16" barrel for a practical/hunting bolt 308?

[yakimanoob]

Carpsniperg2, I'm referencing pricing that I see on buds and gallery of guns.  If we're comparing t3x's, then yeah they're the same price.  But there are still plenty of 308 t3s floating around at clearance pricing and I can't find any 7mm-08s under $500 like I can find the 308s.  If you know where I can find a 7mm-08 for that cheap, I might just jump on it right now.

[theleo]

Also re: 7mm-08:

I chose 308 for the cheap ammo availability, but have been considering the 7mm-08 too because of the reduced recoil and generally better ballistics of the longer 7mm bullets.  If I end up with that caliber, I'm thinking the new Hornady 150gr ELD-X will be my hunting round of choice. 

Anyway, I'm struggling with the marginally-better ballistics vs the fact I can get a 308 t3 for about $150 cheaper than a 7mm-08 t3, much less the cheaper practice ammo from the 308.

I'll give it to you plain, you're over thinking this. If ballistics mattered that much you wouldn't be considering a 308. Don't get me wrong, it's a fine round, just not all that inspiring. I've killed elk with both a 308 and a 7mm-08 both in Remington model 7's (the same sort of rifle you're looking wanting) and quite honestly the only difference was the 308 kicked more (165's in the 308 and 140's in the 7mm-08). If you felt the need to go to a long range bullet that's fine but all you're likely to see is more meat damage on close shots. There's no need for one at the distances you're looking at and what you're looking to do with this rifle. The only time 308 will be significantly cheaper to shoot is if you're buying the cheap FMJ stuff that you'd never hunt with. They're virtually the same price once you look at Green Box ammo or better. Also, since you're looking at Tikkas you might as through the 270 win into the mix since you won't be saving any weight in a Tikka by using a short action cartridge vs. a long action cartridge like the 270 win or 30-06. Just pick a mild manner cartridge that you can shoot without a break and practice. 

[theleo]

Carpsniperg2, I'm referencing pricing that I see on buds and gallery of guns.  If we're comparing t3x's, then yeah they're the same price.  But there are still plenty of 308 t3s floating around at clearance pricing and I can't find any 7mm-08s under $500 like I can find the 308s.  If you know where I can find a 7mm-08 for that cheap, I might just jump on it right now.

If you'd put a break on the 308 and be fine shooting the 7mm-08 without one the price difference is null and void because you'll be paying the gunsmith all the money you saved (and then some) for installing the break.

[carpsniperg2]

Carpsniperg2, I'm referencing pricing that I see on buds and gallery of guns.  If we're comparing t3x's, then yeah they're the same price.  But there are still plenty of 308 t3s floating around at clearance pricing and I can't find any 7mm-08s under $500 like I can find the 308s.  If you know where I can find a 7mm-08 for that cheap, I might just jump on it right now.

I see. You are looking at clearance gun prices and since you cant find the 7mm-08 on clearance that is why you are saying 150.00 in difference.

My wholesalers are all switched to the t3x. I can get you the t3x in either cartridge for 585.00 plus tax

[carpsniperg2]

Oh and I can get ya the predator for 395.00 plus tax.

[superdown]

Save yourself money and a lot of steps. Buy a American predator in 308. I have one, it's threaded with a 18" barrel super light and very accurate

                     


I have one also and i really like it it also has a little bit of a heavy barrel so you shot a few more rounds down range without the barrel heating up as quickly as other rifles and at 18" it splits the difference between the 16" and 20" barrels.

[jay.sharkbait]

18" seems to be a good trade off for velocity vs length.

308/7.62 is starting to get long in the toof though and there are far better choices out there.

[huntnphool]

 My kids use Ruger Hawkeye Compacts in 7mm-08 and can shoot lights out with them under 300 yards. They have 16.5" barrels, lighter weight than full size and still shoot real well.

[Stein]

Cutting a 20" barrel to 18" and then installing a brake seems like an exercise in money spending.

Buy a youth 20" and you can have sub MOA out of the box for $400.

In my experience, mountain rifles get banged up and scratched, so I would be looking for utility over looks.

[fly-by]

If you get a stock that fits well,  a .308 should not beat you up to the point of inducing a flinch or needing to add a brake. 

I also have a Ruger American Predator in .308.  It's very accurate but weight savings is a function of the cheap plastic stock, not the barrel, which is more of a medium profile.  It's a little nose heavy and not what I consider a great mountain rifle

The 16.5"  Ruger Hawkeye compact with an adult stock would be a good choice.  Most youth models have a short length of pull and won't help with proper fit.

My featherweight (5.5lbs bare) .308 is a mid 60's Remington 600 set up scout style.  18.5" pencil barrel with the funky rib.  Very accurate little rifle and a joy to carry.

[huntnphool]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/BrowseItems2.aspx?Keywords=Ruger+Hawkeye+compact&Cats=0

[JDHasty]

Just buy a Weatheby Vanguard (Howa) in 7mm-08 and put a Leupold 4x or VX1 3-9 on it and go hunting.  By the time you actually are competent to make an "informed decision" you will be in position to advise other newbys. 

You will have a rifle and scope that will "get er' done" every time it has been tried and will be able to say:   If you hunt under these circumstances...  this may be a better choice. 

[yorketransport]

You'd do fine with a 16" barreled 308. You'd end up with the ballistics of a 300 Savage, and that's not bad at all. The trick is to get the balance right on a short barreled rifle.

It's not a 308, but I've fallen in love with my little CZ 527 in 6.5 Grendel. It's not a 400 yard elk gun but it's certainly capable of killing elk at the appropriate range. That's a discussion for another thread, from a while back, which ended very poorly.

[JDHasty]

You'd do fine with a 16" barreled 308. You'd end up with the ballistics of a 300 Savage, and that's not bad at all. The trick is to get the balance right on a short barreled rifle.

It's not a 308, but I've fallen in love with my little CZ 527 in 6.5 Grendel. It's not a 400 yard elk gun but it's certainly capable of killing elk at the appropriate range. That's a discussion for another thread, from a while back, which ended very poorly.

I was on the "it's not a 400 yard elk gun" side of that discussion, but I agree 100% with what you have said here. 

What I would steer the OP toward if it were up to me would be a compact Howa based rifle in 7mm-08 because it is isn't going to be too heavy in the woods and it will still be comfortable off the bench for practice shooting.  And it is affordable and that will let him actually gain a lot of familiarity with what he likes/dislikes in a rifle before going in any direction with a customized job... just based on what he has read and what others have told him he wants in a custom hunting rifle.  He may want to shoot it a bit and then decide if he wants to try a shorter barrel and he will have something to compare it to. 

Now, this is based on my familiarity with the Howa based rifles out there, which I have none with the Tika, but that is probably just as good a choice.