.308 rifle recommendations?

[Rubi_300]

Hi everyone,

I am looking for a new rifle mainly something new to shoot and carry around the farm to thin the coyote population. Also, I would like to take it on a hog hunting trip and maybe take it for whitetail. I know this site is mainly for African hunting so there isn't too much .308 stuff on here but there is a wealth of knowledge within everyone on here so I figured I'd ask.

My only requirements are a nice wood stock, bolt action, and something quality. I've been looking at the Sako 85 Classic with a 20" barrel since I plan on suppressing this. I am a big Model 70 fan but am wanting to venture out into something new for this rifle. I am open to any brands and why you think it would be a good fit.

 

[Doug3006]

Kimber 84, Browning X-Bolt, Cooper Custom Classic. Depending on your budget one of these might do.

 

[Rubi_300]

Kimber 84, Browning X-Bolt, Cooper Custom Classic. Depending on your budget one of these might do.

I am not too familiar with the Kimber rifles but they seem like a nice gun. What is the general consensus on them? The Cooper is more than I am wanting to spend for this gun I would like to keep it under 3k.

I love the browning rifles but I just hate their wood finish.

 

[mdwest]

I’ve got a kimber adirondak in 308 that is lights out accurate, light as a feather, and reliable as the day is long… it’s been an outstanding rifle.. it took a good bit of African game this past July as well…

 

[Shootist43]

Rubi_300, as long as you are looking for something different of "quality" take a good look at a sporterized 6.5 X 55 Swedish Mauser. I have several good 308(s) but the 6.5 X 55 Swede has been my go-to rifle for the past 26 years. It has a Mauser Action combined with inherent accuracy. While I normally use it for Deer and Hogs, I took it to Africa as well.

 

[Berettaco]

I am not too familiar with the Kimber rifles but they seem like a nice gun. What is the general consensus on them? The Cooper is more than I am wanting to spend for this gun I would like to keep it under 3k.

I love the browning rifles but I just hate their wood finish.

I have several kimber rifles and all of them are stellar shooters. There seems to be a very polarized stance on the kimber rifles tho - some folks have had some bad experiences, I don’t know any of the guys personally but they are out there.
I’m not big on the high gloss finish either.
Kimber, Win 70 Featherweight, Sako, Merkel KR1, tons of great options - I usually try to keep an open mind on which rifle I “need” then when a beauty that meets the basic requirements pops up I buy it.

 

[Rubi_300]

I have several kimber rifles and all of them are stellar shooters. There seems to be a very polarized stance on the kimber rifles tho - some folks have had some bad experiences, I don’t know any of the guys personally but they are out there.
I’m not big on the high gloss finish either.
Kimber, Win 70 Featherweight, Sako, Merkel KR1, tons of great options - I usually try to keep an open mind on which rifle I “need” then when a beauty that meets the basic requirements pops up I buy it.

That's kinda how I am approaching this next rifle. I have never heard of the KR1, how would it compare to a Blaser r8?

Are the Kimber 84's CRF? What are the bad experiences people have had? My main draw to the Sako 85 is that it is CRF and has a detachable magazine.

 

[shootist~]

The Tikka T3X Light Hunter is wood stocked, but probably not the classic walnut you are looking for. Muzzle is on the thin side for standard threading is another downside. I have the T3X Hunter in 30-06 and like it alot, however.

Since I like Tikka's (have 3), my next 308 could be the Tikka Roughtech. (I run about 1,000 rounds of 308 per year practicing from the sticks.)

Tikka T3x Ember RTech .308 Win Blk/SS FL 22.4" MB MT5/8x24 3rd Rifle JRTXRBS316

Tikka T3x Ember RTech .308 Win Blk/SS FL 22.4" MB MT5/8x24 3rd Rifle JRTXRBS316 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

The Tikka Roughtech comes already threaded standard 5/8x24 (IIRC).
Plastic stock only, although it appears much nicer than the original Tupperware. Ember, Black or Tan/Black are the choices. The Tan/Black was on for ~$400 less than the Ember at Grabagun.com a few weeks ago. Probably the ugly duckling color but would suit my purposes just fine.

