anyone shooting the T3 Lite in 7mm-08?

[mikewalker]

I love mine and am just getting into reloading wanting to work up a very accurate long range 400-500 yards mule deer load  I have Varget for powder  win brass cci and win primers haven't bought bullets wanting vary accurate downrange punch, any suggestions?

[Harry Snippe]

Well have you shot the rifle some , as I found my two tikka's need to fire a few box's of ammo to fully settle in . Then too , have you invested in a good scope and mounts to shoot the distance . Then try some 120/140gr. bullets to see what it likes the most .Brass too might need to be fired first from your gun then neck sized .
You can get some good Data on the internet from Nolser for instance to get started but since every gun shoots a bit different , you got to start some where and work from that .

So some one can say try what I shoot and it might get you in the ball park , but to get an accurate long range round from your gun involves some shooting on your own and homework .You too can try many different loads and hope to get lucky or work one load trying different bullet seating for example for the best group before trying just one new componet . It takes time and some record keeping .
Good Luck

[mikewalker]

I hear ya Harry. Wondering if those shooting the Tikka T3 lite in 7-08 found better luck with a particular bullet or seating depth wondering if any consistency over a sampling of particular model. Probably not, but if I could save some time and money. For example if 5 people say they couldn't get Barnes 120 gr TSX to shoot in this model then I wouldn't try them.

[Harry Snippe]

I know what your saying too . I too would want to save some money and not buy every powder and bullet on the market . I found with my 06 and 338 Federal there is a clear limit by the Mag how far the bullet can be seated , so the over all lengh guage and getting an modifyed case for these guns was worthless .So the free bore you end up with then is what you get .
You have CCI primers and varget powder and there is a start . You might invest in some quailty brass and bullets . Some times you get lucky on the first batch loaded , some times you need to fine tune the fourth or fifth try.Or then change a componet . Sometimes just throttle back on the powder .
I worked a bit with the 338 Federal , then tryed Varget powder as it seems to work well in the 308 Family of cases . Well it worked good for the 338 F. I then tryed some in my 308 which I used R15 with good results . Bingo !!! got lucky first try .
I guess I would start with something just under the 140 Gr weight bullet . Load this in brass that is Uniform and consistent.
Then too I have had good luck with the Lee Collect die and turning the case a bit and neck sizing in steps as I went .With the 338 F I Do not resize all of the neck after first firing the case in the rifle .

The 308 Likes once firedwinchester range brass . I was just after a good hunting load so resized with thinking I would get a real good load . Well it did.
You could first buy some good quility Factory ammo  and see what the rifle will do . Good luck with your Long distance supper load                                   

[Big Blue]

My Tikka is the most accurate rifle I've ever owned, but it's not a 7mm-08. I have however owned 7mm-08 rifles in the past and using Varget I got great accuracy with Barnes 140gr. TSX bullets.
Don

[dpe.ahoy]

I have always had good luck with the 139-140 gr bullet weight in the 7mm-08.  Been using IMR 4350 but have heard enought good things about Varget to try it this year when it warms up.  Looks like the new IMR 4007 might be a good fit and will try the new Hybrid 100 by Hodgdon as well.  Just brought home a new T3 Lite in 7mm-08 and am looking forward to trying it out.  This is my first Tikka but have 4 other 7mm-08's in the house.  DP

[Harry Snippe]

Mike I see posted on another forum

!30 TTSX 47GR of tac  for MOA. Tac seems to good powder byAlliant in medium cases as those based on the parent 308 . Check their web site                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

[dpe.ahoy]

TAC is a Ramshot powder.  DP

[dkosto]

I have one and it loves 120gr and 140gr TSX's
Varget is good choice for most....I also use H414

[lucky guy]

Any of you guys have the 20" bbl - I think it's the MT?

[WD242]

Bought the 7-08 last year. Carried it more than the Ruger Compact. Loading 140 gr RPSPCL with IMR 4895. Both guns eat them up. After season I had the barrel cut to 18 1/2 in and lost nothing in accuracy. It still shoots like it did when new.

[tikkaguy1]

I bought a tikka 7-08 last fall, getting good groups out of remington core lok 140 grain

[dpe.ahoy]

I took mine out for the first time yesterday, ran 1 box of Fed. Fusion rounds thru it with the last 3 round group well inside a 1" square on a redfield target.  The gun rest I was using wasn't set up good at all.  I expect it to do better before I'm done testing it, but she's ready to hunt as is.  I mounted a Redfield 3-9X40 on it and am using the factory rings.  I just measured it, 14mm or .541 inch outside of one hole to the inside of the farthest hole.  I think it'll go hunting this year.   DP

[m_freeman]

figured I would revive this necropost. Went to range today and tried cheap winchester 140 gr silver box had it sighted in at 3" high at 100 yards and comes in at 2" low at 300 yards the group isn't as tight as ideal but definately minute of deer out to 300 yards, but no further. Tried the 140 gr HSM w/ the berger VLD and recoil was noticably less than the winchester, it came in at 4" high at 100 yards and about 8" low at 300 yards it grouped about 1/2 the winchester but the drop out to 300 yards is too much for this season as I am without a rangefinder or a way to really figure accurate drops this season so am limited to a flat shooter to 300 yards. Will be handloading soon so any comments on what your Tikka 7-08  1-9 twist likes appreciate any info. I am hunting these small southern CA deer so I am thinking a flatter shooting 130 gr may be best ballistic charts would get me out to about 375 yards without any scope cliks. Not sure if the 1-9 twist is good for the 130 gr though.