Tikka won’t group…rifle bedding questions

[DeepMauka]

I cannot get my tikka to group. It is a 1:8” twist t3x .223. I had high hopes of shooting 77tmks with all the rave on this forum. That being said, I have tried multiple powders, bullets and seating configurations. All groups are over 1.5” for 10-15 rounds. I was beginning think I just suck at shooting or reloading, but I just shot 2 other rifles and confirmed it isn’t me.


I yesterday I opened up/sanded the stock and shot one group of 10 before the range closed. It was a leftover sample group of 77tmk and 24g of varget. It shot over 2” for 10. I figured bedding the stock was the next step before I waste my time trying any other bullet/powder/seating depth combos.



My question is what compound to use for the bedding. I have on hand gallons of surfboard epoxy resin. I was thinking of mixing that with milled carbon fiber and thickening it up a bit with Aerosil so it doesn’t run anywhere.



Will that suffice or will I need to use another compound like Devcon 10110?



Also, I have plenty of modeling clay and high temp mold release. Will that work or do I need another type of release agent (like the kiwi shoe stuff)?


I have an arca/pic rail that needs installing, so I’ll probably do both at the same time so I only have to mix up one batch.

Thanks for the help, and any other suggestions you might have would be greatly appreciated. Like I said before, with all the good reviews on this forum tikka 223s and 77tmk’s it’s been frustrating trying to get this gun to shoot an acceptable group.

 

[Antares]

You may as well include details on the scope and how it's mounted, because you're going to get asked.

I dig you're username, BTW.

 

[WyldGoose]

Did you open up the barrel channel and confirm there’s zero contact being made all the way to the receiver?
How many inch lbs did you torque the action screws?

 

[KyleR1985]

Did you take the gun apart and clean it and assemble it properly?

What stock is it in?

 

[mtnbound]

I cannot get my tikka to group. It is a 1:8” twist t3x .223. I had high hopes of shooting 77tmks with all the rave on this forum. That being said, I have tried multiple powders, bullets and seating configurations. All groups are over 1.5” for 10-15 rounds. I was beginning think I just suck at shooting or reloading, but I just shot 2 other rifles and confirmed it isn’t me.


I yesterday I opened up/sanded the stock and shot one group of 10 before the range closed. It was a leftover sample group of 77tmk and 24g of varget. It shot over 2” for 10. I figured bedding the stock was the next step before I waste my time trying any other bullet/powder/seating depth combos.



My question is what compound to use for the bedding. I have on hand gallons of surfboard epoxy resin. I was thinking of mixing that with milled carbon fiber and thickening it up a bit with Aerosil so it doesn’t run anywhere.



Will that suffice or will I need to use another compound like Devcon 10110?



Also, I have plenty of modeling clay and high temp mold release. Will that work or do I need another type of release agent (like the kiwi shoe stuff)?


I have an arca/pic rail that needs installing, so I’ll probably do both at the same time so I only have to mix up one batch.

Thanks for the help, and any other suggestions you might have would be greatly appreciated. Like I said before, with all the good reviews on this forum tikka 223s and 77tmk’s it’s been frustrating trying to get this gun to shoot an acceptable group.

Factory stock?

 

[DeepMauka]

Did you open up the barrel channel and confirm there’s zero contact being made all the way to the receiver?
How many inch lbs did you torque the action screws?

Yes. 55lbs on the wheeler fat wrench.

Did you take the gun apart and clean it and assemble it properly?

What stock is it in?

Yes, cleaned old locktite, degreased and locktite again.

Factory stock

You may as well include details on the scope and how it's mounted, because you're going to get asked.

I dig your username, BTW.

Thanks. Swfa 3-9 with UM tikka rings. Locktite and nail polished in

Factory stock?

Yes

 

[Kauaihunter]

Scope, rings/mounts, other ammo, stock, is it seated in the lug and torqued correctly???

Edit: mostly answered, posted same time.

 

[Kauaihunter]

I’ve done only 45in/lbs on the factory stock. Found that removing the contact points on the factory stock is hit or miss.

Do you pull the lug up a bit, set the barreled action on and then seat it when pushing the barreled action down into the stock?

 

[DeepMauka]

I’ve done only 45in/lbs on the factory stock. Found that removing the contact points on the factory stock is hit or miss.

