What rifle do I want?

[Trey Veston]

I know what features I want after hunting in the Northwest for 40 years, but not sure who makes it or who does the best job of it.

Must have list of features and why:

- .308 cartridge. I reload for it, have tons of bullets and primers for it, and have an AR-10 in it. It is the most versatile round for a short-action rifle, IMHO. I can shoot coyotes on up to elk with it.

- 18" barrel. Maybe 20". I need a short and handy rifle for busting through the brush and something that's not an anchor when strapped across my back trying to crawl through a bear maze with a pistol in my hand.

- Detachable magazine w/ 10 round capacity. None of my animals have ever required more than 2 shots in decades of hunting. But who knows what the future holds. Would love it to be compatible with my AR-10 magazines, but the AI pattern is OK, but not optimal.

- Accurate from 50 to 500 yards. In my area, you never know what kind of shot you will get on a once-in-a-lifetime bull elk or buck. Could be quartering away from you 30 yards away in deep timber, or across a clear-cut 500 yards away.

- Reliable. Duh.

- Composite stock/lightweight. This will be a do-it-all rifle for all weather and abuses. It will be camouflaged and stealthy. The less weight the better.

- Under $800. Sold a rifle to pay for this one, and that's what I have in my pocket.

I thought the Ruger Predator was my huckleberry, since I confirmed with Ruger that I can buy their floorplate kit that converts a new Predator into an AI-mag gun, for $20. However, I have heard a couple of aspersions cast their way, and thought I'd see if there was anything else out there that met my criteria.

I have my ultimate hunting rifle already, but wanted something less refined and less valuable as a back-up rifle. Optics will likely be a decent 2x7 scope. Liked the Ruger Gunsite Rifle, but handled one in the gun shop and it was a heavy pig with a bad trigger.

 

[LoonWulf]

Ruger American compact with Ai conversion, or Go Wild with a 22" barrel and comes with AI
https://ruger.com/products/americanRifleCompact/models.html
https://ruger.com/products/americanRifleGoWild/models.html
Of the "cheap" rifles i still like the Ruger American the best. They benefit significantly from the end user putting some elbow grease (and actual grease) into them. The go wild with its cerakoted action is noticeably smoother than the standard americans, and some bolt polishing, reduced power trigger return spring and a little polishing, and youve basically completed an action job on them

Tikka t3x compact
https://www.tikka.fi/en-us/rifles/tikka-t3x/t3x-lite-compact
Stepping up the Tikkas are nice rifles right out of the gate, and i was a fan when they were in thr 500 dollar range. Now with them starting in the 650 range my money goes elswhere, but that dosent detract from the fact they ARE nice guns.
They dont come with a cheap or commonly available 10rnd option tho.

Mossberg mvp scout or patrol.
https://www.mossberg.com/category/series/mvp-series/mvp-patrol/
THIS would appear to be your huckleberry....
If im gonna knock these at all, its that the stocks are like blocks, and the actions are rough and kinda loose.
The couple I've shot....both patrols, were accurate, and worked well tho.


The Savage lightweight storm.
https://savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product_summary&s=57071

Probably going to be one of the more expensive options. Lightest weight of the bunch and some neat features, It appears you can also get 10 round magazines via Savage for them. The Savage magazines are based on their center feed internal boxes which can take some finagling to work 100% also since it's a savage I wouldn't expect super tight tolerances, or fantastic action feel.... Otherwise I'd be willing to put money on this likely being the most accurate option and generally a really solid performer


There are other good options the likes of the Bargara b14 wilderness, Ruger hawkeyes... And a number of others.

The ones I listed are just what I think come closest to what you're looking for.

 

[BigBore44]

I’m interested to see this unicorn.

But I bet it’s out there.

Mossberg mvp scout or patrol.
https://www.mossberg.com/category/series/mvp-series/mvp-patrol/
THIS would appear to be your huckleberry....

Barrel is too short isn’t it? 16.25” I think it has to either be a Ruger, or a bottom metal mod kit.

 

[LoonWulf]

I’m interested to see this unicorn.

But I bet it’s out there.



Barrel is too short isn’t it? 16.25” I think it has to either be a Ruger, or a bottom metal mod kit.

Your right i just looked. I was thinking the patrol had a 18" barrel before the flash hider, but it looks like its about 18" WITH the flash hider.

 

[edwardware]

Ruger American, with an epoxy pour to stiffen the forearm, sounds right. Based on feedback, many are more accurate than a cheap rifle has any right to be.

