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Tikka T3 243 Accuracy Test, Deer Hunt

The Tikka T3 in 243 Winchester is featured in this video. First a trip to range to test the ammo and find the best 243 loads. Then on to a short deer hunt using a suppressor. All testing at 100 yards.

The Tikka T3x Rifle is made by Sako of Finland. It is a durable hunting rifle with choice blue or stainless steel and is built with a cold hammer-forged barrel that is free-floated to deliver unmatched accuracy and precision. The stock is designed to reduce the noise created when firing the rifle for added concealment while hunting. The steel recoil lug smoothly transfers recoil to the stock to reduce muzzle jump, while a contoured recoil pad absorbs recoil to deliver more comfortable shooting.

Tikka T3 243 twist rate 1:10 DOES stabilize 95 grain 243 and 6mm bullets very well.

Ammo selected was hand load using Hornady 95 grain SST bullet with IMR4831 powder, CCI Magnum primers for a velocity of 2900 FPS. This load puts 3 shots into one hole at 100 yards. Nosler 95 Ballistic Tips and Hornady 70 Vmax ammo were also tested and proved to be very accurate.

The scope used for testing and hunting was Leupold VX2 4x12x40AO rifle scope with long-range duplex reticle. Barrel of the Tikka T3 was threaded by Grizzly Guns in Jefferson, GA. https://grizzlygunsmith.com/ Load data can be found on our website at https://theolddeerhunters.com.

For smoother ejection and cycling, this hunting rifle features a widened ejection port and metallic bolt shroud. Caliber 243 WIN Ammo capacity 3 + 1, 22.4 in. barrel, 42.6 in. overall length, weighs 6.5 lbs., 1:10 twist barrel.

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The .243 Winchester (6.2×52mm) is a popular sporting rifle cartridge. Developed as a versatile short action cartridge to hunt both deer size game and varmints. It was introduced in 1955, and remains one of the most popular whitetail deer cartridges. It is also commonly used for mule deer with heavier loads, and is equally suited to varmint hunting with lighter rounds. The .243 is based on a necked down .308 Winchester, introduced only three years earlier. Gun Digest estimates that (as of the end of 2018) the .243 Winchester is second-most popular of all hunting rifle chamberings.

This video was the first trip to the range to check out the rifle and shoot some 70 grain handloads.

The .243 Winchester Accuracy

The .243 Winchester cartridge was first introduced by Winchester in 1955, and quickly gained popularity as a versatile and accurate cartridge for hunting and target shooting. The cartridge is based on a necked-down .308 Winchester case, which gives it a relatively short overall length and a relatively flat trajectory.

The .243 Winchester is commonly used for hunting small to medium-sized game, such as deer, antelope, and coyotes. It is also a popular choice for target shooting and long-range shooting competitions. The cartridge has a reputation for being accurate and consistent, which makes it a favorite among hunters and shooters alike.

One of the key advantages of the .243 Winchester is its relatively low recoil, which makes it a good choice for young or inexperienced shooters. The cartridge also has a relatively high velocity, which helps it maintain a flat trajectory and good downrange energy.

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While the .243 Winchester is primarily a hunting and target shooting cartridge, it has also been used in military and law enforcement applications. In the United States, the cartridge has been used by some police departments for sharpshooter and counter-sniper roles.

Overall, the .243 Winchester is a versatile and reliable cartridge that is suitable for a wide range of applications. Its combination of accuracy, low recoil, and high velocity make it a popular choice for hunters, shooters, and law enforcement professionals.

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Tikka T3X Rifle

The Tikka T3x rifle is a highly regarded hunting rifle produced by the Finnish firearms manufacturer, Sako. The T3x is an updated version of the popular Tikka T3 rifle, and features a number of improvements and enhancements.

One of the key features of the Tikka T3x is its accuracy. The rifle is built using high-quality materials and manufacturing processes, which allows it to deliver consistent and precise performance. The rifle’s cold-hammer forged barrel is free-floating, which helps to minimize any interference from the stock or other external factors. This, in turn, helps to ensure that each shot is as accurate as possible.

The Tikka T3x also offers a number of customization options, which allow hunters to tailor the rifle to their specific needs. The rifle is available in a variety of calibers, from the .223 Remington to the .338 Winchester Magnum, which makes it suitable for a wide range of game animals. The T3x is also available in a number of different stock options, including synthetic, wood, and laminate. This allows hunters to choose a stock that is comfortable to hold and suits their shooting style.

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Another important feature of the Tikka T3x is its reliability. The rifle is designed to withstand harsh conditions and tough hunting environments, and is built using high-quality materials that are designed to last. The rifle’s bolt is smooth and easy to operate, and the detachable magazine allows for quick and easy reloading.

Overall, the Tikka T3x rifle is an excellent choice for hunters and shooters who demand accuracy, reliability, and customization options. Its combination of precision engineering, high-quality materials, and customizability make it a top choice for those who want the very best in hunting rifles.

