Pig / Deer Rifle? Tikka T3x CTR .308 - Advice for a NOOB

[SCJ429]

Are you saying you can get 3100 fps from a 200 grain bullet out of your Win Mag?

I am surprised that you think you could not hit anything with a 308 in WA. What sort of distances are you shooting at?

While the 308 is a bit vanilla, it is quite capable of making hits on game at 400 or 500 metres with a bit of practice. To be honest, I think you should be able to stalk a lot closer even in open country.

What do you use your 223 on if a 308 is incapable of making the shot?

[flutch]

Are you saying you can get 3100 fps from a 200 grain bullet out of your Win Mag?

I am surprised that you think you could not hit anything with a 308 in WA. What sort of distances are you shooting at?

While the 308 is a bit vanilla, it is quite capable of making hits on game at 400 or 500 metres with a bit of practice. To be honest, I think you should be able to stalk a lot closer even in open country.

What do you use your 223 on if a 308 is incapable of making the shot?

operative part of the discussion would be noob friendly, there are a lot flatter/faster rounds that will get the job done with far less practice, and given the state of gun club snobs and people in the city having a lack of area to practice that is a pertinent thing. why would you put a 223 and a 308 in the same discussion? that makes no sense. ones a varmint round that costs little to fk all. the other one considerably more, like 100% more. again the argument isn't that a 308 cant "hit" the target, it is however a lazy round and does drop a lot faster than many other rounds, this isn't up for debate, hence the rise of many boutique 6.5's on the market and the proliferation of larger magnums and the systematic replacement of 308 as a sniper round, after all it was only adopted because it was in ready supply for the military and they only adopted it as it was a short action cartridge and hence was easily utilised in an automatic rifle. as far as making a hunting experience enjoyable for a novice shooter I would lean toward rounds that require less compensation at different ranges, not more.

as for the 300win, getting close to 3100 with 190gn projies so would expect close to 3000 for 200gn, damn sight quicker than 2400...

[SCJ429]

I think that a 22LR is a great start for a new shooter, you learn about drop and wind drift. You cannot wind it up to 3100 fps.

You said you have to take long shots in WA where the 308 cannot get the job done. Surely the puny 223 cannot be effective over these long distances and you should have gone with a 220 Swift or the 22/250?

For a new shooter I would avoid shots beyond 300 metres, even if you get the elevation right the wind drift may make you miss. For the novice a 100 to 200 metre shot is achievable, with a 308 or 223 or a 30/30.

You should consider rechambering your 300 Win Mag, the capable 300s start with the RUM these days.

[flutch]

I think that a 22LR is a great start for a new shooter, you learn about drop and wind drift. You cannot wind it up to 3100 fps.

You said you have to take long shots in WA where the 308 cannot get the job done. Surely the puny 223 cannot be effective over these long distances and you should have gone with a 220 Swift or the 22/250?

For a new shooter I would avoid shots beyond 300 metres, even if you get the elevation right the wind drift may make you miss. For the novice a 100 to 200 metre shot is achievable, with a 308 or 223 or a 30/30.

You should consider rechambering your 300 Win Mag, the capable 300s start with the RUM these days.

only issue with your attempt at being snide is I am not a novice shooter... and lol, the game I would shoot with the 223 do not present themselves at that much of a distance, besides I already have the 270 if I wish to varmint outside of the 223's effective range. none the less this has nothing to do with me, its about getting a novice shooter to get a more pleasurable shooting experience, you know, coming from someone who has access to hunting properties statewide in WA, but sure, again, the 308 is "ok" but the hype far exceeds the reality.

[mickb]

2400 fps is mortar speeds and to pretend that there isnt a FK tonne of bullet drop at that weight and velocity is pretty silly

Silly is blokes who can't read a ballistic chart. 200-220 grain bullets, BC .300 to .320, zeroed to 124-140 yards, drop around 4-5" at 200 yards. Plenty for heavy game. The example wasn't for general hunting or rabbits at 300 yards, it was scrub bulls.

as it is pertinent here in WA, a lot of terrain and areas people shoot its not uncommon to have to engage at greater distances

Again with the 'engagement of game'. Are you declaring war on animals or do you mean marrying them Flutch?
No offence but all the sniper terms( d.o.p.e aka data on previous engagements) and never shooting anything 'under 3100fps', you sound pretty young or too much COD...

after all arent amongst valleys and mountains for the majority of our terrain. so to me there are many options way more effective than a 308 for shooting in WA, sure a 308 will suffice with compromises but then again, its a bit of a clitoris isnt it, yunno given that every C#nt has one.

