Need .308 recommendations!

[Sendit6.5]

OK guys, I'm looking for some recommendations on a .308 - which ones to look at for my fiance for Christmas. She's a heck of a shooter (4.25" groups at 650 yards with her Sendaro 300 WSM!) but she's wanting a compact .308 for riding around the ranch in the truck. We have a major coyote problem and it's just too hard to get that 300 out quickly enough, when one runs out in front of you. I'd like to find her a good starter/project gun that can be customized over time to be a pretty good long<span style="font-weight: bold">[i</span>]er[/i] range rifle; but right now what she needs is something thats as reasonably light and short as possible but will still have enough accuracy to handle a coyote out to about 300 yards.

The other requirement, that's essential, is that the rifle be tough! Bouncing around as a ranch rifle in DUSTY South Texas is tough on both gun and optics. It's impossible to use a case because you only have seconds to deploy the rifle when a coyote runs out of the brush and stops! So, she needs something that 'can take a licking and keep on ticking!'

I'm leaning towards getting her a Remington 700 but I'm interested in Sako too. I hear a lot of people talking about Sako, but I don't know anything about them- including the models or the prices. <span style="font-weight: bold"> I'm curious what models of the Remington or Sako you would recommend? Any other brands/models you would recommend?</span>

Here are the Remington options I found:

700 SPS Tac ACC-SD

700 VTR

700 SPS Tactical

I looked at the Sako website and they are BEAUTIFUL guns but they look WAY to pricey and way to nice to be bouncing around a ranch day after day. Am I wrong?

 

[ocelott]

Re: Need .308 recommendations!

For the price and the twist 1:10 and the barrel 20" I don't think you can go wrong with the tac acc, plus it's already threaded for a can or a break.

Here in TN I've seen them go for about 650 in the gun stores.

leaves plenty of wiggle room for other options.

 

[Furtaker_.223]

Re: Need .308 recommendations!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ocelott</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For the price and the twist 1:10 and the barrel 20" I don't think you can go wrong with the tac acc, plus it's already threaded for a can or a break.

Here in TN I've seen them go for about 650 in the gun stores.

leaves plenty of wiggle room for other options.</div></div>

+1 on this choice. A buddy of mine had just got this rifle and I am here to tell you, it shoots almost as good as my 2800.00 custom at 150 yards. And he picked it up for 625.00 new.

 

[ancientmariner]

Re: Need .308 recommendations!

Sako has a nicer action (control feed mechanism, so it should not jam), very good safety system (bolt release button allows you to remove a cartridge from the chamber with the safety engaged) no to mention the most accurate barrel for a series rifle on the market. I think if you bounce both of them, you will see the difference. check out the 85 synthetic stainless model.

 

[VYD]

Re: Need .308 recommendations!

I might be biased but........ S A V A G E

.20" barrel LE Precision Carbine. Digital paint on stock. Accutrigger. Accustock. Tack driver with Match ammo. 10 twist.

 

[jdgray]

Re: Need .308 recommendations!

Judging on how my LTR .223 performs, that would be my pick for a Remmy. A Savage 10FP 20" .308 would be my other suggestion.

 

[athanasios23]

Re: Need .308 recommendations!

love my rem 700 ltr...its short but not the lightest 308 out there...

 

[dkw3]

Re: Need .308 recommendations!

Remington XCR compact tactical is the way to go. Will shoot sub MOA groups with match ammo....

 

[Csf45]

Re: Need .308 recommendations!

i have a bone stock sps tactical-aac and have shot close to 1/2 inch 5 shot groups at 100yds with match ammo, it is a great compact rifle and a great platform to build off of.

Let me know if you need any help with those yotes!

 

[fdkay]

Re: Need .308 recommendations!

If you are snap shooting a moving yote, a heavy barreled .308 probably isn't the best answer.

I would lean more towards a .204, .17 fireball or .223/5.56.

A match grade AR with a standard profile 16" barrel and a 1.5-5x optic would probably work better, light, handy, accurate with a fast little bullet.

If you are set on a bolt gun, Howa makes a "Ranch Rifle" series with exactly this in mind. They have a 20" sporter weight barrel and are available in a variety of chamberings, including .308.

 

[JeffLebowski]

Re: Need .308 recommendations!

I agree with fdkay; a fast mover like a .204 Ruger or 22-250 is your best bet.

 

[Brettdec]

Re: Need .308 recommendations!

How the rifle fits your fiance and wields in the cab of the truck is paramount in importance if the gift is going to have lasting value. Perhaps a gift certificate would be a good idea. Then take her shopping - The whole dual purpose thing will drive you crazy too. I recommend getting one job right then tackling the long range issue later. Here's why.

All the advice above is good, but will confuse your decision. Think the physics of what you are doing. Acceleration is easier with less weight. A light, short gun shooting light, fast bullets is the right tool for coyote control from a pickup. This dictates a barrel 20" or shorter with an 11" or 12" twist (for a .308).
Long range work will have you going the exact opposite direction. We all have reasons for leaving options open, so let's consider that. There are 2 solutions that present themselves to my mind.

1. Remington - Take your chances with a much less expensive rifle with no accuracy guarantee. If it shoots well enough for coyote snap shots with appropriate ammo, great! (If not, reach down deep and dump $500 bucks on a custom grade barrel of exactly the spec you want.) The shortest and lightest is the SPS tac-acc-sd, but that has a 10" twist. It doesn't take you out of the game, but it is not optimal. Down the road, you can easily slap a match grade barrel of your choosing on it and have a certain long range tack driver. Either way, you will have nearly doubled the price of the rifle. Total cost will likely end up being $1,400 or better with shipping and gunsmithing.

Sako - Check the Finnlight. You get a 6.5 lb. rifle with 20" barrel and 11" twist. The stock is hard to beat for speed and ergonomics. Every part in the rifle is stainless steel and high grade. Accuracy is GUARANTEED. (can't overstress the importance of this difference) The price tag hurts @ $1,500, but only once. You will likely never change a thing on the rifle. Makes a fantastic deer hunting rifle too.

 

[Hawk45]

Re: Need .308 recommendations!

If you like Sako.. but don't want the price tag.. look at the Tikka T3 line. Super slick bolt action in a lightweight package. I'm also a fan of the Savage/Stevens 200s if you are looking for lightweight sporter rigs. But lots of good guns out there.. lots of companies have really stepped up their games.

 

[PatrickChewing]

Re: Need .308 recommendations!

Hawk may have it right!

I have a TRG that I love but we are getting into a different price range. I recently got a Tikka in 223 that is a blast to shoot. It may be a good mix of the features you want and is offered in a wide rage of calibers.

Just my .02 and good luck!

pc

 

[neoinarien]

Re: Need .308 recommendations!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fdkay</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you are snap shooting a moving yote, a heavy barreled .308 probably isn't the best answer.

I would lean more towards a .204, .17 fireball or .223/5.56.

A match grade AR with a standard profile 16" barrel and a 1.5-5x optic would probably work better, light, handy, accurate with a fast little bullet.
</div></div>

This but in 243

 

[skinnypitt]

Re: Need .308 recommendations!

Why 308? a light carry 270 (I like the tikka as well) fast, flat shooter, - cross for a deer gun but I would leave the long range decision out of this one.

To be honest my first thought for an easy handling, light, short bullet proof ranch gun to shoot coyotes would be a 30/30 with open sights. Out to 150 yds you are golden and really unless you have no brush you wont see a coyote at 300.....not unless he's hanging from a fence with a target on him.....lol


Then go out and start a long range build from the ground up. Do it right - do it once and save money in the long run.
Double duty never really works you always have to give something up in both catagories.