Got the green light from Mamma to use this year's fur check to buy a new rifle! I've decided on a .308 Win, but not sure which manufacturer or model. I really dont have any specific requirements and for the most part it will be used for Whitetails, maybe Elk, and Paper. Of course we all want super accuracy and I'm no different. I don't mind a heavy rifle, I carry an Ithaca Deerslayer III quite a bit in the deer woods.

What do you guys have and like? I'm open to nearly all makes and models.

I'm partial to Savage. Model depends on how much the check is. I don't like their synthetic stock with a sling for prone, the stock is too flexible.

The super accurate part has been the issue for me. To write this response, I counted five 308s that I have, and only one is super accurate, and it has a medium heavy custom Shilen barrel. Another is at the shop to be rebarreled by PacNor, with a normal sporter contour. I have considered the others as eventually donor actions, if I ever get around to rebarreling them.

My accurate one is on a Sako L57, the one being rebarreled is a Ruger, and the others are two Rugers (possibly rebarrel to 260 & 338 Fed), and a Winchester short action push feed (to become a 7mm-08).

For a factory rifle, I've heard good reports of the Tikka T3, if you don't mind a detachable magazine.

KB

I've got several really accurate 308's. For a sporter, I would look at Sako 85's, Cooper rifles in 308, and even consider an Ed Brown precision. My Weatherby MK V is very accurate as well, and I happen to like the synthetic stock it comes in--but there is always a wood option on that rifle as well.

A cooper in their synthetic stock is a nice way to go too if you are looking for synthetic, VERY accurate, and of course the Sako 85 gives you a bunch of options, i.e. Wood/Stainless, Wood/Blue, Lightweight Syn/Stainless, Std Weight Syn/Stainless, Lam Wood/Stainless.

some good options to consider--good luck on your quest!!

My .308 I use for a 200 yd gun, and it will shoot moa at 100 yds.
It's a browning micro medallion. Very light to carry, comes up nice, and plenty of punch.
I keep it short at 200 yds, because I don't like playing the trajectory game.
It's an easy game to play at the bench, but not very forgiving in the field.
Mike73

My .308 is one I built on a K98 action. Very accurate and I would have no problem shooting deer out to 300 with it. No guesswork with a BDC reticule in the scope.

If I were buying a factory gun I like the looks and feel of the Ruger Hawkeye in walnut. I have had my eye on one in 7mm-08 but really want to build a .338-06 first.

Savage or CZ. roger

My .308 is a Savage 11 with a SSS trigger.
Its a good functional rifle but if I was to buy anoter .308 it would be a M70 FWT, Kimber Classic or Sako Hunter.

Howa

Savage is currently known for its accuracy.
I suggest that you look at the Model 14 Classic.
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!

I like the new Win model 70's.I've only seen one but it was really nice.So far all reports on them have been very good.

I have a SAKO A7 in 308 Win with Leupold VXII 3x9. It shoots great with Fed TSX 150 Grain loads. I plan on taking this rifle to RSA in May on an PG hunt.

i know a light rifle wasnt what you were asking about but ive got a little model 7 stainless rem in 308 thats a joy to carry and shoots most loads under an inch for 5 shots at a 100 yards. Im not a big fan of stainless syn. guns. Ive got a few but prefer wood and blueing but in the field a stainless syn is pretty tough to beat and that little rifle sure looks alot prettier when i look through the spotting scope at the groups it shoots.

quote:

Originally posted by Lloyd Smale:
i know a light rifle wasnt what you were asking about but ive got a little model 7 stainless rem in 308 thats a joy to carry and shoots most loads under an inch for 5 shots at a 100 yards. Im not a big fan of stainless syn. guns. Ive got a few but prefer wood and blueing but in the field a stainless syn is pretty tough to beat and that little rifle sure looks alot prettier when i look through the spotting scope at the groups it shoots.

I have a stainless Model 7 in 7mm-08, that is one sweet setup.

My 308 ia a remington 7600. It's one of the most accurate rifles I own.

quote:

Originally posted by 7600:
My 308 ia a remington 7600. It's one of the most accurate rifles I own.

I'm not surprised, I have four of them, two .35 Whelens and two .30-06's. I'll stack them up against most bolt guns anytime.

