I have a Tikka T3 lite in 300 wm and I love the idea of so much power in such a lightweight rifle, however, the full power 165's and 180's that Ive been shooting are punishing. Does anyone have any good reduced loads comparable to 30/06 ballistics that I could try until I get a brake installed? I would like to take it elk hunting this year still so any help would be appreciated.

In a 24"bbl:
Bullet- 180gr Rem Core-Lokt
Primer- Federal 215
Case- Remington
Powder- 66r IMR4350
Velocity- 2835fps

Have a brake installed and keep shooting what you do currently. It will tame it down to your 30-06 level or less.

I make them and install them so I am speaking from experience.

And yes, it will be louder.

Buddy shoots the following light 300WM load for hog hunting.
57gr H4895
150gr FMJBT

OP says he's looking for an elk load

Have you shot a rifle with a brake?

I know some like them and that's fine, but others hate them. The noise and blast is worse than any recoil I've felt.

And it is worse for anyone next to you while you are shooting.

If you don't need too high of a BC for long shots, a light to medium load with a 130 ttsx would offer less recoil I bet and still kill an elk.
I do not like brakes on my hunting rifles.

Install a limbsaver pad. You'll be amazed. I've got one on my Tikka and now is kicks less than my 30-06.

http://www.hornady.com/store/300-Win-Mag-150-Gr-SST-Custom-Lite/
http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/centerfire/managed-recoil/managed-recoil.aspx

If reloads don't work out here is another option. Would not want a 300WM under 7-1/2 lbs for sure.

Should of bought an 06

Ralphie - Not looking for a pissing match just giving a guy a possible solution.

I make them, install them, and use them - about 35-40 a year go through my shop so yes, I do know a bit about the noise they make and I stated as much in my post.

As you said, some guys love them and some guys hate them (it's clear you are one of those "some guys hate them") but I have never had a single client come back and ask to take it off - not one! To me that attests to their effectiveness as well.

It WILL reduce the recoil down below the 30-06 level and it IS an option. The trade-off is increase noise - some are much worse than others in that respect.

Just another option - most of us like options.....

Thanks for all the "options" guys. EZEARL, I'm already getting a list together for loading a batch of 180's with imr 4350 so thanks for that. I have shot a few rifles with brakes(a 338 wm most recently) and feel that it would be a great addition to the rifle. I already use ear protection while hunting so the noise shouldn't be an issue. Also a limbsaver pad might make it on there too, thanks WyColoCowboy. I've been reading this forum for years now and finally decided to register and start asking questions so thanks for the replies everyone.

If you haven't tried the limbsaver do that 1st before deciding on anything else. I'm betting after installing the pad your troubles are over.

I just found them on midwayusa. It would be awesome if that's all it took.

I have a Savage 300 WSM. It's a fairly heavy rifle but it came with a hard plastic butt plate. It didn't have any factory made way to install any kind of pad so I invented one and put on a Limbsaver. It was definitely a limb saver. Before, 15 to 20 full load rounds were more than I could handle. Now 50 don't bother me.

Are these the pads that "supposedly" got sticky?

It's a reduced load but will kill elk if it kills hogs. It's a lighter load, which is what the op asked for as I recall so quit being a drama queen Francis. ;-)

Not supposedly. They do. I had mine stick to the foam in the bottom of my gun case hard enough to tear the foam out. I still have a few foam remnants on the pad and it's been 5 years.

I'd be looking at a moderate load for the 150 TTSX. Barnes website should have plenty.

..... Very true... Also want to add, brakes suck!!!

Hey no problem. Also when I asked if he had shot them I was asking the OP, not you.

I was only suggesting that the OP shoot a braked rifle first before committing to one. While they do a good job of reducing felt recoil, it isn't without a cost.

I do hate them, but I have no problem with others having them, unless I'm guiding them.

Not to open a can of worms but I already have a .270 which I have killed a number of elk with that is why I don't have an '06. The 300 was a gift and a great one at that. I would just like to get it to where I like to shoot it.

Can't blame you there. I've heard for a good while now how that Limbsaver tames recoil on the T3's chambered in the more powerful chamberings. The Pachmayr on my 30yr old Brown Precision doesn't give like it use to. Been thinking about a Limbsaver for it.

That's one of the 1st upgrades on the Tikka's getting a limbsaver recoil pad then set of talleys...

