Inherently accurate larger magnum for hunting?

[Freediver111]

I’m having a bit of a struggle to get a Tikka T3X in .338 win mag to shoot as accurate as I’d like. It’s not terrible, but I’ve tried quite a few bullet and powder combos with some of the best groups being .75”. Not bad, but this gun makes me pull my hair out. It’ll shoot ok, then give me some flyers. I know, I’m not doubting some of the flyers are me, but some are definitely not. Today for example, two shots in the bullseye, and then two 3” high. I pulled one a touch, the other was a mystery. I have been shooting a fair amount in the heat of summer, so I haven’t discounted the barrel just being hot and not giving it appropriate time to really cool. It’s braked as well, so recoil really isn’t terrible. I can often spot my shots at 600 yards and beyond.
The point of my thread is, I seem to have no problems with my small to medium caliber LR rifles, and this is probably the first large magnum that I’m trying to dial in as a LR hunting rifle. Not bragging at all, as I’m not a competitive shooter, but I do consistently place 1-2 in our local long range PRS style comps. Basically saying I’m not a total newbie, but nowhere near the top level of PRS shooters. Maybe I’m wrong, but I haven’t struggled to get small to medium calibers to shoot well (6.5’s, .270’s, 7mm, etc.).

I will likely take the Tikka to a smith and rebarrel it. I’m debating calibers. I like the .338 win, mostly as nostalgia and it’s a “standard” moose caliber in AK where I’ve been hunting a lot lately. That said, I do hunt elk and bear a lot, and want something that can still hammer a big animal at 700-800 yards.
I’m thinking 300 WSM. Using a LA Tikka I can load the 300 WSM as close to the lands I want, use less powder and still achieve 2900 FPS with a 200 grain bullet, and Lapua brass is available.
This is supposed to a lighter hunting rifle, so keeping the package under 8 to 9lbs is the goal. The way I have it now it’s 8.5 lbs with a 4.5-18 LRTS.
So, am I overthinking this, or is there an “inherently” accurate large magnum rifle that can shoot a 200 grain ++ bullet at 2900 FPS? I’m probably overthinking it, but that’s my question. Thanks.

 

[toader]

300PRC

 

[JakeM]

The big gun is exposing any little slip in your fundamentals.

 

[XTREM HTR16]

1. Stock might be a factor. What stock do you have on the Tikka? Is it different than the stocks on your smaller rifles?
2. 300 WSM is a good decision, can handload the long heavies out a ways and plenty of factory ammo in case you don’t reload. 300 PRC would be bigger thumper if it will work within the Tikka mag box?
3. Where did you find 300 WSM Lapua brass?

 

[Freediver111]

1. Stock might be a factor. What stock do you have on the Tikka? Is it different than the stocks on your smaller rifles?
2. 300 WSM is a good decision, can handload the long heavies out a ways and plenty of factory ammo in case you don’t reload. 300 PRC would be bigger thumper if it will work within the Tikka mag box?
3. Where did you find 300 WSM Lapua brass?

I’m using the factory stock for now , with the vertical grip. My comp gun sits in a chassis, and I love chassis‘, but for this one I’ll probably eventually get an aftermarket in a traditional stock design like an A3.
The 300 PRC would be limited in mag length, which is why I was leaning WSM. I like the PRC, but the mag length is a concern. If I do go aftermarket stock I might be able to get away with a little more OAL if I add some aftermarket mags and hardware. Ups the cost a lot though.
My mistake on the Lapua brass. I thought they made it, but I’m wrong.

 

[Ledzep]

Factory 300 PRC isn't going to fit in a Tikka. I'd be looking at 7mm SAUM loaded long personally. .300 WSM doing the same thing isn't a bad plan either. With the magazine COAL limitations, if you ever want to shoot sexy sleek bullets, you may be S.O.L. with a lot of the traditional L/A magnums.

 

[Steel head]

Factory 300 PRC isn't going to fit in a Tikka. I'd be looking at 7mm SAUM loaded long personally. .300 WSM doing the same thing isn't a bad plan either. With the magazine COAL limitations, if you ever want to shoot sexy sleek bullets, you may be S.O.L. with a lot of the traditional L/A magnums.

7 saum and 300 WSM would be excellent options.

 

[hereinaz]

7 saum, 300 wsm, or my favorite the 7 Sherman Short mag.

