Newbie introducing myself (and after Howa/Tikka advice)

[wild goose]

Hi all, after visiting this site for some time I thought it only right that I officially join the group and contribute (in any way I can).
Having been involved in shooting a fair bit as a child in the UK, mostly growing up following my dad around watching him shoot his S/S 12g, and legally being able to own air rifles without a licence (as a child!), I decided that I would like to get back into shooting and have now held my cat A/B for a year.

My dad also passed onto me his AYA #4 box lock s/s 12g (don't worry, he is still alive!) so I was 'fortunate' enough to experience the process of importing a used shotgun from the UK (very strict gun laws) to Aus. Not an easy process but able to offer some limited advice based on my experience should anyone require.

I have also purchased a little marlin xt22 to build up some experience again and will be shortly looking at a rifle capable of hunting sambar as I live in the outer East of Melbourne close to the Yarra Valley. Currently looking at 2, both in 308w being:

- Howa 1500 with hogue stock
- TikkaT3 hunter stainless.

If people have advice or opinions I would love to hear. Great to say hi to some likeminded people as the whole reason for a site like this is to not only build up your knowledge base, but to meet people and get out there in the shooting community.

Cheers all, look forward to speaking to you

[Baldrick314]

Welcome to the forum mate

[wild goose]

Thanks Baldrick314. Looking forward to getting involved (currently writing this from a poolside in bali!)

[Baldrick314]

Thanks Baldrick314. Looking forward to getting involved (currently writing this from a poolside in bali!)

If you keep rubbing it in like that you won't fit in

Enjoy it

[wild goose]

I actually thought that as I wrote it, but the temptation was too great! Dont want to sound cocky though so I'll revise the previous post to being at home in Melbourne.

[tom604]

good it always rains in Melbourne welcome to the forum

[wild goose]

Thanks tom604!

[veep]

Welcome Goose.

Better laws here in VIC than in the UK for your shooting?

[Aussier]

G'day,

Welcome aboard.

[Ariat]

Welcome to Victoria WG.

[Lorgar]

will be shortly looking at a rifle capable of hunting sambar as I live in the outer East of Melbourne close to the Yarra Valley. Currently looking at 2, both in 308w being:

- Howa 1500 with hogue stock
- TikkaT3 hunter stainless.

If people have advice or opinions I would love to hear.

Welcome Goose.

I'll cast a vote for the Tikka.

I have Hunter Stainless Fluted action (put mine in a Forest stock is the only change). Mines in 7mm-08 rather than .308 but close enough.

Not heaps to say about it... Comfortable, reliable, feeds smooth and shoots straight. With hand loads it shoots under 0.4MOA.

Personally prefer the stainless over blued as well as I've found it easier too clean.

If I was to buy another hunting rifle I'd get another Tikka.

[Kipper]

I was 'fortunate' enough to experience the process of importing a used shotgun from the UK (very strict gun laws) to Aus. Not an easy process but able to offer some limited advice based on my experience should anyone require.

Just curious, how long did it take to start the process and get it in your hands at the other end?

And welcome

[wild goose]

Welcome Goose.

Better laws here in VIC than in the UK for your shooting?

Veep, it is relatively easy to get a shotgun in the UK however a centre fire is much harder than here. Gun laws in general are much tougher in the UK (the police don't even have firearms except a few armed response teams).

I was 'fortunate' enough to experience the process of importing a used shotgun from the UK (very strict gun laws) to Aus. Not an easy process but able to offer some limited advice based on my experience should anyone require.

...............
Just curious, how long did it take to start the process and get it in your hands at the other end?

And welcome

Whole process took about10 weeks but could be done sooner if pushed. We just timed it on my dad coming out here for a holiday so no real rush for us

To start the process wanst too hard, I had to apply for a B709 for which requests permission to import it into Aus. It has all the firearmm details in it. Dad had to do a similar form from his end notifying the relevant police constabulary that the firearm will be leaving the country. We both had to then lease with a licensed dealer who officially transferring the firearm. Dad brought it over with him in his case and had to present it to customs in Melbourne who then took it for a week to conduct 'safety checks' on it. My firearm dealer then went to the airport and collected it. I then just picked it up from the dealer.

