Tikka T3 .204

[greendrywall]

Has anyone been able to stabilize a 39g SBK with a 1/12 twist using this rifle. I am slowly running out of options and could use any suggestions, thanks!

[Malazan]

Try this guys

34 or 37 grain


http://www.customreloadingtools.com/index.html

[zx10mike]

i hope this helps but my standard barrell in my t3 .204 shot the barnes varmint grenades the best 26 grains.i swapped the barrell for a 1 in 11 twist now it loves the 40 grn bullets tikka barrells seem to prefer light light bullets.even tho it cost to change the barrell i still love it stick with it pal.the berg 39s and rl10x seem to work in most.

where you based uk or usa ?

[greendrywall]

Thanks for the replys. I am in Alberta Canada. If a guy wanted to try those 37 grain bullets you posted, can you get those over the border? Sure look interesting, i've always wondered why no one made a 37-38 grain bullet. I have no plan of giving up on the gun but might just have to settle on 35g bergers because they group pretty good but I really have my heart set on something a little heavier and with a boat tail if possible. What was a new barrel worth, i've never looked in to it before other than my 10/22.

[Vartarg]

Are the T3's in .204 even available in the US? I didn't think so.....sure wish they were, I'd have one!

[Jim White]

39 SBK's work great in all of mine but I suppose they could be tempermental. One thing regarding the 204 is I've found;

-My best loads have come at near MAX.
-The 204 can be "pressure" tempermental with slight changes.
-The 204 also has specific accuracy nodes which can change significantly with .1gr increments. But when the right combo is hit...it's teeny...teeny holes.

HTH

[zx10mike]

lucky man
in the us a re barrel is much cheaper and will transform the rifle if you have a 1in 11 ot 1 in 10 twist.(factory 1 in 12)

[K22]

I don't if the 37gr. CRT bullets can be shipped to Canada, but I hope they can. They are very accurate in my rifle. So far I haven't gotten a chance to use them on Coyotes, but I'm still trying.

[DoubleUp]

Greendrywall, what powders have you tried and how many grains? It would help us some to know that info as well as brass and primers and your oal or ogive measurements too. Sometimes bullets which are borderline on stability in some 1x12's can be helped if pushed a little harder.

[greendrywall]

Ya, I suppose a little info would maybe help everyone. I have tried Varget, IMR 4895 and Ramshot Tac so far. I see Reloader 10 is popular here but have had no luck finding any. I have been using Nosler brass and Winchester primers. I've tried anywhere from 26 grains to 28 grains and cannot get any bullets to touch. Thanks for the replys so far!

[greendrywall]

The Tikka clip limits how long I can go with my rounds so I try and keep oal to 2.250 or else they will get wedged in the clip.

[Jim White]

H4895 has been good for me. RL-15 has been better. 8208XBR looks promosing but the jury is still out. Varget, RL-10X and Benchmark were ok but not as good as H4895 and RL-15. Case: RP, primer 7 1/2, bullet; 39 SBK.

HTH

[DoubleUp]

If you work up to a max load of H4895 or IMR 8208, and can't get them to shoot, then it will be hard to find another powder that will push 39's any faster. I have read of some guys who modified their mags on the Tikka T3's and could seat their bullets longer. You might do a search on imodifying the mag and find how to go about it.

[tpcollins]

Are the T3's in .204 even available in the US? I didn't think so.....sure wish they were, I'd have one!

I bought a T3 Lite in .204 at Cabelas here in Michigan this past spring - something like a $100 off. This is a little tack driver . . .

[K22]

Personally I would ditch the Win. Primers and use a harder cup primer like Rem 7 1/2, or Fed. BR4. All 3 204's I've had would shoot 35gr. Bergers under an inch with 28gr of H4895. Five rounds touching was normal.