My Tikka T3 prefers 32 gr bullets . . .

Share information about reloading the 204 Ruger.
tpcollins
Senior Member
Posts: 108
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2011 6:05 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Tikka T3 Lite

My Tikka T3 prefers 32 gr bullets . . .

Post by tpcollins »

I've tried numerous combinations and haven't been able to get 35gr - 39gr bullets to group well with various powder combinations. And I could never get anything to shoot better than the factory Hornady 32gr V-Max.

So I set up another test using 32gr SBK with H4895 and IMR-8208-XBR. The H4895 wasn't that great but with the 8208-XBR I got 4 of the 6 different load increments to group .615" or better with the best being .362". I think I'll stay with that 28.1 grain load of 8208 for the moment.
jrwoitalla
Senior Member
Posts: 129
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2011 10:07 am
.204 Ruger Guns: CZ 527 Varmint

Re: My Tikka T3 prefers 32 gr bullets . . .

Post by jrwoitalla »

If a Tikka wont shoot, the problem is usually between the gun and the chair.
The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason- Benjamin Franklin
tpcollins
Senior Member
Posts: 108
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2011 6:05 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Tikka T3 Lite

Re: My Tikka T3 prefers 32 gr bullets . . .

Post by tpcollins »

jrwoitalla wrote:If a Tikka wont shoot, the problem is usually between the gun and the chair.
I've shot a few keyholes at 100 yards with the factory 32gr V-Max. I could be wrong but I'm under the impression other .204 shooters haven't had good success with 39/40 grain bullets in their particular rifles either. Seems if the thing between the gun and chair can get some loads to group really great, that thing might not be the problem . . .
jrwoitalla
Senior Member
Posts: 129
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2011 10:07 am
.204 Ruger Guns: CZ 527 Varmint

Re: My Tikka T3 prefers 32 gr bullets . . .

Post by jrwoitalla »

Perhaps I said it poorly- didn't mean to offend. Almost all Tikka's shoot. So it follows that yours would too. You just had to find the recipe that yours likes.
The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason- Benjamin Franklin
ozfox
Senior Member
Posts: 101
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2010 9:00 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Cooper Phoenix .204
Location: Nth East Vic Australia

Re: My Tikka T3 prefers 32 gr bullets . . .

Post by ozfox »

tp 1/4" with factory 32 gr v max out of my cooper havent tried hand loads at a $1 a shoot its a bit to easy
broper
Senior Member
Posts: 318
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 4:12 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Remington 700 sps
Location: Parma, Idaho

Re: My Tikka T3 prefers 32 gr bullets . . .

Post by broper »

Have you tried the 32 gr. Varmageddons? They really work good in my 700 VLS. The other day I loadfed some up withBLC(2) and I made a three shot group that measured .168. I loaded up some 39 gr. Speer TNT's too. The best I could get with them was 3/4 to 1". The 40 gr. V-max and ballistic tips work pretty good too but the Varmegeddons are best in my gun.
tpcollins
Senior Member
Posts: 108
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2011 6:05 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Tikka T3 Lite

Re: My Tikka T3 prefers 32 gr bullets . . .

Post by tpcollins »

I suppose if I had $20 to throw away I could buy a box of factory Hornady 40gr V-Max and compare them side by side with their 32gr ammo that I know will shoot keyholes, but I'd rather spend it on another box of 32gr.
broper
Senior Member
Posts: 318
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 4:12 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Remington 700 sps
Location: Parma, Idaho

Re: My Tikka T3 prefers 32 gr bullets . . .

Post by broper »

Also, the Varmageddon's are $13.99 a box!
tpcollins
Senior Member
Posts: 108
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2011 6:05 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Tikka T3 Lite

Re: My Tikka T3 prefers 32 gr bullets . . .

Post by tpcollins »

Went to the range again yesterday with a load group of 32gr SBK, a bit warm but the Tikka likes 28.0grains of 8208-XBR with a .446" group at 100 yards and I can cover the entire string with a dime - good enough for me. I'll use my 39gr bullets for paperweights . . .
big37dog
New Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 8:13 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: tikka

Re: My Tikka T3 prefers 32 gr bullets . . .

Post by big37dog »

Both my T3 lite and Varmint shoot Bergers 40 gr Varmint well over 748. I havent tried any other powders for the 40gr.
My go to load is 35 gr bergers with h4895. My best groups are under 1/2 in the T3L and key holes with the varmint.
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