New rifle plans - sanity check

[wafisherman]

I'm planning on buying and/or building a new rifle. Will be lightweight for longer back-country hunts. Western WA rain ready. Good at distances up to 400 yards. Suppressed. Shorter barrel (16-20" or so plus suppressor). Used for anything from deer to moose.

I've been going round and round on caliber options... 6.5 or 7PRC? 7mm-08? 6.8 western?  I have a .270 that has served me well for many years. But that will be handed down to one of my kids now.

Given the short + suppressed barrel, I've now decided the .308 is a my best option. I already have 308 ARs, so will also be nice to have fewer cartridges to buy and it's nice that they are pretty common in most shops. 308 has the fastest powder burning rate for the shorter barrels and is the friendliest in a short barrel + suppressor setup I think.

Probably better options out there for purely distance and moose and elk - but I'm not even 100% sure I'll really be targeting those. Mostly blacktail, whitetail, and mule deer. Shots I'll typically take will be under 200 yards for the areas I hunt, but I want to be able to expand that a bit in the coming seasons.

Anyway, not interested in getting into the "best caliber" discussion, but more on the specific ballistics discussion side of what am I missing in my breakdown and why should I consider something other than 308 given my requirements? What would be a solid plan B if I have trouble finding the rifle I want in 308?

[kselkhunter]

I'm not sure what rifle brand/type you are looking at, but I've always wanted a Kimber Mountain Ascent in 308, threaded with suppressor.  So I'm biased when answering for your stated purpose.  I think 308 is a good fit for your stated need.  Benefit in that you have other rifles in that cartridge.  Choose a bullet that works for your intended purpose.

For the 16"-20" barrel, a 7mm-08 would also be something to consider.  There is the new 7mmBackcountry as well.  But, if it were me I'd stick with 308.

[MADMAX]

I’ve got a Kimber mountain ascent in 270 WSM
Absolutely my favorite rifle 👍

[wafisherman]

I'm not sure what rifle brand/type you are looking at, but I've always wanted a Kimber Mountain Ascent in 308, threaded with suppressor.  So I'm biased when answering for your stated purpose.  I think 308 is a good fit for your stated need.  Benefit in that you have other rifles in that cartridge.  Choose a bullet that works for your intended purpose.

For the 16"-20" barrel, a 7mm-08 would also be something to consider.  There is the new 7mmBackcountry as well.  But, if it were me I'd stick with 308.

I haven't really looked at that Kimber, but will add it to the list of options. Wonder if you can get a 308 with a 20" barrel? I'm only seeing 22" option. Not a deal breaker though.

[10mmg]

In the context you defined I think the 308 is a great choice. I reload and have a 150 grain barnes ttsx and a 165 accubond from my suppressed 16" sig cross at 2700fps. Both give you elk killing muzzle energy out to 400 (1500 ft lbs). If you go out to 20" you might get to 2800. I have killed a few elk with that load and both drops em solidly. I also am liking the bergra line of rifles. My Kimber 84M in 30-06 is wicked accurate out of the box 1/2" moa and very light weight. Only thing with the lighter weight rifles is the point of impact shift from suppressed to unsuppressed.

my 5 cents (up from 2 due to inflation)

[pickardjw]

A 16" barrel with a suppressor is very pleasant to carry around in the mountains...

What bullet do you want to shoot? That's the real starting point. Back out from there. Minimum impact velocity needed for that bullet to perform will help determine barrel length. In .308 WIN you'd probably have to go lighter grain to make a 16" barrel realistic out to 400+.

[wafisherman]

In the context you defined I think the 308 is a great choice. I reload and have a 150 grain barnes ttsx and a 165 accubond from my suppressed 16" sig cross at 2700fps. Both give you elk killing muzzle energy out to 400 (1500 ft lbs). If you go out to 20" you might get to 2800. I have killed a few elk with that load and both drops em solidly. I also am liking the bergra line of rifles. My Kimber 84M in 30-06 is wicked accurate out of the box 1/2" moa and very light weight. Only thing with the lighter weight rifles is the point of impact shift from suppressed to unsuppressed.

my 5 cents (up from 2 due to inflation)

I'm considering that sig cross. I have an AR that kinda scratches that itch (POF USA Rogue) that weighs less than the sig. But a bolt action would be better for hunting. But still, thinking more of a standard stock config. Taking a hard look at Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT (20") or Scout (16").

[wafisherman]

A 16" barrel with a suppressor is very pleasant to carry around in the mountains...

What bullet do you want to shoot? That's the real starting point. Back out from there. Minimum impact velocity needed for that bullet to perform will help determine barrel length. In .308 WIN you'd probably have to go lighter grain to make a 16" barrel realistic out to 400+.

Good point. I'd probably go with something like Hornady 178gr ELD-X

[shmacker]

This looks like it checks your boxes, and can be had for only $13k!
https://www.gunwerks.com/fe

[wafisherman]

This looks like it checks your boxes, and can be had for only $13k!
https://www.gunwerks.com/fe

 Dang

[milldozer]

Check out the Seekins Havak (PH3 or Element M3).  This is what I would get if I were in the market for a new rifle.

[Boss .300 winmag]

This looks like it checks your boxes, and can be had for only $13k!
https://www.gunwerks.com/fe

Really cool rifle, but I’m not that rich.🤣

[STEVO85]

Tikka T3X Ranch 16" barrel, threaded 5/8x24.
I really like my T3X SS Lite that I had cut and threaded 5/8x24 at 16". It is shorter with my Omega 300 on it than it was factory and it just makes a nice handy lightweight suppressed rifle. I have a Vortex Viper 2.5x10 on it, 500 yards and in is what I put it together for.

[dreadi]

It sounds like you could be pleased with a Springfield Armory Redline .308 16", published weight of 6lbs. Or a Seekins PH3 .308 16" published weight of 7.3lbs.

Different twist rates, price differences, weight difference, other different features.


Black Hammer Arms
www.blackhammerarms.com
The Guy On HuntWA Selling Suppressors
@blackhammerarms

[FlyFish360]

A Q Fix in 308 might be up your alley as well.