 

[Doug3006]

The Kimber is CRF and all 3 of mine are great shooters. Better than average accuracy. I like their triggers better than most right out of the factory.

 

[Doug3006]

Check out the Kimber SuperAmerica. It only comes in 308 currently. A lot of beauty for your bucks.

 

[CBH Australia]

For a CRF. you might find an old Mauser or look at availability of a CZ601.

I think there are new Mauser but with a plastic stock.

You know you like the Sako and M70.

Tikka are not CRF but they work. Generally accurate too.

 

[Rubi_300]

The Tikka T3X Light Hunter is wood stocked, but probably not the classic walnut you are looking for. Muzzle is on the thin side for standard threading is another downside. I have the T3X Hunter in 30-06 and like it alot, however.

Since I like Tikka's (have 3), my next 308 could be the Tikka Roughtech. (I run about 1,000 rounds of 308 per year practicing from the sticks.)

Tikka T3x Ember RTech .308 Win Blk/SS FL 22.4" MB MT5/8x24 3rd Rifle JRTXRBS316

Tikka T3x Ember RTech .308 Win Blk/SS FL 22.4" MB MT5/8x24 3rd Rifle JRTXRBS316 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

The Tikka Roughtech comes already threaded standard 5/8x24 (IIRC).
Plastic stock only, although it appears much nicer than the original Tupperware. Ember, Black or Tan/Black are the choices. The Tan/Black was on for ~$400 less than the Ember at Grabagun.com a few weeks ago. Probably the ugly duckling color but would suit my purposes just fine.

I like the tikkas just not what I’m looking for at the moment. I gotta have nice wood. Do you know how the tikkas compare the Mauser m18? Seems like they are in a similar category.

 

[Rubi_300]

Check out the Kimber SuperAmerica. It only comes in 308 currently. A lot of beauty for your bucks.

It’s temping, it seems like a good competition for the Sako with them both being CRF. How is Kimber’s customer service?

 

[Tintin]

Mauser M12, Sauer 101 - but they are on long actions (they only do one action length, like Tikka) - where the Sako various action lengths are more closely matched to cartridge

 

[Daveboone]

I purchased a Mauser M18 two years ago in .308, as an
"understudy" to my vintage model 98 in 8x57. It is a fantastic rifle, with probably the best trigger pull I have ever used. I use it for New York Whitetail. Only down fall for it is the synthetic stock...I am not a fan of these, but I actually like the looks and very much so like the handling of this one.

 

[Doug3006]

It’s temping, it seems like a good competition for the Sako with them both being CRF. How is Kimber’s customer service?

I can’t say because I never had to contact them.

 

[Rubi_300]

For a CRF. you might find an old Mauser or look at availability of a CZ601.

I think there are new Mauser but with a plastic stock.

You know you like the Sako and M70.

Tikka are not CRF but they work. Generally accurate too.

I’ve been looking at the Mauser m18. I know it’s a totally opposite direction that I’m looking but for the price I think I would like to get one. Does anyone have experience with one?

 

[Rubi_300]

I can’t say because I never had to contact them.

That’s a good thing then lol

 

[Tra3]

Kimber makes a great rifle, I have 3. One is a wood stock .25-06. They are accurate. They have a 3 position safety. I haven’t had any issues.

One suggestion: I’d you really want a different rifle, like the Merkel or an R8, better off just saving and waiting. I spent more money than the cost of the R8 in buying other rifles, even though I really just wanted to get an R8.

 

[Rubi_300]

I purchased a Mauser M18 two years ago in .308, as an
"understudy" to my vintage model 98 in 8x57. It is a fantastic rifle, with probably the best trigger pull I have ever used. I use it for New York Whitetail. Only down fall for it is the synthetic stock...I am not a fan of these, but I actually like the looks and very much so like the handling of this one.

Glad to hear that, I’m not big on synthetic stocks especially on “budget” rifles. How does the Mauser synthetic do? Is it flimsy like a Ruger American? I might have to look into a replacement stock for it if I end up with one. Is the stock bad enough to justify replacing?