Recommend a .308 Bolt Action Rifle?

[raindog]

Looking to pick up a .308 bolt-action hunting rifle. This will be for deer and also for target shooting (I'm weird - I like to shoot at paper with a rifle). I'd prefer something that's well-built and rugged...hoping this will be a rifle that takes me into my golden (har!) years.

I am very familiar with .308 reloading and find it an excellent all-around cartridge so I'm sticking with that.

I recently saw a Savage 11 Hog Hunter (described here). I love Savage's triggers and this one comes with a threaded barrel. Adding a muzzle brake would be nice. I have a Savage .22 bolt-action and it's a fine rifle. However, this is literally the first rifle I've considered so I want to look at more and get more opinions.

I'll be putting a Leupold scope on the .308.

 

[valnar]

Without a budget, my go to recommendation is Tikka or Winchester. Sako if you want the best production.

 

[gotboostvr]

What's your price range? What kind of terrain are you hunting? What features do you like?

I'd really like a Winchester Model 70 Featherlite. A nice, classy lightweight rifle around the $1k mark

I almost pulled the trigger recently on a Savage 110 Tactical, a heavy barreled long range tank of a rifle with most of the cool looking doo-dads around $750.

I was looking hard at a Tikka T3x Lite. Very nice modern rifle. Across the board reports of great accuracy, a long list of nice features. Was very tempted, and may still get one in the near future. Prices start around a very competitive $650.

The Ruger American/Predator they're nice. The price seems to have crept up on them recently. They have some nice features, and a just a few things that I would improve upon. Prices seem to be about $500 now.

The Mossberg MVP&Patriot, T/C Compass&Venture, Howa 1500: for the prices they ask, the rifles are much nicer than the rest of the options in this price range. Reports seem to be generally that they're highly accurate and dependable.

I own what was once a standard Remington 700 and have designated it as my do-all hunting rifle. It's been worked over, but it's mostly Remington parts. Prices currently vary as some places are blowing them out, and some people thinking they're now collectibles.

Are you looking for a stalking carbine, a stand hunting smoke pole, somewhere in between?

 

[raindog]

Sorry, you're right - I wasn't very clear.

I have a Remington 700 SPS in a Medalist stock. It’s a fine rifle but it’s a bear to lug around.

So yes, something “handier” that I could sling over my shoulder.

Probably $1000 would be the top of my budget.

 

[gotboostvr]

Sorry, you're right - I wasn't very clear.

I have a Remington 700 SPS in a Medalist stock. It’s a fine rifle but it’s a bear to lug around.

So yes, something “handier” that I could sling over my shoulder.

Probably $1000 would be the top of my budget.

In that case,
Win 70 Featherweight
Tikka T3x superlite
Kimber 84 Hunter

In that order

 

[DocRock]

Bergara B14 Wilderness Hunter

Winchester Model 70 Featherweight Composite

and at the bottom end - lightweight and inexpensive:

Mossberg Patriot cerakote synthetic.

 

[jmr40]

I have a Remington 700 SPS in a Medalist stock. It’s a fine rifle but it’s a bear to lug around.

The Savage Hog Hunter is a nice rifle, but it is going to be heavier than the Remington.

The Winchester 70 FWT would be a fine choice if you want traditional walnut/blue. I think you can still get one under $1000. The Kimber Hunter is a nice rifle too, but IMO almost too light. But it has a lot going for it. I had the more expensive Kimber 84 Montana for several years. It was a joy to carry, but was so light I didn't shoot it as well from field positions. At the range, on a bench, it was plenty accurate.

Nothing wrong with Bergara, but it won't be any lighter than the Remington or Savage.

Overall I think Tikka is hard to beat, It will almost surely be more accurate than either the Kimber or Winchester. You can get a lighter rifle, but if you choose the scope carefully can keep total weight under 7.5 lbs which is just about perfect IMO. You should be able to get one in SS for around $750, closer to $600 in blue. The Superlight has a fluted barrel so it should be a little lighter, but both show 6.4 lbs on their website. I have a T-3x in 308 and 6.5 CM as well as a CTR in 308 and a T1x in 22 LR. They are the most accurate rifles in my safe.

Choose | Tikka

 

[I6turbo]

I have a 2002 model like this 2000 model CZ 550. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/889517579 The 550 is definitely rugged and well built. I'm not sure if it's too heavy to suit you for deer hunting, but for target shooting mine is the most accurate gun I've ever shot, and because of the accuracy and the fun-to-shoot factor, it's the most satisfying gun I own to take to the range. It'll shoot quarter inch groups at 100 yards with Federal Gold Medal Match 168 SMK, and half-inch groups with Winchester 150 grain hunting rounds. It's a hoss of a gun, though, and not really one I'd want to go totin' too far, or trying to shoot off hand very much.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

I'll second the Kimber 84M Hunter -- good value for the price.

 

[Pivot Dr]

Keep your eyes open for a Remington 600 Carbine. Light, short, and mine is surprisingly accurate. It’s basically a 700 short action with a dog-leg more streamlined bolt handle. I think they also made one with a rib etc. called a 660. They haven’t been made for some time but they are around.

 

[nipprdog]

Recently picked up a Ruger Predator in 308. Got the mag well conversion kit from Ruger to use AI mags. Shot this 3 shot 1/4" group at 50yds with federal power shock 150gr.

