Tikka Factory Ammo Velocities???

My experience with my 6.5 tikka superlite 24.3” is 2596 with factory 143 ELDX.

I believe in the 6.5C model specifically it is due to the chamber being long. When I measure with my 143 and OAL gauge and comparator I get my lands at 2.945”. The factory loads are loaded to SAAMI length and that’s a big jump and a lot of room for expansion.

If I load to 2.94” and use a slower powder like RL26 or Superformance I have easily been getting 2900fps with handloads and no pressure signs. My buddy with the same gun has done the same load up.

So maybe a curse (but they still shoot great) for speed in the factory stuff but pretty awesome for folks that are willing to load longer with handloads. Obviously the magazine in the 6.5C supports the longer loads too (2.97” is what mine will hold).


Youre getting 2900 with 143 eldx? Or is that with a 120 gr bullet?
 
This has been what I've encountered across a span of 7-8 Tikkas. I consider it a fair trade for how trouble free they have been.


My remington 700 5r 6.5 cm averages 2650 with 140 eld-m's I just ordered a Tikka T3x 6.5 CM and plan on trying the 135 Berger Hybrid Hunters in it, Ill report back after a chrono session!
 
Tikka 6.5 Creedmoor 24.3 inch stock barrel
Hornady ELD-M 140 grain at 2620 fps
HSM 130 grain Sierra Gamechanger at 2795 fps

Both of the above factory loads have shot under an inch and a half at 100 yards for 10 shot groups (with some single-hole 3 and 5-shot groups). I've got just over 100 rounds down the tube. Time to fireform some brass (Alpha) and start load workups to see what this thing can really do.
 
I averaged 2591 fps for five shots with 143 gr Hornady Precision Hunters out of my 22.4” Tikka T3X LH Superlite (6.5CM).

Edit - in my original post, I incorrectly listed the model as being the Lite.
 
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Tikka T3X Superlight chambered in .22-250. 10 shots at sea level and 55 degrees with 50 grain factory hornady bullets.
 

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Doesn’t the 6.5 Tikka have either a 24.3” or a 20” on the compact model ?

I misstated what I had. It is a left hand Superlite. When I ordered it, it was listed as 24.3” on the SW website and when I got it, I just assumed it was 24.3”. Someone later pointed out that it looked short and I found out that it was actually 22.4” (and it said so on the box).

After I got mine, Sportsman’s Warehouse updated the description on the left hand model to 22.4”. I recently saw that they now have it back to 24.3”.
 
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Tikka 300wsm factory Barnes 165ttsx chrono at exactly 3130fps with a 5 shot average. Box states 3130fps.
For reference my Ruger American predator 6.5 creed shoots the factory Hornady precision hunter at 2540fps while the box states 2700fps.
 
Well, I've 50 down the tube of my T3x Lite 7 RM...looks like my MSv3 needs to come out to the range this weekend along with my new scope...
 
Tikka T3x in 7mm RM.
Factory Barnes TTSX 150gr velocity listed on the box is 3,000fps.
My recent 10-round group through the chrono had an average of 2,910fps. Accuracy was right at 1 MOA.
 
I ran 10 shots of Hornady 154 SST SF over my MSv3 today. Roughly 90 deg, 470' ASL.

My T3x was right on the advertised 3100 fps for the average. Eight of those shots were between 3095 & 3110, one was 3070 and one was 3150...

The MSv3 struggled to stay put, I noticed, and I suspect I'll need to choose between groups or velocity with this setup. I've got Barnes LRX and Federal 150 AB to test as well.
 
My Velocity in my 6.5cm superlite and the 143eldx is exactly what you are seeing. The Match 120 and 140 were pretty close in velocity to what the box stated. Wonder why the 143eldx varies more?




My experience with my 6.5 tikka superlite 24.3” is 2596 with factory 143 ELDX.

I believe in the 6.5C model specifically it is due to the chamber being long. When I measure with my 143 and OAL gauge and comparator I get my lands at 2.945”. The factory loads are loaded to SAAMI length and that’s a big jump and a lot of room for expansion.

If I load to 2.94” and use a slower powder like RL26 or Superformance I have easily been getting 2900fps with handloads and no pressure signs. My buddy with the same gun has done the same load up.

So maybe a curse (but they still shoot great) for speed in the factory stuff but pretty awesome for folks that are willing to load longer with handloads. Obviously the magazine in the 6.5C supports the longer loads too (2.97” is what mine will hold).
 
Pretty much everything I have chrono'd has been around 100-150 fps below factory numbers. I think Norma Bondstrike is advertised at 3085 and I've been getting 2985.
 
Welp, have been doing some more chrono work. Bottom line, my T3x runs like it says on the box, generally.
Barnes VOR-TX - advertised @ 3200 fps (5000' ASL), actual was 3235 (430' ASL)
Federal 150 Nosler AB - spec @ 3025, rand just a shade less than that
Hornady SST SF in 154 and 162 - just like it says on the box (as noted earlier)

I suppose I can rejoice that I got that rarest of T3x. Now, to zero in on a hand load. I've got a velocity node at 2900 fps w/ 168 VLD and H4831sc using Sierra data...exactly where the book shows max for 24" tube (IIRC). I've gotta spend some more time working up a 162 and w/ RL23.
 
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