So the 308 Win seems approved by AH, what about the rifle?

[VertigoBE]

Hello all,

with the title I was obviously referring to the thread "308 Winchester Caliber Opinions" where 308 seemed liked by almost all for shots on medium game within 300meters. Now I would like your advice on the rifle.

I would like to find a light, short workhorse .308 with great quality. To be used on fox, european boar, roe deer and 'maybe' a red deer. The idea is like a single shot, simple elegant, light and short, but its' bolt action version.
- less than 1500 euro
- light, less than 3kg (if possible, even with scope and rings I'd like to stay even below)
- short, for moving in a blind, 18inch barrel?
- threaded barrel (suppressors are not yet allowed, but once they are..)
- synthetic stock (wood is beautyful, but heavy and not so weather resistant)
- adjustable cheekweld
- excellent build quality, reliability and trigger (obviously)

to be combined with a 1-6 or 1-8 variable optic, which would permit me a bit more comfort for those dreadful driven hunts at 1x and have a bit of magnification for shots inside of 200m.

one of the only rifles I have found that comes with most of this (but no adjustable cheek weld) is the:

EXTREME SPORTER - Rifles Bergara International

EXTREME SPORTER

www.bergara.online

I've looked at Tikka's, Sauer's, Mauser's, but all of them are so heavy (I own a Mauser M03 extreme in 300win mag, but it is very long, very very heavy, great for PG in Africa, not for the short ranges and smaller game in Belgian woods). Blaser (yes the R8) might actually be a good choice, but I will not put such money in one.

Thanks!
V.

 

[Whacker]

The only thing I can think of that will come close to meeting those specs will be the savage ultralight with the carbon wrapped barrel. They have a 22 inch barrel I believe and come in right at 6lbs. Lightest option I can think of that fits the budget and weight...they have threaded barrel as well if you can get past the looks of the stock. I’m not crazy about the looks but I believe price comes in somewhere around 1400 USD.

 

[Whacker]

Actual weight I saw listed of the .308 was 5.8lbs.

 

[Mekaniks]

How about one of these?

Model 70 Featherweight Compact

All the features of the Model 70 Featherweight with a shorter proportioned stock and barrel - for smaller shooters or hunters desiring a lightweight packable rifle. Satin finish checkered walnut stock with Schnabel forearm, lighter profile Featherweight barrel, Pachmayr recoil pad, bolt-action...

www.winchesterguns.com

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

A Tikka T3 Lite you found heavy? Not sure you can get them much lighter than that.

 

[mdwest]

Kimber Adirondak... the lightest production .308 available...

They are SWEET little guns... we’ve got one with a swaro z3 on it that is about perfect for everything you mention

Comes with a threaded 18” barrel and synthetic (carbon fiber) stock... and is below you max cost point as well

https://www.kimberamerica.com/adirondack

 

[autofire]

check out Savage Model 11 hoghunter. Cost approx $500 US , threaded barrel, synthetic TACK DRIVER. barrel longer than 18. 18 inch barrel would cause cause 400-600 fps drop in velocity and also drop trajectory range etc.

 

[Alistair]

Hello all,

with the title I was obviously referring to the thread "308 Winchester Caliber Opinions" where 308 seemed liked by almost all for shots on medium game within 300meters. Now I would like your advice on the rifle.

I would like to find a light, short workhorse .308 with great quality. To be used on fox, european boar, roe deer and 'maybe' a red deer. The idea is like a single shot, simple elegant, light and short, but its' bolt action version.
- less than 1500 euro
- light, less than 3kg (if possible, even with scope and rings I'd like to stay even below)
- short, for moving in a blind, 18inch barrel?
- threaded barrel (suppressors are not yet allowed, but once they are..)
- synthetic stock (wood is beautyful, but heavy and not so weather resistant)
- adjustable cheekweld
- excellent build quality, reliability and trigger (obviously)

to be combined with a 1-6 or 1-8 variable optic, which would permit me a bit more comfort for those dreadful driven hunts at 1x and have a bit of magnification for shots inside of 200m.

one of the only rifles I have found that comes with most of this (but no adjustable cheek weld) is the:

EXTREME SPORTER - Rifles Bergara International

EXTREME SPORTER

www.bergara.online

I've looked at Tikka's, Sauer's, Mauser's, but all of them are so heavy (I own a Mauser M03 extreme in 300win mag, but it is very long, very very heavy, great for PG in Africa, not for the short ranges and smaller game in Belgian woods). Blaser (yes the R8) might actually be a good choice, but I will not put such money in one.

