Tikka T3 Not legal for hunter?

[still_learning]

I admit that like to shoot, but am generally too lazy to travel to compete.  Recently, on a vacation to visit the wife's folks (there's an oxymoron), and brought my T3 to shoot in a local silhouette match at a nearby range.  I was told that while my 7.12 lb, soaking wet, rifle made weight, the magazine was illegal because it dropped too far down...esentially becoming a palm rest.  Nice people; they let me shoot anyway, but I wonder about using this rifle in hunter category if I attend another match.  Is the magazine a problem?    Also, I shoot the same load (6.5x55) for both 108 & 139 Molly Scenars (40.4G I4064 - around 2700 with 108's and 2600 with 139's).  I went with a faster powder due to 22" barrel length.  Just the same, I can't help but notice that some people who know a lot more about this game than I do shoot N160/R22 in the heavier bullets.  Serious question; why are the slower powders better for these bullets, or this cartridge, than the IMR's I'm using?

Thanks
Michael

[ajj]

I think that if you can get sufficient velocity and accuracy you're always better off with the lighter charge of faster powder. Less recoil and muzzle blast (which the body perceives as recoil.) The case full of slow powder may get the last 50 fps out of the cartridge but if the rams are falling, stick with the 4064.

[eroyd]

I shoot at tikka and use two 3 rd mags. It's not too hard to put 2 in one and 3 in the other at the "ready" and be loaded up at the "fire" command. The mag change is something else to have to remember but when you see others unjamming their remmy mags you won't feel to handicapped.

Tikka mags unfortunately are ridiculously expensive and the single stacker is hard to top-up while in the rifle.

[smk]

I use a Tikka as a hunter rifle but I use the 3 round mag and I have seen others use one as well. I just have to load it twice which is fine with me. Eroyd and I are making the assumtion you are using the 5 rd mag.

[smk]

I use a Tikka as a hunter rifle but I use the 3 round mag and I have seen others use one as well. I just have to load it twice which is fine with me. Eroyd and I are making the assumtion you are using the 5 rd mag.

[Feez]

but when you see others unjamming their remmy mags you won't feel to handicapped.

I don't recall ever seeing that .... or even hearing about it.
Is this a common problem with Remingtons?  :roll:

[CB]

Illegal?---
 3.1 (d)HP Sil Rifle..Stock:............shall not exceed 2 1/4 inches wide, and 2 1/4 inches deep measured from the centerline of the bore. Magazines do not have to conform to stock measurements but those that extend below the stock line may not be used as support as per Rule 3.1 (h) (M1A or M14) and 3.14 (attachment of a palm rest).
 This is in regard to HP STD!! which must fit in a "jig" at Nationals to be certified. As the're only a couple of these "jigs" in the country I don't think at the local level one can get too carried away unless the rifle is an obvious blowout of the rules. I'd think the opportunity to have a new shooter at the match would far outweigh any need to have all I's dotted and T's crossed. Unless we're talking about a $10-$20,000 purse, then I could see them being a little concerned with your obvious scoring advantage.
 In the Hunter class there is no mention of magazines other than not loading more than 5 rounds. All rounds loaded through the magazine, won't hold 5,, load whatever,, use of mutiple mags permitted. Hunters do not at this time have to fit in any "jig" so you should have no problem whatsoever in that class with a "factory" rifle.
 Imr 4064 has fallen from grace in the last few years, better metering through a measure the primary reason. BUT, in HP competition over the last 30 or so years there's probably been more IMR 4064 burned than all other powders combined.  Varget, 4350,4831 are all being used plus others I'm sure. Use whatever YOU think is suiting your needs...
 Hope this answers some of your questions??
 Now I've one for you, HOW WAS IT??? did you take down a ram? pop a turkey or two? punish the pigs? whop the chickens?  Does this game not have a rush factor at the upper limit??
 Carroll

[shootingpaul]

I use Rel 19 - 43 gr, behind 138 Lapua scenars, Lapua cases in 260,
as I remember for 6.5X55 I was using around 44 gr of rel 19
s-paul

[still_learning]

I have been traveling lately and firewalls have limited my internet fun.  I appreciate the responses.  You know, it did not even occur to me that the magazine issue (3 shot) did not apply to hunter.  I had a blast at the matches, but I did discover, that when I hand tightened the bedding screws that shooting off the fist (off the magazine) will change poi downward by 3 inches at 100 yds.  Torqued the screws to 35 in/lbs and everythings fine.  Thanks again.  Michael