Screen Shot 2024 02 13 at 6.39.49 AM Tikka T3 243 Accuracy Test, Deer Hunt

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.45-70 Government for Grizzly Or Brown Bear Hunting? Best Ammo (Round, Load, Cartridge) for a Successful Grizzly Or Brown Bear Hunt Hunting Calibers 04 Apr, 2020 Posted By: Foundry Outdoors Is the .45-70 Government a viable caliber/load/round/cartridge for grizzly or brown bear hunting? The accurate answer is “it depends”. However, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether the .45-70 Government is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest grizzly or brown bear. As with anything, the devil is in the details. To answer the question completely, we would need to evaluate the downrange distance to the grizzly or brown bear, the bullet type, the grain weight of the bullet, the physical condition of the firearm, the size of the grizzly or brown bear in question, the shot placement, the local wind conditions, the expected accuracy of the shooter, the ethics of the ideal maximum number of shots – the list goes on. [Click Here to Shop .45-70 Government Ammo] What we can do is provide a framework to understand what average conditions might look like, and whether those are reasonably viable for a shot from the average shooter to harvest a grizzly or brown bear in the fewest number of shots possible, i.e., ethically. Let’s dive right in. In the question of “Is the .45-70 Government within the ideal range of suitable calibers for grizzly or brown bear hunting?” our answer is: No, the .45-70 Government is UNDERKILL for grizzly or brown bear hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement. Let’s look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. Assumption Value Caliber .45-70 Government Animal Species Grizzly Or Brown Bear Muzzle Energy 2270 foot-pounds Animal Weight 595 lbs Shot Distance 200 yards What is the average muzzle energy for a .45-70 Government? In this case, we have assumed the average muzzle energy for a .45-70 Government round is approximately 2270 foot-pounds. What is the average weight of an adult male grizzly or brown bear? Here we have leaned conservative by taking the average weight of a male individual of the species, since females generally weigh less and require less stopping power. In this case, the average weight of an adult male grizzly or brown bear is approximately 595 lbs. [Click Here to Shop .45-70 Government Ammo] What is the distance this species is typically hunted from? Distance, of course, plays an important role in the viability of a given caliber in grizzly or brown bear hunting. The kinetic energy of the projectile drops dramatically the further downrange it travels primarily due to energy lost in the form of heat generated by friction against the air itself. This phenonemon is known as drag or air resistance. Thus, a caliber that is effective from 50 yards may not have enough stopping power from 200 yards. With that said, we have assumed the average hunting distance for grizzly or brown bear to be approximately 200 yards. What about the other assumptions? We have three other primary assumptions being made here. First, the average bullet weight is encapsulated in the average muzzle energy for the .45-70 Government. The second important assumption is ‘slightly-suboptimal’ to ‘optimal’ shot placement. That is to say, we assume the grizzly or brown bear being harvested is shot directly or nearly directly in the vitals (heart and/or lungs). The third assumption is that a projectile with appropriate terminal ballistics is being used, which for hunting usually means an expanding bullet. Various calibers A common thread you may encounter in online forums is anecdote after anecdote of large animals being brought down by small caliber bullets, or small animals surviving large caliber bullets. Of course those stories exist, and they are not disputed here. A 22LR cartridge can fell a bull elephant under the right conditions, and a newborn squirrel can survive a 50 BMG round under other specific conditions. Again, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether .45-70 Government is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest grizzly or brown bear – and to this question, the response again is no, the .45-70 Government is UNDERKILL for grizzly or brown bear hunting. [Click Here to Shop .45-70 Government Ammo] This article does not serve as the final say, but simply as a starting point for beginner hunters, as well as a venue for further discussion. Please feel free to agree, disagree, and share stories from your own experience in the comments section below. Disclaimer: the information above is purely for illustrative purposes and should not be taken as permission to use a particular caliber, a statement of the legality or safety of using certain calibers, or legal advice in any way. You must read and understand your own local laws before hunting grizzly or brown bear to know whether your caliber of choice is a legal option. Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online. We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. We have a variety of deals on Rifle Ammo, Handgun Ammo, Shotgun Ammo & Rimfire Ammo, as well as ammo for target practice, plinking, hunting, or shooting competitions. Our website lists special deals on 9mm Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 45-70 Ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, 300 Blackout Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 5.56 Ammo, Underwood Ammo, Buffalo Bore Ammo and more special deals on bulk ammo. We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings. 22 Comments RJ Adkins – Jan 02, 2024 Completely disagree with article. The 4570 is the caliber of choice for many bear hunting guides. With correct bullets and charges it’s great for penetrating through bones in big bears. Also, I n a short lever action, it gets on target quickly with capability of fast follow up shots. Also quoted energy in the article is about half of the cartridge capability. Craig Sellier – May 23, 2024 What I don’t understand is it’s been said by many that while fishing, camping, hiking or any other activity in Alaska or places where there big Grizzly bear 🐻. That a 44 magnum or a 454 casull is sufficient enough to carry for bear 🐻 protection for handguns. Yet for long guns they saying that the 45-70 and the S&W 500 magnum rifle’s are not suitable for hunting Grizzly bear. 🤔 Well, that 45-70 and that 500 Magnum 50 caliber shooting from 500 to 700 grain bullets is serious medicine. It’s been said many times that the 45-70 will kill the big 5 along with the 500 S&W also. I’d really like to get a real truthful answer so I’d know if I’d be safe are am I just going out there to feed the bear 🐻 me. I really need to know. I believe that 45-70 with 405 hard cast Barnes bullets would break shoulder bones and come out the other side. The 500 S&W magnum lever action rifle is capable of shooting through and through a car engine the 45-70 as well but they are not powerful enough to hunt Grizzly bears. I do realize some Grizzly bear 🐻 🐻‍❄ will go over 1000 lbs. And stand 10 feet tall. That’s a serious Animal and there’s no room for errors. Craig Sellier – May 23, 2024 What I don’t understand is it’s been said by many that while fishing, camping, hiking or any other activity in Alaska or places where there big Grizzly bear 🐻. That a 44 magnum or a 454 casull is sufficient enough to carry for bear 🐻 protection for handguns. Yet for long guns they saying that the 45-70 and the S&W 500 magnum rifle’s are not suitable for hunting Grizzly bear. 🤔 Well, that 45-70 and that 500 Magnum 50 caliber shooting from 500 to 700 grain bullets is serious medicine. It’s been said many times that the 45-70 will kill the big 5 along with the 500 S&W also. I’d really like to get a real truthful answer so I’d know if I’d be safe are am I just going out there to feed the bear 🐻 me. I really need to know. I believe that 45-70 with 405 hard cast Barnes bullets would break shoulder bones and come out the other side. The 500 S&W magnum lever action rifle is capable of shooting through and through a car engine the 45-70 as well but they are not powerful enough to hunt Grizzly bears. I do realize some Grizzly bear 🐻 🐻‍❄ will go over 1000 lbs. And stand 10 feet tall. That’s a serious Animal and there’s no room for errors. JTAC – Jul 04, 2024 I am confused by this article… rated as “Underkill”. I got charged by an 800 lb male grizzly that surprised me after I stumbled upon a fresh kill. I had just enough time to pull my rifle up and get 2 shots off. The first round was so rushed I barely grazed the animal. The second round I tighten up my mechanics and took my shot for its chest. Right as I squeezed the trigger the bear dropped its head and that 45-70 405 round blew its skull cap off and dropped that bear about 18 yards from me. A lot closer than I ever want to be to any Grizzly in a full speed charge. I would suffice to say it was very effective. I get ethics of hunting shot placement and everything else when hunting. But, most of the time you do not normally get a 200 yard shot, depending on your location. I know if I hunt using my 45-70 for bear I am trying to take my shot between 100 to 125 yards away. Big hard flat tipped rounds work great. Z – Jul 04, 2024 With the custom loads I have for my vintage JM Marlin 1895, I am confident 45-70 would be prevalent over any mammal indigenous to this planet. (Maybe not in one shot, because placement is a big factor…) I stand strong on this statement. Robert House – Jul 04, 2024 With the right load the 45-70 Government can take any game on this Earth like with +P Hard cast and +P Underwood Extreme penetrator. EBob – Jul 04, 2024 🤣 Have you ever actually hunted Grizzly Bear, or had to defend yourself against a Grizzly Bear dude? This article is total B.S.! LOL! Drew – Aug 10, 2024 You can’t look at the most anemic factory loads and suggest a hunter might use those for a once in a lifetime brown bear hunt. Have you ever heard of Underwood, Buffalo Bore, Hornady or other +P hardcast or solid copper loads? Come on now, some approach 4000 ft/lb of energy. My own go to load throws a 300 gr Speer hotcore @ 2430fps @ 12’. Use your bullet energy calc. That’ll stop anyting on the planet except Elephant, Rhino, hippo or cape buff.. Mike – Sep 09, 2024 Every article posted by foundry outdoors always states the same thing. Yall assume a lot. Never assume cause it makes an ass out of you and me. People aren’t quite as ignorant as assumed by writers and politicians. 4570 has killed bears for decades. No body armor on these critters. Shot placement is . 223/5.56 with 55gr fmj does it all the time do in reasonably sure a 45/70-430gr hard cast or a 325gr extreme hunter mono bullet will do the trick. G – Oct 18, 2024 This article about .45-70 being underkill is full of blasphemy. Old time hunters were using black powder 45-70 with 405 grain bullets and they STILL stopped bears and any other critters that got in their way. Even to this day, .45-70 can be used to take down Safari game such as tigers and lions, albeit a bit light for that use but is practical. Whoever wrote this has clearly never hunted before or is trying to spread untruthful facts. 1 2 3 Leave a comment Comments have to be approved before showing up Your Name * Your Email * Your Comment * Post Comment