Thread: Tikka A1 Tac 308 advice

Hey team.
I’m setting up my Tikka A1 tac for PRS shooting.
I’m using match grade dies but not neck turning.
Loading Sierra 168gr pills, 45.5gr Varget, Fed 210 primers in Norma brass.
If have some good results (0.3moa) but not consistent results (0.9moa) so the combo could be better.
I’ve tested different primers but have stuck with Varget (AR2208) at this stage, It’s the popular choice for a reason.
I’ve tested seating depth from max mag length back until the groups opened up. I will test that further to see if things improve past that point.
I’m looking for advice to get this shooting 0.5moa of better consistently.
What projectiles are guys having good success with? I understand that every rifle shoots differently.
I’m not interested in advice telling me that under 1moa is good enough.
Cheers

Are you set on feeding from the mag?
As you may get better results seating closer to the rifling. This may be longer than the mag length.
Also try a different projectile or weight. ie 155 or 178gn.

Neck sizing or full sizing?

I'm going through a similar exercise with my Howa Bravo in .308.

It’s for PRS shooting so mag is essential. Away from my data at the moment but I believe I’m around 50-60tho off at Max mag length.

I would try a 155gn projectile (more room to play around with seating depth) or maybe ADI2206h powder then.

Are you trimming the brass before or after sizing? As that can effect the neck alignment and tension if the case is off centre on the trimmer.

Annealing the cases?

I’ve had good results with 155gn SMKs in my 1/12 twist 308.
46.6gn 2208, Federal 210 primers and Lapua Palma brass.
Was going to try something heavier next time having loaded the last of the box of 500.
Are you measuring the OAL with a comparator?

I highlighted the things I’m not doing, everything else is on point other than annealing, brass is once fired. My preference is to go heavier but I accept what I want and the rifle shoots will likely be two totally different things so going lighter is something I’ll look at. When ever I’ve had poor results with a type of projectile I’ve gone to a different brand completely assuming that if it doesn’t like one it probably won’t like any. That’s probably poor on my part but has worked for me before.

Sierra pills tend to go well in most guns and I find they are quite tolerant of a jump the rifling.
In my Sakos, they are seated to fit the mags and still shoot sub 0.5 MOA easily.

Originally Posted by dogmatix

Sierra pills tend to go well in most guns and I find they are quite tolerant of a jump the rifling.
In my Sakos, they are seated to fit the mags and still shoot sub 0.5 MOA easily.

Cheers, I’ll persist with them doing an extension of my previous seating depth test. If I fail to get the results I’m happy with I’ll try both a heavier and lighter pill. Most PRS matches max out around 700m so a consistent 0.5moa will be plenty accurate enough.
Running low on Varget so my testing may not see me past this next phase unfortunately.
Waiting on the next shipment like almost everyone else

Originally Posted by Noswal

Cheers, I’ll persist with them doing an extension of my previous seating depth test. If I fail to get the results I’m happy with I’ll try both a heavier and lighter pill. Most PRS matches max out around 700m so a consistent 0.5moa will be plenty accurate enough.
Running low on Varget so my testing may not see me past this next phase unfortunately.
Waiting on the next shipment like almost everyone else

Switch to2206H, a lot more of that about than Varget and will give good results in .308. Or develop with Varget and then stop shooting until sometime in 2022.

Go to 155gr bullets as the BC on 30 cal pills won’t keep up with the 6.5 or 6mm when it comes to wind drift so you need as much velocity as you can wring out of it.

Originally Posted by 300_BLK

Go to 155gr bullets as the BC on 30 cal pills won’t keep up with the 6.5 or 6mm when it comes to wind drift so you need as much velocity as you can wring out of it.

Just did some basic comparisons between the 168gr and the 155gr with a 5mph 90deg wind ��
I’ll change my approach and try a 155gr
Cheers