Thread: Back in the game

Howdy - I'm brand new here... and after a few years with the boots hung up (and a lapsed licence) I'm back in the game, and looking to re-equip myself suitably... so would appreciate some opinions...
I took the now-18yo stepson to get himself an air-rifle, and whilst in store "discovered" the Tikka T3x Strata. On holding the rifle it immediate "clicked" and felt like only one other rifle ever has - so fee paid and licence application is in.
BUT I'm older, fatter, greyer and in need of getting out and about more... (hence my justification to self and Mrs)

I was considering .308 & getting the barrel shortened and getting it suppressed, etc etc etc - allowing it to be a multi-use rifle, for both when I'm in the thick bush or general landscape - hunting fallow on the in-laws block, etc
There's definitely advantages in having a suppressed .308, but I am unconvinced about shortening the barrel down... 22" barrel is not too ungainly - whats the word-on-the-street / experience with such modifications?

Key criteria for me:
Lightweight kit (I'm older and already have a few too many extra pounds to be lugging around the hills)
Accurate out to 300-400mtr (I know suppressed sub-sonic .308 isn't good for that far - but I'd rather carry options-in-rounds than options-in-rifles, tbh)
I doubt that I'll be wanting to pinhole consecutive rounds through paper at a range that would make Chris Kyle blush, but I do like to know I'm going to act humanely and efficiently when I pull the trigger.
I know Tikka has the Sub-MOA "guarantee" - so does Browning X-bolt,etc - there's conditions - I'm looking at real world experience

Questions:
Tikka T3x Strata - yay/nay?
The straight T3x Superlight was just nice, the Strata felt great, can I justify the extra $$$ though?
I'm directly comparing to the Howa 1500 with the MDK HS3 Chassis - which weighs the same, and for all intents and purposes ticks all the same boxes and saves a few more $$$ (https://www.guncity.com/308-howa-150...ssis-24-339371)

Any thoughts / experience you can share, especially regarding the latter?

I still have my old Burris and Redfield scopes "in a safe place" (somewhere) - packed away in their boxes, but the great team at my local store did suggest the Leupold VX3i 3.5-10 as most appropriate, and my friend (Dr Google) tells me its a fantastical experience in optics.
Any opinions on the most suitable marriage of optics to .308 - considering 80/20 split of farm/open/undulating country to deep hard bush

In broadest brush-strokes... if I had a cool $3000 burning a hole in my pocket - would either of these be an optimal setup for versatility and mobility?

thanks in advance, and Hi from the newest noob here

Originally Posted by pwatchman

Howdy - I'm brand new here... and after a few years with the boots hung up (and a lapsed licence) I'm back in the game, and looking to re-equip myself suitably... so would appreciate some opinions...
I took the now-18yo stepson to get himself an air-rifle, and whilst in store "discovered" the Tikka T3x Strata. On holding the rifle it immediate "clicked" and felt like only one other rifle ever has - so fee paid and licence application is in.
BUT I'm older, fatter, greyer and in need of getting out and about more... (hence my justification to self and Mrs)

I was considering .308 & getting the barrel shortened and getting it suppressed, etc etc etc - allowing it to be a multi-use rifle, for both when I'm in the thick bush or general landscape - hunting fallow on the in-laws block, etc
There's definitely advantages in having a suppressed .308, but I am unconvinced about shortening the barrel down... 22" barrel is not too ungainly - whats the word-on-the-street / experience with such modifications?

Key criteria for me:
Lightweight kit (I'm older and already have a few too many extra pounds to be lugging around the hills)
Accurate out to 300-400mtr (I know suppressed sub-sonic .308 isn't good for that far - but I'd rather carry options-in-rounds than options-in-rifles, tbh)
I doubt that I'll be wanting to pinhole consecutive rounds through paper at a range that would make Chris Kyle blush, but I do like to know I'm going to act humanely and efficiently when I pull the trigger.
I know Tikka has the Sub-MOA "guarantee" - so does Browning X-bolt,etc - there's conditions - I'm looking at real world experience

Questions:
Tikka T3x Strata - yay/nay?
The straight T3x Superlight was just nice, the Strata felt great, can I justify the extra $$$ though?
I'm directly comparing to the Howa 1500 with the MDK HS3 Chassis - which weighs the same, and for all intents and purposes ticks all the same boxes and saves a few more $$$ (https://www.guncity.com/308-howa-150...ssis-24-339371)

Any thoughts / experience you can share, especially regarding the latter?

I still have my old Burris and Redfield scopes "in a safe place" (somewhere) - packed away in their boxes, but the great team at my local store did suggest the Leupold VX3i 3.5-10 as most appropriate, and my friend (Dr Google) tells me its a fantastical experience in optics.
Any opinions on the most suitable marriage of optics to .308 - considering 80/20 split of farm/open/undulating country to deep hard bush

In broadest brush-strokes... if I had a cool $3000 burning a hole in my pocket - would either of these be an optimal setup for versatility and mobility?

thanks in advance, and Hi from the newest noob here

Greetings pwatchman,
Nobody can pick a rifle for another and neither should they try. That said I have 2 Tikka T3 Lites here and I won't be parting with either of them. Accurate, light and with a decent trigger they are both keepers in my opinion. I match your description of yourself pretty well although perhaps a little more of both attributes you mention. I have always tried to buy items that are one grade better than I think I need and this has served me well over the years. You can always use one of your current scopes to start with. In short go with your gut. You are spending the dough and it is your choice. As far as barrel lengths go remember the old German proverb "There is always a remedy for a sausage which is too long" in short you can always shorten the barrel later but not make it longer.
Regards Grandpamac.

Welcome back.
Being that you already like the Tikka I don't need to convert you.
I've had a few T3 and for there money they are awesome.
I would get the barrel cut to 18" or 20" you won't loose accuracy, if you are not a true .308 man have a look at any 6.5 Cal but it depends if you are a reloader or will run factory ammo.
Any of the 6.5 are more than enough for fallow and reds and are nicer to shoot than a .308 and I'm yet to see a tikka.260 that won't group under 1/2 MOA.
Just a thought

Sent from my CPH1903 using Tapatalk

Awesome thanks guys!
I hear ya

What model burris and redfield scopes do you have?

As long as you get something other than the budget offerings then you can't really go wrong rifle wise.

I'd spend most of the money on the suppressor and scope.

308 is a nice caliber and is very simple. You will always find it in a gun store and factory ammo can be quite good.

Savage light weight hunters can be a good option. Although I own howa rifles and like them.

go the mighty .308.....its always been and always will be capable of taking our deer with ease.
love your thoughts on different loads VS different rifles. I have 3 loads...a 180 for bush 150 for open and a 125 for varmits
dont buy a new scope yet...try what you have...my 308 is now wearing my vx1 3x9 and happy with it there
my poohseventy is actually wearing an old M8 in 4x and I honestly cant see it coming off it again.....the scope just fits...it does the 308 too LOL.
barrels at 21-22" arent too bad in bush with suppressor once you get used to it...I used to hate long barrels and have been known to cut them short...my hearing says suppressor is now NEEDED so the can stays on and I just slow down a bit more...
being older and carrying weight makes you slower in the bush....and THATS A GOOD THING....it doesnt help once you have shot something,but all those years of experience do make a fella cunning and you dont have to carry out whole animal to impress anyone anymore.

use the $$$$ that are burning a hole in pocket that dont get spent on rifle to buy chopper fly in or maybe a couple of meat animal trips....you will put meat in freezer ,get yourself back in the groove and gain confidence in rifle...plenty of cheap options out there now.