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Just lately....using the h and n plated bullet.....308 size..170 gn..in my Howa.....I have been getting sub moa groups at 100 yds with 16.5gns of N110....calculate 1500fps which is the claimed max for this bullet...at 50 yds I have been getting 8/10 into half an inch....why just 16.5gns will produce this...whereas 15gns does not....?? This combo may not work with another rifle/ bullet of course. These bullets are not target bullets and can vary in quality...but I doubt I could get a better result with fmj ...

Mike95

The CTR has a 1 in 11 twist on a 20'' barrel but I have not tried measuring the free-bore, I understand that it is quite generous on a Tikka. I am not complaining about the accuracy just interested in the experiences of others using lead reloads in this calibre or perhaps a similar rifle, most of my fellow shooters seem to have settled on Red Dot should it continues to be available.
JohnE

Red Dot is a fast pistol powder and any similar burning rate powder will work equally well, my preference is N320.

Red Dot is no doubt popular because of the Ed Harris's "The Load" being all over the internet, what most people don't bother following up on is that Ed Harris moved on from that high end 13gn fast pistol powder load to a slower powder load 16 gns Alliant 2400 as the top end Red Dot load was a bit too edgy and could give pressure spikes in certain instances and calibre bullet combinations.

It is not the specific powder that is important but its burning rate, any similar burning rate powder will give similar results.

These fast pistol powders are fine for up to say 1200fps in 30 calibres 150 gn + bullets but if I want more velocity then prudence dictates a slower powder like Vhitavuori N110 or N120.

I confess that I hadn't heard of the Ed Harris article, some of my info came from old Target Sports test articles and even older Lyman reloading handbooks, frustratingly the modern Lyman books recommend powders that are unfamiliar to me and possibly unobtainable in the UK.