Could It Be A Slower Tikka Barrel?

Turkeytider · Oct 20, 2024

It’s my understanding that Tikka barrels generally shoot slower than others. If that’s true, could that at least be a contributing factor to having to put in more elevation than what’s called for in ballistic calibration for a given factory round? I’m fully aware that mv variability can play a role as well. During my “ get acquainted “ period with my 6.5 Creed Super Varmint I’ve had to dial in some elevation over and above that called for in the calculator. Once doped correctly, though, the gun is VERY accurate at 500 yards. Just wish our range was longer.

Gwak06 · Oct 20, 2024

Did you use a chronograph?

PappyM3 · Oct 20, 2024

Gwak06 said:
Did you use a chronograph?

OP, how did you determine MV for your ballistic calculator? Did you look at average muzzle velocities posted online for your barrel length with that specific cartridge? Or are you just using the MV printed on the box of ammo?

Turkeytider · Oct 20, 2024

Gwak06 said:
Did you use a chronograph?

Thanks for the reply. No, and I realize that that’s the way to measure. Just that the calculator data was obviously too low consistently

Gwak06 · Oct 20, 2024

What caliber and what is your barrel length?

Turkeytider · Oct 20, 2024

PappyM3 said:
OP, how did you determine MV for your ballistic calculator? Did you look at average muzzle velocities posted online for your barrel length with that specific cartridge? Or are you just using the MV printed on the box of ammo?

I was just using the manufacturer’s stated MV. I’m a relative rookie at rifle shooting, but I’m aware that there are inherent inaccuracies in doing that.

Turkeytider · Oct 20, 2024

Gwak06 said:
What caliber and what is your barrel length?

23.7”, 6.5 Creedmoor.

scubapro187 · Oct 20, 2024

It's my experience that Tikka in 6.5 creedmoor do shoot slow. I'm not sure if it carries over to any other calibers but more than just myself have experienced this. I can't recall the exact numbers but I'd say you lose about 100fps compared to other manufacturers.

powdahound76 · Oct 20, 2024

Box stated velocities are often exaggerated.

See if you can shoot with someone who owns a chrono and get real numbers.

Barrels can shoot slow too.
And the above is true for any rifle once you push past 100 yd groups.

spife7980 · Oct 20, 2024

Turkeytider said:
I was just using the manufacturer’s stated MV. I’m a relative rookie at rifle shooting, but I’m aware that there are inherent inaccuracies in doing that.

Many apps will give you the option to “true” your muzzle velocity by entering what it takes to actually hit centered at distance.

Set up your height over bore, twist rate, bullet weight length bc.
You zero at 100, enter that as your zero distance.

And then shoot it at distance. If you find you need 7 mils instead of 6 to hit center in the plate at 800 yards you can enter that and it will back you into a velocity that jives.
A good zero is vital though.

I prefer a chronograph myself but sometimes that doesn’t guarantee a match up, thus the truing.

redneckbmxer24 · Oct 20, 2024

Yes Tikka barrel are consistently slow compared to other factory barrels as has been covered numerous times and is considered general knowledge except for on cockslide where they just refuse to admit it.

Those factory box specs are usually with a high quality 24” barrel so it’s more on the end of best case scenario.

My experience with many Tikkas has been that you will generally see 150-200fps slower than box velocity with the 22-24” barrel models.

If you want a good point of reference to true your velocity from subtract 175fps from box velocity and go from there.

Turkeytider · Oct 20, 2024

Thanks everybody, I really do appreciate everyone taking the time and trouble to reply. May well be more than one factor involved here. More than anything, I was curious to see what others thought about the Tikka barrel possibly being a contributing factor to my shooting low and having to adjust up a bit from the calculated elevation value. If I were trying to shoot out to 1K yards, I might try to to explore a bit more, particularly if I where using the loads in question ( AAC 140 grain SMK and Hornady American Gunner 140 grain HPBT ).
By the way, for anyone range shooting 6.5 Creed, FWIW, both of those are REALLY liked by my Tikka. When I do get the dope right, there’s not much problem stacking hits with both inside a 5” target at 500 yards. And…..they’re budget friendly!

Turkeytider · Oct 20, 2024

redneckbmxer24 said:
Yes Tikka barrel are consistently slow compared to other factory barrels as has been covered numerous times and is considered general knowledge except for on cockslide where they just refuse to admit it.

Those factory box specs are usually with a high quality 24” barrel so it’s more on the end of best case scenario.

My experience with many Tikkas has been that you will generally see 150-200fps slower than box velocity with the 22-24” barrel models.

If you want a good point of reference to true your velocity from subtract 175fps from box velocity and go from there.

Thanks, appreciate it. I’ll give that MV alteration a try.

Baron23 · Oct 20, 2024

Turkeytider said:
Thanks everybody, I really do appreciate everyone taking the time and trouble to reply. May well be more than one factor involved here. More than anything, I was curious to see what others thought about the Tikka barrel possibly being a contributing factor to my shooting low and having to adjust up a bit from the calculated elevation value. If I were trying to shoot out to 1K yards, I might try to to explore a bit more, particularly if I where using the loads in question ( AAC 140 grain SMK and Hornady American Gunner 140 grain HPBT ).
By the way, for anyone range shooting 6.5 Creed, FWIW, both of those are REALLY liked by my Tikka. When I do get the dope right, there’s not much problem stacking hits with both inside a 5” target at 500 yards. And…..they’re budget friendly!

It’s not shooting “low” if you don’t have actual MV. As said, you are comparing field performance w what the box MV says it should be.

I bet if you chrono’d the MV you’d find your elevations to be spot on or at least close.

And yes, different barrels often provide diff MV and hence required elevation.

Best of luck

Turkeytider · Oct 20, 2024

Turkeytider said:
Thanks, appreciate it. I’ll give that MV alteration a try.

Redneck, just FYI, your 175 fps adjustment was just about dead on to what I was dialing in elevation!

redneckbmxer24 · Oct 20, 2024

Baron23 said:
It’s not shooting “low” if you don’t have actual MV. As said, you are comparing field performance w what the box MV says it should be.

I bet if you chrono’d the MV you’d find your elevations to be spot on or at least close.

And yes, different barrels often provide diff MV and hence required elevation.

Best of luck

I wonder what people used to do before magnetospeeds and pocket chronos that are accurate AF came along? When the only chronos were shoot throughs that could at best be depended on for a quick string to get ES and SD for load development and otherwise couldn’t be trusted for actual velocity…

Must be nice to be so new to all of this stuff that all you know is today’s gear.

There are many ways to determine MV and actually going out and shooting at distance is one of them.

Rodney65 · Oct 20, 2024

scubapro187 said:
It's my experience that Tikka in 6.5 creedmoor do shoot slow. I'm not sure if it carries over to any other calibers but more than just myself have experienced this. I can't recall the exact numbers but I'd say you lose about 100fps compared to other manufacturers.

This has been my experience as well. I am hoping the tradeoff is that they maybe last longer?

6brshooter · Oct 20, 2024

Turkeytider said:
I was just using the manufacturer’s stated MV. I’m a relative rookie at rifle shooting, but I’m aware that there are inherent inaccuracies in doing that.

If you are using accurate enviros, range, altitude, and g7 bc of bullet in factory ammo, you can walk into velocity(ballpark) with actual drop data.

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Could It Be A Slower Tikka Barrel?

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