Tikka T3 too light

[Formidilosus]

Just be prepared to drop some distance off of your max range with the 6.5. No cartridge is magic, least of all that one.
SBC light ballistic calculator data:
6.5 CM, 140 gr Accubond at 2660 fps drops below 1500 ft lbs at 385 yds. I’d limit shots on elk to that range under ideal conditions. Zeroed at 225 yards your MPBR on a 6” target is 265 yards. Drop at 385 yds is 18”.

Are you guessing or because you’ve done it repeatedly past those ranges and had poor terminal performance?

 

[35WhelenAI]

Are you guessing or because you’ve done it repeatedly past those ranges and had poor terminal performance?

You're teeing it up to share what terminal performance you have experienced or what you have seen with an AB at that energy level. Go ahead and hit it. Did it work well for you or those you have observed? I am going to speculate "yes".

I initially read that as 1500 feet per second. There should be plenty of velocity at the 1500 ft/lbs energy level (back to energy again, that needs to be struck from our vocabulary, IMO) for good terminal performance in my opinion.

However the 140 gr 6.5 AB drops below 1500 ft/lbs energy at 280 yards, not 385 yards based on running the numbers. And carries 1800 fps (expansion threshold I feel comfortable using ) to 540 yards. Something isn't adding up?

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

Shoot your own gun.

 

[Wyobohunter]

Are you guessing or because you’ve done it repeatedly past those ranges and had poor terminal performance?

That is based on the commonly accepted minimum energy for elk which is 1,500 foot pounds. Colorado CPW has some data. I agree, ft lbs energy is not the only metric. It is a metric. I’m only saying that with a softer shooting boomstick he’ll need to accept that he will be limited more than a nastier shooting one.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. The agency manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. CPW issues hunting and fishing...

cpw.state.co.us

 

[35WhelenAI]

See my post #42 above. Somethings not adding up with those numbers and the distances?

Energy is an archaic way to describe performance. Impact velocity is a much better indicator. Most state agencies still use it but it doesn't make it the best number just because they do.

Velocity threshold for expansion is the much better way to express things now that we are in the modern era.

 

[gbflyer]

Take the pain. Hahahaha. That podcast dude needs to go get a 460 Weatherby then.

Many have had enough pain to last several lifetimes. That might include the OP. Shooting is supposed to be fun, not an exercise in manliness.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Rebarrel it. Cheap and easy. Go with something more comfortable. A 6.5 prc, 6.8 western or 7saum (if you reload). You need to stick with a magnum due to your bolt face.

The other thing I’d highly recommend is a new stock. The difference in stock alone is amazing on the tikkas. The tikka stocks are terrible.

 

[35WhelenAI]

The other thing I’d highly recommend is a new stock. The difference in stock alone is amazing on the tikkas. The tikka stocks are terrible.

Great piece of information and reminder about the stock, and very much lost in the conversation.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Great piece of information and reminder about the stock, and very much lost in the conversation.

Here’s my wife shooting my 7saum with 180 eldm-s. That’s about the heaviest recoiling bullet you can get in the gun. No issues at 115 pounds. I remember when that same gun was a 300wm. Worst gun I ever owned. But it sounds like I wasn’t not man enough for it. So be it.

 

[Wyobohunter]

Here’s the data I used. I took velocity from Hodgdon reloading website with a max charge of H4350. This is not a load I’m suggesting. Just some quick data to illustrate a point. Ain’t it weird how velocity and energy are related? I wonder when they figured that out

 

[35WhelenAI]

I see where your numbers are coming from, you're using 9000 feet of elevation. Mine was based on standard conditions. The OP looks to be in Iowa, however 9000 feet of elevation isn't a bad number if he's hunting the west.

 

[Wyobohunter]

Velocity threshold for expansion is the much better way to express things now that we are in the modern era.

