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New range record with a Tikka Varmint
#8708381
10/14/22 12:25 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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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. 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. 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!
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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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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,176
scottfromdallas
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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.
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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#8708395
10/14/22 12:52 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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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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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,277
cos
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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.
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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint
[Re: J.G.]
#8708401
10/14/22 01:05 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,637
MacDaddy21
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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.
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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint
[Re: J.G.]
#8708414
10/14/22 01:25 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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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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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,200
Korean Redneck
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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!
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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint
[Re: J.G.]
#8708544
10/14/22 10:57 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,564
patriot07
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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.
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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint
[Re: J.G.]
#8708685
10/14/22 02:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,256
Judd
#1 Creedmoor Fan
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#1 Creedmoor Fan
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Posts: 19,256 |
Wait...there is a range record keeping system? I cannot help but think I've been cheated She gonna shoot!!!!
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
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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint
[Re: Judd]
#8708726
10/14/22 03:10 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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Wait...there is a range record keeping system? I cannot help but think I've been cheated She gonna shoot!!!! You shoot one tighter, cut it out. But they get saved on the loading shop door.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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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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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,638
DStroud
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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
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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint
[Re: DStroud]
#8708814
10/14/22 05:23 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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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.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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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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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,848
Texan Til I Die
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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.
Silver spurs and gold tequila keep me hanging on. Pretty girls and old cantinas give me shelter from the storm.
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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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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,239
blkt2
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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.
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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint
[Re: patriot07]
#8708886
10/14/22 07:39 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,321
Big A
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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. 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
"The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun, is a good guy with a gun"
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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint
[Re: J.G.]
#8708976
10/14/22 09:59 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,455
Big Fitz
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Congrats Jason! That is impressive even for a Tikka.
I was wrong...on anything technical. Fitz............. is right, ya know............
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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint
[Re: J.G.]
#8708987
10/14/22 10:43 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,424
jeffbird
Extreme Tracker
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Fantastic! Hang onto that rifle and don’t let it go!
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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint
[Re: jeffbird]
#8708996
10/14/22 10:56 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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Fantastic! Hang onto that rifle and don’t let it go! Everything is for sale, but this one would be expensive.
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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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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,572
TexFlip
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Impressive.
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.
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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint
[Re: J.G.]
#8709045
10/15/22 12:53 AM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,424
tenyearsgone
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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?
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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint
[Re: J.G.]
#8709096
10/15/22 03:05 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,984
Buzzsaw
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Fantastic! Hang onto that rifle and don’t let it go! Everything is for sale, but this one would be expensive. you sound like me now Great range report!! Tikkas are very great rifles. Vortex still suk.
SPACE FOR RENT
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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint
[Re: Big A]
#8709139
10/15/22 10:30 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,564
patriot07
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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. 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
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Re: New range record with a Tikka Varmint
[Re: J.G.]
#8709375
10/15/22 07:00 PM
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,198
Smokey Bear
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Posts: 5,198 |
Nice work J.G. .223 is underrated. 2900 fps with an 80 is strong.
Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
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