[Dog Down]

Thanks Eric.

Its a sad day when a dog passes away.
Here's a couple pics of the Lab and Great Dane Dob cross that I lost last year.
The Lab loved to be outside and the Great Dane was a big softy. 
Both dogs were rescue dogs that turned out to be amazing.

[Dog Down]

The one thing you need to think about is the velocity at close range with the 243….you will be better with bullet construction like the BT or ET bullet if you pick Nosler for 50-200yrd bush hunting.

If you are mostly seeing and shooting Deer or ElK size animals at 200-400yrds I would lean toward the Accubond or Partition.

I went through the same thing when I was picking a hunting bullet for my 300wsm…I ended up going with the Accubond because most of my shots are 200yrds and out in clearings or bog areas and its proven to be a great performing bullet in the 200-500yrd range for me.  BUT when I'm pushing / dogging deer in thick bush I'm loaded with Barnes TTSX bullets (similar to BT & ET)…it is devastating at high velocity in the 50-200yrd range and opens nicely, with no tracking…they drop.

[Dog Down]

Check this out from my Nosler forum…

http://forum.nosler.com/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=30484

[Dog Down]

Very nice group…I love CFE, its one of the fastest powders for 223 and its produced some great groups for me as well….

But, sadly it is not temp stable and loads will fluctuate from day to day, but very very accurate when its dialed in for conditions.  If you are experienced enough to play around with + or – powder charges for changing conditions you will be very happy with that powder / bullet combo… I only shoot it in the summer months.  I love the increased velocity it gives you over Varget…but Varget is still my favourite for my T3 Varmint….25-25.5grs pushing a 60r Nosler BT Spitzer, not super fast but deadly accurate any day of the week.

Good shooting.  Would also love to see some cold bore testing like Eric mentioned if you can put the time in or remember at the range.  Would be a nice case study on the powder.

[Dog Down]

I hear you…try oiling the mag and some rounds to provide the least amount of resistance and see if it will compress enough for you to squeeze in a 10th round, if it works let it sit for a day of so with the tension loaded.  I've had to do this in the past with other mags and its worked most of the time.

[Dog Down]

I would not mess with the feed lips on a $200 mag….is it the end of the world that it only holds 9?
Why such a big deal? Worst case, chamber one….the mag may loosen up the more you use it.
Make sure its oiled and operating properly.

I actually wish we could get a 5rd mag so I could ditch the 10rd.

[Dog Down]

My 308 CTR mag takes 10rds….

[Dog Down]

Sooooooo lucky!

[Dog Down]

I hear ya…it's funny how some twist rates will stabilize stuff it shouldn't.
If you try the 178gr Amax let me know how it shoots and share your load data.

I shoot 208's out of my factory 300wsm barrel and its not supposed to stabilize those very well but its likes them. 

[Dog Down]

Yea I think vortex is over rated by ppl who don't wanna pony up for better scopes.  I have 2 vortex scopes and there “good” but honestly my weaver scopes are as good and less finicky with eye relief.  I think I'll try a MINOX, thanks sirs'!

I have the same thoughts about my Vortex scopes, I like how the scope function but the glass is not on par with some other scopes in the same price range.  I recently bought a Burris Droptine scope for a 22lr I'm working on and I was amazed at how good the glass is for $200-$300 scope…It has better glass then my Vortex HS LR that cost 3x as much…

The Minox scopes are worth a look for sure.  Its nice having someone with with first hand experience and knows what to look for…Thanks for the feedback Larkin.  How would you compare the Minox glass to Nightforce?

[Dog Down]

45grs +/- of Varget and 168gr  Amax shoot well out of My 308 CTR (coal = 2.825)
Best 200yrd – group I've ever fired out of the gun…
That does not happen every day but when everything comes together, its #@%& awesome!

I haven't tried them in my CTR yet but 178gr Amax shoot better out of my other T3 308 Lite.
Most guys I know are shooting 150gr or 178gr, skipping the 160's completely. 

[Dog Down]

Just to help you with your decision…the 7mm-08 does pretty much everything better than a 308 after 300yrds and more so the further you increase the range with similar type / bullet weights…

[Dog Down]

Prices seem good…Not sure if the boys at MT can order you one…send Jason a message and see.

Blued or stainless, thats up to you…My primary hunting rifle is a blued 300wsm Lite and I wish it was stainless every time I get it wet, but the barrel finish on the CTR rifle is more durable then the regular bluing..When i bought my CTR 2 years ago i did not have a stainless choice, If I had…I would have bought stainless.  I have a T3 223 Varmint in stainless and love the finish.

[Dog Down]

Good luck with the rifle search…if you can order one I would wait for it.
I jumped the gun, pardon the pun….when the CTR first came out and ended up buying the 308.
I had the choice of shooting a 308 CTR on the same weekend or waiting 6 months for a 260…
Long story short, I should have waited for the 260…love my 308 but I now know the wait would have been worth it.  I absolutely love everything about the 260 cartridge.

If you are looking for a new scope and have a decent budget check out the new Nightforce SHV 4x14x50mm FFP…will be my next scope purchase for target / hunting rifle forsure!

[Dog Down]

The CTR 10rd mag is awesome for predator / Deer hunting and reloading (better c.o.a.l.)…and the CTR is $700-$800 cheaper,…I'd spend the difference toward optics.

There is no difference in accuracy between the 2 models in the hands of a competent reloader or shooter…
And the new T3x changeable hand grip will be great for bench / target shooting.  Paying $700-$800 extra for a laminated factory stock on the Sporter is not worth it in my opinion, especially with the aftermarket stock options available to you in this price range…barrel differences are minimal and we honestly have not seen a difference with the Sporter being different or more accurate on string firing, the Sporter barrel actually takes longer to cool than the CTR.

I do like the Sporter but do not think it is worth the asking price in todays market with Tikka having the CTR in its lineup…Just my opinion though…