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I have a Tikka T3 in .243. Is it supposed to be free floated? I cannot slide a dollar bill under the barrel for more than 2-3 inches. I have been having some trouble with heavier weight bullets grouping well and don't know if the rifle is supposed to be free floated or not.

Thanks,

Dan

Free floated from the receiver forward... Wood gun the stock might have changed dimensionally.

Thanks

10 twist not ideal for heavies...

95s been killing deer to over 500 yds for a long time, think Noz BTip.

I had a 10 twist 6BR Dakota Predator, shot 1/2" 3-shot groups all day at 200 yds....

Never had a 100 shoot as good/better than those BTs. 105 Amax, another story, esp in an 8t, but it's a specialty slug.

I don't see any need to use another bullet than a 95 NBT, unless it's over 500 yds.

Check the torque on the action screws.

what do you mean by "heavier weight bullets?"

Dad used ta say...It's not the barrel it's da twist n da quality of the rifling...if da rifling is set fast...it is up ta you to use the right weight bullit...for the twist...Scotty O...

My Browning Safari does well with the 100 Nosler Partition. I may still be using a supply of the older design, semi-spitzer and they may be a little shorter than the newer design. I have purchased the new design, I just do not know for sure that I am into them yet.

I have never targeted the 100 NP past 100. They do kill deer and coyotes well beyond 200.

Jack

By heavier weight bullets, I mean I tried 95 Fusions and the first group was around 2 inches, next group the same and the last about an inch and a quarter.

Shot 95 ballistic tips and expected a great group but got 3 inches - maybe 3.5. It was so bad I stopped. I figure the 95 ballistic tips would be the ace in the hole.

If the actions screws were not torqued right wouldn't that prevent the 85bthp from grouping well too?

Bought some Sierra 100 grain btsp yesterday evening at Cabelas and will give them a go this evening.

I really need a bullet that will give me an exit wound most of the time as I hunt areas that are almost impenetrable they are so thick. Not all of my areas are like that, but some are. I was hoping to find a 95 or 100 grain bullet that would work well in the Tikka.

One thing is be sure action is 'snapped' in recoil lug

I'm no longer amazed by the accuracy of a flat based Nosler Partition. And I'm seeing the same out of the flat based Hornady Interlock. If it's thick shots will prolly be under 300 maybe 500 and BC isn't gonna matter. Partitions are the best of both worlds. Open fast and dig deep.. Good luck!

Cleaned the gun real good yesterday with Butch's Bore Shine and proceeded to the range where the Tikka shot a half inch group with 100 grain Sierra's and also 95 BT. Problem solved with a good cleaning, though it really didn't look that dirty to me.

Thanks all for your help. I'm just glad she's a shooter!

Dan

I too figured out that my Tikka much prefers a squeaky clean barrel.

My T3 25-06 also liked a clean bore. My Sako A7 270 and 30-06 both much prefer to be shot clean.

Barnes makes:
85gr TSX, and 80gr TTSX
Either should give exit hole and no lead fragments in the meat.

You are in luck my friend has two tikkas in 243. Today worked up a load for them results were very good.
39.0gr RL 15
85gr tsx bt
Winchester large rifle primer
Oal 2.620