Thanks!
V.

Have you actually shot a 'superlight' .308, Vertigo?

I've played with a couple and I found them rather obnoxious and not really worth the hassle over a Sako 85 or similar.

Personally I don't care much about weight at all in fairness and I wander over the same terrain (sometimes even the same estates) as you up in Scotland with a 5Kg all up wood and blue .270win with an 8x56 on it.

IMO, If you want a good shooting and handling rifle I reckon most modern offerings tend to be, if anything, a little too light, especilly if you aren't using a moderator. Certainly I don't think I'd notice 500grams here or there if carrying the rifle, but I'd definintely appreciate those grams when shooting it.

That said, if you really did want to move towards a 3kg all up weight and meet all your other requirements, you're talking a specialist job, probably sourced from the states. It's possible, but that weight with an adustable stock is not a mainstream rifle.

Hoenstly I think the Tikka is about the lightest 'mainstream' offering in Europe you'll find. The Bergara Extreme you mention is 3kg ish 'naked', so more like 4kg+ with a scope, mounts, a couple rounds down and a sling. The T3x Superlite is actually lighter than the Bergara (or the Blaser), whilst the T3x lite adjustable is 3.2Kg 'naked', but offers the adjustable cheekpiece you want. The Blaser R8 claims 2.9Kg, so it's also going to be 4Kg with scope, mounts and ammo.

 

[mark-hunter]

If you want bolt action, take a look at cz 557 eclipse. Short barreled 308 win, push feed action.
You will hardly find a better deal.

 

[YancyW]

A T3X superlite is under 6lbs, so if you cut the barrel down to 20", you could likely get it to 5.5 or so. That is about as light as you can go in that price range.

I have a M92 Cooper that is under 6 scoped, but that is a step above the price.

Tikka T3x Superlite Stainless Bolt Action Rifle - 308 Winchester

Buy Tikka T3x Superlite Stainless Bolt Action Rifle - 308 Winchester at Sportsmans Warehouse online and in-store has everything for your outdoor sports adventure needs. Fishing, rods & reels, camping gear, tents and much more.

www.sportsmans.com

 

[Tra3]

+1 for a Kimber. Either the Adirondack or get a Kimber hunter and cut the barrel down a bit.

But overall I’d vote for a R8 because in a year or two when you want to change caliber for some reason, it is easy.

 

[Rock375]

I’m not sure if there available in your area but the Christensen Arms Mesa comes close to your requirements. It’s a lot of gun for the money. $1250 US retail. It’s a wonderfully balanced 6.5 Lbs with a 22” threaded barrel. All Cerakoted SS with a fiberglass synthetic stock. Excellent trigger as well. I own one and love it. I also own a Tikka T3x lite and like it as well. My only dislike of the Tikka is they use a long action bolt for there short action calibers. Makes for an overall longer gun. It’s one of the smoothest actions going though! The stock is also made of plastic which I’m also not real fond of but it does have a nice shape and fit. The Tikka is a very accurate rifle right out of the box. It’s also priced very reasonable at around $750 US.

 

[bruce moulds]

advice to all who want a single shot,
get a bolt action repeater and load it with one round.
that way you have the satisfaction of knowing you only have 1 shot bla bla bla, and have the option of using the gun as a repeater as well.
very versatile - 2 rifles in one.
bruce.

 

[Bonk]

Ruger Hawkeye Compact Laminate. It's not threaded but it does have CRF.

Ruger® Hawkeye® Laminate Compact Bolt-Action Rifle Model 17110

www.ruger.com

 

[VertigoBE]

Hello all,

thank you all for your replies over the weekend, much appreciated for giving me some ideas!

Indeed @Alistair, I have not yet been in a position to shoot a superlight 308. But I cannot imagine the 308 having so much kick for it to be unbearable. However, perhaps my ideas of a very compact, light and agile bolt-action are too much based on ideals than reality. Yet I do know that the two rifles I currently own are ill suited to the type of hunting I'll likely be doing in the second half of this year and for years to come. And I'm quite sure most people on this forum can understand the need to dream up a reason to add a rifle to the collection.