Like others have said a good recoil pad will make a big difference. Using something faster burning such as H 4895, Varget, IMR 4166 and similar powders with something around 165 gr will recoil much less and still be 3000 fps or more. Nothing wrong with a load like that, I plan on doing exactly that for a fun to shoot load in my soon to be arriving 308 Norma Mag. When I had a 300 WSM I could feel a big difference in recoil between a full power 180 gr load and a load that used RL 15 with 150-165's. The latter load clocked around 3050 fps.

180 - 185 bullet of choice

69 - 72 gr. H4831

F210

Should run 2800 - 2850.

Obviously, start low and work up for your rifle.

If you want to go the brake route, here's s good review of a bunch:

http://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/07/17/muzzle-brake-recoil-reduction/

Also, keep in mind you're limited to probably 1/2 x 28 threads on a tikka factory tube. Harrells will prob do that, and I know piercision makes their new mini mag muscle brake in 1/2 threads.

I love using a strap on NAP pad! Put it on your shoulder. You could also slip on a limb saver boot over stock. Brakes are very loud and not fun to be around.

I would be looking at loading some 150 grain TTSX or E tips to about 3100 and go hunting ..

Limb saver recoil pad makes a tremendous difference. They are a bolt on fit....takes less than 2 minutes.

I've noted on a number of 300 win mags a minimum load of IMR7828 with 180 gr or 165 gr bullet to produce tack driving accuracy and 30/06 velocities.

Without a limbsaver pad however many have noted even the 30/06 to be extremely punishing in the Tikka T3 with factory pad.

Shod

They come with a recoil pad from the factory?

I'd say its equal to the metal one on a pre-64. . .

I just put a Limbsaver airtech pad on my sako 75 which has a rock hard solid rubber pad. Amazing difference in softness and feel.

link to airtech pad

+1

They work great on my Tikka's.

Biggest difference for recoil on my 300 winny was going from the stock boat paddle stock (on a Ruger) to a Mickey. Huge difference in recoil!

Anohter direction could be to IF you reload...look at some of the online Powder Mfg'ers website like Hodgdon's that give chamber pressure's for their loads...and while it can be tedious to work up to your target MV's using the bullet of choice with the LOWEST pressures possible you'll know more about that load than most guys who don't practice enough before going on the big time trip about shooting their heavier than normal calibers...and be sure to plan on takeing your 270 too.

+1 on Limbsavers working great, but mine got waay sticky from having Shooters Choice bore solvent dribble over it one time. SO... the removable slipon LS boot idea is the best way to avoid getting the LS all sticky deal.

And Lastly, look into resolving the LIGHT WEIGHT STOCK's recoil issue, and buy a drop in Boyd's Laminate that'll weigh about 2+ lbs more than the Lite's carbon fiber stock and order it with the best pad they offer, starting at about $100 for the basic stock in your choice of stock styles and + options, like that Best Pad @ $36 installed I think it was, or a LimbSaver @ $17....and still prolly spend less bux than permanently installing a MuzzieBrake.
Ron

I suppose it would be an inaccurate statement to call that thing on a tikka a pad.

Shod

I have checked out Boyd's website. It advised that some fitting work may need to be done for a proper fit to each rifle...are we talking something I can do with a dremel or is it a bit more complicated fit work to be done?

My buddy has the same rifle as the OP. He put a Limbsaver on it per my recommendation. Recoil is noticeable but by no means punishing.

Go that route first. Stuff the buttstock with plastic grocery bags while you're at it to eliminate the echo from the hollow stock.



P

Try it before you have your bbl threaded and see if you really want it or don't thread it and keep this on it.
Clamp on brake

You could try this, 150g MAnaged Recoil from Remington:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/15...oft-point-box-of-20?cm_vc=ProductFinding

In my Ruger .300WM, 59.8g H4350 and a 168g A-MAX yields 2598fps. A load of 78.0g H1000 gives 2869fps.

I'm not the least bit recoil shy a lightweight 375 H&H is fine by me for hunting and preparation - but when my wife surprised me with some custom work on my old 7 Rem Mag the brake made a difference in how well it shot - much better.

My hunting partners prefer that I'm not standing next to them when I shoot - but that isn't really my desired shooting spot so it doesn't happen often. Louder, softer kick and more accurate has been fine with me - mine kicks like a soft 270 load but hits with a max load thump - I find that to be a satisfying result.