Since you already have the 30-06, then I would definitely get the 7mm-08. I have a 270 and 30-06, so there is a bit of overlap there. At one time I wanted a 7mm-08, 280, and 7mm Mag. If you shoot 140's in the 7mm-08, 150's in the 280, and 175's in the 7mmMag, the trajectory is the same. I believe the action is the same length on the short and long calibers in the tikka, so you dont save much on weight.

What don't you like about the factory mounts? I have heard the newer T3's come with the Sako OptiLock mounts, which are reportedly very good. I replaced mine on my 25-06, T3 with Warnevertical rings like the Talley's you have linked.

Mine came with the alumininum ones. soft screws and I hate the way they hang off the dovetail. Opti's are nice, but the look same way. I considered the warnes, but the weighed as much as my scope. I wanted to have something that was strong and compact.

Dang, its 4:41.....I got to get in the woods.

Try the 7-08...you WILL be smitten! Its a great little round that carries much more punch than its recoil would make you think. The 308 perfected it is.

vabyrd - obviously you've never have any experience with the short mags. The 270, 7mm, 300, and 325 are very accurate. Now I wouldn't go and sell my 300 Win Mag and get a 300 WSM. But if I didn't have either, I would probably get the 300 WSM.
I have a 325WSM that will consistantly punch 3 shot cloverleafs at 100 yds. And its shot several 5 shot groups well below 1" MOA. Also, everyone I know that owns a 270 WSM or a 300 WSM has nothing but praise for them. I don't know anyone with a 7mm WSM but I am sure it gets the same rave reviews.
I don't want to start a pis*ing contest but the WSMs are good chamberings. Now the WSSMs - not so good.

You may want to research the Tikka T3 and the WSM chamberings. From what I have read when searching for a T3 myself, the T3's in the WSM offerings do not get the velocity of other rifles chambered in the WSM's. I seem to remember reading about this over on the Graybeard forum in the "Bolt-Action Rifle" section.

There isn't a cartridge out there that WONT shoot sub MOA. But there are plenty of GUNS that cant. These groups in a hunting rifle are substantially more than adequate. The short mag theory is to find something wrong with the existing offerings, and sell it as new and improved. Take a 140 grain .27 caliber bullet and make it go a little faster. Now shove that into a different case than a typical 270 add a magnum primer, and convince buyers its their ticket to better hunting success. The idea was a smaller package that has more punch. The guns weigh the same. Bullet does the same amount of damage. The gain is selling the same amount of brass, lead, and copper plus a tad more powder for 2-3 times the price of its counterpart, and having a monopoly on it. The buyer pays more for the same ammo, and buys the same gun, then to top it off, the magazine holds one (or two) less rounds. The "rave" reviews are guys who write articles about guns for companies they want to be in good graces with, on the off chance they will get something for free. Then comes along Ruger and T/C. New guns with new offerings. Its called a superadequacy. Ever notice when a food item says "New look, same great taste? Whats the point? So maybe my experience with short mags is only limited to messing with someone elses 7mmWSM. I really only had about 10 minutes of experience with it. It took two minutes to figure out that it was a load of bull, and eight minutes figure out how not to hurt the owners feelings.

Marketing. You have to get them before they get you.

But each to their own, if you really want something that will help make a successfull hunt, buy good boots.

None of the rifles get the advertised velocity. Many guys on this forum have posted about low cronograph numbers.

IMO the .270 WSM does haveits place. It is the only WSM(that I'm aware of) that does not duplicate the performance of a current cartridge. It seems to fills the gapbetween the .270 Win and the .270 Weatherby. Whether or not this was an area that needed to be filled is a matter of opinion.

I had a Savage model 16 in 270 WSM that would get pretty darn close to many of Federals published velocities, especially in 130 grain offerings. What I am saying about the Tikka , from reports of Tikka WSM owners, is the Tikkas seem to be slower than most.