I second the motion to try heavier ammo, say 168gr with standard overall length.
My T3 non-X 308 likes Berger bullets (hunter or hybrid) at 168 gr.
My 7mmMag T3X likewise likes  heavier grain bullets. Might be an intrinsic preference of the rifles from Finland.

I have the T3X  lite stainless in 7mm RM.
Being a fan of the VLD hunting bullet from Berger, I tried this one:
HSM brand 7mm Remington Magnum 168 gr. VLD hunter Ammo – available from HSM. It is a nice factory load, not overpriced, and shot sub moa at the range.

The rifle was a backup ( TSA and baggage handlers) to my 300WM, in which I used ABM's 185… Read more

I have the T3X lite SS in 7 Rem Mag and mounted a Zeiss Conquest 5HD with similar reticle.(I think it is the Rapid Z 600)
I used HSM factory ammo (obtained from Len at Long Range Hunting or from a distrib. in NV) with Berger 168 VLD  hunter bullets.Got sub moa at range.
This is a light weight combo.
Not yet used in hunting since it traveled as… Read more

I got the lightweight SS T3X 7mm Rem Mag for an Elk hunting trip as a backup to my 300WM. ( never know what baggage handlers and the TSA can do to a rifle). Unlike the non-X  .308 T3 which got me 2 nice whitetail bucks, the X model is free floated and sports a metal bolt shroud. I added only an aftermarket bolt handle.
The rifle was sub-moa out of… Read more

Some folks like the included scope mounts. Others vehemently dislike them. On my T3 lite SS 308,
I opted to follow the advice of an experienced 'smith and used Leupold bases and rings.
On heavier rifles (Sendero 300WM, 7RemMag, etc) I have used a Pic Rail with 20 moa tilt by Evolution gun works and heavier rings such as EGW or Talley etc, but these… Read more

I have the T3 Lite SS and mounted the Nikon Prostaff 3-9X40mm with the BDC reticle but using Leupold mounts. Zero has remained steady and groups are excellent with Berger VLD hybrids. That deer in the picture is one result.
I have been considering the M308 for a semiauto Armalite carbine, but not for a hunting rifle.

Also, the BDC spot-on is good,… Read more

I am interested in the response you get.
A casual search of this forum yielded 2 posts from separate shooters using 210 Berger vld bullets with no mention of powder. These were hand loads. No mention of factory loads.
If I owned this rifle (and I am contemplating the purchase of one for Elk hunting, since I like my .308 version so well for… Read more

My T3 Lite SS in 308 likes Berger VLD 168 with 46.5 Varget.
That said, your barrel is slightly longer, so mileage may vary.
Varget does seems to be very popular for 308.

A friend is loading some H4350 with Sierra 165 game-kings for me. I will let you know how it goes when I get them.They are, of course, a hunting load.

I am not a reloader myself, but a friend who does my loading for 300WM makes a big point that the shape of the ogive and how it impacts the chamber determines the selection of the eventual OAL. He has some measuring devices that he uses for each bullet, whether they be shaped like a VLD or heftier farther towards the tip like a Sierra GameKing.
The… Read more

My 168gr Berger VLD hunter hybrid from Setpoint ammo is 2.8 OAL with a Federal case
Their Barnes TTSX is set the same for me, on a Lapua brass case,  and both behave well on target.
I suppose you could sneak closer and see.

I understand what you are going through.
For what its worth, it seems that the ideal OAL of the 300WinMag varies quite a bit from one brand of rifle to another.
While My T3 308 is happy with the nominal spec OAL  my Remington Sendero 300WM wants it a lot longer than any of the factory loads, but shorter than a friends ideal Winchester 300WM loads,… Read more

I am not an expert, but I suspect it is from a metal tool or rod or a stone. It might have occurred afield or in a vehicle — pointing the muzzle downward towards the floor  and acquiring a piece of gravel.

When was the ding first noticed? Has it effected accuracy/precision?

About the number of cleaning cycles mentioned: Anyone else care to address this?

When I bought my Lite SS T3 .308, the shop (a dedicated local gun shop with a gunsmith onsite) strongly suggested that I swap out the Tikka rings for Redfield rings, or similar aftermarket rings, when mating the rifle to a Nikon Prostaff BDC 3-9×40. scope
In fact, they were rather insistent that the rings were of prime importance.
I followed the advice.

I used Berger VLD hunting bullet in my T3 SS Lite 308, and the result was excellent. I can not address loading, since Setpoint did the loads (Vargent 46g with 168gr Berger VLD).

Have you tried adjusting the trigger yourself?
Adjusting to the lowest pull setting on this one-stage trigger….well, all you have to do is think “fire” and it does.