another Help me pick my .308 bolt rifle thread

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Kingcreek

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I apologize in advance, I know this has been been run to death by others but I'm still looking for some guidance.
I need a .308 bolt action rifle for hunting but would also like to play with it at the range, 300 yards maximum.
I had some health problems 5 years ago, misdiagnosed and mistreated, but I'm back on my feet (mostly). I had to sell off 16 nice guns to pay medical bills and figured I would never hunt again. I gave my elk rifle to my son in law, a Rem 700 in .300 WinMag.
Now he wants to hunt Washington state elk together. He says he can put together a hunt I can handle physically but we need to come up with another elk rifle.
I reload and have mountains of components for .308. Not really interested in other calibers, thanks. I can develop good target and hunting loads and .308 will be adequate at the ranges I'm seeking.

I'm looking for something new among the Savage, Tikka, Winchester, Ruger, etc? crowd, preferably but not exclusively synthetic stock. Glass will be Leupold or maybe Vortex 3.5-10x or smaller.

Where to start? I don't really have shops locally where I can handle different rifles.
 
There are numerous quality rifles among those manufacturers you listed, and in a price range from $350 to over $1,000.

Anything specific you're looking for besides just a synthetic stocked rifle in .308? Do you want irons on it? A target price range would be most helpful. No point recommending a $500 Savage if you want something that will reflect the quality and aesthetics of a thousand-dollar rifle, or vice versa (not that Savage is a low quality gun, because they're not).
 
I have a Tikka T3 CTR I've been very pleased with. It comes with a 10 round magazine which might not be legal in all locales for hunting.
 
The new FN made Wichesters are really good quality rifles that come with better stocks than most (Bell and Carlson). For a cheaper Mod. 70, take a look at the Ultimate Shadow. The action is equal to the best out there.

I currently own an FNH SPR A1, which is just a heavier version of the Ultimate Shadow, and have owned a CRF Stealth. Both are quality rifles that you will not be dissapointed buy, and I susspect that any rifle from the companies line.

Tikka and Savage are quality, accurate rifles, but they do not feel as solid as an FN made rifle.

Have fun, hunting elk would be a pipe dream for me!
 
"...gave my elk rifle..." Why not buy another M700 in .308? Lots of assorted stock materials, etc.
Sad thing when a guy has to sell his toys to pay medical bills.
 
I would like to keep it around $750 or less for rifle and glass.
Don't need competition bench rest accuracy but I enjoy reasonably accurate rifles. Don't want a heavy barrel tactical rifle or an ultralight. I would like a good trigger out of the box.
Basically just an honest rifle that will do a good job.
 
Well, the Winchester I mentioned is about $650, so it might be above your budget. Maybe say $1000 for total? If so, that allows you higher grade rifles and optics.

Say $650 for a rifle, $100 for scope rings and base, and $250 for an entry level optic such as a Leupold VX-2.

For $750 total? Look for a good used rifle and new quality glass.
 
I think you'd be wise to allow yourself $250-300 for a scope, and another $50 for mounts. That doesn't leave a lot of room for a rifle, to keep everything under $750, but it's doable.

I think your best bet is going to be looking at a Savage 10 or Savage 11. A basic model with a synthetic stock; it's not going to be beautiful, but it will be an honest rifle that will be plenty accurate enough to do the job, and it won't break on you out in the field either.

Later, if you want to upgrade it, you'll have what's arguably the second most popular platform in current production, which will make upgrades very easy.
 
The problem with getting a new rifle and glass in that budget, is that all of the sub $500 rifles will be heavy. Your best bet would be a quality used 700 or 70, or mod7.
I am a little predjudiced, as having purchased a Tikka T3 lite recently. If you still have health issues, a lighter rifle may fill the bill for you. Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
Can I go ahead and suggest that you forego the 308 and get a real man's gun in 30-06? I'm sure it will be pointed out eventually.:)
 
Thanks guys. I can probably bump it up to closer to $1000 if I have to. Its for the 2016 season so I still have time.
No on the 30-06. Nothing against it but I used to shoot highpower (My SuperMatch was one of the ones I had to sell) I have lots of .308 brass, primers, powder, and quite a few bullets. I still have an M1A Bush Rifle and it would work if it was all I had but its heavy for hunting and I would really like a decent bolt action. I just haven't been in the market for 10 years or more and I'm not current.
I seem to see a lot of positive reports on the Tikka but open to anything good value.
 
