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New range record with a Tikka Varmint #8708381 10/14/22 12:25 AM
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I decided I needed to make my rental rifle a .223 Rem as long as it was a 1:8 or better. This was for sale a few years ago, and I didn't have the money at the time. Fortunately the guy that it was sold to is also a friend of mine. He was willing to part with it. Gave him what he had in it. It is an all factory rifle, nothing modified.

[Linked Image]


Researching B.C and bullet cost, the clear winner was Hornady 80 gr ELD-M. The 80 gr and 88 gr ELD-M beat every other bullet for this twist rate in B.C. and they cost less. The box says it need a 1:7, but I didn't believe it. Doing my load development today, I started a grain under published max, and then climbed in .2 gr increments. The hotter the better was what I was seeing. Mirage and a bit of a cross wind, I wasn't expecting excellence, and then this happened.

[Linked Image]

It is three shots.


Zeroed to thay load at 100 yards. And then ran it out to 800 yards. So much fun to shoot, I went 800 back to 500, and back to 800 again. Laser beam!

[Linked Image]


[Linked Image]
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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: J.G.] #8708391 10/14/22 12:42 AM
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Very nice. I picked up a 1-8 twist CTR. I’m not in your league when it comes to shooting but I like to bring the Tikka to the range every time I go. It’s a joy to shoot and makes a nice break when shooting heavier recoiling rifles.



Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: scottfromdallas] #8708395 10/14/22 12:52 AM
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So much fun to shoot! Almost zero recoil, and not tough on the wallet in components.


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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: J.G.] #8708397 10/14/22 12:54 AM
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Hard to beat that with a stock rifle. I bought my 1st Tikka couple years ago in a Stainless T3x Superlite in 7mm-08 and it shot factory ammo into half inch groups right out of the box.

Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: J.G.] #8708401 10/14/22 01:05 AM
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But...but...but...the stocks are crappy and feel cheap! 😆 my stock CTR 6.5 shoots factory Hornady American gunner 140s in 1/2 moa groups at 1100 yds with an XTR II 3-15x. Handloads average .5 - .75" groups at 300

That is some excellent shooting and load development.

Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: J.G.] #8708414 10/14/22 01:25 AM
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The stock will get changed, I am sure. But I HAD to see what this barreled action can do.

Pleasantly surprised to say the least!


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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: J.G.] #8708529 10/14/22 10:32 AM
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Nice!

I've mentioned several times that we too have a 1:8 tikka varmint, only difference is mine is regular and not stainless. A couple years ago I put it in a krg bravo chassis. IT only helped with comfort and ergonomics, didn't improve accuracy at all. The best group I ever shot was with this rifle.

How the heck are you getting 2900fps from an 80gr bullet? I barely get a little over that with a 70gr. Maybe I'm just a wuss.


I'm a dude who likes long barrels!
Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: J.G.] #8708544 10/14/22 10:57 AM
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I didn't shoot enough to warrant keeping my Tikka varmint 223 and deal with either the cost of a 2nd nice scope or the hassle of moving the one I had back and forth...but, I do regret selling it sometimes. That thing was an absolute tack driver and cheap to shoot. Mine wasn't quite this good, but not far from it.

Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: J.G.] #8708685 10/14/22 02:14 PM
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Wait...there is a range record keeping system? I cannot help but think I've been cheated wink

She gonna shoot!!!!


Originally Posted by Phil Robertson
Don't let your ears hear what your eyes didn't see, and don't let your mouth say what your heart doesn't feel
Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: Judd] #8708726 10/14/22 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Judd
Wait...there is a range record keeping system? I cannot help but think I've been cheated wink

She gonna shoot!!!!


You shoot one tighter, cut it out. But they get saved on the loading shop door.


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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: J.G.] #8708734 10/14/22 03:22 PM
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2900 is the easy part getting 80gr to fit into a Tikka magazine is tough.


"Anyone taking up handloading necessarily plays with unknown factors and takes chances. But so does anyone who drives a car,goes to a cocktail party,eats in a restaurant,or gets married."

Jack O'Connor 1963
Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: DStroud] #8708814 10/14/22 05:23 PM
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Originally Posted by DStroud
2900 is the easy part getting 80gr to fit into a Tikka magazine is tough.


Yup. Had to top load.

There will be a bottom metal and mag change.


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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: J.G.] #8708818 10/14/22 05:36 PM
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I've got that same rifle in black with an XTRII on top. I'm shooting 75 gr Hornady BTHP match in mine. Like yours it's bone stock and an impressive shooter.

600 yard groups - 2 inch bull for reference. On the bottom pic that's not a flyer, I adjusted after the first shot.

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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: J.G.] #8708836 10/14/22 05:59 PM
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I have a Howa 1500 mini 1 in 8 twist that I have been wanting to try the 80gr eldm's in. At the moment my go to load for 223 anything has been the Hornady 75gr bt open tip match; mostly because I have a gazillion of them and they also happened to be a very damaging bullet on critters.

Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: patriot07] #8708886 10/14/22 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by patriot07
I didn't shoot enough to warrant keeping my Tikka varmint 223 and deal with either the cost of a 2nd nice scope or the hassle of moving the one I had back and forth...but, I do regret selling it sometimes. That thing was an absolute tack driver and cheap to shoot. Mine wasn't quite this good, but not far from it.


patriot the tikka is still doing well and I am glad i was able to pick it up it does shoot better than I do



Originally Posted By: NTX_Hunter
"The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun, is a good guy with a gun"
Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: J.G.] #8708976 10/14/22 09:59 PM
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Congrats Jason! That is impressive even for a Tikka.


Originally Posted by onlysmith&wesson
I was wrong...on anything technical.

Originally Posted by Sailor
Fitz............. is right, ya know............
Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: J.G.] #8708987 10/14/22 10:43 PM
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Fantastic!

Hang onto that rifle and don’t let it go! up

Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: jeffbird] #8708996 10/14/22 10:56 PM
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Originally Posted by jeffbird
Fantastic!

Hang onto that rifle and don’t let it go! up


Everything is for sale, but this one would be expensive. grin


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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: J.G.] #8709015 10/14/22 11:30 PM
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Impressive. rifle


Originally Posted by unclebubba
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.

Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: J.G.] #8709045 10/15/22 12:53 AM
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Makes me smile seeing you get great groups like this. Are 80's able to be fed from a bolt action magazine?

Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: J.G.] #8709096 10/15/22 03:05 AM
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Originally Posted by J.G.
Originally Posted by jeffbird
Fantastic!

Hang onto that rifle and don’t let it go! up


Everything is for sale, but this one would be expensive. grin

you sound like me now

Great range report!! Tikkas are very great rifles.

Vortex still suk.


SPACE FOR RENT


Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: Big A] #8709139 10/15/22 10:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Big A
Originally Posted by patriot07
I didn't shoot enough to warrant keeping my Tikka varmint 223 and deal with either the cost of a 2nd nice scope or the hassle of moving the one I had back and forth...but, I do regret selling it sometimes. That thing was an absolute tack driver and cheap to shoot. Mine wasn't quite this good, but not far from it.


patriot the tikka is still doing well and I am glad i was able to pick it up it does shoot better than I do

up

Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint [Re: J.G.] #8709375 10/15/22 07:00 PM
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Nice work J.G. .223 is underrated. 2900 fps with an 80 is strong.


Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
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