I agree 100%. Impact energy can be used as a basis to delve into impact velocity for a given bullet. If energy is well below that 1,500 ft lbs I wouldn’t bother looking into it. If it’s close I’d take the time to research. Just the method I use. Certainly not the only or best method.

I also use a stupid simple and unscientifically proven formula to choose between a slower heavier bullet with higher b.c. vs a lighter faster lower b.c. bullet. Strictly to see if I want to research more. Naturally that is for external ballistics. Not terminal performance.

 

[35WhelenAI]

I use that criteria/comparison for my choices as well. Slower and heavier vs lighter and faster, with the respective BC of each. Plugging numbers has never been easier. I choose the 200 TTSX (2945 fps, .369 bc) in my 35 AI. The ballistic coefficient over the 225 TSX (2825 fps, .359 bc ) carries more velocity at any range. When we're talking that amount of bullet weight and the integrity of the Barnes bullets it's a moot point as far as terminal performance. TTSX opens up more readily on impact based on necropsy's over the years, both kill with authority.

Accubond (2825 fps, .421 bc) passes the 200 TTSX at a bit over 500 yards on retained velocity with respect to 2000 FPS threshold. If I was looking to shoot past that distance, the Accubond would be my choice.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand. Best to the OP on what he does to make it the best situation for him and the Tikka.

 

[Dalen88]

im no pro but i dont get the "man up" if it makes your flinch it makes your flinch... I got a brake spun onto my 7mm rm tikka and now i shoot it great, used to make me flinch, i just hunt with some ear plugs aroumdmy neck and its prob not a bad idea anyways to have earplugs with you. I would rather be accurate with my rifle than to "be a man" and shoot allover the place

 

[Tjay]

One of these for bench shooting.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Here's my two cents (I shoot an 8# T3X in 300 WM)...

Put a Limbsaver on it. That should help with the felt recoil. If you still need more mitigation to the felt recoil, look at a brake or suppressor.

When at the range, bring other guns. Shoot a round from your 7mm RM, take a two minute break, shoot a round, take a two minute break, shoot a round. Then shoot a softer shooting rifle (ex: 22LR or 223) for a few rounds taking a break between each shot. Then go back to your 7mm RM.

While I have no issues shooting my 300 WM accurately, I do not shoot it all day at the range. I add an assortment of rim fires and center fires to the mix.

 

[Antares]

People have different recoil tolerances for a variety of reasons. I don't know why people are feeling like they need to belittle OP when all he's doing is asking for help.

My suggestions (from least to most expensive) would be:

- Look at your form and see if there's anything there you can change to improve the way you're absorbing recoil.

- If you're feeling recoil in your face you could put some type of padding on the comb.

- As you suggested, you could add weight to the stock. This wouldn't be my preference for a hunting rifle, but it will work. I have a ton of lead shot inside the stock of my trap gun for example.

- Thread the barrel and put a brake on. Brakes work great, just put your ear pro on.

- Rebarrel to a lighter cartridge (7mm-08 for example if you wan to stick with a .284). Someone on here will happily swap you a standard bolt for your magnum bolt.

- Get a custom stock that fits your LOP and put a soft recoil pad on it.

- Get a suppressor.

- Do some (or all) of the above for maximum effect.

Confidence kills and it's hard to be confident when your thinking about recoil. Be proactive. Change something in your setup so that you’re comfortable. You'll shoot better for it and that's the point.

Cheers.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

One of these for bench shooting.

These work good too

 

[Fatcamp]

One of these for bench shooting.

And a heavy coat. Problem solved.

 

[Freeride]

If it's causing bad flinching then sell it for something smaller that you like and can shoot better.

If you can't shoot a magnum then the extra ft-lbs won't make up for a bad shot, or if you flinch and miss you have to get closer anyways. Get something you can shoot well and just get a little closer to make up for the tiny bit less energy.

If everyone loved a shoulder thumping then all they would sell is magnums. There are many other cartridges that are loved. 7-08 gets a lot done in little recoil too.