I have an opportunity to purchase a new T3 in 300 WSM are a great price, but am wondering about such a "light" rifle in 300 WSM. Any advice or recommendations? Thanks.

Can't tell you about the Tikka, but a friend of mine just got a Winchester Model 70 in 300 Winchester Short mag. It's a light rifle with the plastic stock. Had a Leapold 4.5 to 14 scope.

This was a nice looking rifle and recoil was about the same as a ruger 300 Win Mag we had to sight in at the same time. He was shooting Federal 180 grain factory loads and they were going over my chrono at an average of 2850 fps. Accuracy off my lead sled was 1.25 inches at 100 yards.

He replaced a Ruger 7mm Remington magnum that would chronograph a 175 grain bullet at 2975 fps across my chrono. To be frank I can't see where he gained anything.

Personally I don't see much of an advantage to the short magnum compared to the 06, but with that velocity with a 180 grainer it should be good for anything in the united states.

I've been hunting, reloading and target shooting for 45 years and believe the new "short and supershort" magnums are more marketing hype than many useful cartridges already on the market. If your buying a new gun and not replacing one you already have they should give you as good as service as anything else out there. If you get one for a great price it's even better so go for it.

I guess my feeling is you can never own enough guns.

I can't tell you much about the T3, other than they have a very good reputation and the people that have them seem to like them. If you're concerned about the recoil of the 300 WSM in a light weight rifle, I think that question would depend on what you've been shooting in the past. If this is your first hunting rifle, or you're moving up from a rimfire or varmint type rifle, then you will really notice a difference. If you're used to shooting high powered or military type rifles (excluding .223/5.56mm), then the 300 WSM won't be a problem.

I have a Winchester M70 Featherweight in 300 WSM, and a Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker in 270 WSM. I don't really notice the recoil, unless I do a lot of shooting from the bench. I think the 300 WSM would make a fine choice for an all around hunting rifle.

Paulinus - I have a Lite T3 Synthetic in a 30/06 that tips the scales at less than 7 1/4 pounds scoped and ready to go. I was concerned that it might be too light for heavy loads; it is not. It has been super accurate, very reliable, smooth action, great trigger, and recoils less than most of the 30/06's I've had in the past. It has become one of my favorite rifles. I think the recoil in this rifle is reduced ("felt recoil", at least) by a well designed stock and a decent recoil pad. For your caliber choice, however, I would want a heavier stock in the same rifle. I personally would pick the laminated model, which is at least 3/4 of a pound heavier than the synthetic. My last .300 WSM was in a Browning A-Bolt synthetic that was just as light as my T3; I hunted with it once and traded it off. My .338 was just about as comfortable as that light rifle. IMHO most gun company's are putting the .300 WSM in way to light of rifles (although great to carry). My 2 cents. Riley

I think the recoil in this rifle is reduced ("felt recoil", at least) by a well designed stock and a decent recoil pad. For your caliber choice, however, I would want a heavier stock in the same rifle. I personally would pick the laminated model, which is at least 3/4 of a pound heavier than the synthetic. ... IMHO most gun company's are putting the .300 WSM in way to light of rifles (although great to carry). My 2 cents. Riley

Riley, I agree that most are putting the 300 WSM in too light weight rifles. The T3 I am looking at is the Hunter (wood stock) it is 6 lbs. 13 ozs. without a scope, adding about a pound for scope and mounts would bring it into the 7.75 range, which is the weight of the laminated without a scope.

I actually was looking for something in 300 Win. Mag. (not WSM), primarily Winchester model 70, but the dealer has a good deal on this particular T3 (under $450 out the door). So I thought I would check the forum to see if this was worthy of consideration. I would be to go with my 270, 243, (Win model 70s) and 308 (a BLR).

Thanks for the responses.

I would go for it, I've bought 3 of the t-3's 2 ss/syn, one hunter(.270) I am very happy with all 3 of them. It has great features and shoots very well.

I currently own 2 T-3's and I traded a 300WSM T-3 wood/blue for the same in S/SS.
I shot my 7mm-08 and 300WSM last weekend with my first attempt at reloading and got under 1moa with everything!
Like Firstshot, my velocities were under the manual by about 10% but the action and trigger on these are so much better than anything else in that price range.
You WILL want an SVL Limb(shoulder)saver!
Tikka rules!

I currently own 2 T-3's and I traded a 300WSM T-3 wood/blue for the same in S/SS.

After reading your posting and the others, I have decided to pass on the T3 Hunter in 300 WSM, but to order a T3 Stainless Laminate in one of the 30 calibers (30-06, 300 Win. mag., or 300 WSM). I think I need the extra weight and stability of the laminate (almost a pound more), especially for the 300 mags.

Thanks for the responses. I will be posting a new thread seeking recommendations between the three 30 calibers.

After reading your posting and the others, I have decided to pass on the T3 Hunter in 300 WSM, but to order a T3 Stainless Laminate in one of the 30 calibers (30-06, 300 Win. mag., or 300 WSM). I think I need the extra weight and stability of the laminate (almost a pound more), especially for the 300 mags.

Thanks for the responses. I will be posting a new thread seeking recommendations between the three 30 calibers.

Good idea....
You will still want a recoil pad.

Buy a magnum so you get the longer barrel.
If you handload, you can duplicate the 3006 and warm it up to mag levels and have your choice of bullets.
The 300WM feeds well and takes longer bullets but the WSM is more efficient.
Tikka is good choice, regardless.