I used to use an H&R Handi Rifle in 308 out to 300 yds on Elk with no problems. Not much difference between reload time of my brother in laws bolt and my break open. $300 should be close to rifle price if you look around leaving money for good optics. On the bench they also shoot well.

blindhari
 
If I were you, given that you are hunting elk, and seeing as how it sounds like you are planning the hunt with an eye towards limiting it's level of strenuous exertion, I'd be interested in keeping things light. My vote is for a stainless Tikka. I have the Superlite fluted model sold at Sportsman's Warehouse, but realistically, the regular stainless T3 is only a handful of ounces heavier, and you are much more likely to catch a deal on them.

Also another option would be a browning X-bolt, as they are quite light, ergonomic, accurate and hold one extra round in the mag. The stainless X-bolt is probably above your price range, but I've seen some deals on the blued version floating around recently.
 
With a bigger budget I'd say Winchester. With a $750 budget including optics I'd buy a Tikka T-3. They are on the lighter end of the spectrum, but are shooters. Even then you're likely to go slightly over budget. A VX-1 in a 3-9X40 is about $230. A Burris FF-II would actually be just as good at $199.

That leaves about $550 for a rifle. Tikka's come with rings so that helps too.

A Ruger American will easily keep you within budget. They are a little less appealing aesthetically, but are darn good shooting rifles. About the same weight as the Tikka and probably just as accurate. At $350-$400 it would leave a bit more in your budget for better optics. A VX-2 is around $300.
 
For budget nothing beats a savage, I have friend that drives me crazy me crazy with his, his $400 savages hold right with my higher end stuff all day long. The Ruger Americans also seem to be a great budget option, but really you can a cheaper gun, and you can buy a better gun, but you can't buy a better cheaper gun than a remmy 700.
Glass I'd say Leopold or Vortex can't wrong.
 
i drove an hour each way but I got to handle a tikka t3 lite stainless in .308. Also looked a savage, Remington and ruger. I have to say I really liked the tikka had a very good trigger. The savage was ok for about $200 less. The Remington I looked at were not as nice. The ruger was ok. I think I'll have to just look for a good prig on a t3. They didn't have a t3 that wasn't stainless or a lite to compare to.
 
Sometimes good deals come up on stainless Tikkas on GB, but you might have to wait and keep your eyes open. Otherwise, I think Grabagun has them for $640 or so. On the other hand, if you're more interested in saving $120 than in getting it in stainless, Grabagun has the blued version for $520.
 
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Savage with accutrigger sounds like it's up your alley. I would pop for stainless on synthetic just for aesthetics. Still room for 300 yard glass.
 
I have to throw in the Howa 1500. It is a great action, strong and accurate, and can be had for really good prices. Legacy Sports and Weatherby both have versions and variations available. Glad to hear you are getting back on your feet and outdoors!
 
I've had a lot of rifles in 308 : Savage 10s, Win70s, Rem700s, Ruger 77 MkII/Hawkeyes, Mauser 98s, Zastava Mausers, an Enfield 2A, Browning A-Bolts, Howa 1500s, a Steyr ProHunter, a few Tikka T3's, a post-war BSA, several Thompson Encores, and probably a bunch of others that I'm forgetting. Of all of them, I am most pleased with the Tikka T3 line, and the 'Forest' variant is my favorite non-CRF platform of all.
 
I've seen a few stainless T3 Lites local for around $500-550. Some even coming with decent looking rings. That'd be my choice. I have two T3s that I love, and have been accurate and reliable.

The scope choice is where I'd debate. I'm sort of stuck on the Nikon's they're making these days. I've had really good luck with them. Vortex however, has their no questions asked Lifetime Warranty and they produce a good optic even in the lower side of the spectrum.
 
I'm about sold on the tikka (thanks to y'all) I've been researching them hard.
IF I could locate a stainless laminate T3 in .308, I would snap it up, otherwise a T3 Lite is in my future. The wood stocked and laminates are apparently free floated where the synthetics are not.
I've always been very happy with Leupold. I might have to sell something to cover it all but I'm kinda leaning away from trying to go too cheap.
 
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