Lightweight Tikka

[dan25]

I'm looking at purchasing a Tikka T3x in 308 caliber. I want a short barrel for deer hunting from a saddle and box blind and occasionally tracking. Does anyone have any real world accuracy results from a Tikka in 20" barrel vs 16" in 308. I'm torn between the Ranch and the standard T3x in the 20" barrel. I'm trying to achieve good accuracy out to 350-400yds max with a holdover scope. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Ferrulewax]

Barrel length (within reason) has no effect on accuracy all things being equal. It will affect your muzzle velocity, but shouldn’t matter at those distances.

 

[Scoutfan]

Barrel length won't effect your accuracy. I have a 16 inch 308 that is very effective out to 300 yards with a plain duplex reticle.

 

[blackhawk219]

Like the others have said, barrel length has no effect on accuracy. It will affect your velocity, but for deer at your ranges, it won't reduce your effectiveness.

Do you plan to suppress? Because the only other consideration I would take into account is how the shorter barrel will be louder with more muzzle blast. If you are not going to suppress, I would get the 20" and call it good.

Good luck with the decision

 

[dan25]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Sounds like the 20" might be the way to go; I'm not planning on running a suppresser for now. Thanks.

 

[Ballcap]

A suppresser would make it hard to draw from a scabbard but if your hunting from the saddle it may keep you from getting dumped by your horse.

 

[BurtonGus]

I have a T3x Superlite in .308. I had the barrel cut to just under 21”. I have shot Factory Hornady Superformance 150gr SST (2963 FPS) and Barnes 130 gr TTSX- (3176 FPS). Accuracy was a little better with the Hornady. But I chose to sight in with the Barnes because I was happy with the velocity, surprised actually.
Both exceeded my expectation for accuracy-holes touching at 100 yards.
I put it in a Bell and Carlson stock. It handles great. Everyone who picks it up comments on how nice it is.
I enjoy it quite a bit. And I planned on re-barreling to 6CM but now I’m suffering from indecision after shooting it.

 

[TradLife406]

A suppresser would make it hard to draw from a scabbard but if your hunting from the saddle it may keep you from getting dumped by your horse.

I think he's talking about those sex swing things all the young Midwesties use these days. Not a horse.

 

[Chris in TN]

I wouldn't want less than 20" without a suppressor. Muzzle blast becomes more of a thing as you go shorter.

 

[Ballcap]

I have no experience with short barrel tikkas. I had a rem 700 308 with 20” barrel, 10 twist that I trusted to hit paper and steel out to 700yds. It loved 175 smk’s and at 700yds would still cut a t-post in two.

 

[mtnbound]

I'm looking at purchasing a Tikka T3x in 308 caliber. I want a short barrel for deer hunting from a saddle and box blind and occasionally tracking. Does anyone have any real world accuracy results from a Tikka in 20" barrel vs 16" in 308. I'm torn between the Ranch and the standard T3x in the 20" barrel. I'm trying to achieve good accuracy out to 350-400yds max with a holdover scope. Any feedback would be appreciated.

All of my rifles have short barrels between 16"-18," and accuracy is not an issue. I also use a saddle at times, and a shorter barrel is really nice to swing around the tree, so I would go with a 16". The muzzle blast is gonna be harsh, so make sure you have ear protection.

 

[Ballcap]

I think he's talking about those sex swing things all the young Midwesties use these days. Not a horse.

That’s what those are! Last time I was at Cabelas and saw em I thought I was lost and walked into an adult toy store.

 

[dan25]

I have a T3x Superlite in .308. I had the barrel cut to just under 21”. I have shot Factory Hornady Superformance 150gr SST (2963 FPS) and Barnes 130 gr TTSX- (3176 FPS). Accuracy was a little better with the Hornady. But I chose to sight in with the Barnes because I was happy with the velocity, surprised actually.
Both exceeded my expectation for accuracy-holes touching at 100 yards.
I put it in a Bell and Carlson stock. It handles great. Everyone who picks it up comments on how nice it is.
I enjoy it quite a bit. And I planned on re-barreling to 6CM but now I’m suffering from indecision after shooting it.

Thanks for that information....I needed to hear that they shoot good. Was that a 10 or 11 twist?

 

[blackhawk219]

I have a T3x Superlite in .308. I had the barrel cut to just under 21”. I have shot Factory Hornady Superformance 150gr SST (2963 FPS) and Barnes 130 gr TTSX- (3176 FPS). Accuracy was a little better with the Hornady. But I chose to sight in with the Barnes because I was happy with the velocity, surprised actually.
Both exceeded my expectation for accuracy-holes touching at 100 yards.
I put it in a Bell and Carlson stock. It handles great. Everyone who picks it up comments on how nice it is.
I enjoy it quite a bit. And I planned on re-barreling to 6CM but now I’m suffering from indecision after shooting it.

I'm in a very similar boat. I have a Superlite in 308 (1-11 twist) that I cut down to 18" and put a suppressor on it and it's great to shoot. I've been shooting factory 150 partitions, 180 partitions, and 165 SST's and they've all been great (got a nice 3 point muley last year with the 180 partitions). I average 2465 fps with the 180 partitions.

I have zero self control though and seeing all the success in the short barreled 6CM on this website is making me want to do a re-barrel lol (less recoil, longer range killing potential, etc.). I have over 700 rounds of good 308 though that I got for relatively cheap (compared to today's prices), so I think I'm just going to stick with it for now. I'll revisit it after I finish up my current 308 stockpile.