utectok

Cheers Will

It is possible I suppose some more skilled shooters and reloader will be able to get the old tikka to shoot better? Anyway it was to heavy with bipod and Mod to use for me... I have a lighter setup now, lighter rifle with hunting not varmint barrel, carbon fibre bipod.... titanium mod (all secondhand but quite alot less savings in the bank!).........

Err I think so lots of helpful tips. I worked hard at the loads COAL various lengths ect tried shop ammo different powders charge weights and bullets ect ect. And yes 3" groups are fine for normal hunting and as stated I never missed a deer with the rifle up to 200m no problem. But confidence is important and the rifle was inconsistent sometimes sub moa and sometimes 4" groups. I had it checked by a rifle smith new scope and mounts and so on. So for whatever reason it never shot that well fine for hunting I agree up to about 200m. However my new rifle shoots 1" to 1.5" unerringly and it does give you confidence to shoot live game with up to about 250m (thats about the farthest I shoot). I haven't really played with the home loads and my new rifle just set the OAL just off the lands but I will need to play around a bit to tighten the groups I think. Thank you everyone for your help I am grateful and learnt alot

cheers eventually and many pounds later lol

Well in case anyone is interested after two scopes two sets of scope mounts any number of fiddling with home loads and a few hundred rounds I never did consistently tame my old tikka occasionally it would produce a couple of decent 1.5" groups then it would be over 3". I finally chopped it in for a new rifle and to my delight it wasn't my rubbish shooting that produced the garbage groups. New rifle shoot 3/4" groups if I try and never worse than 1.5" even if I'm being lazy. I guess 30 years of hard labour can shoot out a .308..... Having said that I never missed a Deer this season with the old tikka but play safe and its a big target and never more than 200m...... Confidence is important though and Im much happier with the new rifle.

Well big thank you to everyone.... Bullet height was the answer quite happy with consistent sub 1" groups at 100m. here is a 5 shot one at 74mm COAL (0.3mm off the lands) light crimp. I think that will do for most hunting I intend but I wouldn't of managed it without everyone's help.

Thanks

my mate says you must crimp but I dont have a crimp machine but then another friend said crimping for semi auto guns only??

thanks

Rs50 the propellant?

Sounds a plan

I now have an overall length of 74.3mm as opposed to the standard 71.12 or my last load at 73mm. It just fits in my magazine! Now I need to reseat 30 bullets groan

Federal power shock 150 grains

Thanks that’s helpful Cheers will

Thanks everyone this is super helpful in thinking I’m probably a mm short on my oal or a smidgen or so get me a bullet removal tool now lol

What exactly does cleaning mean for you product and procedures? Thanks Will

Thanks that’s exactly the sort of tip I was after

Ok most bullet recipes have an overall bullet length. But it varies I’m loading a .308 which sometimes is 2.8” sometimes a little shorter say 2.795”. Also bullets heads (bullets) are often different lengths. I get that too much compression is dangerous but what are the pros and cons of different overall bullet lengths. I’m currently seating mine 2mm longer and the works well....

Ok did my DSC1 today and the instructor said never clean the inside of your barrel.... or clean it every time you fire it. I’m guessing lots do something in between. What’s the best advice here? thanks Will

It shoots federal well 😉

Im shooting a 150grain bullet with 1:12 twist I think

Ok I’ll do that thanks Thanks that’s very helpful

I couldn’t get the Sierra game king heads to shoot tight at all but probably the wrong load

That was off a bipod with a cushion under the butt with home loaded Hornsby sst bullets but I managed almost as good with federal shop ammo. Not very realistic for stalking when your panicking of sticks or something but I’m keeping under 200m for everything so keep it simple. Consistency is my problem but it’s probably me or to much looking at the internet which seems to have sub Moa shooters on every page 😳

I’ll take it to a friends later on in the month an let him have a look. Tbh I’m not sure it needs a new barrel my buddy said it would as it’s 30 yrs old. It’s hard for me to judge as I’m new to centerfire however with home loads and careful shooting I’m at around 1” at 100m but not very consistent however that could be me! My other friend said he’ll give it a look hopefully it’s me!