200gr Terminal Ascent out of Tikka 1-11 twist

ptarmigan

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I don't reload and my go to 180gr Trophy bonded tips are currently unobtanium. Picked up a couple of boxes of the Terminal Ascent to see how they shoot. Anybody try them out of their 1-11" twist Tikka .300wm?
 

AkRyan

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Jan 15, 2021
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Where did you find them? I think allot of folks would use them if they could be found!!!
 

OpenCountry

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Sep 7, 2020
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I don't reload and my go to 180gr Trophy bonded tips are currently unobtanium. Picked up a couple of boxes of the Terminal Ascent to see how they shoot. Anybody try them out of their 1-11" twist Tikka .300wm?
I may have a box of the TBT I’d be willing to sell if you’re interested. Traveling for work now but can check once I’m home if you’re interested.
 

AkRyan

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Are you talking about loaded ammo or just the bullet for reloading?
 
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I've shot the 180 TBT and 175 TA out of my .308, and POI was within .5" with both. They're basically the same bullet construction with the TA having an improved BC. Good luck!
 

Diced

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Dec 10, 2022
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No experience with a Tikka but I was shooting the 225 eldm out of a 1-10 twist 300 wm all last year and had no issues. People get wayyy to dramatic about twist rate. Just shoot them. If they group well then you're good to go.
 
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ptarmigan

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No experience with a Tikka but I was shooting the 225 eldm out of a 1-10 twist 300 wm all last year and had no issues. People get wayyy to dramatic about twist rate. Just shoot them. If they group well then you're good to go.
I agree that it's waaay to easy to overanalyze while sitting behind a screen. I'm going to give them a shot, regardless. Was just seeing if anyone had tried them out with the same gun.
 
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ptarmigan

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If you're concerned with long range stability, go to Berger's website and plug your load into their twist rate calculator

https://bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/
I've read that with tipped bullets using the JBM calculator is more reliable. Based on my measurements and rough data (without chrono #s), it's on the low end of green stability according to JBM. I'll just have to shoot and see.
 
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ptarmigan

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Well I guess I answered my own question. In a gun that shoots sun-moa with 180gr TBT, the 200gr Ascents are a definite no go. Three shots at 100yds
confirmed that in a hurry!
d9ca5d9b08417a0c693d490642d008a4.jpg



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JBradley500

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I see you already did your testing but just as another piece of info, mine would shoot 200g eldx well in closer ranges but it seemed to fall apart around 600 yards.
 
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ptarmigan

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I see you already did your testing but just as another piece of info, mine would shoot 200g eldx well in closer ranges but it seemed to fall apart around 600 yards.

Yeah, keyholes and a 3” group at 100yds will keep me from going over 180grs with it from now on.


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ElPollo

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Well I guess I answered my own question. In a gun that shoots sun-moa with 180gr TBT, the 200gr Ascents are a definite no go. Three shots at 100yds
confirmed that in a hurry!
d9ca5d9b08417a0c693d490642d008a4.jpg



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I had occasional keyholing with these in a 1-11” Tikka in 300 WSM , but nothing like that. Mine would keyhole about 1 out 10-15 rounds. I had one of those barrels that only shot one factory load well. When Hornady stopped making it, I rebarreled to a 1-9” and started reloading for it. Oddly enough, the only bullet that barrel would shoot sub MOA with was a 200 gr ELDX. It would not perform with any 165-180 gr that I tried. Sometimes you are best off cutting your losses and screwing on a new barrel.
 
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ptarmigan

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Dec 20, 2013
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It isn’t the weight- it’s that bullet. The 1-11” barrels will shoot most 200-210gr match bullets fine.

Well it definitely doesn’t like that bullet. The 180gr TBT shoots sub-MOA out of the gun. Maybe I’ll try something else and see what happens.


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