Seems logical that it's fine if it shoots well with another bullet. Sensitivity to fouling might be bullet specific though, give it a good hoozle out.
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Is there a 1:12” category for those of us plebs with the slower twist rates?
I imagine that you are right...but I imagine it's a commonsense observation rather something proved with any scientific method...which seems to be the way of things with firearms because even with Hornady's massive investment they still acknowledge that they can only work with a limited number of barrels. So we have to look at what we are seeing across the board and reach commonsense conclusions.
One could imagine that all factory barrels (except outliers) are mediocre (relative to the best custom barrels) and really, it's about who is more consistently acceptable for intended purpose.
It seems the people at Vortex, Rokslide, Backfire, Gerg Duley and the majority of NZ hunters have concluded that Tikka is your best bet of not getting a lemon...my local wont stock Howa's, they don't like disappointed customers and the work involved in getting them shooting.
My mates Howa shoots as well if not better than my Tikkas...after being at it with a dremel...which is no sweat and only one trip to the range wasted, because we knew that was probably going to happen.
Another mates Remington it was boxes of ammo because he wouldn't break out the dremel and I still have no idea if that rifle was better than really average (and way below what I would go hunting with).
And it doesn't surprise me the issues that are starting surface with Bergaras who are trying to sell such feature rich rifles at bargain prices.
I think Tentman referred to this in a previous posts, Howa's and other brands he's had that shoot as well as any Tikka but after a decent chunk of them needed work.
Tikkas have their limitations, I hate the stocks feel but it is an amazing stock at the price point, every new version of them is better than the last, in terms of material and construction. And its a Sako barrel (Friwi has commented on their consistency...which I assume is relative to their competitors) and Duley at the very beginning chose a Remington to work because the Tikkas are machined too "true" to bother with.
All that costs money and that reflects in a one size fits all action and a bland finish on the stock....but the upside is a new rifle that will more likely than most comparable alternatives shoot about moa from day one.
I only care because I hate seeing new shooters struggling with problems they don't understand...it's a big enough learning curve without a manufacturer's limitation thrown in.
Having said all that I have a brand new Tikka 223 which goes to the range this weekend...cant wait to have a crack at a ten shot group with TMKs (should have got the 73eldm but commonsense went out the door)
The Tikka stock and its bedding design is I think extremely good. The rifles generally are pretty good. The Tikka T3 in 270 I have is better than any other factory rifle Ive had with the exception of a Lighgow LA102. It doesnt mean all Tikka rifles will be as good, and some will be poor. Pretending they are all "perfect" just does a huge disservice to any poor bugger unlucky enough to get a lemon one, Ive encountered several, and often it completely destroys their confidence in their shooting, when its the rifle!
Back to the real world guys, I'll start a new thread for your Tikka fantasies . . .
My Schultz and Larsen Legacy, 21" barrel, Factory Hornardy 73gn Match, just like the rest!
Attachment 283915
That's 1.39 MOA, MR is not horrible for hunting work at 1.32, velocity was 2739 with an SD of 16.7.
Next up was @nor-west s Howa mini "heavy barrel" . . .
Attachment 283918
And we have a new leader, yes a much scorned Howa just shot a ten shot group with factory ammo of 1.15 MOA, MR of 0.95 CM, velocity was 2764 with an SD of 18.6
I reckon this would have been a better test with the Hornady 68gr BTHP, which would have been a more favorable proj to most 1:8 twist rifles and due to the shorter length allows a better seating to short COAL, just saying .... yeah lower bc but better speed
@Wildman's howa mini .223, 1:9. My old rifle. 73gr factory
Attachment 283965