Which compact .308?

[eldon519]

I'm looking at getting a compact .308 bolt action, and the three I'm most interested in are the Ruger Hawkeye Compact, the Remington Seven, and the Winchester M70 Featherweight Compact.

I think I'm more leaning towards the Remington or Winchester as I think a 20" barrel is pretty close to perfect for a .308. The Ruger has a 16" barrel which I'm sure is handy but gives up a bit more than I think I'd like.

Does anyone have any hands on experience or recommendations? Rifle would be purchased new if it matters. I'm a bit skeptical of Remington/Freedom Group quality these days while I hear Winchester is churning out some of the best rifles they've ever built. I believe the Winchester is the only free-floated rifle of the bunch as well.

 

[Robert]

If the featherweight is as accurate as my Safari Express you will not be disappointed. While I don't have experience with that exact rifle I am very happy with my Winchester.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

Ive got a Kimber montana now and its a great gun but a bit high priced. I had a model 7 stainless that I got talked out of. It was a tack driver and a great gun. second place would go to Winchester. Ive had two light weight carbines and 3 featherweights and they all shot real well. third goes to ruger. Ive not owned a compact hawkeye but have owned 3 full sized ones and AT LEAST a dozen m77s through the years including compact first generation guns and there good well made guns too, especially if you love sitting at the bench working up loads

 

[HexHead]

Remington 700 SPS

 

[ZGunner]

My biased vote went to the Ruger. I have two compacts, a MkII in .260 and Hawkeye in .223. Both good shooter and very handy with their short barrels. I like the fact that they have wood stocks and a bit heavy for their size, that helps with recoil in the .260.

I had a Model Seven stainless in .308 for a bit. Without a limbsaver it really beat me up. It was a good shooter, there just wasn't anything special about it. I didn't feel like it had character. I'm weird like that I guess.

Whichever rifle you choose from those three I'm sure you'll be well served.

 

[chicharrones]

I don't have any of those rifles, but I do have a GSR. I'd lean towards choosing between the Ruger and the Winchester.

The Winchester would get my vote due to better LOP for me and having a full thick recoil pad. If I was worried about overall length of the Winchester vs. the shorter Ruger, I might be tempted to have the Winchester barrel trimmed back to 18" as a compromise.

 

[Dr T]

I have a Model 7 (7mm-08, 18" barrel with sights) and a Ruger Frontier (Model 77 action, 16.5" barrel, Laminate stock with 12.5" pull, mounts for scout scope but has a Leopuld 2.5-8 x VarX III in conventional mounts).

The Model 7 (fiberglass kevlar factory stock) is more accurate with finely tuned handloads, but the Ruger shoots 1" at 100 yds with Hornady Whitetail Factory loads with 150 gr. bullets.

The Ruger just feels better to me, and I prefer to hunt with it. The short pull stock and shorter barrel make it a bit handier in close quarters.

 

[Highcaliber]

You might also want to consider the Tikka T3 CTR "Compact Tactical Rifle"

20" barrel, 10 round detachable mag, picatinny rail, etc. $948

http://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3-ctr-308-win-20-barrel-jrtc316.aspx