I'm in QLD, we got the same spaces and more game to boot. Back to whats relevant, the OP had a choice between 270 and 308 and I said the latter has a much better range of big game bullets, and it does.

[flutch]

as it is pertinent here in WA, a lot of terrain and areas people shoot its not uncommon to have to engage at greater distances
Again with the 'engagement of game'. Are you declaring war on animals or do you mean marrying them Flutch?
No offence but all the sniper terms( d.o.p.e aka data on previous engagements) and never shooting anything 'under 3100fps', you sound pretty young or too much COD...

you're a bored little one aren't you lol... and yeah I could say I am annihilating them doesn't mean I am trying to be Arnold Schwarzenegger, you're a typical case of someone who doesn't like someone disagreeing so tries ever so hard to remain perched on their ever dwindling soap box... grats I guess... lol. just a little box of cliches the "im from the army" cliche combined with 308 fanboi antics... predictable much? grats again I suppose... let me guess being from qld, the army and having a 308 makes you correct? more like a laugh... what ya join the army for anyways? not capable of starting your own business? needed someone to tell you what to do every day?

you sound pretty cliche or maybe too many RSL tall tales hangin out with uncle Robbo as a kid... lol

[mickb]

you're a bored little one aren't you lol...

Im bored? You kicked this off Flutch, used comments on 308 big game bullets out of context for a knobpull on your pet calibre. Which was all good, I answered you factually.

and yeah I could say I am annihilating them doesn't mean I am trying to be Arnold Schwarzenegger, you're a typical case of someone who doesn't like someone disagreeing so tries ever so hard to remain perched on their ever dwindling soap box...

You mean I met your claim with facts and figures, since you didn't seem to understand bullet drop at moderate velocities.

grats I guess... lol. just a little box of cliches the "im from the army" cliche combined with 308 fanboi antics... predictable much? grats again I suppose... let me guess being from qld, the army and having a 308 makes you correct?

Well it was more the fact you didnt know what you were talking about, that did most of the work for me. I only mentioned the army to slow down the sniper terms you were using. "Engaging game and DOPE charts" for hunting, good heavens....

Not sure where you got I owned a 308 though....

more like a laugh... what ya join the army for anyways? not capable of starting your own business? needed someone to tell you what to do every day?you sound pretty cliche or maybe too many RSL tall tales hangin out with uncle Robbo as a kid... lol

Well, I joined the army because it seemed like a good idea at 18. I got out about 10 years ago and went overseas contracting and then a miner. Not really interested in businesses no, I don't have the motivation or aptitude.

I still seem to be able to handle the odd internet youngster melting down though

[flutch]

you're a bored little one aren't you lol...

Im bored? You quoted first Flutch, used comments on 308 big game bullets out of context for a knobpull on your pet calibre. Which was all good, I answered you factually.

and yeah I could say I am annihilating them doesn't mean I am trying to be Arnold Schwarzenegger, you're a typical case of someone who doesn't like someone disagreeing so tries ever so hard to remain perched on their ever dwindling soap box...

You mean I met your claim with actual facts and figures, since you didn't seem to understand bullet drop at moderate velocities.

grats I guess... lol. just a little box of cliches the "im from the army" cliche combined with 308 fanboi antics... predictable much? grats again I suppose... let me guess being from qld, the army and having a 308 makes you correct?

Well it was more the fact you didnt know what you were talking about, that did most of the work for me. I only mentioned the army to slow down the sniper terms you were using. "Engaging game and DOPE charts" for hunting, good heavens....

Not sure where you got I owned a 308 though....

more like a laugh... what ya join the army for anyways? not capable of starting your own business? needed someone to tell you what to do every day?you sound pretty cliche or maybe too many RSL tall tales hangin out with uncle Robbo as a kid... lol

Well, I joined the army because it seemed like a good idea at 18. I got out about 10 years ago and went overseas contracting and then a miner. Not really interested in businesses no, I don't have the motivation or aptitude.