I regret to say I would go w/ the Savage also. I used to hate them w/ a passion but have absolutely converted lately. I have bought 3 in the last 3 years and they all drive nails. I have a model 10 fp Mcmillan .308 that I bet I could score pretty well at any BR compitition. It is absolutly rediculous. I love my Savages now. In my opinion Remingtons QC is crap right now. Paid 1k for one of their touted 5r's and about 3-4in groups was absolutely the best it would do. Have had freinds w/ dissapointing results lately also. GO SAVAGE YOU WONT REGRET IT!!!

+1 or 2 or so on what
Sam said.

Overall I do not think I have seen a more out of the box accurate rifle come to the range (and this is with folks just buying it and ammo is still in the store sack) an prove to be accurate.

Got a custom one with a Sako M591 action and an Obermeyer barrel. I know that it will put a whitetail down at 491 yards.

any of the major manufacturers (win, rem, sav, wea, ruger, sako) make 308's that are very functional and accurate.

you might consider visiting a decent-sized gun shop and putting one of each to your shoulder. one will fit you just right, and that is the one you should buy.

check on gunbroker.com. you'll find hundreds of 308's, and if you have just a little patience, you'll find some for far less than most gun shops.

the 308 is a great cartridge. i have a bud in montana who has killed at least 25 elk with his 308 (rem 700), so deer and even moose wouldn't be a problem.

good luck with your new 308.

quote:

What do you guys have and like? I'm open to nearly all makes and models.

I've owned a pile of 308's from the Ruger 77 R and RSI, to the Savage 99, Winchester 70 and Rem 7... favorite hand's down is the Kimber Montana.

Shoots tiny groups with bullets it likes and is a joy to pack.

For woods country deer in a treestand, the Ruger Hawkeye RSI would be tops on my list.

I think you should get a Kimber 84M. Light weight, accurate, and beautiful!

quote:

Originally posted by cricker:
I think you should get a Kimber 84M. Light weight, accurate, and beautiful!

Yeah... I use the 84M Montana (backpack hunting is hard on wood rifles) but were I a tree stand deer hunter I'd be inclined to get the prettiest wood stocked Kimber 84M I could find... nothing like passing time on a deer stand with a beautiful rifle!

Sam: Go to the Savage web site and look a the section on their "Accustock". It is a aluminum full lenght bedding block(like the Hogue overmold)that goes all the way to the forward sling swivele and the swivele is attached to it. Since Savage sell about 1000 different model # I comparied and the same gun with and without (2 different #) the bedding block run about $65 difference and they show about 6oz. difference in weight.
Kabuewy: you have alot of nerve showing your face on here and and saying that you have a gun that will only due 1MOA. Don"t you know that Boddingon says that every one should have rifles that will due 1/2 MOA. In a couple of years some gun maker will pay for a shoot for him in Africa and he will say that you should get their gun as it will due 1/4 MOA. SHAME ON YOU!

Opinions vary on which Rifles do this or that . I own a fair number of nearly every manufactured as well as a few customs Rifles .

One thing that doesn't vary is accuracy , for accuracy an the money it's really tough to beat!.May not be the prettiest on the market but dam certain one of the most accurate !. I own a Savage Weather Warrior 116FLHSS .308 and with careful hand loads is a single hole punch machine.

Someone at the factory made a mistake when they built mine ; I was looking for a hunting model and I got an F Class disguised as a Weather Warrior !. An I'm NOT EVER RETURNING IT EITHER !!!.

http://www.savagearms.com/accuracy/

http://www.savagearms.com/vari...0_savage_catalog.pdf

How much accuracy does the average hunter, especially from a tree stand, actually need?

The Savage 110, while it works for sure and likely may be one of the safest actions on the planet, is an ugly anvil.

Guess it really depends what you're after and for how much...

I have a Ruger stainless with the boat paddle stock. Dropped a Timney in it and it shoots like a dream. Light and easy to carry.

But it is ugly.

quote:

Originally posted by crowrifle:
I have a Ruger stainless with the boat paddle stock. Dropped a Timney in it and it shoots like a dream. Light and easy to carry.

But it is ugly.

Not as ugly, to my eyes, as a Savage 110... it hardly gets uglier than that.

But all taste is personal no doubt and there is certainly no "right" answer.

The internet is a fun place to learn about other people and how they view the world...

You picked the right cartridge, the "308" being the undisputed 30 cal. accuracy leader with enough power to drop an elk in its tracks at 500 yards. Everyone here knows how I feel about Savage rifles. Again the most accurate "out of the box" rifle on the planet.

