Ammo choice for foxing and deer in .243 tikka

ormondprop

Got a call from the Npws today for a chat about my first time application and my hunting license was granted and is in the post so should have it next week at the latest and hopefully won't be waiting too long for my gun license after that so will be collecting my new tikka lite stainless in .243 soon enough hopefully, so i'm wondering what ye tikka shooters are putting through your 243's ,
I know i'm not guaranteed that my gun will shoot the same as yours but atleast it'll help me as a guide to what to try out in it anyway, looking at getting a round that will be suitable for fallow deer and foxes as i couldn't be bothered changing zero everytime i switch between foxing and stalking

Also this is my first new centrefire rifle so wondering what way ye ran in your rifles when ye first got them, i know the target shooters go through a lot of single shots cleaning inbetween each shot to maximise accuracy in their expensive custom barrels but what is needed for a factory hunting rifle and will the cheapest .243 ammo i can find do for this?

Cass

Not a Tikka but in the RPA and Sako (both 1:10 twists) the Federal 95gr were both the most consistent and best performing.


The 58gr V-max are great for foxes, but a bit light for my liking on deer. They need adjustment from 100 to 200 yards as they are like lasers. However they can be a little hard to get at the moment as two dealers i frequent have run out due to this Hornady suspended list. However that won't last forever.

The Superformance was average in both rifles. Held for a couple of shots then climbed after second. Same bulet type, weight as the Federal and pretty much eh same cost however imo too damn fast and not as good as the Federal.


As for breaking a barrel in. The funny part is when i go for a custom barrel i don;t break it in. It's not necessary as i've proven by breaking in some and not with others and have found no difference in performance or longevity between the barrels.

It's factory barrels that need a little breaking in. They are not finished to the same standards as a custom barrel. 30 rounds would do it fine. Firing a couple of shots in a row, and cleaning then more shots (3-5 at a time) in a row and cleaning. Any ammo will do for this. It's not the cleaning that does the breaking in but the firing of the bullets through the barrel. Although even that is a debated subject.


Any round you choose that suits the rifle will work for both foxes and deer. The ballistic tips break up and dump all their energy as well regardless of weight (58 or 95). So you really need only choose which brand suits and you like and then stick to it.

One last thing the 58gr were the only bullets that had a different zero than all the other rounds. The 75gr up to 100 gr (regardless of type) all had a very similar or identical zero at 100 and much as makes no difference at 200. The 58gr were 2 inches higher at 100 and had no discernible drop at 200. Meaning had i mixed ammo at home and picked up anything between the 75 - 100 gr mark and it was not my usual ammo then i'd be fairly happy of hitting pretty much where i wanted to. However the 58gr would leave me off, but again not so much that it would be a problem.

deano2882

in same boat as u first center fire rifle im goin wit 100 grain ballistic tip...25e a box of 20...i got deer licence last month met super on monday morn about moderator on rofle he granted it all and sent it off so hopefully hav licence by weekend

vincentf

i just got a .243 tikka. im using 100g ammo.

hunterpajero

i have a Tikka T3 Hunter in 243 walnut stock,have being using the Federal 80 Grain soft points on deer and fox with no problems the last few seasons

One shot on kill

I've a tikka t3 lite in stainless aswell. I tryed the federal 100grain. Didn't group as tight as the hornady 100grain btsp at 100 yards. Hornady 100grns were a bit loose for my liking at 200 not really sure if it were me doe. I've one box of 100 grain left when there just out I might try the hornady 95 grain sst. A coupl of guys with the same gun said they were getting good results out at 200

This is a tread I'm also very interested in.

Cass

I started two threads for when i was on my hunt for the right round/bullet. They might be useful to have a read of. Some good comments and reviews.

Thread 1

Thread 2

FISMA

ormondprop,
My instinct, when you cannot make custom ammo, is to go with Hornady.

If you could chose a bullet, I would go for the Sierra Gameking or a Nosler Partition.

Since it is illegal to reload in Ireland, I would try and find some Sellier & Bellot ammo that uses the Nosler Partion Bullet, like this.

Also, check out the Federal Premium Vital Shok Trophy. I believe Federal uses Nosler or Sierra bullets in this ammo.

I have also had good precision with Norma and Remington's Hypersonic for deer hunting. Although, not in the caliber or rifle you mentioned.

silverfox1

I have a lite stainless as well. It shoots pretty much anything up to 80 grain into less than half inch at 100 yards.
Above 80 grains and things start to get a bit hit and miss. Although 95 grain sst are tight enough too.
The 95 grain federals don't work at all. 2 inch group or there abouts.

Cass

silverfox1 wrote: »

The 95 grain federals don't work at all. 2 inch group or there abouts.

In the Tikka?

Cause in the RPA and Sako they are better than Hornady.

One shot on kill

I would of thought there was a bit of a taboo around using anything less than 100 grain or 95 grain on deer.

silverfox1

Cass wrote: »

In the Tikka?

Cause in the RPA and Sako they are better than Hornady.

