[Dog Down]

Can't do it with the standard wsm mag, not even close…you need a long action mag and the bolt stop modification to use it…it the only way.

[Dog Down]

I'd keep it as long as possible just in case you ever decide to part with it or shoot without the suppressor.
Much easier to sell if you haven't chopped the barrel too much. For my experience reducing the overall length by .5″-1″ for proper threading has never hurt resale value.

If you chop it too much you might as well be shooting a smaller caliber with threaded 20″ factory barrels.  Thats just my opinion though…I know a few guys that have a 300wm with 20″ barrels and they'd sell the wife before the gun.

[Dog Down]

I just measured the barrel on my 300wsm…my gunsmith did cut the Lite barrel to 23.5″ to make the 9/16-24 threads work for the muzzle brake I added.  I barely noticed any different on the chronograph with the chop.

Here's a pic…

[Dog Down]

Vixty is correct…I had my 300WSM threaded to 9/16-24, it was the only way to make it work.

This muzzle brake tamed my 300 down to a 223, I'm not joking!
The ports are designed to make it way more effective than a Vais, and they work,… but its loud as hell like all the others!  Tested and proven to almost a 70% recoil reduction in a 300WM or 300WSM

[Dog Down]

Good report, GREAT shooting!

The only bad thing about a brake is added noise, thats why we wear ear protection! So not such a bad thing.
I have brakes on all my go to guns for target shooting and also hunting, love um…
It will improve your shooting…but you can't get much better then the groups you posted!

[Dog Down]

I use a “Med” size on my rifle, here's a picture of my Vortex Viper HSLR 6-24 50mm scope mounted to a 0 MOA EGW rail on my 223 Varmint with the exact rings. Your Leupold  scope is similar in size, you will have no issue if you are using a Mountain Tactical or EGW rail in 0 or 20 MOA.  You won't need to but I always cut the rail back to the length of the action, instead of letting it hang over the barrel, same as you see in the photo's…you will love the scope you purchased, I use my Viper for everything.  The guys are right that its overpowered but you will get used to to finding targets that are close quite easily the more you shoot with it. You will love paper punching with it and it will be a dream on long shots in the field.

By the way, this is a great choice on rings…I switch this scope between my 223 Varmint and 300wsm for long range shooting and its holds the scope true.  I went through 2 sets of good brand name rings on my 300wsm, all aluminum rings I tried let the scope move.  These are steel and have held perfectly for a lot of hunting and shooting over the last year.  The best shot I have made with the 6-24 scope was actually at 40-50yrd with my 300wsm on a little buck running at full gallop, that was tough, all I saw was shoulder and hair in the scope… but you see the result.

[Dog Down]

If you are trying to choose between the 204 & 22-250 for target shooting, its almost to close to call with the twist rates TIKKA offers. But if I had to choose, I would take the 204 for reloading cost only.
Both are lasers inside 400yrds…but after that all over the place if any wind with a 40-55gr bullet.  My T3 – 223 (8″ twist) will outshoot either at 400yrds and beyond with a 60-75gr bullet…thats why I don't own a 204 or a 22-250…But if TIKKA offered a 9″ twist 22-250 it would be a game changer and a new gun  in my safe. 

[Dog Down]

Figure out a price and message me.
If reasonable, I'll purchase when you are ready to let it go and I'll pay for shipping to my address.

[Dog Down]

I have owned a T3 Varmint in 308 for about 8 years now.  It has a Burris Fullfield II on it currently but it is a 3-9 power scope and I want something with more power that is tailored for this bullet.  I have been happy with this gun thus far but in order for it to really “stretch its legs” I need to get something that is in that 15-16 power range for sure.  I like the idea of Nikon's Spot On technology that goes with the BDC reticle.  Has anyone on here had any experience with using this technology?  I like the bang for the buck pricing on the M308 as well.  However, I'd certainly be open to any suggestions on comparably priced scopes that have similar features.

One thing you have to realize with a the BDC version of this scope and program (I have a lot of experience with the “M” Nikoplex and Prostaff5 4.5 – 14 BDC) is that even though Nikon has promoted the hell out of it…it's not has accurate as a cross hair reticle / turret setup,… its a struggle to make “accurate” shots beyond 500yrds using the BDC circles.  Its a great 100-500yrd hunting scope but its terrible for target shooting anything past this distance…I own and use both versions and the Nikoplex is the way to go if you want to buy 1 scope to do both jobs for hunting and long range target shooting. 

[Dog Down]

Alseg's advice is spot on…

I have MT or EGW rails on all my guns and in the last year have switched to Leupold PRW rings…
Its the best holding ring I have tested for its price point of around $75.00 and will be buying these for all future rifles.  Its a great all steel design that keeps the scope where you want it.  Pretty sure you could use a “Low” set with the M308 42mm Objective and any combination of a EGW or MT base from the boys here.
http://www.leupold.com/hunting-shooting/mounting-systems/prw-mounting-systems/prw-1-in-low/

I went through 2 sets of good big brand name rings on my 300wsm before a Leupold die-hard buddy of mine told me to give them a shot.  Sometimes the PRW rings get a bad report because guys scratch their scopes putting them on but that its not the rings, its the installer.

