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