What factory ammo is best for a 7mm-08 Tikka T3 Lite Stainless/Synthetic rifle?

Question

What factory ammo is best for a 7mm-08 Tikka T3 Lite Stainless/Synthetic rifle?

Answer 1

There's no point in asking. That's doubly true since you didn't mention what you're going to do with it. The loads one rifle "likes" are peculiar to that individual rifle. Though Sako/Tikka barrels are among the best in the industry, they're like all others in this respect: each one has microscopic imperfections, tool marks, and such. Because of those differences that are too small to account for in the manufacturing process, each barrel will be different enough that you'll just have to pick a few and try them to find out.

But accuracy isn't as important as all that, anyway. If you're using it to hunt deer, for instance, you'll likely find several loads that'll group within four inches at 200-250 yards, which is about as far as you have any business shooting at an unwounded deer. The most accurate isn't the one to pick, but the one with acceptable accuracy and the best terminal performance. What it does after it gets there is every bit as important as getting it there.

Answer 2

According to the 2008 Product Guide Book from Winchester use the 140 grain power point.*

Answer 3

Hornady 139 gr SST Light Magnum is the most impressive round I have found.  Excellent ballistics. 3000fps.   Winchester 140 gr Ballistic Silvertip or Federal 140 gr Nosler rounds are both decent alternative loads.   You need to see what is most accurate in your rifle and what is available and affordable in your area.  

Answer 4

There are many different manufacturers offering several different loadings for your 7mm-08. There is no one brand of ammo that is better than all others. But, you can be sure that there is one out there that is more accurate in your gun than all the others. Which one works best in your specific rifle can only be determined by testing a number of them at the range on targets to see which groups best.

Begin by choosing your ammo according to how you're going to use it. For target shooting, you'll probably (but not always) do best with FMJ loads. For hunting, there is a wide variety of new bullet weights and styles available, each designed with a specific purpose in mind, each offering a different result down range. You need to match the bullet to the type of game you’ll be hunting and the ranges you’ll be shooting.

Many of us take this process to the extreme by reloading our own ammunition. By so doing, the possibilities are endless, and most of us are able to make up the “perfect” load for our purposes for any of our centerfire rifles. But, since everyone is not prone to taking up reloading, start out with the commercially available ammo and see what results you get.

With testing, you’ll find at least one particular load that combines the best accuracy with the desired down-range results. That’s the loading that’s going to be the most effective on game from your rifle, and that would be your choice for the best ammo. It will really come down to which load shoots best in your rifle.