The 30-06 ammo your Tikka T3x and you prefer

[thinhorn_AK]

I recently did some load dev with 138gr Hammer HHT’s in my chopped and suppressed tikka 30-06. Tried Varget and Big Game. Both powders with each shot a different charge (finding pressure) put 12 or 14 bullets into just over an inch at 100. I was shocked that it didn’t care what weight or powder type… just basically same holed. 3130fps without pressure signs in the 19” ish barrel.

The recoil reduction over my 180/178gr loads was substantial and I think contributed to my better shooting. The rifle is 9.5lbs on the nose. I want to shoot an elk with it later this month.

That's interesting. I was thinking of playing around with some lighter bullets in my 30-06 this winter. I have a bunch of hammer hunter 137g bullets and some 151s I was thinking of using up.

 

[Taylorson2020]

I had good luck with federal blue box and hornady 180 gr superformance before I started reloading 165 sierra game kings. It is a tikka so it will likely shoot most quality ammo well.

What was your load with 165 game king ? Ive been trying to find a good load for it but everything is 1-1 1/2 moa. I’ve had better luck with the Barnes ttsx 180gr it shoots 1/2 moa but just more expensive.

 

[gmartin]

I've tried Barnes TSX 165 , Barnes LRX 175 , Federal Trophy Copper 165 & 180, Winchester Copper impact 165?, Federal Core Bonded 180, Sig Elite Copper 150, Federal Terminal Ascent 175. My gun shoots the best in order:

1-Terminal Ascent 175
2-Sig Elite Copper 150
3-Core Bonded 180
4-Trophy Copper 180
5-Trophy Copper 165
6-Barnes LRX 175
7-Any Barnes TSX wasn't great
8-Winchester Copper Impact so so for short range


I shoot the Terminal Ascents for Deer & Elk and then I like the Sig 150s for smaller game like antelope. The ballistics are almost identical so I can shoot either very well.

I'd like to try some of the Hornady Copper or ELDX rounds but found the Terminal Ascents do really well so sticking with them for now.

What type of groups are you getting out of your T3 30–06 @ longer distances with the Terminal Ascents?…Going on a trip to Idaho this fall and know I should be practicing out to 400 yards or so, here in the east we usually only have to shoot 100-200 yards