Hi all, I recently bought a new Tikka T3 in .308 and had it zeroed at 100yds by the shop I bought it from. I took it to the range to shoot some and first shot with Federal Fusion 150gr that the gun was zeroed with. I was on a bench at 100yds, using a sandbag style rest up front. I was a little sporadic but felt ok given it was the first time out with the gun. I then shot some Federal Power Shok 150gr and was consistently way off. Every shot was low and to the right, up to 5" (also some wind left to right). Is this normal for two types of bullets to be off that much at 100yds? Or just user error? I am hoping it's the former and a lesson to use what the gun was zeroed with. If the difference is negligible, I just need to get out there more! Thanks in advance.

If each ammo was relatively consistent with other rounds of the same ammo, then it's likely just a case of the rifle liking one ammo better than another, which is totally normal. With any rifle, you have to find what it likes best. If none of the ammo was consistent, even with other rounds of the same ammo, then you have to consider other possibilities....either you being inconsistent or something with the rifle itself (loose base, rings, etc). If you're saying you're a newbie to shooting in general, have a buddy watch you shoot to see if you're flinching before/during the shot

Absolutely normal for two different types of bullets to have different POI. Best to discover that on the range like you did instead of in the field. Pick which round you want to hunt with and zero the rifle with it. Congrats on your new rifle and good luck with it!

Always assume they used different powder in the cartridge if you are having trouble getting your head around that. The bullet is only 1 component or part of the entire cartridge you are holding in your hand.

The only thing that has me worried is you said it was a little sporadic with what the ammo they claimed it was sighted in with.......

I would confirm it was zeroed with THAT ammo. Chances are whoever sighted it in didn't spend a whole lot of time testing different types of ammo.

If the second ammo that shot 5" low and right shot a tighter group I might go back and sight in with that ammo instead.

Two different bullets can have a big difference in POI even if they are the same weight and same velocity.

Thanks for the responses and info. I plan to go back to the range later in the week with the Federal Fusions (ammo that they zeroed with) and get that as consistent as possible. And yes, the person that zeroed this gun used 4 cartridges total out of the box I sent with them, so I think there is still plenty of room to dial it in before taking it to the field. Thanks again!

sounds like they bore-sighted, fired a few rounds to confirm it was "on paper" and said "good enough". Like someone mentioned above, don't worry about what ammo is closet to the center of the target, find the ammo that groups best/tightest, then adjust the scope to move that grouping where you want it, depending on where you hunt and the average range you'd be likely to shoot. I shoot a 308 and I personally prefer to have mine shooting a couple inches high at 100yds, which is basically dead-on at 200. by doing that, I'm basically dialed in for anything from 50yds to 300 by just holding over/under a little bit, depending on shot distance.

I recheck my gun when I go from lot number to lot number of ammo. Why I don't buy just one or two boxes of ammo at a time . When I buy all boxes most come from the same lot number .

the butt of your rifle also needs a sandbag ...

As others have said dont worry about the hitting the bullseye for now just see what groups the best and then go buy that specific ammo that the rifle likes best and then you can worry about hitting the bullseye and sighting it in.

My Tikka shot like crap until I dremeled the pressure point out of it. Make sure the barrel is free floating before wasting ammo.

I just learned the same thing about my new Savage .308, i shot 150gr remington core lokt and it wouldn't group at 25 yds, even after it was boresighted and checked twice.....I switched ammo and went with 165gr hornady interlock and it was stacking groups less than a quarter inch at 25, 50 and 100 yds.....

Short answer….YES. Ammo can be a huge difference.

And I speak from experience, never trust a store to mount a scope. Never.

THIS RIGHT HERE!

I have witnessed some of the work done by the “pro staff”.
One of the worst things I’ve seen was a guy twisting in a Leupold ring with the tube of the scope.

Each rifle is a law unto itself.

Thanks all for the info. This is great stuff. I'm planning to get back out to the range this week with a few ammo options and see where I get. I'll report back.