I say the 7 sherman is like the 6 br of magnums. Super efficient. Using 26 proof barrels, I got my 7 rem mag to 2950 with 68.5 gr H1000. I got 2979 with 61 grains of H1000. H1000 isn't the best powder for 7SS.

It is also inherently accurate. You can't hardly make a load that doesn't shoot with the 7SS. A 180 vld in ADG/Sherman brass with 60.5 gr rl26 and you be 3020 fps +/- in a 26 proof barrel. And, it will shoot sub moa. Even fireforming the brass four rifles I know of are .5 moa and better with all sorts of bullets.

In a 10.5 pound set up, braked, recoil is nothing. And, the numbers on a 180 in 7mm rival or beat lots of 300 loads with less recoil. I love it off my tripod in the mountains hunting.

A 7mm with the right bullet will take any critter you named. Its as effective as a 180 300 wm.

 

[eastexsteve]

I’m having a bit of a struggle to get a Tikka T3X in .338 win mag to shoot as accurate as I’d like. It’s not terrible, but I’ve tried quite a few bullet and powder combos with some of the best groups being .75”. Not bad, but this gun makes me pull my hair out. It’ll shoot ok, then give me some flyers. I know, I’m not doubting some of the flyers are me, but some are definitely not. Today for example, two shots in the bullseye, and then two 3” high..

A T3X is a guaranteed < MOA rifle. This is your first "big" gun and it may have you a little spooked after the first couple of shots. Hey, it happens. Just make sure you're not shooting too hot a load out of it. I've seen that caliber shoot like a laser beam out of a variety of guns.

I know you said it was braked well, but double up on your hearing protection. I know it sounds weird, but just try it.

 

[Freediver111]

A T3X is a guaranteed < MOA rifle. This is your first "big" gun and it may have you a little spooked after the first couple of shots. Hey, it happens. Just make sure you're not shooting too hot a load out of it. I've seen that caliber shoot like a laser beam out of a variety of guns.

I know you said it was braked well, but double up on your hearing protection. I know it sounds weird, but just try it.

Well, I should say it’s my first “big” caliber gun that I’m attempting to shoot long range with. I’ve had a .338 win mag before and various other magnum calibers, but just haven’t tried to set one up as a precision LR platform. I reload, and tried 230 ELD x, Nosler accubonds in 200 and 225 grains, Nosler etips in 200 and 225 grains, 210 Hammer Hunters, and 210 swift scirocco II. All with either H4350, H4831, and RL19. Best groups seem to be with the 225 etips moving around 2750 with 4831sc, and the hammer hunters at 2980 with H4350. Consistency is where this thing is frustrating. A few day’s ago I was shooting the 210 hammer hunters and getting flyers. Sure, some are me, but some I swear were not. I can shoot a match and burn 10 rounds in under a minute with some of my other guns and no issues. But yeah, they all carry heavier contour barrels.
I’ll keep playing with this one for a few more months, and if I’m still getting inconsistencies I’ll be going with a 300 wsm more than likely. Then I’d have to decide barrel contour. Keeping it light I’m tempted by Proof, but likely save some cash and go with a smaller contour Benchmark and buy a stock as well.
We’ll see! I haven’t given up yet! Also, I wear electronic muffs with ear plugs. I’ve had one side knock off slightly and it rang my ear a touch. Learned my lesson! Thanks.

 

[wind gypsy]

I’m gonna guess there’s not a whole lot of meat on a tikka barrel with a .338” bore for muzzle threads. Maybe an issue there? With mag constraints you’re probably not shooting the most ideal 338 bullets.

tikka is a great platform for short mags.

 

[Slab74]

I’m having a bit of a struggle to get a Tikka T3X in .338 win mag to shoot as accurate as I’d like. It’s not terrible, but I’ve tried quite a few bullet and powder combos with some of the best groups being .75”. Not bad, but this gun makes me pull my hair out. It’ll shoot ok, then give me some flyers. I know, I’m not doubting some of the flyers are me, but some are definitely not. Today for example, two shots in the bullseye, and then two 3” high. I pulled one a touch, the other was a mystery. I have been shooting a fair amount in the heat of summer, so I haven’t discounted the barrel just being hot and not giving it appropriate time to really cool. It’s braked as well, so recoil really isn’t terrible. I can often spot my shots at 600 yards and beyond.
The point of my thread is, I seem to have no problems with my small to medium caliber LR rifles, and this is probably the first large magnum that I’m trying to dial in as a LR hunting rifle. Not bragging at all, as I’m not a competitive shooter, but I do consistently place 1-2 in our local long range PRS style comps. Basically saying I’m not a total newbie, but nowhere near the top level of PRS shooters. Maybe I’m wrong, but I haven’t struggled to get small to medium calibers to shoot well (6.5’s, .270’s, 7mm, etc.).

