Tikka 243 bolt same as 308?

[Coxy383]

Just got myself a Tikka t3x 308 . Didn't even think about it when I put the bolt in the safe. I also have a tikka t3x 243....now both seem identical. They fit in both rifles, both dry fire no issues . So now I'm not sure which one belongs to who. Abit of research is telling me I might be ok but there may be issues with " head spacing". I live rural and don't really Wana travel 3 hours back to a dealer or gun Smith. Thanks

[No1Mk3]

Check your bolts for serial numbers, or at least the last 3 digits of the rifle number.

[Coxy383]

Check your bolts for serial numbers, or at least the last 3 digits of the rifle number.

s**t...now I really feel like a d**khead. Didn't even see the 3 printed digits under the bolt handle. Must have read 6 different forums and 100 replies and none of them said that. Much appreciated mate. Cheers

[Blr243]

That happened to me as well and a forum member provided the same rescue info We both wear dunce cones tonight

[deye243]

This is the reason that rifles should be stored and transported with the bolts IN the firearm its a safety issue.
There are only 2 places for a rifle bolt one is in the rifle and the other is on the bench when you are cleaning it .

[Blr243]

100 per cent agree !

[Cape_Yorkee]

What are your thoughts on the 243? Just about to pick one up myself for medium sized game. Was in two minds about it as I'd rather have a smaller 223 and something a little larger in the cupboard compared to a 1 x does all rifle - but the T3X and the condition it's in is way too good to pass up!

[niteowl]

Many years ago I believed the the 234 was the perfect all round cartridge. But over the years I found it to be too much for light work and not enough for the heavy work and have gone a different way. Now comes the flood of arguments.
There is no perfect answer and every one will have different opinion as to what to use where. OK ,no problem with that.
YOU and ONLY YOU can decide what YOU want ! !.

Hey, just noticed what you have, a 270. A 223, while not my choice might have been better than a 243 ??

[Oldbloke]

There is no perfect hunting firearm.

Then there is the unknown or luck factor.

Take out the 223, find sambar.
Take out the 30.06, only see two rabbits.
So, take out the 12g with some 6s. See two large goats.





I'm sure it's common.

[mickb]

This is the reason that rifles should be stored and transported with the bolts IN the firearm its a safety issue.
There are only 2 places for a rifle bolt one is in the rifle and the other is on the bench when you are cleaning it .

Hear hear!

[mickb]

What are your thoughts on the 243? Just about to pick one up myself for medium sized game. Was in two minds about it as I'd rather have a smaller 223 and something a little larger in the cupboard compared to a 1 x does all rifle - but the T3X and the condition it's in is way too good to pass up!

In the wet tropics its generally its seen as a decent all rounder and minimum for pigs( insofar as being able to easily point and shoot, not having to muck around like you sometimes have to with 223) . Shots here range from rainforest in your face distance to a couple hundred metres rolling hills and hobby farms . No foxes or rabbits though( well rabbits seen once a blue moon) but Im assuming it knocks them off fine.

[Jorlcrin]

Many years ago I believed the the 234 was the perfect all round cartridge. But over the years I found it to be too much for light work and not enough for the heavy work and have gone a different way. Now comes the flood of arguments.
There is no perfect answer and every one will have different opinion as to what to use where. OK ,no problem with that.
YOU and ONLY YOU can decide what YOU want ! !.

I spent most of my younger years; convinced that a .30-30 and a .243 were all I could ever possibly need.
The .243 87gn BTHP Hornadys were particularly nasty on even large pigs, so somewhat overkill for lighter game(but still worked just fine).

At that stage, I thought the .308win as being overkill for pigs.

Circumstances have changed, and also the type of hunting/shooting I'm doing these days, and so I now have a .223 for daily use,
and a .308 for when I expect to meet heavier game.
The .223 mostly runs 75gn pills, and seems to nearly do as good a job on large pigs as the .243 did.
[Much as I love the consistent accuracy of the .243 87gn Vmax, I'm not sure they are as hard-hitting as the older 87gn BTHP's, on larger pigs.]

The .243 gets the occasional run, but isnt my first choice.
This is partly because that particular rifle cant be easily modified to better suit me(Krico M603).

If I didnt already have the .243, I'd consider something like a 6.5CM instead of the .243; preferrably a Tikka, as I have 2 others.
But the cost of changeover is hard to justify, unless the .243 died.

I agree with niteowl; only you can decide what you want..

[Billo]

This is the reason that rifles should be stored and transported with the bolts IN the firearm its a safety issue.
There are only 2 places for a rifle bolt one is in the rifle and the other is on the bench when you are cleaning it .

Regs got changed a few years ago in NSW, bolt must be removed during transportation.

[bigrich]

Many years ago I believed the the 234 was the perfect all round cartridge. But over the years I found it to be too much for light work and not enough for the heavy work and have gone a different way. Now comes the flood of arguments.
There is no perfect answer and every one will have different opinion as to what to use where. OK ,no problem with that.
YOU and ONLY YOU can decide what YOU want ! !.

I spent most of my younger years; convinced that a .30-30 and a .243 were all I could ever possibly need.
The .243 87gn BTHP Hornadys were particularly nasty on even large pigs, so somewhat overkill for lighter game(but still worked just fine).

At that stage, I thought the .308win as being overkill for pigs.

Circumstances have changed, and also the type of hunting/shooting I'm doing these days, and so I now have a .223 for daily use,
and a .308 for when I expect to meet heavier game.
The .223 mostly runs 75gn pills, and seems to nearly do as good a job on large pigs as the .243 did.
[Much as I love the consistent accuracy of the .243 87gn Vmax, I'm not sure they are as hard-hitting as the older 87gn BTHP's, on larger pigs.]

The .243 gets the occasional run, but isnt my first choice.
This is partly because that particular rifle cant be easily modified to better suit me(Krico M603).

If I didnt already have the .243, I'd consider something like a 6.5CM instead of the .243; preferrably a Tikka, as I have 2 others.
But the cost of changeover is hard to justify, unless the .243 died.

I agree with niteowl; only you can decide what you want..

lighter cals are alright with good shot placement , but hopeless for tail shots on larger medium game . if i'm not helping out property owners with culling , i take one gun. my accurate , reliable 308 . it's bland compared to other more exotic stuff , but inherently accurate and i don't cry if i lose ADI 308 brass in the bush . 45gn of 2208 and a 150sst . big or small it does the lot