I still seem to be able to handle the odd internet youngster melting down though

deary me you are desperate for attention aren't you, and no just to correct you I am not petting any calibre or cartridge, I happen to think there are a great many superior to the old lazy 308, both in performance and affordability. facts? huh? I checked out some ballistics charts and you're a bit off the reservation... and if I'm an "internet youngster" you must be a fossil lol. And yes of course, because if we go refer to our dictionary it will have "Engagement" marked down as a term specific to sniping wont it genius? and I'm guessing seeing as how people who shoot pieces of paper with rifles also use a "dope" that makes them all snipers? Also referencing one thing someone says out of context doesn't make you correct, it makes you intellectually lazy, perhaps that's why you lack the aptitude? Obviously another Rambo without a cause, lost without his fatigues, baying up about things he feels sensitive about like a disgruntled Jack Russel refusing to go unheard... cliches for days.

[flutch]

for the sake of the moderators I'm going to leave it there, Time for some pirated movies and bed. But I must thank you for the laughs... its been great fun. no doubt the temptation for having one last stab will be too much to bare, so enjoy

[mickb]

for the sake of the moderators I'm going to leave it there, Time for some pirated movies and bed. But I must thank you for the laughs... its been great fun.

Probably a good idea mate. You went from zero to meltdown mode in just 4 posts, all because I said in general the 308 has better big game bullets than 270 to the OP( not even you directly) and you got upset when folks started debating what you were sprouting. Watch out for those WA animals , remember don't engage unless you have appropriate OFOF.

[flutch]

clap clap for the handicap........ ^^^

[mickb]

for the sake of the moderators I'm going to leave it there

I guess this was some other guy, maybe your sniper pair partner ? :

And just realised you edited your last post regards the having one last stab comment, to have one last stab.

It was a good laugh mate.

[SCJ429]

I'm glad you can concede that the 308 is OK.. That shows some maturity.
While not a favourite case of mine it is quite versatile and don't do anything badly. Just like the 223 it is popular because it is useful and its strengths outweigh its weaknesses.

You also say that anecdotal evidence should be discounted but it is people's experiences that the OP is looking for. Based on your experience with one Howa you say that it is equal in quality to a Tikka. My experience has been very different. I used my Tikka in 223 in a 500 metre Fly shoot in light gun so that I could shoot every second detail complementing my heavy gun and keep me up with the conditions. It has shot groups under three inches in that comp. I have not seen a Howa with that potential, perhaps yours can. I am sure you would tell us if it can.

[bigfellascott]

you wont fit a 308 loaded with 200gn projies into a tikka magazine... just saying... and tbh, if you really wanna use rounds that heavy just bite the bullet and buy a 300win or bigger. especially for a noob, using anything that heavy in a 308 is going to require some pretty serious knowledge of the rifles "dope" that which a noob isnt going to have a handle on. I still say go the 300 win, but then again i dont own anything in centerfire that shoots slower than 3100fps, takes all the guess work out of it.

Mate the big bullets I refer are roundnoses. I admit I dont know what COAL the tikkas handle but you might find these bullets shorter than you realise. And it doesnt require pretty serious knowledge of the rifles 'D.O.P.E', (Btw I spent a few years in the middle east, when did we start calling shooting at animals back here 'engagements', are we hunting or at war with the animals? ) A 200 grain bullet will get 2450-2500fps+ out of the 308, 220 is 2400, that is a good velocity and plenty flat shooting for big game ranges, aka under 200 yards. Its no guesswork for noob or otherwise.

2400 fps is mortar speeds, might aswell have a trebuchet, and to pretend that there isnt a FK tonne of bullet drop at that weight and velocity is pretty silly as it is pertinent here in WA, a lot of terrain and areas people shoot its not uncommon to have to engage at greater distances, we after all arent amongst valleys and mountains for the majority of our terrain. so to me there are many options way more effective than a 308 for shooting in WA, sure a 308 will suffice with compromises but then again, its a bit of a clitoris isnt it, yunno given that every C#nt has one.

223 is definitely the Clitoris these days

[Oldbloke]

"223 is definitely the Clitoris these days"

Then I want as many as i can get.

[SCJ429]

The general consensus for the OP is that he could do worse than a Tikka CTR Chambered in 308.