The main hassle was that on both ends, no one could ever really give you a definite answer to questions or advice. It was like neither side (customs/police) knew the process and would often bounce things to the other side ("that's for UK customers to decide", "you will have to ask customs/police in Australia").

Had to also make sure that the shotgun was worth under $1000 to avoid tax and funnily enough dare called the value to be about $900 (no official evaluation required).

If anyone wants anymore advice happy to talk specifically if you want to PM me.

Oh and thanks all for the welcome, I forgot to add that even though I'm a Pom, I've lived in vic for 8 years!

[Baronvonrort]

The Howa and Tikka are both pretty good, a difficult choice that may come down to which one feels better in the hand.

[RDobber]

The Howa and Tikka are both pretty good, a difficult choice that may come down to which one feels better in the hand.

They are, and it comes down to personal choice.

Another Tikka shooter here and I'll just say you can't go wrong with one.

That's my 2c.

[wild goose]

Cheers,

They both look like affordable rifles that both have a large backing over their simplicity and accuracy. I think your right that it will come down to the feel of which one that will be the deciding factor.

Either one should be a nice first deer rifle.

[Baronvonrort]

What you should consider is what length of barrel you desire and perhaps if it is threaded for a brake or perhaps hoping porcine animals become aerodynamic and sound moderators are allowed one day.

There are other things like a picatinny rail if desired,built in is much better than bolt on.

What model Tikka?

[Combat_Wombat]

Both are great choices but don't let price be a determining factor. For the sake of an extra few weeks or months saving it's worth waiting to get what feels best.

A good way of thinking about it is that the rifle could potentially last you your whole life so it's important to get what you want.

[wild goose]

What you should consider is what length of barrel you desire and perhaps if it is threaded for a brake or perhaps hoping porcine animals become aerodynamic and sound moderators are allowed one day.

There are other things like a picatinny rail if desired,built in is much better than bolt on.

What model Tikka?

For the Tikka I've been looking at either the hunter or lite, both in stainless 308. When holding the lite down at the gun shop it did feel excellent to hold and super smooth. I couldn't stop picking it up out of the pile for an extra feel. My only concern with the lite is the recoil for a relatively new shooter of centre fires (however as before I have and use a 12g). Much difference in felt recoil compared to a 12g ss?

[North East]

For the Tikka I've been looking at either the hunter or lite, both in stainless 308. When holding the lite down at the gun shop it did feel excellent to hold and super smooth. I couldn't stop picking it up out of the pile for an extra feel. My only concern with the lite is the recoil for a relatively new shooter of centre fires (however as before I have and use a 12g). Much difference in felt recoil compared to a 12g ss?

Walking around chasing Sambar deer in the Victorian Alps the less weight the better. My T3 Lite .30-06 is 6.9 Ibs with the scope.

Get rid of the factory recoil pad and put a Limbsaver on it. If it's still uncomfortable to shoot a muzzle brake is an option.

[Westy]

From one Goose to another here comes the welcome wagon!!!!!

[wild goose]

From one Goose to another here comes the welcome wagon!!!!!

Honk honk!!!

[Redwood]

Both are great choices but don't let price be a determining factor. For the sake of an extra few weeks or months saving it's worth waiting to get what feels best.

Without going too crazy, totally agree.

Buy something you're not completely happy with an you end up selling it second hand and buying what you wanted in a year or 2 anyway. Costs you more in money and grief over the thing.

[Press]

I think your right that it will come down to the feel of which one that will be the deciding factor.

I have a couple of Howas and they're the gun for me.

Tikka just don't fit me well, nothing wrong with them but aren't for me.

Head to your LGS and put both in your hands and it should make the decision clearer.