Hey everyone. I have a Tikka T3 i want to start shooting 500 yards with. I already do alot of 200 yards and some 300 yards with it. Do you think factory ammo would work well out to 500 yards? I only have a 3x-9x scope on it but i plan on getting a 4x-12x for shooting that far. I plan on using QR mounts so i can go back to the 3x-9x for hunting.

What cartridge are you shooting...?

Sorry i ment to put that in the original post. 300 WSM.

probably depends on the particular rifle and what ammo you're shooting. just shoot a bunch of different stuff and see what your gun likes best.

Right now im shooting 180gr Winchester Super-X Power Points and getting just over 1in groups. That is the only ammo ive tryed so far. I plan on trying more this summer.

You should have no problems shooting at 500yds. If you do your partwith factory ammo. Find the right ammo your gun likes. Practice makes perfect you know. I do it with my Remington model 700xcr in 270wsm. I use Winchester 150gr. Power Point ammo. My scope is the Burris Euro-Diamond 2.5x10x44mm objective with the Ballistic Plex retical. I use Stoney Point Rapid bypod. The sitting and kneeling one and consitantly hitting 6" dia. rocks at a lasered 500yds.

When I was in the army (Canadian), before we went to the 5.56, we used to do run downs from 1000 yds. We were using peeps graduated in 100 yd increments. Nobody ever hit dirt from 1000 - 600 but after that we were on target using standard ball ammo.

My experience with Winchester ammo is that the Power Points always provided the best accuracy in the .270, 30-06 and 300 Win Mag. Whenever I got into their high end stuff, things opened up. Just my experience, your mileage may vary. Lot's of variables at 500 yds that need be taken into account.

I did some shooting out to 600 yards in teh Marines usint the peep sight but i just didnt know how well factory ammo would work. I guess i can try and if it dosnt work then ill have to fix the problem.

factory ammo is not necessarily of lesser quality. a lot of companies make high dollar match ammo.

Good Lord what range finder are you using that will give a range bounced off a 6" target at 500 yards? I want one.


500 yards ain't no joke. Anything past about 350 and you are entering a whole differnt world. Its great to practice that far, it can teach you a lot about the rifle you are shooting, and its pretty fun as well. If you are getting 1" groups from you T3 then I think you are more than ready to give it a go. Just let that barrel cool off. Study your ballistic chart.... and see how close it really is.