Last Feburary I bought a new Tikka t-3 lite in .243 to replace the remmington I sold my brother. I wanted to use it on deer before zeroing my 75 grain coyote loads so I bought a box of 100 grain federal fusion factory loads. My groups with the federal loads all went over three inches but another fellow at the range was also shooting a .243 with 55 grain nosler hanloads and offered three for me to try. I'm usually leary of shooting others loads but having no other loads with me I fired them anyway, into a nice 3/4 inch group. My conclusion was that the federal loads were junk.
After this range session I bought a new .270 and robbed the scope off the tikka to put on it, mounting a spare on the .243. Next time at the range I brought my handloads, 75 grain v-maxes atop imr 4831, a solid 3/4 inch load in the remington it was worked up in. The results in the tikka were a couple of plus/minus one inch groups but they were seated to far out for this rifle as the bolt handle required a little force to close. I could run the loads through a die and push the bullets in but I,m lazy so bought a couple of boxes of federal 80 grain soft points. The result 3 inch plus patterns. What gives, I've never had a rifle that shot so inconsistantly.

I'd say it doesn't like Federal. I had a 243 Mauser that didn't like anything but handloads and white box Winchester 100 grains. Tikka's aren't usually that fussy, I've got two, but it sounds like you might have one that is.

Another thing to consider is the mounts. You didn't mention if they were the stock mounts but the screws are soft on their stock mounts and they could be causing some problems since you have remounted the scope. Why not just seat your handloads off the lands and be happy? Jamming them into the lands might not be the best idea for a new rifle.........or any rifle. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I had a T3 in 06 that was extremely accurate, and one in 708 that was very inaccurate. WHo knows? Don't own either one anymore, didn't like the design.

I had a M695 in 270win which was dodgy. I am pretty sure it was a bedding problem, groups with the same box of ammo could go from .75" to 3".

The action screws worked themselves loose on a couple of occasions.

I moved it on, couldn't be bothered to work at it.

I have one in 25-06 that is very accurate using Winchester 115 gr ballistic silver tips. Usually groups around 1/2 inch for three shots. It's good enough that I may not bother to reload for it.
I also have a 7-08 but I have only tried the ammo I had available so far which is some old Winchester Super X power points. Groups ran a bit over 1 inch. Should do better with premium ammo or reloads. Worked good enough to put some venison in the frezzer yesterday.
I would check all the screws, make sure the barrel is good and clean, (no copper fouling), and try some Winchester Supreme ballistic silver tips. I have yet to find a rifle that doesn't like them.
In my little circle of aquaintences I have never heard of a Tikka being too fussy. Hope it works out for you. Aint much more frustrating than to have a rifle you really like that just wont work the way you expect it to. Went through that with a new Rem Mod Seven CDL recently.

They are guaranteed. If you can't get it to shoot, send it back.

3-80gn Federals out of a Kimber Montana at 100yds



I'm not much of a factory ammo guy, but these have been hard to duplicate with handloads. I shot a similar size group yesterday with the same factory ammo, it's no fluke.

Pronghorn, if your gonna shoot non-premium ammo feed that Tikka some Rem Core-Loks. I havent seen a Tikka in any caliber that wouldn't shoot the Core-Loks very well. Mine shot all the premium stuff very accurately, TSX's, A-Frames,TBBC's and Accubonds.

Pronghorn, I agree with RickyD. I would take those aluminum scope mounts off and throw them away. Remount your scope with some quality STEEL bases and rings. Mine shot ok but did not thrill me. I immediately suspected the scope mounts and remounted with Conetrols. Group size shrank from 1.25" to .6" Good Luck, and let us know how it turns out.

All my Tikka's wear the Talley steels. Good fit, great product.

I don't have the time or patience to deal with it or beretta so I sent her down the road. Brought home a rem. vls .204 and while at the store met Jim Zumbo. Seems like a real nice guy. Now I have to buy another .243 for coyote hunting.

Interesting path to cross! I've always liked reading Zumbo. Sorry about the Tikka for ya. Don't think the 204 will do a coyote? Anyway, best wishes down the road.

I have never owned a Tikka primarily because they are so butt ugly - at least to me. However, I have a buddy that likes them shoots them and I have never seen one that didn't shoot well with a load it liked. For me that has been their only good quality. Check bedding, etc then do some serious load development before giving up on it. Tikkas are known to shoot and shoot well.

I have 3 (1 whitetail, 2 T-3's) and they all shoot 3/4" or better out of the box with factory ammo. Couldn't ask for better shooter, and they are very tough.

My 16 year old son and I met Zumbo some years ago. He had, I believe, his daughter (about 16 as well) with him. Very pretty and polite young lady who was most pleasant to talk to at first meeting them.

Kept trying to get my son, who was at that time, rather shy, to go make conversation with her. No go.

Can you imagaine!!

That's what dreams are meant for........

Hey pronghorn if you will get away from the heavy loads and stay 90 grn and less it will shoot! you are a 1 in 10 twist get you some 80-90 grn loads and it will shoot I guarantee you it will! everyone allways buys the big bullets first. I have a t3 in 243 and it will not shoot the 100's for s%&t ! I roll my own and it loves 70's and 80's 1/2 inch groups but it shoots 100grn at about 2 inch groups.

It feels so good to support the Europeans, doenst it....................

Depends on how far I'm throwin' it........