New Tikka 6.5 CM not grouping well

[MTManess]

Agree with other replies:

• Stick with the 120s
• If you do try other ammo, start with 140 ELDMs
• Ditch the sled man…like yesterday.

Thanks, Whats your preferred method for sighting in if you aren't using a sled? Bags? Bipod?

 

[hunterjmj]

When I'm sighting in or working on a load I use front and rear bags. When practicing I just shoot how I would hunting.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Thanks, Whats your preferred method for sighting in if you aren't using a sled? Bags? Bipod?

Bags. And shoot reasonable group sizes (10) so you have an honest idea which ammo really shoots best.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

Thanks, Whats your preferred method for sighting in if you aren't using a sled? Bags? Bipod?

Bags off the bench for sight in or load development. As soon as those are set, I get off the bench and shoot off bipod, shooting sticks, backpack, tree branches, fence post, etc.

Edit: I try to get in some off hand shooting as well.

 

[need4sneed]

Bought the same gun new and started a notebook with it to round count and track some of the Rokslide talking points - mostly I just don’t want to clean anymore and am only truly vetting that out for myself.
• My gun out the gate also had a stiff bolt lift and it went away after around 80 rounds. Stiff again at around 400 rounds - addressed cocking ramp, went back to normal.
•didn’t test this round for round but velocity stabilized approximately 210 rounds. 210 rounds was the “break in”, only shooting, nothing down the barrel other than bullets.
• on the first 60 rounds I found it liked 143 eldx, 140 eldM- did not like 129 sst. Now I only shoot 140eldm to hunt and 140bthp for practice, both shoot well.
•60”lbs on action screws with thread lock (nail polish does indeed work). The UM dovetail scope mounts are flawless so far.
•sanded out the barrel channel - it was too tight and I wanted it wide
•785 rounds in (515 suppressed) I can say now that cleaning would have been a waste of my time - still shooting and counting.

I personally would not hesitate to shoot the 120 eldm and i would imagine you’ll find a 140 it likes - it’s the standard for those guns. For sure try the 140eldm.

I personally ditched the lead sled years ago and would also highly recommend that - for a pile of reasons. I like to Zero prone with a good rear rest. Then it’s easier to check zero on any hunt anywhere. And my zero is congruent with my hunting position.

Consider jumping to 10 or 20 or 30 round groups to establish zero for long range shooting. Knowing and understanding why guys are doing that in long range hunting has helped me solve a lot of my problems.

 

[Andouille]

If you've shot copper bullets (Barnes 127?), then clean the gun to bare metal and try the lead core bullets again. Many (including myself) have found that copper deposits from mono bullets can affect grouping with lead core bullets.