[Neumonic]

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

Hi John – I compete with my T3X, in ISSF 300M competition, using metallic aperture sights. I handload my own ammunition, for the .308, and using a very “cookbook load” (read: common) via the AMU, has yielded great results:

a Sierra 168 HPBT #2200 bullet, seated to 2.775″, COAL
a Federal Case, trimmed to 2.005″, neck-turned .002″, flash holes deburred.
40.0 gr. of IMR-4895
a Federal 210M large rifle primer.

From the 24″ Sporter barrel, this is driving the bullet almost right at 2500 FPS, dead even.

This load shot well enough that I was able to take the bronze medal, at the World Police & Fire Games, @ Camp Pendleton this year. The guy who took the gold, was the guy with whom I was sharing my rifle. You don't need to crimp the rounds (unless you like to), and the Tikka action feeds them well.

Federal brass is somewhat soft – so it stretches quite a bit. The neck turning and deburring ended up being key items – I shot the golf tee spotter three times in the 60 shot series.

I'm surprised that you didn't have great results with the Nosler ammunition – they are a reputable company, and their components are highly sought out by competitors.

If you're not a reloader, perhaps try some Black Hills brand, with the 168 gr. HPBT. The recoil is a slight increase from the 150's you've been using, but they are great in the wind, out to 700 yards.

Good luck!

Thank you for your post!

I have been back to the range since my last post, I ended up shooting some nice groups with the Federal Premium Nosler Tips. So good that I opted to put those in my clip over the Hornady Customs. For whatever reason, the only ammo the gun doesn't seem to like is the American Whitetail?

I will p/up some of the Black Hills 168grain as I really enjoy shooting this rifle now that the scope issues seem to be behind me.

Maybe some day I will reload, just not ready to tackle yet.

[Neumonic]

Just got back from range yesterday, I was able to shoot good groups with 4 out of 5 of the different bullets that I have, all measured at 100 yards. At this point, I am very happy with the gun and the bolt is the smoothest of any bolt gun I have ever shot.

Happy plinking or Happy hunting, everyone!

[Neumonic]

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!

[Neumonic]

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.

[Neumonic]

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!

[Neumonic]

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. 

[Neumonic]

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.