I have the MOA ….. I was shooting out to 500 yrds today and I found myself using 24 to 28 power.

I have settled on the Sightron 8-32×56 and Seekins rings…. Ordered Today

At 23.8 I started getting a little sticky bolt lift that is why I backed it off to 23.6 and all is fine there. Groups are .500 or better when I am doing my job behind the bolt.

Dog,

I ran 2 loads of .223 68gr BTHP, 23.6gr & 23.8gr Benchmark Powder 7 shots each to find the SD.

    23.6gr avg FPS 2852 SD 10.12
    23.8gr avg FPS 2843 SD 18.17

You were correct the lower SD grouped better, I was amazed how .2gr made a difference.

Hey Dog,

What model of Vortex do you have?

Or a Vortex 6-24 x50.

https://www.primaryarms.com/Vortex_Viper_PST_6_24x50_FFP_EBR_2C_MOA_Reti_p/pst-43127.htm

I am also working on a .223 68gr BTHP Hornady 

PMC Brass 1.750 Case
Benchmark  23.8gr ( a little heavy bolt @ 24.1 real heavy bolt @ 24.5 )
Fed primer
Coal  2.235
FPS 2780

I ran 2 strings shot on different days

Day 1 SD of  25.70
Day 2 SD of  11.93
Combined days 23.47

Combined average FPS 2721

What would you consider a good SD to work for?

I don't mean to sound dumb…. what is SD?

I went out today, shooting off front & rear bag very little wind.

168gr BTHP Hornady  Best Group .560
ZQi Nato Brass 2.005
Coal 2.865  .020 off lands
Varget 45.5gr
2708 FPS

150gr FMJBT Hornady  Best Group .700
ZQi Nato Brass 2.005
COAL 2.800
IMR 4064  45.6gr
2779 FPS

How much recoil do you feel was reduced with the Vais brake?  Did it come with the threads to match your CTR?

YES….. I WILL TAKE ONE

The roll pin was falling out of the mag release lever, the mag was staying in place just fine. I sent it back and they staked each side and it is fixed.

UGLY  😮
http://www.jprifles.com/1.4.2_re.php

I have a Primary Arms 4×14 scope it is very clear, I am also working on some Hornady 150gr FMJBT I have moved the COAL from 2.700 to 2.800 and trying Varget and IMR 4064 (not mix together) and so far 45gr is close.
I have a standard brake on mine…..but I have a JP Recoil Eliminator sitting in the drawer I will be trying the only bad thing about… Read more

That is outstanding @ 200 yrds, thanks for you help I feel like I am getting closer…….. I loaded some up today and 44.0 to 45.5 and it was coming together at the 45.5gr best was .800 group, so I am going to load 45.2,45.5,45.8,46.2,46.6 and see how it goes. I am using my FGMM .308 Brass for testing and when I get the where I think it is the… Read more

Dog Down
I saw that you posted 168 smc targets what was the COAL on those?

WOW that is great…..
How far off the lands are you?

The bullets I have to work with:
Hornady        Max COAL
165 SST        2.884
168 BTHP      2.855
168 AMAX      2.841
178 BTHP      2.952

Or maybe a better question is…….. What load with FPS info is working best in your Tikka?

BTW I have a CTR….

I have a wood bench it shoot off of and I going to try some foam under my bipod to help deaden the recoil jump.
Right now I am making different loads so I am using a bag up front it keep it steady …. but I prefer using my bipod.

O ya this last weekend I was working on loads for the Tikka and Savage .308…. the real bummer is I was real close on a load for the Tikka now I have to wait 3 weeks it find out. But it should be warmer by then also.

The guy from Tikka was great to deal with.

My 308 CTR likes the 165gr SST Superformance a little better than the 150's…give those a try if haven't already.  I've never had a group larger than 1″ measured from outside to outside (without shooter error) @ 100yrds.

The Sierra Match King 168 actually shot the worst in my rifle out of the 2 boxes I've fired if you averaged the group…

Read more

That sounds like a pretty simple method…..That sure beats the shoot one round & clean for the first 25……

I picked it up today  🙂

Dog Down,

That sounds really great….. if you don't mind me asking what method did you use to break in the barrel?

I forgot to say that I was making up loads for my Savage .308….. yes I will have to wait till I get my Tikka for those loads.

I ordered a Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital Chronograph.

Ericbc7,

Funny you say that because that is on my list to do today and I was going to ask which one I should get? I am not after one with a lot of bells and whistles just to be accurate. I would like to stay in the $90 to $150 range …………Any suggestions??