Tikka T3 7RM

[Stevanda]

Hi everyone , this is my first post here. What an amazing site. I have already spent hours looking around in various forums.
I am rapidly developing an interest in shooting deer at longer ranges and have a few questions about it .My current rifle is a Tikka T3 in .308 but am starting to feel that I may be a bit under gunned at longer range i.e. 400-600 yards. My .308 shoots ¾ inch at 100 yards but am nervous about stretching it out too far.
From what I have seen I am better off with a 7mm rem magnum or similar. How does the Tikka 7mm rem mag with it's 24 3/8 inch barrel compare to the Remington's with a 26 inch barrel for absolute accuracy at extended range.
Is it possible to re-barrel this .308 rifle with a magnum barrel? I have read somewhere that all the T3'S have the same length action.
The best option may be to sell the .308 and buy a 7mm rem mag ?
If I'm going to get involved in 400 yard plus shooting it will be taken seriously but am trying to do it all on a budget.
Everyone's comments most welcome.
Cheers
Steven
NZ

 

[justgoto]

By my calculations, a 308 has just enough energy to kill a deer at 600 yards (890ft/lbs using a 168gr bullet.) Some hunters here would say that is has enough to go further if your shot is placed right.

Not to dissuade you from buying a new rifle. I mean, we all can do with a new rifle!

 

[britz]

It's a personal choice to some extent as to how far you can stretch a rifle. IMHO a 308 has plenty of power for a 500 yard deer. Also a 308 is one of the best rounds you can find for practicing long range shooting. Long barrel life, good round, not terribly expensive to load for moderate recoil. And it has an arch so it will force you to learn to read wind and ranges. I wouldn't get rid of it if you don't have to. I love the tikka rifles. I have a 300wsm as well. I cant answer your question about barrel length for sure. Good luck, and welcome!

 

[striker]

Gidday.
Im not going to try and sway you on calibers, but I was in the same boat not long ago.
I went with the 7mm mag only because of the better energy and ballistics(providing I shoot true). and I dont like tracking.
what region in nz are you from?

Steve
waikato,nz

 

[kiwi3006]

The only real way to see if your 308 can get to 600 yards is to try it. Lots of people have/do use 308's to shoot to 1000 yards. The projectile you use is probably important though, I would say you would want to use a 175 gr or heavier, Hornady a-max or berger would be a good idea.

A longer barrel is not necessarily more accurate than a shorter barrel.

To re-barrel to a 7mm mag the bolt face would need to be opened up to accept the larger cartridge. I had my rem 700 re-barreled from 30/06 to 7mm mag and am very glad I did. You would need to talk to a gunsmith to see if they will open up a T3 bolt face.

If you are on a budget try with the 308 first, downlaod a free ballistic program , put your money into a chronograph and rangefinder if you don't already have one (you will need them if you get a 7mm mag anyway) load up 100 rounds and shoot away. You will be amazed at how easy it actually is.

Stu.

 

[Stevanda]

Gidday.
Im not going to try and sway you on calibers, but I was in the same boat not long ago.
I went with the 7mm mag only because of the better energy and ballistics(providing I shoot true). and I dont like tracking.
what region in nz are you from?

Steve
waikato,nz

Hi Steve, I live in Tauranga and so far have spent most of my time pushing through thick Kaimai bush (hence the 308) but feel I need to get out in the open a bit more.

Steve
NZ

 

[Stevanda]

Hi everyone, thanks for all your thoughts so far I really appreciate your input.After thinking about what you have all said I will stick with the 308 for now and spend the $ on items I will eventually need anyway i.e the chrono and range finder.I will try some VLD'S, Amax's etc and see how I go.

Currently I use interbond 165's (in heavy bush) they group at 3/4 inch and thats with a magazine that does not allow just touch seating.I am sure this can be improved through the Tikka with high BC projectiles and hand feeding of the chamber.What does everyone think is a realistic grouping at 600m for a T3 308 if I do my part ?I guess until I experiment at distance I won't know but I think I may be pushing the limits a bit.What do you think?

Cheers
Steve

 

[justgoto]

a realistic grouping at 600m for a T3 308 if I do my part ?I guess until I experiment at distance I won't know but I think I may be pushing the limits a bit.What do you think?

I think 8 inches would be very possible with you shooting as well as you do at 100 yards.

 

[striker]

your only about an hour away. ill pm ya one day to catch up and do some shooting

 

[britz]

accuracy has much more to do with the rifle than the particular caliber. An excellent rifle chambered in 30-30 will outshoot a cheap piece of crap chambered in 338 lapua magnum. Your accuracy potential for a 308 T3 is the same as it would be for a 7mm remington mag T3. I would be suprised if you couldn't shrink your goups down a little in your 308. I've had a few 3.5" groups at 600 with my 300wsm. They are a pretty good rifle for the $$. Just work on your loading teqniqes and sorting brass. lots of honey loads for the 308 available. It seems like trying to develop a good load for the 308 from scratch is like reinventing the wheel.

Good luck, Mark.