Tikka T3 Mag length issues

MachoKing

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Minuteman
Feb 26, 2017
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So I have a Tikka T3 Hunter in 7 mag. My problem is I can't even get close to the lands with a 162 ELD-X and still use the magazine. Should I contact Tikka about the barrel being throated too long or is that the nature of the beast? Right now to use the magazine I'm seating at .080 off the lands.
 
The T3 hunter is almost assuredly not setup to be able to run a long, polymer tipped, bullet seated close to the lands. The longer and more efficient the bullet, the farther the distance from the tip to the ogive and thus, the farther from the lands at a given mag length. That's also not a super common LR caliber (though awesome for it in a lot of ways) and definitely not an LR rifle. If you switch bullets you will find that jump that you seek possibly. However, have you shot the bullets with .080 jump? That's not a wild amount. Good luck,
Justin
 
Try loading at mag length and see what results you get. As said, there is likely nothing wrong with your rifle, Tikka mags just limit many cartridges to lengths commonly found in factory ammo.

That said, not all bullets have to kiss the lands for great accruacy. The 162's in my .280 Remignton jump almost .150" and shoot just fine.
 
At .099 off the lands the best group I got was .652 MOA. I guess with is being a brand new rifle they might tighten up over time?
 
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So, what you meant to write was 0.652 MOA?

As mentioned, there is nothing wrong with your Tikka. For hunting and steel banging, unless you're going ELR, .652 MOA is fine If you want better you have choices. A new barrel, throated to your specs for the 162 ELD-X; a different bullet that will better fit the Tikka and its design (as mentioned above); or single feeding by hand with your ELD-Xs seated further out where you want them.
 
So, what you meant to write was 0.652 MOA?

As mentioned, there is nothing wrong with your Tikka. For hunting and steel banging, unless you're going ELR, .652 MOA is fine If you want better you have choices. A new barrel, throated to your specs for the 162 ELD-X; a different bullet that will better fit the Tikka and its design (as mentioned above); or single feeding by hand with your ELD-Xs seated further out where you want them.

Yes I meant .652 haha. I have 500 of these ELD-X's and in my m700 I can reach the lands but the barrel is burnt out on that rifle.
 
I feel your pain. I tend to buy bullets that I like in 1000 piece lots myself. So if something goes awry, I do sometimes end up with excess.

I do think that were I in your shoes, as long as you are not needing quick mag fed rounds, I'd load them to best accuracy and hand feed. I do that with my .338 LM and found that once I got used to it, I can feed them pretty quickly by hand.
 
I feel your pain. I tend to buy bullets that I like in 1000 piece lots myself. So if something goes awry, I do sometimes end up with excess.

I do think that were I in your shoes, as long as you are not needing quick mag fed rounds, I'd load them to best accuracy and hand feed. I do that with my .338 LM and found that once I got used to it, I can feed them pretty quickly by hand.

It's a hunting rifle so I'd like to have full use of the magazine.
 
IMG_0261.JPG Well you are in luck. We are currently manufacturing a new patent pending design on Tikka bottom metal for long action calibers that will allow you to run an AI magazine in the factory stock and allows an OAL of 3.500". You can pre-order on our site.