Very shortly, I am going to be able to purchase a 308 Win. I have had a Ruger 77V in 308 and it was a tack-driver. I do still want to keep the accuracy, but I don't really want the extra weight. I can't afford a high-end unit like a Kimber or such, so I'm limited to Weatherby Vanguard, Winchester, Ruger, Remington, etc. I have handled the Savage and didn't like the feel or the fit of a few parts. I don't want to blow it on my choice, so I am asking the brotherhood for their 2 cents worth.
I know, I know, the 30-06 has a little bit more oooomph and can handle a little heavier bullets and I'm still wrestling with that, so could you give me your choices in bolt rifles and why for both cartriges?
Thanks Troops!! (Have a great Thanksgiving)

Brian

Have a wby vanguard in 308win, could not be happier with it, shoots 3/4 " grps with handloads and about an inch with factory fodder. I chose this rifle, firstly, price and value for money, it was what suited the game i intended to hunt (deer,pigs & goats). Thought about 30/06, could not wait for one to come in, so 308win it was. The rifle was a good fit and pointed well, something which is a must regardless of make or calibre. I like the m77's also.

cheers closs

Another one you may want to look at is the Tikka T3. I don't have one but I've heard a lot of good things about it from it's accuracy to it's affordability.

one of my most trusted rifles is a Ruger M77 MKII All Weather in .308. it was the first Ruger All Weather that i handled, and soon after i bought a matching M77/22 to go with it. the only thing i should tell you about this particular gun is the Ruger Zytel stock (with the recesses molded into the sides of the butt stock) somehow amplifies recoil. not uncomfortable, but above any other .308 i've used. this little Ruger has never let me down.

monty

I am a HUGE fan of the Winchester 70's. The three position saftey is really nice, I like the floorplate that opens up to unload the rifle, the trigger is super easy to adjust (with caution of course). The factory bedding leaves a little to be desired but is easily fixed. Don;t have any real insight to 308 or 06, get whichever makes you happy

Brian,

I have an older H&R 340 (Yugo Mauser 98 action) in 308 and it has never let me down. My I suggest you take a look at the CZ550 in .308 if you like the 98 action. Good luck in your quest.

CD

I went thourgh this same ordeal just recently. I made my decision to go with a 25-06 so my choices were somewhat limited in bolt guns with a heavy barrel. I took a long look at the Ruger 77 Target but I didn't like the finish on the metal. I ended up buying a Ruger #1 V in 25-06, I ordered it Nov 23 and I haven't yet taken delivery of it.

If I were going to go the 308 route I would have purchased the Winchester Model 70 Coyote. I'm not a big Winchester fan but I think they did a really good job with that gun.

Browning A Bolt, I'd get the .308 if all you'll be hunting is pigs, deer and goats. The .308 will do all you'll ever need and more, plus it will be a little lighter than the 30-06.

Based on feel, price, great triggers and guaranteed performance, I would go with a Tikka. They are pretty light little guns, and like you, I don't appreciate the feel of the Savage action. A Winchester Model 70 would be my second choice and the Remington 700 would be third.

amndouglas

Carefully consider the Browning A-Bolt Micro-Hunter. This is a very handy hunting rifle that lends itself very well to the newer compact scopes. The three lug bolt has given this rifle a reputation for superior "out of the box" accuracy.

Thanks for all of the feedback. I had not thought of the Tikka. I will find one and play with it. Choosing another gun is such a delightful delemma!
I should have said that I do plan on the occasional 300 yd shot on elk. My 45-70 is good to 150yds+, but I am lacking for the mild clear-cuts that I hunt sometimes. I know many that hunt elk with the .270, 7X57, etc. and all with bullets that are below 180 grns. I read over and over again that folks who hunt elk want 200 - 220 grn loads in the 30 caliber. My plan was to use the 165 or 180 grn in the .308 for shots not exceeding 300 yds. I know from experience that the .308 doesn't like the 200grn and heavier bullets very much, so thats out. In the 30-06, I was not wanting to go heavier than the 180 grn to be honest. Is it really that important to have the 200 - 220 grn class to hunt elk @ 300 yds and closer? Thanks and have a great Thanksgiving Day!!!

