TikkaT3

I use a Ruger 77/17 in .17HMR. I have used Federal and Remington 17gr V-MAX ammunition most and more recently Hornady 17gr V-MAX. None have ever shown a hint of a split in my rifle - I collect all spent cases (several thousand rounds shot over the past year). Even the CCI hollowpoints (only cartridges available for a while down my way - shot like **** in my rifle) did not split, but I only had a couple of boxes of them.

--> QUOTE(steve b @ Apr 21 2007, 02:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Lapua is available from chris potters in Tunbridge well, website is chris potter country sports I believe www.gun.co.uk

I use an RCBS Precision Mic. It seems good enough for my purposes to get good headspace and seating depth consistency. However, I find their plastic seating depth tool useless in my rifle. The bolt will not grip it for extraction and it does not give a good reading as a result. For this section of the process I have cut a slit with a Dremmel in a used/sized case and shove a bullet of the design I am reloading (currently 75gr A-MAX in .223) at excessive length into the cut case. I chamber it, extract it and measure the length to the ogive with the RCBS tool in the Precision Mic kit. I do this several times to ensure I have an accurate reading before setting the seating die up. It works well and I am having average groups of 0.580" with 75gr A-MAX, 24.2gr Varget, Lapua Match brass and CCI 400 primers.

I agree. I too have a Tikka T3. The lighter bullets do not fly well. 55gr is ideal for all round shooting. However, it can easily (and well) handle the heavier 75/80gr bullets, which is what you will want for the 600m shooting. Just a few days ago I used the 75gr A-MAX to devastating effect on a large dog fox and shortly thereafter his vixen. I had an awkward shot at the dog fox as he suddenly decided to turn and lie down, just as I started to shoot (the land had not been shot over for quite some time - they were not used to people with rifles!). As a result of his movement, the bullet entered his rear thigh and ended up in the engine room, dropping him instantly. The entry wound was devastating with the 75gr A-MAX - similar to the exit wound on a rabbit shot with a .17HMR. The bullet remained within the body, but caused massive shock and internal damage ensuring the instant kill. I am not sure the 55gr V-MAX would have been as clean a kill under the circumstances.

I find that with mid-weight bullets (55gr V-MAX) 25.3gr H335 works well in Lapua brass with CCI 400 primers. I had been getting sub-0.5" groups at 100m. Recently I have been using heavier 75gr A-MAX, which will be too heavy to stabilize in your rifle my twist is 1-8"). Here Varget works better! I have heard good things about Vit140. Also about H322 and BL-C(2), but not yet tried them.

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I always wear gloves to pick up fox too. I don't want no nasties + any mink I shoot can stay where they fall (& I aint worried about their nashers) mate they wont bite you when they dead and you wont catch anything of them different story if you out late on a saturday night htough !! dont worry so much kirky See post #9 on the link. All keepers I have been out with as well as other friends have always donned the gloves when picking up a dead fox. Here's the text of post #9 A word of caution regarding foxes, I know another RFD in Kent that was a keen fox shooter, he spent several months in hospital with a really serious diease he caught from a fox, I cant remember the name of the disease but he was told the tail is the most dangerous plce to pick a fox up from, he was advised to use a glove and pick up by a front leg, I follow this advice since that day Ever smelt that stink they emit from scent gland, I used to remove the tail and thats when the stink arose, dont do so anymore though

I have had bunnies appear to be shot hard with the HMR but have never been recovered. I can only assume that it was only a scraping shot or one exceptionally close to make the thing jump...down a nearby hole. I am certain it has always been shooter error and not bullet/manufacturing error. In the field unexpected things often happen... That said, I have not yet had a duff batch of HMR, but have not had to buy any for a couple of months.

I tend to put them (with a gloved hand) in to a thick hedge where they decompose nice and quickly. One farmer where I shoot (apple orchards) likes the carcases to be left near the main rides to put off the walker and ramblers ... who nick all his apples!!! I understand his thoughts, but do not follow his wishes through as it gives shooting a bad name. Still, good prevention

As far as I am aware all V-MAX/ballistic tip-style .17 bullets (i.e. projectile with polymer tip) are all made by Hornaday, regardless of whether they are Remington, Federal or Hornady-own brand. The colour of the tip varies, but I believe the actual manufacture is always Hornady. Hollowpoints are a different story. Maybe there was a bad batch, but I have not yet come across the problem - the exit hole confirms it!

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The 1 in 8 T3 .223 would be fine with almost all bullet weights, unless someone wants to contradict that? I have not tried anything under 55gr (brilliant weight in T3 1-8" twist). However I can confirm that 75gr A-MAX are spectacularly good. On Saturday I had groups of 0.572" at 100m and 0.368" at 150m during the testing of a new load. I would love to get them down to a range to have a go at longer distances. To use them though the magazine did need a bit of modification.