Need advise on a .308

[I6turbo]

It's not on your original list but the CZ 600 series currently has a $100 rebate, and you can buy some of them in the upper $400 range pre-rebate. FWIW, an acquaintance who has some other nice rifles (CZ 527, Weatherby) just received his and is very happy with it.

 

[d2wing]

I am very happy with my Tikka T3 in 7-08. A better quality rifle in my opinion. I like 7-08 better but ,308 is a great cartridge. I gave a friend a Savage and he loves it.
I like the Rugers I have, but for big game I would step up to a Tikka or Sako.

 

[TonyAngel]

It's not on your original list but the CZ 600 series currently has a $100 rebate, and you can buy some of them in the upper $400 range pre-rebate. FWIW, an acquaintance who has some other nice rifles (CZ 527, Weatherby) just received his and is very happy with it.

I considered the CZ 600, but didn't they have problems with them?

I went shopping today. Without going into detail, I'll just say that the Ruger is out of the running. As it stands now, I'm leaning toward a Tikka Compact. Doing more research on the CZ 600.

I can't believe how hard it is to find just what I want. Back in the days when I was into bolt actions, I'd source a 700 receiver and have my gunsmith spin up a Krieger barrel for me. That was easier than trying to find a nothing special, off the shelf rifle. Lol.

 

[I6turbo]

I considered the CZ 600, but didn't they have problems with them?

I went shopping today. Without going into detail, I'll just say that the Ruger is out of the running. As it stands now, I'm leaning toward a Tikka Compact. Doing more research on the CZ 600.

I can't believe how hard it is to find just what I want. Back in the days when I was into bolt actions, I'd source a 700 receiver and have my gunsmith spin up a Krieger barrel for me. That was easier than trying to find a nothing special, off the shelf rifle. Lol.

I don't think they had problems, per se, but they first launched the 600 with the option for quick-change barrels like in the 455 and 457. After they sold a few they decided they should recall those and eliminate the ability to change barrels that way. I can't remember exactly what the reason was, but it was something like the potential for variability in head spacing, or the potential for mismatching bolt heads and chamberings, or perhaps non-gunsmith owners not getting the task performed correctly, something of that nature. (I'm sure a little searching would turn up the details, but I'm lazy.)

 

[lightman]

You might watch on GunBroker for a Remington 600. They are short, lite and every one I've ever seen shoot good. Being short and lite, they do have some recoil.

 

[The Bushmaster]

If you don't mind broadening your choices. You might have a look at a Browning BLR in 308. It's a lever action rifle with a 20" barrel. I very much like the hell out of mine.

 

[TonyAngel]

If you don't mind broadening your choices. You might have a look at a Browning BLR in 308. It's a lever action rifle with a 20" barrel. I very much like the hell out of mine.

A buddy of mine has a BLR. It's a really nice rifle, but I really want a bolt gun. I don't do much stand up shooting any more and for me, a bolt gun is easier to manipulate from improvised shooting positions.

 

[gotboostvr]

I considered the CZ 600, but didn't they have problems with them?

I went shopping today. Without going into detail, I'll just say that the Ruger is out of the running. As it stands now, I'm leaning toward a Tikka Compact. Doing more research on the CZ 600.

I can't believe how hard it is to find just what I want. Back in the days when I was into bolt actions, I'd source a 700 receiver and have my gunsmith spin up a Krieger barrel for me. That was easier than trying to find a nothing special, off the shelf rifle. Lol.

If I remember correctly, the issue with the CZ 600's, was that they could potentially be assembled unsafely if instructions and proper safety checks weren't followed when using the quick change barrel feature. So they nixed the quick change barrels.

You still can easily source a 700 action and have a smith do up a custom barrel for you (or DIY with a "Remage" made to order custom barrel) it's just not cheap.

 

[cfullgraf]

If you are considering used, add a Remington 788 to your list.

My 308 Win shoots well and it has an 18-1/2” barrel.

Back in the day, gun scribes that had not shot the rifle did not like the rear locking lugs. But those that actually shot the rifle were pleased with its performance.

 

[Hookeye]

I had a 77MKII stainless boatpaddle in .308.
Trijicon 3-9X.
It did under 1.5 w Hornady Whitetail.
Trigger was less than great.

Blind mag.

Dunno if they make a box mag conversion.

It was an ugly and boringly good, repeatable rifle.
So yeah, I sold it.

Im a genius LOL

 

[hdbiker]

I had a Remington 742 carbine in .308 Win. for 40 + years, killed easily 50-60 white tails with it. I just wasn't accurate on targets, 3–4-inch groups at 100 yards with my best loads. So I sold it after finding a flawless 1991 Ruger 77 MK11 in pawn shop and bought it. The Ruger will groups 11/2 or better at 100 from the bench, HAPPY CAMPER

 

[silicosys4]

I'll throw my hat in the ring for the Kimber Hunter.
At $800 or so they are a little more money than other options, but you get a lot of rifle for the money.