 

[jmr40]

The Ruger with AI magazines is a good choice. I've had issues with the other magazines. No need to do anything to the stock. Adding epoxy or anything to it just makes it heavier, messes up the balance by making it front heavy, and has no effect on accuracy.

Probably over budget, but the Ruger Gunsite Scout with synthetic stock is considerably lighter. If buying that rifle synthetic is the only way I'd go But at the end of the day the Predator does the same thing for 1/2 the cost.

All that said I like the Tikka better. When the Rugers were selling for closer to $300 they were hard to beat for the money. But today they are just aren't that much cheaper than Tikka. The Tikka Compacts aren't as common as the standard T3 Lite rifle with 22" barrels. But it ain't hard to get a barrel cut down to any length you want.

There are 5 round mags available for the Tikka, but no 10 round mags like Ruger offers. But I find the 10 round mags to be too big. I have one for my Ruger, but the 3 and 5 round mags get used most. I also have several 5 round mags available for my Tikka.

 

[army_eod]

Just go with the Tikka T3x Lite in 308. It is LIGHT. You can do 5 round mags. Accurate as you can get. You will have a difficult time finding something that fits your criteria; esp for your price.

 

[shootstraight57]

I was pleasing surprised after purchasing my Mossberg Patriot. It is chambered in .308 with a detachable magazine and the trigger was nice and smooth. I have taken a few deer with it since I purchased it 2 years ago. Definitely under $800 dollars but I believe it only has a 5 round magazine.

 

[WisBorn]

Trey,
The first rifle that came to mind was the Remington Model 7, but after further thought. I think the Weatherby Vanguard Synthetic Compact is a good option. $579 msrp for the rifle. It comes with a 20" barrel and chambered for 308 win. Not sure if you can get a floor plate/ magazine kit.

Worth a look.

 

[Armored farmer]

I think you're on the right track with the ruger American.
I bought mine in 7.62x39, but accuracy wise, it deserves a more respectable caliber. It's handiness makes it a great rifle in my opinion.

 

[WestKentucky]

I really like your spec list but I do question the magazine size. A magazine that protrudes is a kidney whacker when the rifle is slung. I take your 10rd feature to mean that it’s capable of taking a 10rd but would likely be carried with a 3 rd or so.

I was looking seriously at a TC compass before my gun money evaporated. Mossberg, Ruger, Remington, savage, etc are all in the fight though. Seemed that the Mossberg Predator came closest to my spec list which is really close to your spec list. Savage hog hunter was also nice but I seem to recall it being rather heavy. One of the rifles (mvp scout maybe) was exactly what I wanted with the exception of being configured as a scout rifle instead of traditional optic setup.

 

[Hugger-4641]

Kimber hunter might fit the bill also. But from your list of requirements, the Savage Storm would be my first choice if prices were pre-panic. Since they aren't, the Tikka jumps to the top.

 

[BigBore44]

I think you're on the right track with the ruger American.
I bought mine in 7.62x39, but accuracy wise, it deserves a more respectable caliber. It's handiness makes it a great rifle in my opinion.View attachment 993684

Every time you post a picture of that gun I say to myself “Self, if you didn’t already have 2 x39 and 2 450 AR’s....”.

Have you priced one of those in x39 in the last 8 months or so? You could buy a Tikka for what they were going for. You could buy a Sako for what they ARE going for.

 

[Meeks36]

I think you're on the right track with the ruger American.
I bought mine in 7.62x39, but accuracy wise, it deserves a more respectable caliber. It's handiness makes it a great rifle in my opinion.View attachment 993684

Do you reload or just shoot steel ammo?

 

[loose noose]

Like what was stated earlier about the extended magazine. I agree whole heartedly with the chances of the magazine getting snagged in the brush, and also being a kidney punch if slung over the shoulder, as I've hunted in northern Wisconsin, western Colorado northern California, and many other places where brush was a hang up even with a fixed magazine flush in the receiver. I myself, don't really need an extended magazine (10 rounds) for hunting big game, as I've only expended at the most 2 rounds on everything including whitetail deer, antelope, and even elk. BTW I've got no qualms about the extended magazine for home defense, so please don't get me wrong.

 

[BreechFace]

Ruger Gunsight Scout in 308Win with their 18" stainless barrel, XS Rail with a LPVO and some Alpha Type II magazines sounds just like the ticket. The Ruger 3 round polymer magazines are great for hunting, but the Alpha magazines are a great option to have in one's inventory for other needs.

