Range Report Tikka 7-08

I started off this morning building 10 different loads of 3 each from 38 to 40.7g of Varget. I shot at 100 yards instead of the planned 300 because the wind was whipping inconsistently from the lake across the pasture. My first group at 38g proved promising at .416". After that the groups opened up to around 1.5" at 39.2g. That's when I noticed my scope was sliding back in the rings. So I wasted the first 5 groups. Drove the 2 miles back to the house and reset the scope. A bit tighter this time. Went back to my friends house and finished out the groups with a best of .226" at 39.8g of Varget. My OAL was 2.810 which is the max for the Tikka magazine. I'll get a couple of pics up in a second. I'm considering doing a full ladder test at 300 and going from there. I have no idea what all I missed on the first five loads. No pressure signs on any load but I've went as high as I am willing to go. Recoil was similar to a .223.

Edit: Builder is Scott Weichel in Wylie Tx. His # is 972-404-6703 and he approves this message.

.510-.284= .226

First group at 38 with loose scope.

Love those 7mm08's, good build and great shooting!
What is your barrel twist rate?

I also found that I am not a fan of the Vortex Viper. The eye relief and eye box are so critical that I often had to come up off the rifle and start over. I know that's mostly due to my inexperience but I never had that problem with the SS 3-15 or SS fixed 16 or Elite 3-12 or or or...

I can also say that I love the Manners stock. I was not sure about it at first but when I got behind it and started shooting it was great.

twist is 1:9. Link to build info. http://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbth...ild#Post5726646

Sounds like a pretty good first round.

Very nice rifle and darn good shooting.

L-I-B. You ended up a measly .1 gr of powder off my load of 39.9 gr.

Yes the Viper is very unforgiving on the eye relief, that's the worst thing about it. A Triad Tactical stock pack can help with this.

And yes, once you go with a vertical grip, you'll never go back.

That's only because I didn't try 39.9 yet. I'll check out the triad. Would you keep searching for a load or go with the 39.8. I don't know that I have the skills to ever shoot better.

And I have no idea what L-I-B means.

Also thanks to all the kind words above.

L-I-B = Well I'll be....

Shoot 39.8, 39.6, 40.0 at 300 yards or more.

Good shooting!

I agree fireman - the vertical stock is superior in every way to a standard hunting stock. One of the alternate reasons I was considering upgrading the stock, along with the eye relief issue. But I'll get the stock pack from Triad now and upgrade stocks later.
Country code for "well I'll be".

I have the same issues with the viper line as well as a hard time focusing with my eyes.

Love that stock.

Good shooting.