 

[Steve S.]

raindog, I can speak to my own experience. I own a Kimber 84M Custom Classic Select and a Winchester M70 Extreme Weather both in .308 - both are equipped with a Leupold VX 3i 3.5-10x40. Both rifles shoot factory fodder to 1 1/2” at 100 yards all day long - very common stuff. I hand load for both - both shoot the exact same hand load (43.5 Varget, 150 SST, WW brass and primer) to 5 shots touching at 100 yards on my good days. As you can hand load, then you have the flexibility to finely tune most any .308 model to your accuracy needs so shop for the rifle that you really like. Again me, I am very fond of the classic M70 look and feel - quintessential to my wants/ needs. My Kimber and my M70 are very well made - lots of attention to fit/ finish, the AAA French walnut on my Kimber is stunning. Again, you have many great choices with hand loading skills - I absolutely agree with your caliber choice (but all calibers do about the same thing in the right shooters hands) - have fun shopping till you drop.

 

[FL-NC]

Ruger American.

 

[Nature Boy]

Winchester M70.

 

[army_eod]

Tikka T3x Lite Stainless. What I have. Weatherproof and extreme accuracy. What I use for hunting and long range.

 

[Hugger-4641]

Nobody had mentioned the Thompson Center. I bought my wife one in 6.5 and am pleasantly surprised. She wanted to deer hunt with me for the first time in 30yrs, so I thought I'd just buy a cheap 6.5 that I could sell if she doesn't follow through, but it actually shoots good.

 

[MachIVshooter]

For a budget gun, the Mossberg Patriot is fantastic. The plastic magazines are my only gripe with them, but they do function fine, just feel chintzy.

If you don't mind spending a little bit more, though, I think the Tikka rifles are tough to beat without going way over a grand.

 

[army_eod]

For a budget gun, the Mossberg Patriot is fantastic. The plastic magazines are my only gripe with them, but they do function fine, just feel chintzy.

If you don't mind spending a little bit more, though, I think the Tikka rifles are tough to beat without going way over a grand.

the Tikka also has polymer mags.

 

[MachIVshooter]

the Tikka also has polymer mags.

I didn't mean to imply that all plastic magazines feel cheap. I love Pmags. But the Patriot magazine does feel like an airsoft part.

That said, I have two shop demo Patriots, a 7mm-08 and .300 win mag, and have had no magazine breakage or feeding issues with either.

 

[homers]

Tikka
Bergara
X-bolt
Weatherby Vanguard

 

[JFrank]

Im not sure about other brands but with the Tikka a person can easily change to a long action bolt stop and long action magazine allowing the re loader the ability to load beyond the standard 2.80 optimizing the seating depth for accuracy.

So there's that...

 

[gotboostvr]

Im not sure about other brands but with the Tikka a person can easily change to a long action bolt stop and long action magazine allowing the re loader the ability to load beyond the standard 2.80 optimizing the seating depth for accuracy.

So there's that...

Part of me wants to dislike the Tikka's for the fact they're putting short action rounds in a long action, the other part of me thinks I should get a 7mm-08 and turn it into a 280AI with just a reamer, bolt stop and a magazine.

 

[wst38tx]

Looking to pick up a .308 bolt-action hunting rifle. This will be for deer and also for target shooting (I'm weird - I like to shoot at paper with a rifle). I'd prefer something that's well-built and rugged...hoping this will be a rifle that takes me into my golden (har!) years.

I am very familiar with .308 reloading and find it an excellent all-around cartridge so I'm sticking with that.

I recently saw a Savage 11 Hog Hunter (described here). I love Savage's triggers and this one comes with a threaded barrel. Adding a muzzle brake would be nice. I have a Savage .22 bolt-action and it's a fine rifle. However, this is literally the first rifle I've considered so I want to look at more and get more opinions.

I'll be putting a Leupold scope on the .308.

Your budget should include the scope, I would plan on two-thirds of the budget in the scope. I bought a Ruger American 3 years ago and it's so lightweight I stuff the stock with rolls of pennies when I'm doing load development. My best load will shoot a half moa. With some commercial loads, I still get under 1 moa at 100 & 200 yards. IMHO, most reputable brands (Ruger, Mossberg, Remington, etc.) will give you sub-moa accuracy with even the economy models. Spend your money on the scope and get a good laser rangefinder.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Part of me wants to dislike the Tikka's for the fact they're putting short action rounds in a long action, the other part of me thinks I should get a 7mm-08 and turn it into a 280AI with just a reamer, bolt stop and a magazine.

The weight difference between SA and LA is negligible, and even without the bolt stop, it's not like the extra ~1/2" of bolt travel really matters. I'd say they made the right call for 1, efficiency of manufacturing 2, making it easier for the aftermarket to develop products with only one pattern to worry about and 3, giving that option of long bullets with SA cartridges or rechambering/rebarreling your rifle in a LA cartridge if so desired.

 

[Frostbite]

Given OP's precisions, I would suggest a Winchester Model 70 featherweight for wood and blued steel, or a CZ 557 in synthetic stock, if a box magazine is desired. I think a Browning X-Bolt or a Tikka T3x are good options in the detachable magazine choices.

I went with the CZ option in 30-06 (Black Edition at a price I could not let pass). Now that I think about it, I think the CZ in .308 Winchester is available with a detachable magazine instead of the box magazine like mine.

So many choices, what a wonderful world we live in !

If you want to have more money left for the scope, I am of the opinion that Ruger American Predator rifles offer a lot for the price, but one would be wise to think about a replacement stock in a foreseeable future, which can be bought afterwards, if great accuracy is aimed.