Oldbloke wrote: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 wrote:Then I go taking a range finder, shooting sticks binos first aid kit knives some salt and other rubbish.
bigfellascott wrote: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.
Raband wrote:I think I read while researching T3x's a (*Aussie Version) annotation somewhere - that could be what accounts for the differences in weight?
TassieTiger wrote:^ 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.
Sawyers wrote:bigfellascott wrote: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.
RoginaJack wrote: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.
RoginaJack wrote: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.
SCJ429 wrote:For me I am happy to carry a heavier rifle, where weight saving is concerned I can pick up my fitness and loose a few kilos in body weight. I have never been unable to get the shot off because my rifle weighed a little more but puffing like a train and my heart rate being over 180 has stopped me more than once. I may be the only one here not at my ideal fighting weight but I suspect that I am not.
RoginaJack wrote:Yep, I tend to go for lighter things too; except wine bottles!
bigfellascott wrote:RoginaJack wrote:Yep, I tend to go for lighter things too; except wine bottles!
Yeah used to love a drink, I don't bother with it much now but certainly was a champion at emptying cartons.
marksman wrote:bigfellascott wrote:RoginaJack wrote:Yep, I tend to go for lighter things too; except wine bottles!
Yeah used to love a drink, I don't bother with it much now but certainly was a champion at emptying cartons.
+1
now I have extra money for more bullets
SCJ429 wrote:For me I am happy to carry a heavier rifle, where weight saving is concerned I can pick up my fitness and loose a few kilos in body weight. I have never been unable to get the shot off because my rifle weighed a little more but puffing like a train and my heart rate being over 180 has stopped me more than once. I may be the only one here not at my ideal fighting weight but I suspect that I am not.
mickb wrote:SCJ429 wrote:For me I am happy to carry a heavier rifle, where weight saving is concerned I can pick up my fitness and loose a few kilos in body weight. I have never been unable to get the shot off because my rifle weighed a little more but puffing like a train and my heart rate being over 180 has stopped me more than once. I may be the only one here not at my ideal fighting weight but I suspect that I am not.
I tend to follow the same principals mate. Incidentally this year I decided to get back to my fighting weight of 20 years ago, dropped about 15kg and it turned my life around. Carrying stuff, hunting, hiking, chasing my nephews, old knee and back injuries even settled down a lot. Highly recommend.
bigfellascott wrote:
I keep losing it and finding it again and a few extra Kg's for good measure
You are right though, it definitely makes life a lot easier not carrying around the extra weight, you can certainly do things a lot easier no doubt about it, I just wish I could keep it f***ing off instead of yo yoing every time I try.
mickb wrote:bigfellascott wrote:
I keep losing it and finding it again and a few extra Kg's for good measure
You are right though, it definitely makes life a lot easier not carrying around the extra weight, you can certainly do things a lot easier no doubt about it, I just wish I could keep it f***ing off instead of yo yoing every time I try.
I reckon its the junk food availability mate. I buggared off to the third world for years, eating everything from local food, rations to UN lentils. Could eat plenty but it was usually set meal times and not always a pleasure. As such the weight stayed off.
Came back to Aus and it was like this gnawing hunger all the time... an urge to open the fridge any time I walk past or buy a pie and chickoroll any time I get fuel.
I wonder if one of these "flavour No.123" or "preservative no.886" you see on the packet doesnt flick a few neurone addiction switches like nicotiene does.
bigfellascott wrote:mickb wrote:SCJ429 wrote:For me I am happy to carry a heavier rifle, where weight saving is concerned I can pick up my fitness and loose a few kilos in body weight. I have never been unable to get the shot off because my rifle weighed a little more but puffing like a train and my heart rate being over 180 has stopped me more than once. I may be the only one here not at my ideal fighting weight but I suspect that I am not.
I tend to follow the same principals mate. Incidentally this year I decided to get back to my fighting weight of 20 years ago, dropped about 15kg and it turned my life around. Carrying stuff, hunting, hiking, chasing my nephews, old knee and back injuries even settled down a lot. Highly recommend.
I keep losing it and finding it again and a few extra Kg's for good measure
You are right though, it definitely makes life a lot easier not carrying around the extra weight, you can certainly do things a lot easier no doubt about it, I just wish I could keep it f***ing off instead of yo yoing every time I try.
mickb wrote:Good choice bombus you also got some diet advice thrown in at the end as well. Probably good you chimed in or who know where the thread would have drifted off too.
Keep us updated on your progress if you feel so inclined.