Yeah I was surprised too. They are the only bullet the gun seems to hate.

ormondprop

Thanks for the info guys i'll see what paul has in stock when i collect the gun and try out a few different types around the 80gr mark,

For running in the barrel so i presume it'll nedd a clean straight away anyway so maybe
Clean & 1 shot
Clean & 2 shots
Clean & 3 shots
Clean & 4 shots
Clean & 5 shots
Clean & 5 shots
For a total of 20 shots or maybe another string or 2 of five shots aswell

What sort of improvement in accuracy should you expect from a proper run in? 1/2" tighter @ 2-300 yards? Or more or less?

silverfox1

I have always run in the barrell of a new rifle. 1 & clean for twenty shots. It's a pain in the nuts and I honestly doubt it makes any difference. I don't know if I'd bother in future.

4200fps

Cass wrote: »

Not a Tikka but in the RPA and Sako (both 1:10 twists) the Federal 95gr were both the most consistent and best performing.


The 58gr V-max are great for foxes, but a bit light for my liking on deer. They need adjustment from 100 to 200 yards as they are like lasers. However they can be a little hard to get at the moment as two dealers i frequent have run out due to this Hornady suspended list. However that won't last forever.

The Superformance was average in both rifles. Held for a couple of shots then climbed after second. Same bulet type, weight as the Federal and pretty much eh same cost however imo too damn fast and not as good as the Federal.


As for breaking a barrel in. The funny part is when i go for a custom barrel i don;t break it in. It's not necessary as i've proven by breaking in some and not with others and have found no difference in performance or longevity between the barrels.

It's factory barrels that need a little breaking in. They are not finished to the same standards as a custom barrel. 30 rounds would do it fine. Firing a couple of shots in a row, and cleaning then more shots (3-5 at a time) in a row and cleaning. Any ammo will do for this. It's not the cleaning that does the breaking in but the firing of the bullets through the barrel. Although even that is a debated subject.


Any round you choose that suits the rifle will work for both foxes and deer. The ballistic tips break up and dump all their energy as well regardless of weight (58 or 95). So you really need only choose which brand suits and you like and then stick to it.

One last thing the 58gr were the only bullets that had a different zero than all the other rounds. The 75gr up to 100 gr (regardless of type) all had a very similar or identical zero at 100 and much as makes no difference at 200. The 58gr were 2 inches higher at 100 and had no discernible drop at 200. Meaning had i mixed ammo at home and picked up anything between the 75 - 100 gr mark and it was not my usual ammo then i'd be fairly happy of hitting pretty much where i wanted to. However the 58gr would leave me off, but again not so much that it would be a problem.

Cass I couldn't agree more. I used alot of Hornadys . I used SST, GMX, Molys,btsp and all the Superformance rounds in 58 grain,80 and 95. The only round from Hornady that comes close in accuracy consistency was both 58 grain loads and they are out the window for deer, only suitable for foxing. Now Federal ammunition works the best from my Tikka in .243 cal.... Hornady have too many strayers as Cass was explaining. You could have two of their rounds kissing tight and out of blues one fires way off for no reason. I had to return boxs of Hornady to my local dealer due to bullets cases either not cambering and came across bullet tip off to one side. Hornady are not the worst round but their quality control is pretty poor. If you can get Federal buy them, Tikkas love them

cookimonster

Again not tika, but agree with last post.

The most accurate rnds fired in my Xs7 was the Hornadys 58, clover leaf pattern. But as far as the 100grn goes Federal are consistantly more accurate then anything else I've used (remington a close 2nd)

deano2882

cookimonster wrote: »

Again not tika, but agree with last post.

The most accurate rnds fired in my Xs7 was the Hornadys 58, clover leaf pattern. But as far as the 100grn goes Federal are consistantly more accurate then anything else I've used (remington a close 2nd)

how do u find the xs7 i bought one earlyier this year still havent collected it awaiting licence as i met super monday and he said hed send it off and granted silencer hope postman is good to me today...i hav gone for 100grain soft tip think they r federal or remington but wil see wat brand dealer has wat wud u recommend for them???

cookimonster

I am very happy todate, have shot deer and fox with it and thier the only ones complaining.

I would recommend breaking in the barrel as per the procedures mentioned here (see Cass posts). The gun is just shooting tighter and tighter, this is me getting more comfortable and the gun getting better.

Be aware that it is a light wieght gun and does not tolerate numerous follow up shots so when shooting onto paper be patient.

Did you get a rail on it, if so remember this will add to the height to the scope. I have Bushnell 3-12 x 56 XLT and a Harris Bi- pod and its still a dream to carry up in the hills.

Good to see you got a mod, I am waiting for my 's' back any day now. This will tame the muzzle flip on it.

I stick with the Fed 100gn soft points for both fox and deer. The Rems where good but the Feds are cheaper and shoot better. Tried Parzi ammo, €19.00 a box, but the gun did not like them, chambered very tight, disappointed I thought I would have a cheap source of ammo for the odd 'plinking' sessions.

Any how, best of luck with your new baby and hopefully you will blood it soon.