The rifle came from Tikka chambered in 7-08 with a varmint contour barrel. And while I came to love shooting 7-08, now that the barrel was shot out, economics dictated that I chamber it in something that would use the same bullets as my other Tikka in 6.5x55. So thanks to Vu providing me with a barrel until the group buy comes in, a couple weeks ago I went to the Spartan Rifle shop and Marc chambered and installed the barrel using one of his reamers for Lapua brass while I waited (one of the perks of being a NCPPRC member). After that I gave it Joe Ducos to open the barrel channel for the larger barrel and re-bed the action.
Then I spent the next 2 weeks waiting (very impatiently I must say) till I could get to the range and try out some loads. I had next to no powder and could only load 12-15 rounds in a few different kinds of whatever I had on hand. And not wanting to pull my NF off the other Tikka till I had enough powder to be able to shoot this one, I mounted one of my fixed 10x Bushnell Elite 3200 scopes. Not the ideal for shooting tiny groups, so some of the groups might have been even small with better glass.
Barrel is Bartlein M24/M40 contour at 26"
RAD muzzle brake opened up for .30 cal (came off another rifle)
Tikka 595 action with factory trigger
Tikka Master Sporter stock
NEAR Manufacturing 20moa scope base
Shooting 139 Scenars in Lapua brass with Federal 210 primers
The first shots out of the new barrel at 100 yards from a bench and sandbag. 1st shot was after bore sighting, 2nd shot was first adjustment, shots 3-6 were after making a .2L adjustment. This was with 38.0gr of XBR 8208.
Then I moved to the 200 yard line to check more loads, and get some chronograph data.
I had just enough H4350 remaining to load 17 rounds. These were the 2 best groups.
Then I spent the next 2 weeks waiting (very impatiently I must say) till I could get to the range and try out some loads. I had next to no powder and could only load 12-15 rounds in a few different kinds of whatever I had on hand. And not wanting to pull my NF off the other Tikka till I had enough powder to be able to shoot this one, I mounted one of my fixed 10x Bushnell Elite 3200 scopes. Not the ideal for shooting tiny groups, so some of the groups might have been even small with better glass.
Barrel is Bartlein M24/M40 contour at 26"
RAD muzzle brake opened up for .30 cal (came off another rifle)
Tikka 595 action with factory trigger
Tikka Master Sporter stock
NEAR Manufacturing 20moa scope base
Shooting 139 Scenars in Lapua brass with Federal 210 primers
The first shots out of the new barrel at 100 yards from a bench and sandbag. 1st shot was after bore sighting, 2nd shot was first adjustment, shots 3-6 were after making a .2L adjustment. This was with 38.0gr of XBR 8208.
Then I moved to the 200 yard line to check more loads, and get some chronograph data.
I had just enough H4350 remaining to load 17 rounds. These were the 2 best groups.
