Tikka T3 308 target analysis help- Pictures!

[savages]

I finally got to the range today even through the conditions weren't ideal. They were still pretty damn nice compared to what we have been dealing with for the last 7 months.
Shooting from a cement bench with a bi-pod and rear bag.


Whats your take on this target. Did I finally find a node but the winds is causing the spread?



This is what a half grain increase did.



168gr AMAX. I was working them up slowly since this is probably the upper limits. No sticky bolt, no blown out primers, firing pin marks still round with no cratering. Will be loading up 5 at 49gr and see how they group.
Definitely going to be keeping an eye on these as the weather warms up.


Thank you for any input.

 

[bjay]

By looking horizontal and vertical group.target 4 is on the money! Its the temp/wind made it side to side.target 5 looks like your begining to hit your overcharge load.imo

 

[117D-RTO]

No way wind is pushing the group that far at 100 yds. I have a T3 TAC and have run it WAY up there charge wise, I think the action is a tough mother and tolerances are TIGHT.

 

[bjay]

16mph? Is posible.. even worst look at the patern while wind heading 10oclock. Like i said i could be wrong

 

[savages]

I'll be loading up a few more and seeing if they string horizontally again. If they do string out, i'm hoping that playing with seating depth with tighten the group up.
As you can see they are jumping .05 right now because they are at mag length.
I'll have to single load them just to see what it does seated to the lands. But then i'm going to have to back down the charge and work back up. Ahhh the joys of the game.
If it likes them closer then the .05 I will have to buy a long action mag and bolt catch so I don't have to load singles.

Being that this is a new rifle. Would you let the barrel season in while working up loads or would you remove the copper?
I did a thorough initial cleaning and have only run a snake through it once since then. The rifle has ~50 rounds through it.

 

[sakobob]

i would try going prone , and do a OCW test in .3 grain increments each way near your target 4 load and do 5 shots, 3 wont tell you enough.
the reason i say prone is its tough to get behind the rifle off the bench. with out the proper rest groups will suffer,just my 2 cents.
as far as cleaning, i would just clean when you switch powder brand,and not worry to much about the copper.

 

[savages]

i would try going prone , and do a OCW test in .3 grain increments each way near your target 4 load and do 5 shots, 3 wont tell you enough.
the reason i say prone is its tough to get behind the rifle off the bench. with out the proper rest groups will suffer,just my 2 cents.
as far as cleaning, i would just clean when you switch powder brand,and not worry to much about the copper.

I will give that a try. And I totally agree its hard to get behind the rifle decently on a bench.