Put this rifle together for a buddy to take on his late season Montana hunt, and figured I'd document the results and share them here. I gave him my suggestions on parts and pieces and he pretty much just bought similar to what I have and handed it off to me.
Tikka Veil 6.5 PRC
Trijicon Credo HX 4-16x50
Sportsmatch rings
143 ELD-X Precision Hunter
Sig Kilo 3k
I degreased, Loctited, assembled, and torqued per RSS specs. Swabbed the chamber and bore with 99% rubbing alcohol, then dry patched, and called it good.
Range day went well, bore sight was on target. Adjustments and groups are noted on target with the 15 shot group being intentionally 1 extra MOA high to keep aimpoint. Initially he bought a box with the rifle, then 3 more of the same lot #, so I used the "odd lot" to foul the bore up. Some possible variability added from my super sturdy Tupperware table, but I wanted to get some velocity numbers for a starting point. And also a zero check group from my rifle that went as expected on the top right target.
Velocity numbers looked decent, about where I expected it to be in a new factory Tikka. I realize my cheap chrono probably isn't very precise, but it usually gives me a pretty consistent starting point for truing. It actually missed a couple shots that day, probably from shadows. I adjusted and shot 6 from the new lot to check zero and consistency.
Off to the long range, I pulled the G7 BC from the library (.295 IIRC) and input the avg velocity from my chrono, and shot at 575 yards with 2 high misses on a 12"×12" plate. I would have to of sped the velocity up to way more than I measured to bring it down where it needed to be. I checked my profile and had my BC (which I pulled from the library at the time of setup) at .315. I input .315 and went back to avg measured velocity and got a good impact, just a bit low. Slowed velocity down 20fps and went to the 714 yard target, wind was tailwind at the shooter, est 2-4mph L to R across the canyon so I held 1 MOA left of center. Screenshots from video show before and after, with an impact perfectly on the waterline of the target, barely right of center.
I hit that plate a couple more times and walked it back in, with all impacts being within the expected zone.
Thanks to what I've learned from Rokslide I was able to have that rifle "broken in", zeroed, and trued up, in less than 2 boxes of ammo. Quality parts and pieces and good data produces good results!
Tikka Veil 6.5 PRC
Trijicon Credo HX 4-16x50
Sportsmatch rings
143 ELD-X Precision Hunter
Sig Kilo 3k
I degreased, Loctited, assembled, and torqued per RSS specs. Swabbed the chamber and bore with 99% rubbing alcohol, then dry patched, and called it good.
Range day went well, bore sight was on target. Adjustments and groups are noted on target with the 15 shot group being intentionally 1 extra MOA high to keep aimpoint. Initially he bought a box with the rifle, then 3 more of the same lot #, so I used the "odd lot" to foul the bore up. Some possible variability added from my super sturdy Tupperware table, but I wanted to get some velocity numbers for a starting point. And also a zero check group from my rifle that went as expected on the top right target.
Velocity numbers looked decent, about where I expected it to be in a new factory Tikka. I realize my cheap chrono probably isn't very precise, but it usually gives me a pretty consistent starting point for truing. It actually missed a couple shots that day, probably from shadows. I adjusted and shot 6 from the new lot to check zero and consistency.
Off to the long range, I pulled the G7 BC from the library (.295 IIRC) and input the avg velocity from my chrono, and shot at 575 yards with 2 high misses on a 12"×12" plate. I would have to of sped the velocity up to way more than I measured to bring it down where it needed to be. I checked my profile and had my BC (which I pulled from the library at the time of setup) at .315. I input .315 and went back to avg measured velocity and got a good impact, just a bit low. Slowed velocity down 20fps and went to the 714 yard target, wind was tailwind at the shooter, est 2-4mph L to R across the canyon so I held 1 MOA left of center. Screenshots from video show before and after, with an impact perfectly on the waterline of the target, barely right of center.
I hit that plate a couple more times and walked it back in, with all impacts being within the expected zone.
Thanks to what I've learned from Rokslide I was able to have that rifle "broken in", zeroed, and trued up, in less than 2 boxes of ammo. Quality parts and pieces and good data produces good results!
