300 Win Mag and 165 Ballistic tip Loads RANGE REPORT

[haugenna]

I am loading up some bullets for the range this weekend.  I have some H1000 and RL 22 loaded up.  I really want to stick to the 165 accubonds.  Anyone have any info.  The group I shot earlier is a little slow.  I would like to duplicate the results with a little more velocity.

Gun is a Tikka Lite with a 24" barrel.

Thanks

Nate

[Little John]

I have the same gun exactly. It didn't like the Accu, I'm shooting 168 gr Barnes TSX. They shoot great for me, OH its left-handed though. Lefty's always shoot better

[littlebuf]

i have the tikka hunter and i use rl22 for my 168gr ttsx off the top of my head i believe its 78.2 gr and it makes a clover leaf at 200 yards you can cover with a dime

[haugenna]

Great day at the range.  The weather was cool.  We saw cow elk and calf walk out on the range at about 400 yards.  A blacktail came out with a fawn at 200 yards.  They weren't too gunshy. 

Shot the 300 Win Mag Tikka Lite Hunter with a 24" bbl.

I shot two powders: RL22 and H1000.
One bullet: 165 ballistic tips
Primer: Fed 215M
The H1000 was about 80-100 fps slower than the RL22.

The H1000 shot better the closer I got to max load.  Started off with 81.5 grains of H1000 at a velocity of 3050fps
82 grains was 3075fps
82.5 grains was 3115fps
83 grains was 3130fps
83.5 grains was 3150fps see picture of group
84 grains was 3130 fps (didn't like seeing the drop.) see picture of group

The RL 22 shot pretty well on every target.  Meaning all the shots were very close in proximity to the target. 

78 grains was 3170fps
78.5 grains was 3200fps (see picture)
79 grains was 3250fps (see picture)
79.5 grains was 3280fps
80 grains was 3333fps (recoil was getting stout on this load)
80.5 grains was 3320fps (recoil was stout here to.)

These velocities were all average velocities. 

Hope this info helps someone out.

[Huntbear]

How long are you waiting between shots?  I am betting the two almost touching on every picture are the first two shots out of cold or slightly warm barrel, and the flyer is the 3rd shot out of a warmer barrel... good groups though, looks like you may have a good load in there if you tweak it some.

[haugenna]

I never shot it hot.  I recall a couple times with the first two shots further apart and sticking the third right in next to the other. I let it cool quite a bit between shots. 

The gun could propably use a bed and trigger job. I am sure that will tighten them up a little.  I might have that done when I get the scope back from leupold and mount it on some light weight talleys.

I think with the RL 22 I am going to be right at 78.8 grains and 3225fps.  I am going to try it with some accubonds next time an see if they have the same point of impact.  They do in my rum and 30-378. 

[Jamieb]

The trigger is adjustable on the T-3, the directions are in the owners manual. You dont even have to take the action out of the stock. You access the adjustment screw through the mag well. Those groups will do fine for hunting but if it was me, after choosing the powder charge, I'd play with seating depth. Almost every time I've had a rifle that shoot those kind of groups
(2 close and then 1 off a little) changing tho C.O.L. tightened things up.

[haugenna]

Jamie,

I got it maxed out to the length of the detachable magazine.  I already seems like I have that bullet buried in the case.  You think seating it deeper would benefit?

Could have had something to do with runout to.  I was a little quick in my reloading process this last week and didn't take my time like I should have.
Nate

[Jamieb]

I'd bet seating deeper will help. A little jump to the lands wont hurt accuracey at all. I bet your 30-378 has at leat 1/8" and probably more like 1/4" of freebore. Loaded ammo runout is a big deal. If your loaded ammo is crooked it will never shoot well.

[Wanttohuntmore]

Those are great groups, all of them.  They are all under 1moa at 200 yds.  You could go with all of them and do fine to 500 yards no problem.  With that light of a rifle, without the trigger adjusted lightened, I will say AWESOME groups.  Makes me want to buy the same setup.....  Must concentrate......  Stay away from the gunstore today.  Hi, I am Rob, and I have a gun purchasing problem.....

[Jamieb]

I didnt notice that the groups were shot at 200 yards, I thought they were 100 yards. Those are fine groups and I'd be happy with any of them.