the .308 to 260 Rem. Problem solved 🙂

Accubonds look nice, and the BC numbers are unbelievable. Literally. I don't believe them.

[Asgen Karlson]

It's been a couple of months now and I was wondering if everything is still on track to meet the dates put forth in Jason's first post.

I'm anxiously awaiting those 3.6″ COAL bottom metals. Hoping they really will be available in June.

[Asgen Karlson]

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle

Hodgdon has data for the 130 Barnes TSX, it's not tipped, but the tip probably won't matter to the bearing surface and therefore the chamber pressure.

[Asgen Karlson]

Any light coating of gun oil should keep it from rusting until you're able to get a more permanent solution to the problem.