Is it really that important to have the 200 - 220 grn class to hunt elk @ 300 yds and closer? Thanks and have a great Thanksgiving Day!!!


I don't think so, I think if you can accurately place your shots within that range, you should do fine with 180 gr bullets or even less. Just make sure you use a premium bullet such as nosler partitions or of similar quality.

Very shortly, I am going to be able to purchase a 308 Win. I have had a Ruger 77V in 308 and it was a tack-driver. I do still want to keep the accuracy, but I don't really want the extra weight. I can't afford a high-end unit like a Kimber or such, so I'm limited to Weatherby Vanguard, Winchester, Ruger, Remington, etc. I have handled the Savage and didn't like the feel or the fit of a few parts. I don't want to blow it on my choice, so I am asking the brotherhood for their 2 cents worth.
I know, I know, the 30-06 has a little bit more oooomph and can handle a little heavier bullets and I'm still wrestling with that, so could you give me your choices in bolt rifles and why for both cartriges?
Thanks Troops!! (Have a great Thanksgiving)

Brian

My first choice would be the model 70 Winchester pre-64 action. Second choice would be the Ruger model 77. Top notch hunting type rifles with control fed action, 3 position safety and Big Claw extractor!

Brain I will set you straight on the effectiveness of a 180 grain Nosler partition bullet from a .308 Winchester OK. I was once with a man who shot and killed a 5 x 5 bull elk at a lasered 447 yards in the mountains of Wyoming once. Now he used a 30-06 with a 180 grain bullet, so I know for a fact that your .308 caliber would take care of any elk at 300 yards, provided you stay off the shoulder and put that bullet behind said shoulder into the lung heart area.

I also know of several folks in years passed that have taken bull elk with a .243 Winchester and the 25-06 as well. Now I personally don't approve of such calibers for elk, none the less, elk are not Sherman Tanks!

I only handload 165/168 grain bullets for my 308. Factory 150's shoot fairly well (about 1"), but the factory 180's I have tried print 6" plus groups at 100 yards.

I would not feel undergunned on an Elk with a 308 and a 165 grain Partition, as long as I knew I could put the bullet where I wanted it. You hit the heart or a double lung on an Elk, it won't be going that far. As other people have said on this forum, "they aren't bulletproof".

I shoot anything / everything with my .30-06 and a 165gr. Nolser Partition. "Only" about 2800fps, I could get a few more fps with a different powder, but am too lazy to work up another load.... you should be able to get real close to that with a .308, depending on barrel length.

Finn Aagaard said that bullet will go through a moose.... I haven't shot any moose, but sounds like a reasonable experience. Certainly, never been able to recover one from the deer/hogs I've shot.

If you aren't going to handload, I'd suggest the Federal Premium 180gr. Paritition load, also recommended by Finn.

I have a .338 Win mag, and it's an elk gun for sure, but I would have no qualms about pulling the trigger on one with my '06, either.

Good luck and hope you get a big'un..... :)

No one mentioned the Sav mod 99 lever action in .308. I would think it would compliment your 77V. I just picked one up that is 98% for under $300. The Browning lever is another option. Good luck.

George

of course if we are going to get into levers that think they are bolts, you could give the winchester 88 a look

I have been looking for the same thing. A good bolt gun in 308. I have decided on a cz 550. Just gotta save the pennies. Look into these a little.

Thanks guys!! That is exactly what I was after....Alot of different ideas that would allow me to make a well-informed decision. I sure like this web site of Marshall's and all that inhabit it!!
DECISION:
308 Win. in a stainless/synthetic Vanguard with a 24" tube. I really love how the wood stock looks, but I like how durable the synthetic stock is.
I have had a 30-06 before as well as a couple of 300 Win Mags, but my appriciation for the 308's abilities and my personal history with the cartrige won-out. Maybe it is because I have shot a 308 so much with excellent results.. I kicked myself when I parted with the 77V and have wanted another 308 Winchester ever since. I guess I just wanted to hear that it was a good thing to get another one!!!!
Thanks again for all the help Troops!!
Brian