New Hunter looking for good rifle.

Which rifle would you recommend?

  • SAKO 85 SYNTHETIC STAINLESS

    Votes: 11 14.9%

  • MODEL 700™ SPS™ STAINLESS

    Votes: 18 24.3%

  • Model 700™ SPS Tactical

    Votes: 15 20.3%

  • Tikka T3 Super Varmint

    Votes: 12 16.2%

  • Other (please specify)

    Votes: 18 24.3%
  • Total voters
    74
  • Poll closed .
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C

Chaotic Mind

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Apr 29, 2006
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Location
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So I'm moving from just shooting for fun to looking for a good rifle to hunt with. So far I've pretty much decided on going with a .308 having talked with my brother-in-law who already has years of hunting experience on me and he has recommended the Remington 700 which I've been reading up on along with a few others. So people understand cost, I'm not overly worried about spending cash on a good rifle as I make good money and what I want is a good rifle and good optics that will last me a long time. What I am looking for is a reliable rifle that I can hunt with for years and give my kid in the years to come. So I'll just put up a list of some of the rifles I'm looking at and if anyone has any input please tell me. I am somewhat new to some of the technical terms so you are aware.

All are in a .308
1) Remington Model 700™ SPS Tactical
2) Remington MODEL 700™ SPS™ STAINLESS
3) SAKO 85 SYNTHETIC STAINLESS
4) TIKKA T3 SUPER VARMINT

Thanks for any and all help.
 
All the guns you have listed are good rifles, I know Browning is not listed in your line up but I would not rule them out and would be worth it to check there line of Bolt Action Rifles. I just recently purchased a Browning A-Bolt Medallion 270 and fit and finish is unlike any rifle I have owned. Browning also has a new line out called the X-Bolt. Both A and X-bolts are offered in the 308 caliber you are wanting. I have yet to test its accuracy because I am still in the market for a scope but have decided on a Nikon Monarch or Prostaff scope. What do you plan on hunting with it? If you are sticking to Medium sized game like White tail I would also consider the 243 and 270 caliber. Hope this helps. If I had to choose from your line up you have listed I would either go with the Tikka or Sako...
 
Speaking of Brownings take a look at the BLR in .308. Very accurate rifles that give more of the quick handling characteristics of the classic lever gun but allow you to shoot standard .308 rounds. Love mine, and most folks that I know who have one swear by theirs too. Put a good pc of glass on top and you have a fine rifle that will reach out and touch something, not beat you to death, handle well, and is nice to look at.
 
My general advice is to go to the gun store and handle as many rifles as you can. Pick the one that looks/feels/seems best to you. If you spend at least $500 and go with a recognizable name it is all but guaranteed to do the job.

FWIW, all the guns you listed would be just fine for shooting from a blind or stand. If you are planning to do a lot of walking, however, you may soon come to dislike a heavy rifle.
 
I'm a believer in the the Remington 700. Either of those will be fine.

I've put more deer on the ground with an old Remington 700 ADL 30-06 than I care to remember.


-- John
 
+1 .38 spcl, but I would add this: Consider what you are wearing and how much you will be carrying it. No doubt it is partly an age thing but I have come to like rifles with about an inch less LOP than what I used to like and with shorter barrels and less weight. If you get a chance handle a cz carbine. You won't find anything that feels that good in a .308 but try to emulate it. I'm 5-11 and over 200 but these days if I were buying a new bolt action .308 I'd probably look at the youth models. And to the contrary, if I didn't care about size or weight or stainless I would absolutely buy the CZ 550 for a .308.
 
I'm a low budget hunter, as in I shoot the lesser expensive rifles ($300-$400). I own a Remington 700 ADL. It's a good gun, but for some reason I cannot shoot it accurately. Anyone else can drive tacks with it, but I don't have the touch I guess.

If I had the money to drop on a more expensive rifle, I would probably look into the upper end Savage or CZs.
 
i voted the sako im not familiar with that model but my mom has a sako in 7mm-08 with very nice walnut stock and blued barrel

my dad has a rem 700 mountian rifle in 30-06 and although its a nice gun its not nearly as smooth as the sako
 
You might give this Remington a look..

http://www.remington.com/products/f.../model_700/model_700_xcr_compact_tactical.asp

It looks like a good compromise between a straight out hunting rifle and a target style gun.

I have an LTR in .223 that I use for predator hunting. It works great and is about right for me to carry around. Some folks might say it is a tad too heavy, but it works for me.

This rifle is very similar to the LRT. I am thinking about getting one of these in .308 as well.


Good luck and let us know what you choose.

Matt

PS, .38spl's advice is great. I would go to your local gun store and check out all they have to offer.
 
Remingtons have always been my favorites, but there are a multitude of quality rifles being made today that would satisfy your requirements. The Weatherby Vangard is a reasonably priced, accurate rifle, as is the Savage models and Stevens, the new Marlins and Mossbergs, and all are good buys for the money. They are reasonably accurate without breaking the bank.
If you want to move up in price to a quality bolt, the Brownings are hard to beat. They seem to appreciate more in value over the years than other brands.
I like to add that the 308 is a fine cartridge, but I think the 7mm-08 is a better all-around chambering. If you compare ballistics, the better BC and SD of the 7mm allows it to better the 308 in energy with a flatter trajectory downrange.

NCsmitty
 
I'm partial to the Ruger 77.
I have a 77RL in .250 Savage that is my favorite deer rifle. It's easy to carry, accurate and deadly on deer.

I think they made the same gun in .308. I know I've seen some in .30-06.

If I was looking for a cheaper deal, I'd look at the Savage bolt line.
 
If you can afford the Sako---BUY IT!!!

Next I would look at Browning or Ruger.

Remington would be at the bottom of my list.
 
i know you said money was not really a problem. But my vote is with a stevens model 200. I have one in .308 topped with a burris scope that will consistently shoot under an inch at 100 yds and under 2 inches at 200 yds . just my 2 cents
 
Show obama that gun owners are united!
Click to expand...
I fully intend to buy as many as I can before he bans them.


On another note, I've been looking more at the Tikka T3's, does anyone have any experience with them?

Also to all that have given input so far I thank you. You are all my brothers in arms.
 
Last edited:
I'm happy with my SPS Tactical 308. It shoots pretty good...yesterday I shot a .38 MOA 100 yard group (5 rounds)...the first shot (cold, clean bore) went a tad high...if you exclude that one the group measured .221.


Hard to beat that even with many $2,000 rifles...
 
I think the Tikka is a very over rated rifle. Its accurate, true enough. But the plastic mag is cheap. The plastic trigger guard is cheap. They are all built on long actions, even if they use a short action cartridge like 308, and that is just plain cheesy.

The best rifles on the market for the price these days are Savages and the Ruger Hawkeye.
 
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