Others may recommend a Howa chambered in 300 Win Mag.

Good luck with it and let us know what you end up with.

[bigfellascott]

The general consensus for the OP is that he could do worse than a Tikka CTR Chambered in 308.

Others may recommend a Howa chambered in 300 Win Mag.

Good luck with it and let us know what you end up with.

He'd be better off with something lighter to carry around the hills all day.

[SCJ429]

What sort of weight were you thinking?

The Tikka weighs 3.4 kilos.

[bigfellascott]

What sort of weight were you thinking?

The Tikka weighs 3.4 kilos.

I believe the CTR weighs anywhere from 3.6 to 3.8kg

2.8kg range or lighter

Lighter the better I reckon when you are humping it around the hills all day looking for deer.

[SCJ429]

The Tikka website says 3.4 and who am I to argue.

Could you trim the barrel back to 18 inches, save some weight and make the rifle point better?

I wonder what my rifle weighs with a sling and bipod.

[bigfellascott]

The Tikka website says 3.4 and who am I to argue.

Could you trim the barrel back to 18 inches, save some weight and make the rifle point better?

I wonder what my rifle weighs with a sling and bipod.

https://choose.tikka.fi/global/tikka/t3 ... ical-rifle

https://choose.tikka.fi/global/code/TF1T29JL103

https://choose.tikka.fi/global/tikka/t3x-lite

[bigfellascott]

If it was me I'd buy one of their light offerings, a Leupold 3-9x50 and a set of lightweight base/rings, a nice light sling and go huntin.

[SCJ429]

Strange that they would publish conflicting weighs. I saw on a US site where they also put the weight at 7.5 pounds.

I see on the link you posted that the heavier weight corresponds to the longer 610mm barrel which makes sense.

I must be fitter than I thought to lump a 4 kilo rifle with sling, bipod and heavy Nightforce scope around all day. Not to mention 10 kilos of water, food and ammo in my webbing. Not bad for a broken down old man.

[Oldbloke]

For sambar hunting, light weight is the way to go if you want to enjoy your days out. A lot of the country is not exactly eady walking. Many rifles start out at about 6.5 lb but add a scope & sling and it jumps a surprising amount.

[SCJ429]

Then I go taking a range finder, shooting sticks binos first aid kit knives some salt and other rubbish.

[bigfellascott]

For sambar hunting, light weight is the way to go if you want to enjoy your days out. A lot of the country is not exactly eady walking. Many rifles start out at about 6.5 lb but add a scope & sling and it jumps a surprising amount.

You get it

[bigfellascott]

Then I go taking a range finder, shooting sticks binos first aid kit knives some salt and other rubbish.

What no kitchen sink? I don’t think the sandbar will stand there long enough for you to use shooting sticks and a rangefinder most of the time you bump into em and a quick off hand shot is required none of this farting around it’s s**t deer point and shoot.

[Sawyers]

I wouldn't go putting a high mag scope on a hunting rifle that will be used for pigs and deer and certainly not one with side focus - any good quality 3-9x50 will get the job done.

I'd also pick a light rifle if you intend doing a lot of walking (which you will be doing if you are hunting deer in Vic.

The 308 will get the job done and not to hard on the shoulders and ears, you don't need a muzzle brake on hunting rifle so don't waste your time and money on one, you don't need a rifle with 10rd mag capacity either as most times you are lucky to get 1 or 2 shots off before everything disappears so don't waste your time buying stuff you won't ever need.

This is the best advice, i made the mistake of buying high magnification scopes with side focus or AO, they've all been replaced with ether 3-9, 4-12 or 2-7, therses nothing worse than fumbling around with a scope while trying to get a shot off. Also as Pete said 50mm objective is perfect for pigs on run.

[Raband]

I think I read while researching T3x's a (*Aussie Version) annotation somewhere - that could be what accounts for the differences in weight?

[bigfellascott]

I think I read while researching T3x's a (*Aussie Version) annotation somewhere - that could be what accounts for the differences in weight?

I think you'll find its probably just the barrel length/type (ie dia) and fluting that makes the difference weight wise. What does make a big difference is how much weight you have to carry around in your hands all day, for what the OP wants I'd definitely go a lighter rifle than his original choice.