[Dog Down]

To pile on Dog Down's comments, it's my understanding that the TAC has what Tikka is calling a match barrel and the CTR does not.  Correct me if I am wrong.  Now I have questioned myself if I spent too much on the TAC because it seems from the reports I have seen that Tikkas all pretty much shoot the same regardless of model or “extras”.  I'm happy with my TAC and I will say that my groups stay the same even with a hot barrel.  Not glowing melting destroyed it hot just hot as in one more group and let it cool hot.

I totally agree with you in regards to how well the TAC barrels shoot, and your correct they always refer to the TAC having a match barrel.  But not entirely sure how they come to that statement or how they class the various barrels.

I shoot with a buddy sometimes at the range that has a 223 TAC and we go shot for shot pretty equally on targets between his Tac and my Varmint, and my Varmint is crazy accurate.
If you really break it down the TAC model carries the most expensive barrel that TIKKA offers in the rifle line up. I love the way they look with the barrel coating, its a beautiful thing to look at.  The TAC version is definitely sold as a premium product and I envy guys that have them every time I hold one.  I almost bought one a year ago but then I did the math….$1800.00 for a TAC or $2200.00 for a Stainless Varmint + CTR for $2200.00 I went that route.  2 guns trump 1 gun  ;D  BUT…if you don't have a gun addiction and have the money laying around buy the TAC.  You will never regret it, thats for sure.

There are a lot of TIKKA haters out there in the gun community, but like people have mentioned, These rifles shoot really really well.  I've silenced a lot of people at the range with other brands and custom rifles that cost $5000-10,000….with my little 223 Lite…My buddy calls it the Pee Shooter, but it amazes him when I shoot “the actual bullet holes” he's spraying over the target.  And I also love the raised eyebrows when we do a target change at the range and guys are peeking over your shoulder when you return to your bench and say “thats pretty good shooting for 100yrds”…then I tell them “thats actually 200yrds and the gun is a little off today”…LOL…When I pull the 223 Varmint out with hand loads, they put the expensive guns back in the case and head for the hills! No one believes the accuracy unless they actually witness it.  I'd like to take credit for the shooting but everyone who gets behind the gun shoots the best group of their life, and i mean everyone.  The gun amazes me every time I shoot it, and I consider it the best rifle I have ever purchased.
I have 6 – T3's that all shoot well, and I now only buy Tikka rifles. 

Sorry for the long post…not very busy today!  ;D

[Dog Down]

I use the M223 on my T3 223 Lite…the scope is great with Hornady 55gr Vmax, and better yet with a 60gr Nosler hand load that works with the turret calibrations. Its true out to 600yrs, just dial and shoot.

The quality of Nikons “M” line is pretty good.  I don't regret purchasing the scope at all.

[Dog Down]

There are 2 major differences between the 2 guns…

The TAC has a “Chromoly Barrel” with phosphatized manganese coating, The CTR does not….
The CTR has the bottom metal box mag, The TAC does not…

I'd take the CTR bottom metal box mag over the added cost of buying the TAC barrel.
Aside from these 2 differences and the adjustable cheek piece… they are pretty much identical.

The bigger question is why is the “SPORTER” so much money!!!  When I can buy a Varmint or CTR for $1000.00….is the stock really worth the extra $1000.00 on its own??? ::)

[Dog Down]

I'm looking at the 308.  If they'd bring in the long barrel Tac, there would be no question.  I'm just trying to figure out the difference that warrants the 50% price premium (aside from not having to pay $200 for another mag).

That was exactly my thinking as well…I could not bring myself to pay for the TAC when the CTR came in at $1000.00…The mag cost is disturbing for sure, I placed my in a range bag and forgot where I had left it.
I was losing my mind for a couple of hours till I found it!

[Dog Down]

I thought thats what you were talking about when I first read your post.  I've seen it many times at the range.

I hate to break it to you, but…this seems to be a common problem for the larger 30 cal's with a Lite barrel. From my range test on my personal guns… the larger the caliber the more extreme spread you will get between the cold bore shot and follow up shots with the Lite barrel.  I have not experienced this to the same extent with any of the varmint, Tac / CTR rifles i shoot.  Its just seems to be a problem with the Lite barrel and the way it heats up with the larger loads…We've test fired 3 shots as fast as we can, and on almost all occasions it gave the best groups in the  308, 30-06 & 300wsm T3 Lite rifles we shoot at the range.  Usually a small clover, 2 in the same hole and a 3rd touching with hand loads.  I feel this is a more realistic test on rifle accuracy for the field, especially if you hunt.  You never have multiple cold bore shots or equal waiting time between shots in the field on a live target. Try speeding up the cycle on your followup shots  and i guarantee the groups will shrink.  I can usually get 3 good shoots on target in 10-15secs max….

I know your 300 recoils quite a bit but try ditching the lead sled and shoot off a bag or tripod next time at the range…Some of the rifles I shoot actually shoot worse if you restrict the natural movement under recoil.  Especially if you are shooting a synthetic stock that isn't the greatest to begin with.