yoteblaster
Active member
I am interested in getting into the high power silhoutte shooting game. I have a Tikka 308 what scope should I be looking for also is the Tikka a good gun to use for the hunter class?
High power silhoutte shooting
- Thread starter yoteblaster
- Start date
Feez
New member
Hi Yoteblaster,
I shoot hi power silhouette here in se Pa. I'm no expert, but it is a lot of fun. 95% of the scopes I see are Leupolds. Lower priced scopes can hold zero forever, but Leupold has a reputation for 'tracking'. Meaning you can move the crosshairs up 13 moa for the rams, and when you put it back to zero it is still dead on for chickens. Turret adjustments are handy, because you will move it 4 or 8 times in a day. Dot reticle is popular, but a duplex will do the job. Don't fall for the mildot or graduated crosshairs. You will be playing around with different bullets and loads and it will never be precise. Magnification is all over the map, anywhere from 10 to 36, definitely a personal preference thing. I have one 20 and one 24 but usually keep them both below 20.
Is the range you shoot at a full scale 500 meter?
Here is another source for silhouette information.
SteelChickens
I shoot hi power silhouette here in se Pa. I'm no expert, but it is a lot of fun. 95% of the scopes I see are Leupolds. Lower priced scopes can hold zero forever, but Leupold has a reputation for 'tracking'. Meaning you can move the crosshairs up 13 moa for the rams, and when you put it back to zero it is still dead on for chickens. Turret adjustments are handy, because you will move it 4 or 8 times in a day. Dot reticle is popular, but a duplex will do the job. Don't fall for the mildot or graduated crosshairs. You will be playing around with different bullets and loads and it will never be precise. Magnification is all over the map, anywhere from 10 to 36, definitely a personal preference thing. I have one 20 and one 24 but usually keep them both below 20.
Is the range you shoot at a full scale 500 meter?
Here is another source for silhouette information.
SteelChickens
Feez
New member
It's been a while since I looked at SteelChickens. They are always looking for the round that will reliably knock over a ram with the least recoil. 308 has NO problem knocking over rams. I lean towards the more recoil side of the spectrum. When a bullet pings a ram but it is still standing, I would have taken a little more recoil to put that ram under my belt.
The reason I write that is, you'll hear a lot of talk about specialty calibers but don't feel out-gunned with a 308. 10 - 20 years ago 308 was the most popular round, then it was 7mm-08. Now it is a toss up between 260 and 6.6X55. This trend was to reduce recoil, but ram reliability has also gone down a little.
One thing you can do to keep recoil down is use a lighter bullet for Chickens, pigs, and turkeys. These three don't put up much of a fight.
I forgot about your Tikka question. Again, about 85% of the rifles are built on a Rem 700 action. But I hear great things about Tikka's trigger, and the trigger is extremely important. I've never shot one, but I hear they can also be very accurate.
Another thing I notice about the silhouette crowd is free advice. They are not competing against YOU. They are competing against theirself. (at least in the lower levels) I'm sure when they get to master class they hold a few secrets back, but overall great people.
The reason I write that is, you'll hear a lot of talk about specialty calibers but don't feel out-gunned with a 308. 10 - 20 years ago 308 was the most popular round, then it was 7mm-08. Now it is a toss up between 260 and 6.6X55. This trend was to reduce recoil, but ram reliability has also gone down a little.
One thing you can do to keep recoil down is use a lighter bullet for Chickens, pigs, and turkeys. These three don't put up much of a fight.
I forgot about your Tikka question. Again, about 85% of the rifles are built on a Rem 700 action. But I hear great things about Tikka's trigger, and the trigger is extremely important. I've never shot one, but I hear they can also be very accurate.
Another thing I notice about the silhouette crowd is free advice. They are not competing against YOU. They are competing against theirself. (at least in the lower levels) I'm sure when they get to master class they hold a few secrets back, but overall great people.
This list from NRA should lead you to some competitions
http://www.nrapublications.org/ssusa/images/SSUSA0806_CE.pdf
I tried my 25-06 with 117gr slugs for awhile, but got tired of hearing the ring of the bullet hitting a ram, making it move, even seeing the bullet splatter, and still not seeing the ram go DOWN.
Good Luck
http://www.nrapublications.org/ssusa/images/SSUSA0806_CE.pdf
I tried my 25-06 with 117gr slugs for awhile, but got tired of hearing the ring of the bullet hitting a ram, making it move, even seeing the bullet splatter, and still not seeing the ram go DOWN.
Good Luck
Last edited:
Leadlobber
New member
I suggest you go to a match in your area & talk to the folks, before you know it you will have bullet and load recommendations.Someone may have a spare scope for sale ,Leupold carries a lifetime warranty. I use a 6.5 X 20 Leupold and have used Weaver T-16 and T-24's {I shoot sm.bore sillywett}
I think a Tikka in .308 is a great way to start.
The folks on Steelchickens are a great bunch ,not unlike here .I plan on making their shoot in Ark.in Sept.
Watch out its addictive I've been hooked for over 15 years.Best of luck
I think a Tikka in .308 is a great way to start.
The folks on Steelchickens are a great bunch ,not unlike here .I plan on making their shoot in Ark.in Sept.
Watch out its addictive I've been hooked for over 15 years.Best of luck
yoteblaster
Active member
I think I am going to attend one first and get a feel for it. I was looking at the 7mm08 but I can get free federal match brass so that is why I choose 308. Should be interesting. I think you are right at the lower levels it would seem the competition shouldn't be as bad.There is a match this weekend I think I am going to watch.
yoteblaster
The clubs I shoot silhoutte at usually have a practice day before match day when they drag out and paint the targets and open the range up.
I usually take a couple extra rounds go paint some targets then spend the rest of the day knocking the paint back off its a good time to go try out some loads or a gun or tune up your technique.
The first time I shot at the targets was on a practice day check with the club holding the match see if you can take your gun and try it out.
The clubs I shoot silhoutte at usually have a practice day before match day when they drag out and paint the targets and open the range up.
I usually take a couple extra rounds go paint some targets then spend the rest of the day knocking the paint back off its a good time to go try out some loads or a gun or tune up your technique.
The first time I shot at the targets was on a practice day check with the club holding the match see if you can take your gun and try it out.
yoteblaster
Active member
Why does a person need such a high powdered scope 500 meters isn't that far for a 9 or 10 power scope