New Rifle Shooter needing advice

[Jstablum]

Been a bow Hunter for a long time and decided to get into rifle hunting. Picked up a tikka t3x and I was looking for ammo recommendations. I’ve read that each barrel will shoot ammo differently, but was looking for some recommendations to get started. I will mainly be using for mule deer, but also looking to use for long range target shooting.

Thanks in advance!

 

[RedSnow]

I always get 6 or 8 different boxes of hunting ammo to see what the rifle likes.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

What cartridge is it chambered for?

 

[hiker270]

What Caliber, may get you some suggestions

 

[Jstablum]

What cartridge is it chambered for?

I went 6.5 CM.

 

[Fartrell Cluggins]

Welcome to the forum and to rifle shooting. You made a great decision to start with the Tikka. You read correctly that each barrel will shoot different ammo differently, but with Tikka in a 6.5 Creed, you'll likely find that it'll give you very good accuracy with just about all of it.

 

[Jstablum]

Welcome to the forum and to rifle shooting. You made a great decision to start with the Tikka. You read correctly that each barrel will shoot different ammo differently, but with Tikka in a 6.5 Creed, you'll likely find that it'll give you very good accuracy with just about all of it.

Thanks! I’m hoping I can find something that’s shoots well and is readily available. Any specific recommendations? Was looking and Hornady ELDX but wasn’t sure what else to try.

 

[Fartrell Cluggins]

ELDX is a GREAT place to start. All indications are that it is very accurate and works well on game too. I don't shoot enough factory ammo to be able to steer you toward anything specifically. You are fortunate that with that gun in that chambering, it's hard to make a bad choice.

 

[hiker270]

Hornady 143 ELD-X, Federal has many good choices (my Tikka 6.5 cm shoots the 130 Terminal Ascent sub-moa). The Barnes 120 TTSX has been good for me also. The 6.5 cm seems to shoot about everything great. Buy a few different brands and give them a try.

 

[Jstablum]

Thanks everyone for the help and advice!

 

[ResearchinStuff]

My tikka 6.5 creed loves precision hunter 143 eldx. Best shooting factory ammo I've ever seen.

 

[UTJL]

This was posted on another thread but here’s a Hornady podcast that can help you understand the accuracy limitations of your rifle and which ammo shoots the best. Most premium bullets will do a great job on deer within 300 yards. If you’re shooting farther than, you’ll need to do a bit more research when selecting a bullet.

That said every bullet out there has people who love and hate it.

Hornady Podcast

 

[Jstablum]

This was posted on another thread but here’s a Hornady podcast that can help you understand the accuracy limitations of your rifle and which ammo shoots the best. Most premium bullets will do a great job on deer within 300 yards. If you’re shooting farther than, you’ll need to do a bit more research when selecting a bullet.

That said every bullet out there has people who love and hate it.

Hornady Podcast

Thanks! Will check out the podcast!

 

[Toner44]

Hornady ELD-X is usually been my starting point on almost all the rifles I load for. I’ve never had the factory stuff shoot bad in any rifle.

 

[EVO6]

I built a 6.5 not too long ago and started off with the ELD-X 143, and those pet loads all shot well. If you get some trigger time in and feel comfortable. You should try grouping at 300 yards and see what they do.

 

[jfk69]

Plenty of varieties of 6.5 Manbun available. Pick a few different boxes and give them all a try.

 

[Roguemountainhunter]

I own 2 Tikka T3x lites, neither of them are chambered in 6.5CM, rather 7mm-08 and 7RM. But, I do own 3 6.5CMs from Ruger and Christensen. Moreover they all like Hornady ELD-X. The 143gr is a great starting point in my opinion.