opinions, 308 options, feedback?

[col_temp]

Hi all,
Was posting before over in the handgun forum.
Moving to the rifle for this one.

I have been looking and researching for a general hunting/SHTF sniper rifle.
After some discussion I have settled on going for a 308 if possible. I am a bit recoil sensitive and will not be an avid hunter though I do plan to go out with an uncle next year and start learning more.
That said, I plan to mostly look at deer hunting with maybe up to an elk. Hence why I am looking at the 308 instead of the 270.
I plan to get a 200+ scope to mount. I would like to get something that is reasonably priced but willing to spend a bit more if I need to.

1. I have looked at the Savage Axis. Nice lite gun with 19.5 and the accu-trigger. But the shorter barrel limits range and I suspect there will be too much kick!
2. I have an chance to pick up a TC Encore used with a good scope, both a 308 and 50 cal muzzle barrel for around $640. I know I can get other barrels for this. Opinions? Is the price good?
3. There is a Savage 11 in 308 on sale, 22" synthetic stock. Opinions?
4. If I hit the pawn shops what specifically should I be looking for to make sure its a good deal?

I live and will hunt in the northwest where its raining or wet a lot. Would I be better off with a Stainless steel action and/or barrel or just go for the blued barrel?
Id there really any benefit to the fluted barrels for my application?

BTW, I do have a 32 Win Special with Iron sights I inherited so i have a bush gun already. I also have a 22LR for critter control if needed.
Thanks ahead of time for insights and other suggestions.
MPT

 

[mainecoon]

Just to be a devil's advocate, 270 would give you a nice flat trajectory for elk.

Ruger American in 308 is a good deal. How much $ do you want to spend?

 

[splithoof]

"general hunting/SHTF sniper rifle"; the two categories listed are in conflict. A general hunting rifle is meant to be very portable, comfortable to carry for distance, light, and more compact. It need not be as cold-bore accurate as a sniper rifle, which will likely have a much heavier optic, barrel, stock, and other accessories. The sniper rifle will likely have a trigger pull weight that is not acceptable for a general hunting rifle.
On the positive side, your caliber choice in .308 is excellent.

 

[powder]

Ar 10...

 

[speedway]

FAL is my favorite 308.

 

[Old judge creek]

Well, I'm going to make the presumption that you truly don't mean that you're looking for a hunting/ "sniper rifle". My first horse was a Tennessee Walker that some idiot ruined trying to make a quarter horse out of him. I bought the tack and he threw the horse into the bargain "gratis".

For a general purpose all around caliber in the lower Forty-Eight, the 308 is one of the best. It offers less recoil than the 30-06. And FWIW I can't see much recoil difference between my 30-06 and my 270.

BUT, if you're truly recoil sensitive I'd recommend you take a hard look at something in the 6mm/243 class. I personally think those are a bit light for western mule deer, but I've seen it done on many occasions. They shoot flat as a banjo string for long ranges and their recoil is modest.

And if you do indeed need to make a long shot any of those I've mentioned will get the job done if you can do your part.

BTW: I have an M1A and a Ruger M77 RSI (not the Mk II, but the original tang safety model). I think for a one rifle battery, the M77RSI would be a hard rifle to beat.

 

[ShadowsEye]

...The sniper rifle will likely have a trigger pull weight that is not acceptable for a general hunting rifle.

This is a misconception. Sniper rifles absolutely do not have lightweight target type triggers, for example, Accuracy International sells their rifles with a two-stage trigger that breaks at 3 to 5 lbs (adjustable).

 

[col_temp]

Thanks for the comments thus far.
Yeah I know the hunting/sniper is a bit on opposite ends.
I would prefer to have something that I can use for hunting 1st and may carry over to a SHTF situation giving some options.

Will take a look at the suggested ones so far. Any feedback on the Thompson Encore? Would like to hear what everyone thinks about that one while considering the others.
Thanks

 

[d2wing]

I think you are on the right track and support your choice. A light reliable hunting rifle is useful in real life hunting and in the event you need to survive, a hunting rifle is the best choice. A FAL is good if you only plan on shooting very large and very slow zombies from close range and don't plan on carring it anywhere. For your purpose a .308 is a great choice. It is the top rated all around round according to a recent ChuckHawks article.

 

[ZGunner]

This is a role I fill with my Savage Precision Carbine. But if you're on a budget the Savage Axis in 243 or 270 would be good (if you're that concerned about recoil, but I love the 308 round). It'd be fine for deer but I don't know if I'd try to take an elk with the 243. It's also available is SS.

I wouldn't wrap my head around a fluted barrel or barrel length too much. As long as it's over 20" you'll have sufficient velocity.

 

[splithoof]

I have seen a number of sniper rifles (agency built) that had triggers in the 2.5-3.0 range; those were based on 700 type actions. I do like the AI (in 300 Win), but I think two-stage triggers are not as common as the single type. I would consider a target trigger to weigh less.

 

[col_temp]

Zgunner: Savage Precision Carbine

Will check that one out. Thanks for the input on the fluted and barrel length.
Looking at the Ruger M77's
Thanks for the input. Hope someone has some thoughts about the Thompson Center Encore.

 

[VVelox]

If you can survive with out optics, I would strongly suggest looking into the FR8. It feels great, has a smooth action, can be loaded from clips, has flash suppressor on a threaded barrel, and possesses actually good iron sights. The sights on it is what really distinguish it from other bolt actions I've seen. It has a v-notch for 100 yards and apertures for 200, 300, and 400.

 

[USSR]

Id there really any benefit to the fluted barrels for my application?

I will address this since I built several rifles with premium barrels and had the barrels fluted on them. First, the primary reason to flute a barrel is to reduce the weight of a heavy contour barrel for the purpose of balancing the rifle, while retaining the stiffness benefits of the heavy contour barrel. I do not recommend fluting on anything other than a cut rifled barrel, which are typically not offered in commercial rifles with factory barrels.

Don

 

[col_temp]

Thanks Don,
Good info.
Will check the FR8 out but looking for something with optics options but worth comparing to and looking at.
PT

 

[Eureka40]

Take a look at this Savage Hog Hunter in 308.

Accu Trigger, iron sights, threaded barrel, drilled and tapped for scope.

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/11HOGHUNTER