Tikka 7RM - What weight bullet/ammo

[Mr Drysdale]

I shoot a Tikka T3 SL in 7RM. I tried 140 gr Federal loaded with Nosler Partitions with 2+ inch groups. Went to Remington Core Lokts in 150 gr and shoot consistent 1.5 ? groups. That?s what I have been hunting with. I sighted in today with the Core Lokts waiting 10 minutes between shots. Still 1.5? group. The twist is 9.5? in this rifle.

I?m pretty sure I?m doing my part as I also sighted a Browning A-Bolt 308 and shot 3/4 inch group. Same scope on both rifles.

Question is: Does the 9.5? twist shoot a certain weight bullet better?

Does anyone else shoot this particular rifle and have better groups? Which ammo?

I do not hand load and mainly hunt Whitetails. Most shots under 300 yds.

 

[theddguide]

Thats pretty normal twist on factory rifles to handle all the common bullet weights. My guess is your rifle just doesn't like those two different types of ammo.

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[Ikeepitcold]

I shoot a Tikka 300 Win.

Try Nosler Trophy Grade is 180 gr.

Also Hornady 180 gr

 

[JimP]

Finding what a rifle shoots well can be a very costly endeavor. Even if you reload it gets expensive unless you have friends that are willing to give you bullets and powder. You can go through a lot of bullet weights and manufactures before you find the one that your rifle likes, and when you do you better buy a lot of them unless you want to go through the process again.

Try some heaver bullets in the 160 gr range and see what happens

My 7mm RM shoots the old Federal Premium ammo loaded with 150 gr Sierra Game King bullets as well as any reload I have found for it and I bought a lot of those rounds when they were on sale. For antelope I loaded up some Barnes 120 gr TTSX bullets that shoot lights out but are a little to light to my liking for elk but I am working on some Barnes 140 gr TTSX that are looking promising.

 

[bghunter]

My T3 7 mm RM likes 140 grain Barnes TTSX factory ammo

 

[6mm Remington]

Might try some Nosler or Federal stuff loaded with 160 gr. Accubonds or Partitions. That bullet weight in the 7mm seems to be just about perfect for everything.

 

[Bonecollector]

My Browning LR Hunter shoots great with Hornady SST, Bergers, and now using Barnes LRX. I've get 1/2" groups with the SST and now get 1/4" groups at 100 yds with the Barnes. I played with the Bergers for target, but never spent the time I did tuning the others.

 

[Mr Drysdale]

Thanks for all replies. I think my next amo to try will be the 160 Barnes TSX. I shoot Barnes in two other rifles that shoot well. I will update after shooting.

 

[hunter25]

The 160 tsx is my rifles favorite. Shoots great and I've taken everything from coyotes to elk out to 500 yards with excellent performance.

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[Gr8bawana]

If I had to pick only 1 bullet weight for my 7 RM to use for all the game I hunt it would be a 160 of some kind.
Right now I use 150 for deer and antelope and 175 for elk.

 

[Bonecollector]

Agreed Gr8bawana. I've read you can load down in bullet weight when using cooper though, like the Barnes Bullets.

 

[HuskyMusky]

Is it brand new? clean it...shoot it...

I'd probably find a few 160gr loads and see if any of those go MOA or less.

I think the 7mm RM and 160grs is the ideal combo, 1 bullet for everything. although a premium 150 or 140 bullet could also work.

good luck!

is the scope tight etc... everything else tight?

 

[88man]

I guess it will get expensive but the gun should do better than what you found so far. I would try some nosler premium. My guess is its just gonna come down to what that gun likes and it will be pure luck if its a 140 or 150 or 160

 

[JimP]

When it comes down to it your rifle might not be able to shoot that 1/2" group at 100 yards. This is nothing to be scared of, consider it a hunting rifle and 1" to 2" groups are still going to kill that animal out to 400 yards if you do your job.

Some rifles just don't shoot well. It might just need a bedding job on the action and barrel or some other technical repairs to get it to where it will shoot that magical 1/2" group with any ammo.

 

[mcseal2]

I'd try some 140 and 160gr Accubonds. I have shot a bunch of rifles for people and have had better luck getting Accubonds or Ballistic tips to shoot than anything else. They don't always work, but do more often than not. Sierra Gamekings have been pretty darn good to.

Honestly though if a 300yd whitetail is the goal the 1.5" group is fine. Buy more of the cheaper bullets, practice more with them from field positions, and you will be better off than chasing a half inch group off the bench.

 

[Daubs]

My Win model 70, 7MM Mag wouldn't pattern worth a crap with 139 or 150 grain bullets. VP here at work is hard core reloader and very knowledgeable. He suggested bigger bullet for the 7MAG.

So I picked up Hornady's Precision Hunter in 162 gr ELD-X.

Wow! What a difference!