Dog Down
MemberForum Replies Created
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105 Bullseyes
Not surprising that there is a difference in accuracy, and it can be extreme….different bullet, brass, primers and powder…
Great that the rifle likes the Core Lokts and shoots them accurately even at 200 though.
If it doesn't like the Interlocks at 100yrds it will just get worse from there…don't even waste anymore time on it. Something you can't control.My rifles are reverse from your situation…Both of my T3 308's (battue & CTR) shoot Hornady Whitetail 150gr. Interlocks pretty well out to 200…right around moa or slightly greater, its what I use as a backup to my reloads if I'm pushing bush with close shots (100yrds or less) and don't want to waste a good Accubond. But I can barely keep 3 on a 6″ target at 200 yards with Remington 150gr Corelokt's…they spray like buckshot patterns. Never know what the group will look like, very rare to get a decent group.
Barnes TTSX shoots really well in mine as well but expensive, so I do not buy anymore.
Try the New Winchester Deer XP if you want to try another factory round, surprising accuracy in my 308 and 300wsm. Reasonably priced ammo for the performance….but I'd only shoot broad side with this ammo, does not do well on any quartering away shot if you hit bone…shot placement was a concern when I shot this ammo, due to meat damage. But that being said, a good placed shot dumped deer like its designed to do…
Over the last few years I've tested pretty much everything factory ammo had to offer and wasn't happy with either the performance or cost so I took up reloading and have never looked back.
My bullets of choice for target shooting – Amax, Bergers or Lapua…varies on rifle / caliber
Hunting bullet – there is only one for me…the Nosler Accubond. I use it in all my rifles, it provides pretty much match accuracy if you reload well and it has not let me done on any hunt. I know what to expect when I pull the trigger every time.If you are stuck on Hornady bullets and going to reload, I'd lean toward the new 178gr ELDx…I've just started testing it myself and it should do everything you need it to do at short and long range over 45grs +/- of Varget in a T3 308 rifle… One bullet, one load to give you confidence for all shots at varying ranges, thats how I approach making a hunting round with the price and time that it takes to reload with premium products.
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105 Bullseyes
Check out the target picture using 55gr Noslers…perfect shooting conditions at the range that day.
200 yrd load testing. Notice that my T3 Lite almost shot 2 “identical” 5 shot groups at 200 yrds with a proper cool down.Cold bore shots are the furthest ones to the left on both groups. The remaining 4 rounds in each group are almost carbon copies…its amazing when you get a load that performs like that.
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105 Bullseyes
It works… I've shot everything down to a 40gr with decent / good accuracy, those things were screaming though! Hornady factory rounds and if my memory is correct they were moving at 3600fps out of the Lite barrel and 3675-3700fps out of the Varmint barrel…did not reach the 3800fps stated by Hornady in either gun, forsure it was because of the twist rate.
Currently I shoot the 55 & 60gr Nosler BT Spitzers and they are supper accurate for a varmint and target shooting. Shoots the factory Hornady 55gr Varmint Express V-max very well if you have the opportunity to buy them.
The 60gr Nosler is super accurate with 25.5grs of Varget in both my Lite and Varmint 223 T3's…just a little better BC and drop than the 55's…One of our favourite things to do at the hunting camp is shooting clay skeet targets at 400-500yrds, I love beating the 7mm & 30cal guys with my little 223 pee shooter…!
Makes for some good talk and laughs over beers after. Its also a super coyote load, these little pills absolutely hammer them!Worth a look if you are reloading, even IMR 4166 is the same charge +/- a bit will get you there as well.
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105 Bullseyes
I think you will be happy with it…most of the top match shooters in the world are using them.
Not the greatest marketing,…the average gun person does not even know the name… -
105 Bullseyes
“Bix'n Andy trigger” if don't have a budget…best trigger money can buy.
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105 Bullseyes
lol…not disagreeing with ya, this was only with the steel media…I still need more media, especially with the size / capacity of the bucket drum. May ditch buying any ceramic and just buy another 5lb bag of steel pins like you suggested after seeing these results. I think the size of the drum and the rpm is the perfect balance to move the cases around without being too aggressive.
Only showing whats possible with the current setup. Even with only 5lbs of steel media the system can still clean brass really well so wet tumbling is the way to go. Way cleaner than my sonic can do on its best day.
The Sonic cleaner will be reserved for die cleaning only from now on… -
105 Bullseyes
No complaints after 1hr turning…this stuff is purdy!
After 1hr..pockets look great, still a little residue in some but overall very good, and the cases are just as clean on the inside. I think 2 hrs will be perfect.The oversize drum (5 gallon bucket) really cycles the cases around the media well so I'm thrilled with the results. Works better than I had hoped.
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105 Bullseyes
Thanks Eric…totally agree with using more media…
I'm going to add some ceramic balls to the stainless steel media and see how that works as a combo.
Supposed to be really good combo from research and videos i've seen.First major test will be this weekend…it a bullet proof design.
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105 Bullseyes
Results from the first test…with 5lbs of stainless steel media…Run for 1 hr, then dumped the dirty water and run again for 1hr. Did a very good job handling this many cases, will however need to add more media if batches get bigger to ensure even cleaning especially the primer pockets. With another 5 – 10lbs of media I could easily clean 3000-3500 223rds with no issues, given the volume the first test took up in the drum.
Total Brass for first test:
400 – 223
175 – 308
225 – 30/06
200 – 300wsm -
105 Bullseyes
The 168gr Amax shoots great but I'm now starting to play with the 178gr Amax…its a better choice out past 500yrds for target shooting. If it groups and shoots equally as well as the 168's I'll be switching once my inventory runs out.
The 155gr Lapua scenar is supposed to be an absolute gem of a bullet out a 308 as well so put that on your radar if you are doing more target shooting then hunting.
You can always try IMR 4166 if its easier to get in your area, would be the closest equivalent and its just as temperature stable.
Keep us posted, not many guys discussing reloading these days.
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105 Bullseyes
Glad you got everything working right and the new stock should be awesome.
Post some pics of the combo and let us know how the range results look. -
105 Bullseyes
VARGET if you can get it…Larkin gives good advice, reload with a powder you can readily get.
CFE223 is good but not temp stable at all from my reload testing, if using CFE you will have to adjust loads to keep things shooting tight in various conditions which is a pain in the ass.MY GO TO – CTR 308 Load:
168gr Amax
45grs Varget
Coal – 2.82″ (may have to adjust for your rifle)…approximate .030 off the lands.
1/4-1/2″ MOA consistently, bug holes at 100, clovers at 200…
Target example:
https://tikkashooters.com/public_html/general-discussion/ctr-308-reload/msg7368/#msg7368 -
105 Bullseyes
Here's a side by comparison between the Varmint and CTR barrels….
The Varmint profile has a lot more material / thickness than the CTR but both shoot equally well…If you are looking to buy a rifle with the intention to using the action / barrel to build a rifle, I can't see how you can go wrong with the factory Varmint barrel.
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105 Bullseyes
I'll measure mine tonight and take a picture with the 2 barrels side by side for you.
I'm doing pretty much exactly what you might want to do… Building a long range system around a T3 varmint action & barrel, in my case its a 300wsm …changing all plastic to metal, then do the the stock.Have everything put together except a stock to complete the build so far, the guns shoots extremely well with handholds.
https://tikkashooters.com/public_html/general-discussion/my-new-long-range-hunting-rifle-done-right!/ -
105 Bullseyes
I'd go with the varmint if don't mind doing some work in the gun later.
I have 2 stainless Varmints, 223 & 300wsm and both are 1/4 Moa guns.