308 or 223 for a Tikka T3 light.?
I have finally decided on getting a tikka T3, and cant decide which caliber to get. I probably wont be reloading for a while, although I plan to start eventually. This will mostly be used as a range gun, with the likely possibility of varmint hunting. How far will good 223 ammo go and hit a target consistently? How bout a 308, how far can I consistently hit a target with that round?
I definately want a 223 or a 308 the ammo is available everywhere and is inexpensive, meaning I don’t have to pay dollars a box for ammo. I pay that much for 50 rounds.
Tagged with: 223 ammo • caliber • range gun • target • tikka t3 • Varmint Hunting
Filed under: Varmint Hunting Guns
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Hi….. I own rifles chambered in both .308 and .223…. Each has there strengths and weakness’s….
For super long range shots surely consider the .308…. Shooting beyond 300 yards in my opinion…..
For closer range shooting consider the .223… Yes Yes Yes the .223 can go farther than 300 yards but for me I use that cartridge for closer ranges…..
I guess the best way I can answer your question is by asking you one?… Will your target shooting be more informal non competition or super dedicated competition…. If its more informal just stick with the .223…..
The .223 has a flatter trajectory at various distances so is better for critters…..
Take a look at both of these links…..
http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html
http://www.6mmbr.com/308Win.html
No rifle is an end all be all firearm….. I know budgets can be tight but why not purchase both?.. Maybe not both this year but over a couple of years make a point to get a rifle chambered in both cartridges….. If this sounds like a plan then get the .223 first, then .308 second…..
Get a .270.
Wow, finally a tikka question!! I got a tikka t3 this spring, in 22-250. This is a crazy rifle. I’ve never felt a trigger like it. I killed a porqupine at 240 yards (paced by an onlooker) after turkey season. 4000 fps has very little drop way way out. I loaned the rifle to a fellow that shot 8 inch groups at 550 yards. His eyes are clearly better than mine! I buy my ammo at Dicks for about 25 a box for winchester. Once you sight the old girl in you don’t need to shoot much. Myself I shot a 5 shot group at 150 yards and can cover them all with a quarter.
Love the Tikka. 223 will be good to 400 yards with good optics, though REALLY good optics and shooting can get 1000. Advantage of the .308 is the velocity carrying more grains of mass down range. The .308 won’t be effected by wind as much as the 223. 1000 yards is never a hunting shot, and those ranges are optimistic on actually grouping well but both rounds are "capable" of it. The .308 gives you the option of hunting big game. The 223 is going to be more pleasant to shoot all day, but the 308 would be fine, and if you shot a lot in sequence you can get a recoil reduction vest pad.
If you are varmint hunting and target shooting go for the .223. I don’t have one (.204 and .22-250) but I have shot many and you can expect to hit prairie dogs at 300 yards with consistency if you do your part. I have shot one in the Tikka and was impressed with it with one proviso. The Tikka I shot was my cousin’s. He had a problem with the magazine feeding properly. A replacement magazine worked fine but was fairly expensive - I think about $80.00. Other than that it was a very nice rifle.
I would get the .223. It is a good range gun and Varmint round. The .308 is a good range gun and marginal Varmint round. Take a look at the Tikka Varmint models.If you are going to be shooting at a range or Varmint hunting it may be a bettor choice for you. It is heavier but you will be shooting from a bench or bipod.
Both are capable of long range shots, both can hit a target at 1000 yards. The .223, however, will be more susceptible to wind drift, and it won’t have the same punch down range as the .308 will. I would go with the .308.
The Tikka is a great rifle, extremely accurate, crisp trigger, light weight, and great price. (and Chuck Hawks is full of %$#@)
Good on you for picking the Tikka, I have both the calibers you want, .223 in a light and a .308 in a varmint. I have to say that thay are both exceptional quality firearms. To choose between them will depend on what you want to use it for. The .223 lite is not as accurate as the .308 varmint, however the .223 will produce consistently 1 to 1/2′ groups over 100m. There is also an issue with ammo. I make my own and have found that projectile choice and powder types are critical in accuracy, as well as seating depth. I also find that longer distances from the target the more elevation and windage will be effected. The Tikka lite will also heat up quite a lot after firring about 6 shots and again reducing accuracy. Also keep the barrel rifling clean after about 10 to 12 shots. You will notice your shots starting to wander. The .223 is a pleasure to shoot as there is very low recoil when compared to the .308, so you can shoot it all day and not get a sore shoulder. You can keep a lighter hold on the gun and not have the problem with flinching as much.
The .308 on the other hand is a much more powerfull gun and can pack a wallop when used on a bench rest. The Tikka varmint .308 willl produce 1/2 to 1/4′ groups consistantly at 100m. However shooting it for extended periods can be bit of a pain as the recoil takes its toll on your sholder, your nerves and your forehead. Yes I have copped a winchester eyebrow a few times by not having a ferm enough grip whilst shooting. The .308 projectile will travel longer distances with a flatter trajectory and less deviation.
Also considering ammo, the .223 will be much cheaper to shoot over the .308. About half as much in fact. So that is a consideration when shooting over 100 rounds in a session/comp etc.
I have also found that factory ammo can variy in accuricy with the .223. As much as upto 15cm! So producing and customising your ammo will be critical. The best factory ammo I found for the .223 was winchester FMJ (5.56mm) and the worst was Remington. But every gun will be different. I have never shot factory ammo in the .308 varmint.
When you get your Tikka send me an email and I’ll give you a few tips on producing consistant ammo.
Good luck!
If its going to be mainly for range use you might want to go with the lighter 223. it wont hit as hard and you could shoot all day and your shoulder wont get sore.
you might want to think of a 270 as well makes a great deer gun and still stupid flat and cheep to shoot. but a little bigger so if you want to shoot something else you arn’t as limited.
im looking at the T3 aswell… looks like a great gun. im looking at a 30-06 for deer/moose/elk
.308 it is accurate enough for varmints if you are a good enough shot, but it can also be used to hunt big game
The T3 is an economy rifle at a not so economy price. For less money you could buy a Remington 770…but they are both mediocre rifles in my opinion.
Read this article by Chuck Hawks before you spend any money…
http://www.chuckhawks.com/critical_look_T3.htm
I recently picked the T3 lite as my next purchase. Supposedly the stainless marginally improves the accuracy of the light barrel.
If you’re like me and have to think seriously about how you’re spending cash, you might first make sure you won’t want to use it eventually for serious hunting. If you might, go with the 308.