Do you pull the lug up a bit, set the barreled action on and then seat it when pushing the barreled action down into the stock?

I did not pull up or touch the lug after I sanded the stock to ensure a free floated barrel. I will try that.

 

[Harvey_NW]

For just skim bedding I've had no issues just using JB Weld steel compound, and it doesn't take much. Kiwi neutral shoe polish works great as a release agent.

But honestly, I don't think it will be a magical fix. Just following other threads it seems like the 1:8 223's can be a bit picky, and other members had to test multiple combos before getting them to shoot acceptable. I'll tag you in one I recently saw.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

I have had 2 picky 223 barrels. Benchmark powder cured the second one.

I did a super detailed thread on Tikka factory stock modifications, lots of lessons learned in there:

Thread 'How I Modify My Tikka Factory Stocks'

Aug 10, 2023

This is the start to finish process I use on my tikka factory stocks to help them have a consistent POI and improve shootability. None of this is completely new information, but there are a few unique things I do, and this is a consolidation post.

This is stuff that I'm capable of doing to my personal possessions - if you try this and mess up your own stuff, that is on you. Step 1 is basically fool proof, even if you quit halfway through the stock will still function. The rest of the steps, once you start, your stock will not function until the step is finished.

Step 1: Free Float
Step...

• ResearchinStuff
• Replies: 75
• Forum: Firearms

• 
• 

 

[Q_Sertorius]

How’s it shoot with factory ammo?

 

[mtnbound]

Yes. 55lbs on the wheeler fat wrench.


Yes, cleaned old locktite, degreased and locktite again.

Factory stock

Thanks. Swfa 3-9 with UM tikka rings. Locktite and nail polished in


Yes

Take a picture of the left side of the action. How space from the stock to the small hole in the action?

 

[solarshooter]

Have also heard of issues with 223s. I've seen significant accuracy improvements in some guns with an abrasive clean using Kroil/JB bore paste. Not sure exactly why, maybe it's taking down edges from tooling marks or smoothing out the lands, but it has made a night and day difference on some guns, and it's cheap and easy to try.

 

[The Harbor Master]

But honestly, I don't think it will be a magical fix. Just following other threads it seems like the 1:8 223's can be a bit picky, and other members had to test multiple combos before getting them to shoot acceptable. I'll tag you in one I recently saw.

This. There's some guys getting killer groups with stuff that mine shoots at 3 inches. Might have to try some other projectiles, although 77TMK seem to shoot pretty well across the board.

I agree, post pics of left side of action just in case. How much material did you clear? Is it FULLY floated all the way to action?

 

[DeepMauka]

Take a picture of the left side of the action. How space from the stock to the small hole in the action?

This. There's some guys getting killer groups with stuff that mine shoots at 3 inches. Might have to try some other projectiles, although 77TMK seem to shoot pretty well across the board.

I agree, post pics of left side of action just in case. How much material did you clear? Is it FULLY floated all the way to action?

This picture suffice?

 

[mtnbound]

This picture suffice?View attachment 1017377

It looks like you have it seated correctly.

 

[The Harbor Master]

This picture suffice?View attachment 1017377

From that angle it looks seated fine to me.

 

[mtnbound]

This picture suffice?View attachment 1017377

Going back to your loads. The 1:8 twist should be just fine with 77TMKs, 75BTHP and 77 Areomatchs from Hornady and the Berger 80.5 Full bores all loaded at listed COAL. 75/80 ELDMs and Xs like to be loaded longer that what the factory Tikka mag allows. What was your recipe with the 77TMKS?

 

[The Harbor Master]

I have had 2 picky 223 barrels. Benchmark powder cured the second one.

I did a super detailed thread on Tikka factory stock modifications, lots of lessons learned in there:

Thread 'How I Modify My Tikka Factory Stocks'

Aug 10, 2023

This is the start to finish process I use on my tikka factory stocks to help them have a consistent POI and improve shootability. None of this is completely new information, but there are a few unique things I do, and this is a consolidation post.

This is stuff that I'm capable of doing to my personal possessions - if you try this and mess up your own stuff, that is on you. Step 1 is basically fool proof, even if you quit halfway through the stock will still function. The rest of the steps, once you start, your stock will not function until the step is finished.

Step 1: Free Float
Step...

• ResearchinStuff
• Replies: 75
• Forum: Firearms

• 
• 

That's a great post, good info.