I will likely take the Tikka to a smith and rebarrel it. I’m debating calibers. I like the .338 win, mostly as nostalgia and it’s a “standard” moose caliber in AK where I’ve been hunting a lot lately. That said, I do hunt elk and bear a lot, and want something that can still hammer a big animal at 700-800 yards.
I’m thinking 300 WSM. Using a LA Tikka I can load the 300 WSM as close to the lands I want, use less powder and still achieve 2900 FPS with a 200 grain bullet, and Lapua brass is available.
This is supposed to a lighter hunting rifle, so keeping the package under 8 to 9lbs is the goal. The way I have it now it’s 8.5 lbs with a 4.5-18 LRTS.
So, am I overthinking this, or is there an “inherently” accurate large magnum rifle that can shoot a 200 grain ++ bullet at 2900 FPS? I’m probably overthinking it, but that’s my question. Thanks.

What is the problem? It’s a hunting rig. Two on top of each other and the third a flyer? If the first one does the job, then two and three don’t matter. I have a tikka super lite in .308 that does the same thing, two touching and the third 1.5” off, but when you drop them in one shot, who cares?

 

[eastexsteve]

Well, I should say it’s my first “big” caliber gun that I’m attempting to shoot long range with. I’ve had a .338 win mag before and various other magnum calibers, but just haven’t tried to set one up as a precision LR platform. I reload, and tried 230 ELD x, Nosler accubonds in 200 and 225 grains, Nosler etips in 200 and 225 grains, 210 Hammer Hunters, and 210 swift scirocco II. All with either H4350, H4831, and RL19. Best groups seem to be with the 225 etips moving around 2750 with 4831sc, and the hammer hunters at 2980 with H4350. Consistency is where this thing is frustrating. A few day’s ago I was shooting the 210 hammer hunters and getting flyers. Sure, some are me, but some I swear were not. I can shoot a match and burn 10 rounds in under a minute with some of my other guns and no issues. But yeah, they all carry heavier contour barrels.
I’ll keep playing with this one for a few more months, and if I’m still getting inconsistencies I’ll be going with a 300 wsm more than likely. Then I’d have to decide barrel contour. Keeping it light I’m tempted by Proof, but likely save some cash and go with a smaller contour Benchmark and buy a stock as well.
We’ll see! I haven’t given up yet! Also, I wear electronic muffs with ear plugs. I’ve had one side knock off slightly and it rang my ear a touch. Learned my lesson! Thanks.

Those are light bullets for a .338 and you are trying to move them fast. Go for the bigger bullets and start out slow at the bottom of the recommended powder charge. Try something like a 270 grain bullet and start out slow. I'm assuming it's a 1-10 twist barrel, so it will stabilize them. All you are trying to do at this point is get it to group consistently. I went through this with a Weatherby Vanguard my dad had. It didn't like light fast bullets at all. I've seen the same thing with other .338 guns. When you go to the bigger bullet with a reduced powder charge, make sure you use a slow-burning powder that uses a lot of room in the case.

 

[Freediver111]

I wondered if the brake was a factor, but I know of other Tikkas that have been braked with no issue. Although all of those were .30 cals.
I’ll give some 250 + grain bullets a shot. Might as well at this point. Also, yes it seems the first and second shots are good, then flyers start. For a hunting rifle it’s no bigs, but I like to shoot my guns a fair amount and practice so it kind of takes away from that aspect for me. But yeah, I’m pretty OCD and sometimes it gets the better of me in situations that aren’t so critical.
Mag length restrictions are a factor, which is why I was thinking 300 wsm. But I’m using bullets that seem to like a jump and I did play with seating depths just to check on a few (230 eld x in particular) and it didn’t improve anything.