Rifle
https://www.ruger.com/products/scoutRifle/specSheets/6822.html

XS Rail with backup peep sight
https://www.xssights.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=993608

Alpha Type II Magazines (might need to email them and see if they have any in stock or are planning another run of them) these are great magazines that are double stack and cut down how far they stick out of the bottom
https://alphaindmfg.com/products.html

 

[adcoch1]

If you have to have the 10 round mag potential, go ruger American. And as Loonwulf stated the Ceracoat finish does seem to be smoother out of the box. But if a pair of 5 round mags would work, just go tikka. They are SO much nicer than most for the price point. I have both and wouldn't part with either...

 

[LoonWulf]

Trey,
The first rifle that came to mind was the Remington Model 7, but after further thought. I think the Weatherby Vanguard Synthetic Compact is a good option. $579 msrp for the rifle. It comes with a 20" barrel and chambered for 308 win. Not sure if you can get a floor plate/ magazine kit.

Worth a look.

You can get a mag kit from legacy for rhe howas. They are kinda soft plastic, but otherwise ok. I used a couple on 700s.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Kimber hunter might fit the bill also. But from your list of requirements, the Savage Storm would be my first choice if prices were pre-panic. Since they aren't, the Tikka jumps to the top.

I was also thinking of the Kimber, but the mag is a 4-rounder. I bought two spares for mine on general principles. Also in the current market, finding one for $800 might be tad optimistic.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

I have a Bergara B-14HMR in 6.5 Creed but they are available for .308 Win. They come with a 5-rd mag but use AI magazines so I can use my 10-rd AI mags when I want or the 5-rd Bergara or AI mag. They have a nice stock with adjustable cheek riser and are in Rem 700 action profile and fitment for Rem aftermarket accessories if desired. The factory rifle comes with a threaded barrel and thread protector for use with suppressor or brake. Mine wears a Vortex Razor 4.5-27x50 with MRAD EBR-7C and shoots to <1/2 MOA with hand loads using WLR primers, Varget, Lapua brass, and 142 SMK bullets. The below is 5 shots @ 100 yds, conditions shown.

Harry

 

[BigBL87]

First thing that came to mind for me is the Savage 110 Hog Hunter, though it may be a bit heavier than than the other options mentioned. It actually comes in around the same weight as the Ruger Gunsite that you mentioned was heavy though I imagine the trigger on the Savage is probably better.

The Lightweight Storm @LoonWulf mentioned looks like a winner IMO. I am a bit biased, I do love my Savages.

 

[chicharrones]

First thing that came to mind for me is the Savage 110 Hog Hunter, though it may be a bit heavier than than the other options mentioned. It actually comes in around the same weight as the Ruger Gunsite that you mentioned was heavy though I imagine the trigger on the Savage is probably better.

The Lightweight Storm @LoonWulf mentioned looks like a winner IMO. I am a bit biased, I do love my Savages.

Normally, just a spring swap doesn't improve a trigger enough, but the Ruger is one trigger spring change from having a very good trigger (IMO). I can't recommend the springs that drop weight to 1.5 lbs., but there are others out there.

 

[greyling22]

Guy at the range had one of these savage scouts https://www.savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product_summary&s=57026 other than being stupid loud, it was a nice lightweight, quick handling rifle. The new stocks are miles better than most plastic stocks I have handled it handled a lot like the ruger american ranch. If it came in left hand, I'd ditch the iron sights and scout rail, put a 2-7x scope and a suppressor on it and have one outstanding rifle.

 

[BigBL87]

Normally, just a spring swap doesn't improve a trigger enough, but the Ruger is one trigger spring change from having a very good trigger (IMO). I can't recommend the springs that drop weight to 1.5 lbs., but there are others out there.

I believe it. Not that its amazing but just a trigger spring and shims was a night and day difference on my Savage Axis, so I don't doubt the same could be true of the Ruger.

 

[LoonWulf]

Ar-15 buffer retaining pin spring is a perfect replacement for the Ruger American triggers.
Most shops here have them in their parts bins.

Just did an action job on my buddies wifes 6mm predator....which had the nastiest machining marks ive ever seen on a rifle.
Took a while to get the rough out of the action, but the trigger on hers was short and crisp, and besides changing out thr spring and breaking the edge on the engagement surfaces with 1000grit, i didnt have to do anything else.
I set it at 2lbs, since she bought my 6.5 creedmoor american and liked the trigger on that one.