Model 14 classic in .308 is an incredible combo that will take coyotes to elk year after year after year!

Thanks so much for everyone's replys so far!! It seems now that I'm torn between short and lightweight like the Rem. Model 7 or Kimber or one of the newer short, heavy barreled tactical style rifles like the Rem LTR or Savage Precision Carbine. Thank God I live in the USA where all of these options are available.

just for fun check out rifles inc website. lex built a 308 for me and it is a tack driver with factory ammo. yea, it cost a little more and yea its a custom rifle but if you are like me and you are only gonna have 1 why not do it right and be proud you did in the end.

I'm not sure how much your fur check is (and i'm not asking) But i have a Sako 85 in .308 and it is hard to beat for lightness and it drives tacks with 150 or 165's. .473 @ 100. I also have a Rem 7600 and while the previous poster's rifle may be acurate, Mine is to be desired and my Sako will smoke the 7600 on a bad day.

For the money, I really like the new Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather. I've got one in 308, and it shoots under 1" moa out of the box with Nosler Custom 165 accubonds. Adjustable trigger, and really a comfortable gun to shoulder. Fairly light weight also. If you haven't handled one, I would strongly recomment it.

Good Luck

Don't get me wrong. But tack driving three, five or ten shot group aren't all that important. Are you killing game or paper targets. If you're killing game the size of elk, a 1.5 moa rifle should suffice, easily to 300 yds. Chances are you are going to fire one round, unless you're shooting multiple animals and multiple shots. If your rifle shoots first shot to point of aim, and you put your bullet where it needs to be put, what does it matter if the second or third is 1.5 inches off, next week on a paper target.


Sacred cows make the best hamburger, but the meat can sometimes be hard to swallow!

GWB

quote:

Originally posted by wistrapper:
Thanks so much for everyone's replys so far!! It seems now that I'm torn between short and lightweight like the Rem. Model 7 or Kimber or one of the newer short, heavy barreled tactical style rifles like the Rem LTR or Savage Precision Carbine. Thank God I live in the USA where all of these options are available.

The model 7s Ive had the pleasure to work with were very accurate. though they were chambered in 708, the 308 is easy to load for and you shouldnt have any problems finding a load with RE15 and a fine 150-165 grain bullet, Nosler or Hornady BTs work good all the time. Oh, I always like the Rem. stainless SPS rifles.

Can you give us an idea on budget 'trapper?

At the lower end, bearing in mind that you want accuracy, a Tikka, CZ, Savage or remmy varmint would be my choices in order of preference.

Unfortunately the sky is the limit for the rest, though if you can get them, everyone I know that has a Sauer or a Blaser get's half minute groups out them with a little load development.

quote:

Originally posted by wistrapper:
Got the green light from Mamma to use this year's fur check to buy a new rifle! I've decided on a .308 Win, but not sure which manufacturer or model. I really dont have any specific requirements and for the most part it will be used for Whitetails, maybe Elk, and Paper. Of course we all want super accuracy and I'm no different. I don't mind a heavy rifle, I carry an Ithaca Deerslayer III quite a bit in the deer woods.

What do you guys have and like? I'm open to nearly all makes and models.

If it is feasible, I would suggest that you check out the 'usual' models (and here assuming you're looking for a bolt action rather than semi) from Remington, Ruger, Winchester et al. See how they 'fit' and how they feel. Also, are you looking for blued vs. s/s, wood vs. synth? What sort of budget do you have for it? Would you be planning on shooting it as out of the box, or doing some customization (e.g. trigger)? You should also consider allocating a considerable portion of your total budget on glass. Decent accuracy can be had from relatively modest rifles these days.

I wont know how much the check will be until the auction is over in February. Uncertainty in the fur market doesn't allow me to even make an educated guess for how much cash I'll have to work with. As Dead Kenny pointed out I'll need good optics as well. That is the easy part as I already know what glass I'll be using.

There are many rifles out there and they are all good. If you have lots of money, then buy a fancy Sako or something. If you want good, dependable functionality, then buy a Savage and never look back. It would be hard to beat a Weather Warrior in .308. All you need is a 22-inch barrel. Don't add weight for nothing.

You don't specify a budget. A Cooper would come with a proof target and certainly be an accurate rig.