Thread: Tikka T3x Tac A1

Originally Posted by kiwi303

For a capable LR scope that doesn't break the bank I'd go for a element Titan 5-25

I run a lot of High High end optics but I wouldn't hesitate to run one of the above.

Id recommend FFP but you can go either mil or MOA to suit your preference.

To learn its best to try shoot with experienced people and shoot often enough to gain confidence. Id recommend any of the practical rifle competitions across NZ

Also I wouldn't recommend buying a 338 Lap...

Why, what do you find unrecommendable with the Lapua?

Originally Posted by Eamonn

Why, what do you find unrecommendable with the Lapua?

Basically there is no free lunch.
300 gainers at 2900 push back.
I have owned and shot a lot of big bangers including 50cal and now my biggest is a 300 norma mag shooting 225g.
Even then you know your sending a fair bit of powder and projectile forward at a great rate of knots.
Short awnser for your question is recoil and lots of it!


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If you have a budget in mind that would help provide some input on options.

Agree with kiwi303.
The trend is FFP and mil and for a new shooter if you’re not set on moa, I’d go mil from the start.

There are heaps of good options between the 1500 to 2000 mark (new)

2nd hand you can get some higher end bargains around that range as well


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I am big fan of .308 and at risk of starting a caliber debate it might be worth considering 6.5 Creedmoor.

I have shot .308 out to 1000 yds and while it can be done if you are shooting distance the 6.5 is easier.
One of the things I like about .308 is ammo price but when you get into match ammo the two are pretty much the same.
You can compare the same ammo in different calibers at GC and see what I mean.
https://www.guncity.com/ammunition?f...N%7CAmmunition
https://www.guncity.com/ammunition/c...e/65-creedmoor

I apologize if I'm teaching you to suck eggs but if I were to start again it would be with 6.5.

As for optics I'll take MRAD over MOA every time, the math is so much easier.
After that pick your features and set a budget. I think the current rule of thumb is 2x per 100m.
Just be careful getting too much magnification. If you dial up to much its hard to find the target and you will lose it and have to re-acquire when the recoil kicks in.
You can add a mini red dot to help with that though.

Agree with Dirk and Kiwi, Mil and FFP if this is a dedicated range rifle.
I’ve not used any Element scopes but they seem to get good review’s, without knowing you budget I’d say go for a Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56, pretty old bang for the buck.

I wouldn’t buy a 338 Lapua, far too expensive to shoot. 300 Norma makes more sense in most instances, 338 Norma if it must be a 338.
I also would buy a 6.5 Creedmoor rather than a 308 but expect that to be an unpopular opinion.

Originally Posted by Beetroot

Buy a 6.5 Creedmoor rather than a 308 but expect that to be an unpopular opinion.

I have read this a few times now. As a beginner to the shooting world... why is that an unpopular decision?

Originally Posted by Eamonn

I have read this a few times now. As a beginner to the shooting world... why is that an unpopular decision?

buggered if I really know. Possibly because the creedmoor was touted by some gun writers as some sort of magic wand. its not, but the 6.5 calibre has some very ballistically efficient projectiles available for it and it's is very mild in the recoil department. It can be used for range shooting as well as in the field, it will take pretty much any game available here in NZ with no fuss. Plus here's a biggy in the current state we find ourselves with reloading component shortages. You can source cases for the 6.5 Creedmoor in either large or small rifle configuration. I am struggling to find Large rifle primers but no problem getting the small rifle version. That's got to be a big tick for the creedmoor.

This is mine it has a NXS in 5.5 22 X 56 in a 20moa spur mount it now has a Atlas cal2 tall for a bipod .
Shoots good to ay .

On a 308, 4-16 or 3-18 even 2.5-10 will get it done just as much as 22 or 25+ power top end.
I run a 4-16 on my 308 and a 5-25 on my 338 and have never felt disadvantaged.

Everything in optics is a compromise. To get big zoom ranges with optical quality and other desirable features is expensive. The second hand market is well worth considering here as there are often big savings to be had on new.

Some reliable brands for a dedicated gong/competition gun are Nightforce, Schmidt Bender, Minox, March, Kahles, the higher end Vortex and Leupolds.
Don’t get discouraged about being warned off the 338 either, it’s good advice, but if you can afford to run one, have at it I say…

Originally Posted by Moutere

Don’t get discouraged about being warned off the 338 either, it’s good advice, but if you can afford to run one, have at it I say…

Thanks... it might sound weird... but when I think of what to buy, I'm thinking of someone using it in 100 year also. Family heirlooms.

Not sure if you’re 100% sold on the Tikka, there is smoking deal on a B14 HMR offered by Sh00ter in the buy sell swap.
Worth considering as would give you far bigger budget to sink into glass for a comparable shooter.
Major functional difference between the two is non folder and 5 shot vs 10.
A folders main advantage is during cleaning.

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....s-stuff-97740/

Originally Posted by Moutere

A folders main advantage is during cleaning.

Why is that?

Originally Posted by Eamonn

Why is that?

Gets the stock out of the way of the cleaning rod, most competition type rifle run quite high combs with the TAC Al if you couldn't fold the stock you would have to usually drop the comb down to clean and then have some sort of reference to get it back to the same position later.

Here's a beauty, The Delta Stryker is certainly very popular amongst kiwi shooters. A lot of them around with the PRS type matches.

This forum tends to have a high view of 308, I was expecting some push back on my statement.

6.5 Creedmoor is hands down a better cartridge for long range shooting, less recoil, less wind drift, better ballistics in general.

The only reason to choose 308 wound be cheaper/more factory ammo options, or you want to shoot a particular discipline 5hat requires it.

Since the flow of factory ammo and projectiles has improved I don't think 308 is any cheaper to shoot than 6.5CM. There was a time over covid where 6.5mm projectiles were unobtainable but that's not the case now.