Tikka Accuracy- Clear Winner?

[Tedhunts]

Just mounted a new Trijicon scope on a Tikka CTR 6.5 Creed with a 20" factory barrel, McMillan stock and a Scythe suppressor. It's a gun I plan to shoot out of a box blind @ white tail deer on our farm.

Goal is to shoot longer range than I have in the past.. maybe 400+yds. ( long range in Indiana). Likely hunting distances in the field will be from 80-350yds, but 400-450yds is possible.

Tested 3 shot groups @ 100yds with 5 factory loads and here are the results:

Date	Ammo Brand	Bullet Weight-gr	Velocity 1	Velocity 2	Velocity 3	Avg Velocity	STD DEV	Avg Group- 3 Shot​	Stated Velocity	Difference from Stated Velocity
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
2/9/26​	Barnes-Match	140​	2443​	2438​	2453​	2444.67​	7.64​	sight in​	2700​	-255.33​
2/9/26​	Barnes-LRX	127​	2718​	2658​	2666​	2680.67​	32.58​	5/8"​	2825​	-144.33​
2/9/26​	Berger Classic Hunter	135​	2603​	2611​	2554​	2589.33​	30.86​	1/2"​	2851​	-261.67​
2/9/26​	Nosler Ballistic Tip	120​	2704​	2734​	2780​	2739.33​	38.28​	3/8"​	2900​	-160.67​
2/9/26​	Hornady ELDX	143​	2554​	2513​	2555​	2540.67​	23.97​	5/8"​	2700​	-159.33​
2/9/26​	Barnes TTSX	120​	2776​	2739​	2775​	2763.33​	21.08​	1/2"​	2910​	-146.67​

The Tikka shot amazingly consistent with all 5 loads... biggest 3 shot group was 5/8".

I was very surprised with the results and impressed with the Tikka!!

Based on the data and bullet types/ speed.. is there a clear winner?

Ted

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

3 shot groups dont tell the whole truth. Id shoot 10 shot groups and make your decision. At those ranges bullet selection is less critical but me personally, id buy a boat load of 140 eldm and shoot/hunt with just that considering it shot fine (it will)

 

[gethuntin]

In a 6.5 creedmor at those distances I would shy away from copper and the bergers unless you plan on shooting the shoulder. Each have the tendency in my experience to pencil through.

 

[Matt5266]

Agreed 3 shot groups dont mean much. Seems though for your purposes just pick any bullet if your shooting whitetail at 400 yards max.

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

In a 6.5 creedmor at those distances I would shy away from copper and the bergers unless you plan on shooting the shoulder. Each have the tendency in my experience to pencil through.

What bergers specifically have you seen pencil through? I keep hearing this without much detail. Ive never had a failure personally. Just curious

 

[gethuntin]

168 classics hunter in a 7 rem mag and 95 classic hunters in 243. Very accurate but not very devastating in my experience.

 

[199p]

run the 143 man ive used them on red deer with great success and they are going so slow from my 16" barrel they are almost going backwards yet they have been a slayer. i shoulder shoot my deer not sure if i would just poke em through the lungs especially not in the hills.

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

168 classics hunter in a 7 rem mag and 95 classic hunters in 243. Very accurate but not very devastating in my experience.

And the bullets weren't recovered to see what happened?

 

[Schmo]

Agree with the other comments about needing a 10 shot group to tell the story. 3 shot groups are highly random

 

[Gbrecka]

143 eldx

 

[Chris in TN]

Three shots doesn't tell you much, if anything.

As for ammo choices, I'll just say that I do not like monos unless they are moving really fast, and by 'really fast' I mean speeds you won't be getting from a 6.5cm.

 

[brentr9]

Don’t count out the federal 140gr fusion tipped either. They’ve been spectacular for exactly what you’re doing.

 

[Bowfinn]

I see 15 shots with 5 different types of ammo that are shooting into a 1-1.25 in group. I’m gonna guess that his gun is gonna shoot really well with whatever bullet he chooses even with a 10+ shot group. To the OP pick what wounding characteristics you want from your bullet(if it’s copper I’d make sure your above 2200fps at 450-500).

 

[schmidty3]

I see 15 shots with 5 different types of ammo that are shooting into a 1-1.25 in group. I’m gonna guess that his gun is gonna shoot really well with whatever bullet he chooses even with a 10+ shot group. To the OP pick what wounding characteristics you want from your bullet(if it’s copper I’d make sure your above 2200fps at 450-500).

Same thought. Gun shoots good. Better then good enough.

Pick the bullet you want terminally and shoot it at stuff.

 

[Schmo]

I see 15 shots with 5 different types of ammo that are shooting into a 1-1.25 in group. I’m gonna guess that his gun is gonna shoot really well with whatever bullet he chooses even with a 10+ shot group. To the OP pick what wounding characteristics you want from your bullet(if it’s copper I’d make sure your above 2200fps at 450-500).

I would expect the same. However, trust, but verify.

 

[Bowfinn]

I would expect the same. However, trust, but verify.

Agreed. I would do a couple clicks down and right then send another 10 to confirm zero.

 

[Tedhunts]

Current take aways to narrow ammo selection:

• Larger Sample Size- 10 shot group
• Watch the 400yd velocity with the mono's- =>2,200 fps

THANKS EVERYONE!

 

[mtnbound]

Current take aways to narrow ammo selection:

• Larger Sample Size- 10 shot group
• Watch the 400yd velocity with the mono's- =>2,200 fps

THANKS EVERYONE!

Good plan.