Ok so thanks to all of you that helped me decide which rifle to buy. I fired my Tikka T3 TAC today for the first time. It was also my first time shooting .308 caliber. The noise and recoil were not as bad as I was expected, I shot from a table holding the rifle since I don't have a bipod yet (I ordered one from Harris should be here this coming week). My instructor liked the rifle. Hopefully next time I report back to you all, I will have more details. Since this is my first distance rifle and my first time shooting it, I was at around 50 yards with just PMC ammo. I am ordering a muzzle brake and some match ammo this week. Looking forward to learning the sport!