View Full Version : New .308 Bolt Gun
Mossyoakglock
09-29-16, 22:04
I am looking at getting a new bolt gun for hunting and range use and I've decided on a .308. I'm also going with the .308 so my sister and girlfriend can shoot it when they hunting with us. I have a few that I've picked out and on paper, they are all very close. I still haven't gone to physically see them but plan to in the next week. Most all of these rifles have adjustable factory triggers, free-floated barrels and some are button rifled and others hammer forged.
Ruger America - Adjustable trigger, free floated barrel, hammer forged barrel
Savage 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP - adjustable trigger, free-floated barrel, button rifled barrel
Savage 11/111 FCNS - Same as Hunter XP but also has accustock
Winchester XPR - non-adjustable trigger, free-floated and button rifled barrel
Weatherby Vanguard Series 2
Based on the specs and what I've read about their accuracy, I'm leaning towards the Savage rifles. All are around the $700 mark locally with some coming as a rifle/scope combo.
Of these listed, which would be your choice?
eightmillimeter
09-29-16, 22:57
Given the options you listed the Weatherby, by a short mile. Recent production Remington 700's have been very good again and should also be on the list.
wilson1911
09-30-16, 03:38
Mossyoakglock, have you looked at the 6.5 family of guns ? It sounds like you are buying a first general purpose gun. The recoil with be half of what the 308 is. This is a huge benefit for females.
gun grabber is having a sale on savage atm I think.
While my wife and daughter could shoot my .308, I wouldn't let them as they would not like it at all. I agree, you should look at the 6.5 CM, you will enjoy it as well. If a 7.5 pound rifle isn't to heavy, look hard at a Tikka CTRx in 6.5CM.
titsonritz
09-30-16, 15:36
Get a Tikka
Mossyoakglock
09-30-16, 17:30
The 6.5 might be worth looking at. How does it compare ballistically to the .308?
Does it have the knockdown power to take down a whitetail around the 200 yard range?
I was considering a .308 for the longest time. I am now planning on a 6.5 CM Tikka CTR. From my research I would have no hesitation at all in taking deer at 200. I think it would do well much further even.
The 6.5 might be worth looking at. How does it compare ballistically to the .308?
Does it have the knockdown power to take down a whitetail around the 200 yard range?
Easily.
5.56 from an SBR is great on deer at 200, with good ammo.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
While my wife and daughter could shoot my .308, I wouldn't let them as they would not like it at all. I agree, you should look at the 6.5 CM, you will enjoy it as well. If a 7.5 pound rifle isn't to heavy, look hard at a Tikka CTRx in 6.5CM.
I agree. My ex used to shoot my .308, but it was only a few rounds here and there. I wouldn't go 6.5 because I'm married to .308 in dies, brass, and barrels. But for a fresh start, 6.5 isn't a bad route.
wilson1911
09-30-16, 20:33
The 6.5 might be worth looking at. How does it compare ballistically to the .308?
Does it have the knockdown power to take down a whitetail around the 200 yard range?
The 6.5 creedmoor is ballistically superior to the 308. 200 yards is a chip shot for either gun really. I would make a kill out to a max of around 700 yards with one. The creed only has about .3 mils or less drop at 200. The biggest difference is in recoil and less bullet drop....this means its a flatter shooting cartridge. At 200 yards, your only using 10% of cartridge potential. Its past 500 where the creed leaves the 308 behind. For 200 yard shots, you could actually buy a 6mm class 243 or 6x47 lapua. My creed shot about 1.5" at 500 yards.
One of my buddy's wife came out to the range a few weeks ago and shot my 6x47L with a can on it, She is now on his tail to get one(6.5 creed) for herself. She is not shy about guns either, she can shoot 7mag also. You can shoot a creed all day at the range and go home with no fatigue, not so with the 308. I like to see more women get into shooting, the creed is the perfect choice...its a solid 1000 yard gun, shooting steel, or hunting cartridge.
The vast majority of people who buy a 6.5 have zero regrets.
Get a Tikka
I second this, I have a T3 Lite in stainless. It's crazy accurate especially with handloads and light enough to lug around in the high country elk hunting. Get a MT recoil lug, bolt shroud and their picattiny rail and you've got a wonderful setup IMo.
Mossyoakglock
10-03-16, 08:35
The 6.5 creedmoor is ballistically superior to the 308. 200 yards is a chip shot for either gun really. I would make a kill out to a max of around 700 yards with one. The creed only has about .3 mils or less drop at 200. The biggest difference is in recoil and less bullet drop....this means its a flatter shooting cartridge. At 200 yards, your only using 10% of cartridge potential. Its past 500 where the creed leaves the 308 behind. For 200 yard shots, you could actually buy a 6mm class 243 or 6x47 lapua. My creed shot about 1.5" at 500 yards.
One of my buddy's wife came out to the range a few weeks ago and shot my 6x47L with a can on it, She is now on his tail to get one(6.5 creed) for herself. She is not shy about guns either, she can shoot 7mag also. You can shoot a creed all day at the range and go home with no fatigue, not so with the 308. I like to see more women get into shooting, the creed is the perfect choice...its a solid 1000 yard gun, shooting steel, or hunting cartridge.
The vast majority of people who buy a 6.5 have zero regrets.
I'm liking the 6.5 but my only concern is barrel life. What I've read is the 6.5 life is around 3,000 rounds where the .308 is around 6 -8,000 rounds. While I will probably never get close to those round counts it is something to think about. We have started shooting more and we would hit the max barrel life round count quicker than we would have in the past.
wilson1911
10-03-16, 09:19
Barrels are consumables just like ammo. I have several sitting on the shelf waiting to be spun up when I need to rebarrel. I shoot more than most, but steel is addicting. Its one reason I do not advocate the 6x47L (1700 round barrel)all that much. I can rebarrel one every 3-4 months. With the 6.5's you can actually rebarrel once a year with heavy shooting, unless its your only gun. A barrel job is 600 bones...so if you shoot out a barrel every 18 months, its not really that much. I bet you spend more than that on eating out and your wife's shoes.:p Besides, it will even shoot better with a custom barrel.
If you lived close to me, I would let you shoot mine. It would take all of 5 shots to make a decision.
wilson1911
10-06-16, 00:19
For all the doubters of the 6.5 creedmoor.
This is from the 65creedmoor forums. Maral(Asiatic Elk) 590 yard shot. perfect shot placement.
http://www.65creedmoor.com/index.php?topic=5798.0;topicseen
You might consider the 7mm08 also. Also comes in the Tikka
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.