Kimber 84M Hunter 308 Win, 22" Stainless Barrel, FDE Polymer Stock, 4rd

Kimber 84M Hunter 308 Win, 22" Stainless Barrel, FDE Polymer Stock, 4rd. Kimber 3000789. Weighing in at approximately 5.5 pounds, the Hunter features a lightweight stock, match-grade adjustable trigger and a removable box magazine that allows for quick and easy loading. Detachable magazine for ...

www.impactguns.com

they are very light, I think mines under 7lbs loaded with scope and sling, which will help you with fast shots in timber, but that comes at a cost as mine doesn't settle down very easily for the longer-range shots. It can do it though, if you can. Detachable mag and sub-MOA guarantee.
Its got a 22" barrel but thanks to the shortened action handles like a 20"

 

[Lo-Profile]

Ruger Americans are nice guns for the price point.

 

[TonyAngel]

Thanks for all of the suggestions guys. I don't know why I didn't put 2 and 2 together, my head has been scrambled, but my cousin has a Tikka in 6.5 Creedmore. I took that out and shot it yesterday. Yeah, that's what I'm getting in .308. I found a compact at Bass Pro 1.5 hours away. They have one and I'm gonna try to get out there and pick it up. If not, I'm gonna order one.

 

[Wolfshead]

Thanks for all of the suggestions guys. I don't know why I didn't put 2 and 2 together, my head has been scrambled, but my cousin has a Tikka in 6.5 Creedmore. I took that out and shot it yesterday. Yeah, that's what I'm getting in .308. I found a compact at Bass Pro 1.5 hours away. They have one and I'm gonna try to get out there and pick it up. If not, I'm gonna order one.

I think you’ll be happy with your choice.
I know I am!
when you get it and go to put the scope on, there are little plastic set screws in where the scope mounts go. Just so you are aware. It’s a little adventure to get them out
let us know how it goes and what you think!

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I have several .308s. one of my favoites still is an old Remington 788 I bought in 1972 for about $100 brand new from Gibsons, Still one of my go to .308s. Got a Weatherby on the high end, lots of calibers and rifles in between but the old ugly blonde stock 788 goes with me often.

 

[TonyAngel]

Hey all,

I just wanted to do an update. I told my LGS that I wanted a Tikka Compact in 308. So, they called me a few days ago to tell me they had one. When I got there, I found that what they had was a T3X Compact Tactical. Nice rifle, but not what I wanted. It was a couple/few pounds heavier.

Still, for every cloud, there is a silver lining. On the rack, they had a Ruger American Ranch in 7.62x39. I fell in love with it. The barrel was free floated and it sat straight in the stock. The action was a little rough and the trigger nothing to write home about, but I knew I could do something about those little quibbles. Well, it followed me home.

I topped it off with a Gen 1 Vortex PST 1-4x24, did a little cleaning up on the action and massaged the trigger a bit.



I had two flavors of ammo laying around. Some Monarch FMJ and Brown Bear HP.

These were shot at 100 yards off of a bipod using a Gamechanger bag as a rear rest. The first group on the upper left was zeroing. The next two on that row was the FMJ. The second row was all HP. I was adjusting the zero a tad bit, hence the changes in points of impact.



Man, shooting paper with a 4x ain't easy.

 

[JmacD]

Hey all,

I just wanted to do an update. I told my LGS that I wanted a Tikka Compact in 308. So, they called me a few days ago to tell me they had one. When I got there, I found that what they had was a T3X Compact Tactical. Nice rifle, but not what I wanted. It was a couple/few pounds heavier.

Still, for every cloud, there is a silver lining. On the rack, they had a Ruger American Ranch in 7.62x39. I fell in love with it. The barrel was free floated and it sat straight in the stock. The action was a little rough and the trigger nothing to write home about, but I knew I could do something about those little quibbles. Well, it followed me home.

I topped it off with a Gen 1 Vortex PST 1-4x24, did a little cleaning up on the action and massaged the trigger a bit.



I had two flavors of ammo laying around. Some Monarch FMJ and Brown Bear HP.

These were shot at 100 yards off of a bipod using a Gamechanger bag as a rear rest. The first group on the upper left was zeroing. The next two on that row was the FMJ. The second row was all HP. I was adjusting the zero a tad bit, hence the changes in points of impact.



Man, shooting paper with a 4x ain't easy.

My bro has one of those in 308… those things really outshoot their price point!

 

[Larry in wyoming]

Good looking rifle and setup. I like the short, heavy barrel look. That is darn nice shooting.