Looking through your suggestions I find:
- Savage Ultralight by @Whacker
- Winchester Model 70 by @Mekaniks
- Tikka T3 Lite/Superlite by @PHOENIX PHIL & @YancyW
- Kimber Adirondak by @mdwest & @Tra3
- Blaser R8 by @Tra3
- Savage Model 11 Hoghunter by @autofire
- Sako 85 by @Alistair
- C2 557 Eclipse by @mark-hunter
- Christensen Arms Mesa by @Rock375
- Ruger Hawkeye Compact by @Bonk

Out of all these, if we would review the weight restriction a bit up, to more concentrate on overall handling, compactness and quality, while keeping an eye on weight without letting us be blinded by it. How would we rank these? I assume that the models each of you proposed are in your own possession. How to compare a Tikka to a Winchester, to a Kimber to a Sako? I found the Sako's very attractive on the website, until I saw their price (similar feeling to an R8)

Better yet, if you were to go out today, to buy one bolt action rifle for small to medium sized game based on the 308, what would be your first selection? Only factory offerings though.

Thank you for your input.
V.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I had a Kimber Classic Select in 308. Shot well and very easy to carry at 10,000 feet, but I was always worried about scratching the little beauty, so I sold it. If it had been the Montana version (stainless and kevlar stocked) I would still have it.

Your chances of finding a Blaser R8 near the weight you are looking for are slim to none IMO.

 

[Whacker]

I had only suggested the savage because it looked to meet your specs very closely. If I were making the decision for myself I would probably be looking at a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight because I love their smooth actions, accuracy, and stocks because the Kimber would be a bit out of my price range.

 

[liam375]

Have you ever considered the new Barrett Fieldcraft rifles? I have one in 6.5CM and the word "jewel" comes to mind every time I handle it.

The 308 in 18 barrel would seem to fit the ticket for you.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I would go with the Winchester Featherweight compact. Here are the Specs from Winchester’s website.

 

[Alistair]

Hello all,

thank you all for your replies over the weekend, much appreciated for giving me some ideas!

Indeed @Alistair, I have not yet been in a position to shoot a superlight 308. But I cannot imagine the 308 having so much kick for it to be unbearable. However, perhaps my ideas of a very compact, light and agile bolt-action are too much based on ideals than reality. Yet I do know that the two rifles I currently own are ill suited to the type of hunting I'll likely be doing in the second half of this year and for years to come. And I'm quite sure most people on this forum can understand the need to dream up a reason to add a rifle to the collection.

Looking through your suggestions I find:
- Savage Ultralight by @Whacker
- Winchester Model 70 by @Mekaniks
- Tikka T3 Lite/Superlite by @PHOENIX PHIL & @YancyW
- Kimber Adirondak by @mdwest & @Tra3
- Blaser R8 by @Tra3
- Savage Model 11 Hoghunter by @autofire
- Sako 85 by @Alistair
- C2 557 Eclipse by @mark-hunter
- Christensen Arms Mesa by @Rock375
- Ruger Hawkeye Compact by @Bonk

Out of all these, if we would review the weight restriction a bit up, to more concentrate on overall handling, compactness and quality, while keeping an eye on weight without letting us be blinded by it. How would we rank these? I assume that the models each of you proposed are in your own possession. How to compare a Tikka to a Winchester, to a Kimber to a Sako? I found the Sako's very attractive on the website, until I saw their price (similar feeling to an R8)

Better yet, if you were to go out today, to buy one bolt action rifle for small to medium sized game based on the 308, what would be your first selection? Only factory offerings though.

Thank you for your input.
V.

Hey Vertigo,

Fair enough. If that's hat you want, that's fine by me! Each to their own and all that.

To aid your search, a couple of other options for you might be found here:

Best Lightweight Hunting Rifles of 2023 | Field & Stream

If you're looking for your next mountain rifle, these are the best lightweight hunting rifles from Browning, Savage, Weatherby, Kimber, and more.

www.fieldandstream.com

As a rough estimate, any of these which come in at 5.5lb or under might concievably make your 3Kg (6.5Lb) all up weight, subject to careful choice of scope and mounts.

Some of them are even in you budget (ish), although I fear that BOTH 5.5lb and EURO1500 in Europe is not achievable.