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

[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.

[Bombus1]

^ this is exactly why I bought the 300wm in howa vs my friends tikka 300 - so I can see for myself.
Thus far, both rifles are shooting Moa with a long way to go retuning.
But - I will say, the bolt on the howa is a little loose and tight compared to the glass like tikka, a bit rattly but nothing excessive and once locked - it’s tight.
I think both triggers are superb - not up to the steyr “set” trigger but not too far away and if your hunting, a extreme light trigger is not necessarily a good thing.
At this stage—— I’d say a howa is the hilux and the tikka is the Lexus.
*** I reserve the right to change my opinion at any time.

Good to know and appreciate the honest feedback. I think as I'm just getting back into this again that I'll go the Hilux for now and save the Lexus for when I can drive better ad appreciate the quality.

[Stix]

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.

Do you wait to load your magazine with ammo until you encounter game as well...?
I dont know why you would be waiting around for an encounter with game to then set your scope up either...

If you have a higher end mag scope (say 4-16) with side paralex adjustment...you set it up first & leave it alone...
Before you load magazines & treko off...you set the dioptre for your eye...crank up to max magnification & set paralex to 100-150 yds (setting will vary due to terrain to average out likely encounters), then wind scope back to min manification & leave it alone...
Then its set...if you need to crank up mag the paralex is set to plenty good enough for a shot on the chest of mid sized animal at easy 300yds...& just as sharp, if not sharper image than a fixed parralex scope in close ranges...

Also, im not sure what the size of the front objective has anything to do with whether an animal is sitting or on the trott...?
Front objective has biggest influence over brighness as far as i know...
Or have i missed something...

[duncan61]

Hi all. Apologies if this has been asked a million times. I'm just getting back into shooting (haven't done anything in 20 years) and am looking to go pig hunting (I live in WA) and also Deer hunting (in Vic Highlands with my brother who lives over that way).

I've done a bit of research and am considering the Tikka T3x CTR S/S in .308. It is pretty exy though and over my $2k budget for a rifle (I've been quoted nearly $2,500 for this - but comes with spare mag and muzzle break).

I would certainly welcome some feedback on this given what I want to do, including:

1. Rifle Selection - given what i want to do with it per above. I see Howa's are comparable? How do they stack up?
2. Optics Selection - have been recommended the Bushnell Elite 4500 4-16x40. Are these decent? Any other brands/models i should consider
3. Good gun shop (price/service) in WA - will also consider Oz wide too and will share the love to whomever wants my business essentially.

As a lot of you on here are very experienced, I'd really appreciate your opinions and advice.

Thanks everyone and looking forward to getting back into the swing!!!
Bombus1
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Posts: 8
Western Australia
I can not speak highly enough of the Howa I purchased brand new in .243 it was accurate out the box and the scope it came with was fine for shooting out to 300 Metres total package cost $700 It is Blued steel and synthetic stock and has to be looked after or it will rust in situations where my S/S rifles do not.Where are you based I have a heap of land to shoot on north of Bunbury to Waroona

[RoginaJack]

Tikka T3x CTR S/S in .308 = 3.4kg or 7.4lb; Tikka Lite in .308 = 2.9kg or 6.5lb. (all approx.) . Go the lite.

Scope, 2-7 or 3-9 is about all you'll need hunting Samba.

[Oldbloke]

Tikka T3x CTR S/S in .308 = 3.4kg or 7.4lb; Tikka Lite in .308 = 2.9kg or 6.5lb. (all approx.) . Go the lite.

Scope, 2-7 or 3-9 is about all you'll need hunting Samba.

Yep, i would get the lite and i use a 3-9*40. But 50 is better for low light. However the 50 will add $ and weight.

[Oldbloke]

Tikka T3x CTR S/S in .308 = 3.4kg or 7.4lb; Tikka Lite in .308 = 2.9kg or 6.5lb. (all approx.) . Go the lite.

Scope, 2-7 or 3-9 is about all you'll need hunting Samba.

Yep, i would get the lite and i use a 3-9*40. But 50 is better for low light. However the 50 will add $ and weight.