Need rifle advice.. Thinking about selling my .308

[Vern400]

Good scopes don't leak. If you can't throw it in mud puddle, and go home to sleep well, it ain't good enough. Your scope didn't leak because the scope caps were off. (I'm using polite language)

Do what you wish. But if you are sticking to a factory rifle there is no guarantee your next one will be a great shooter. And your "musket" -
Gunny Hathcock wasn't wishing for an '06. But he had a good scope. It isn't about the gun in your case. My scopes cost what the rifle costs.

 

[SDHNTR]

I would just keep whatever rifle shoots the most accurately. Between those 3 calibers, there isn't much of an advantage out to the distances you want to shoot. Yes, 7mm will be nice and flat. But that really doesn't matter to me as I always range longer shots anyways. It is much more important to learn the trajectory of your rifle and have a scope that can either dial accurately or has a reticle you understand. I will continue to hammer this recommendation into you: trijicon or night force.

Those were only 2 caliber’s mentioned. .308 and .284.

 

[SloppyJ]

Do you have access to a range that goes past 200yds? If so and you're trying to get better, go there and go there often. If you want to hone your skills, work on getting to know that rifle and specific ammo.

Pick one rifle you have and go with it. Sell the other and get a proven scope so you have one solid setup. Start working towards picking up another rifle with minimal recoil that you can practice with. The .223 recommendation is great, if it's legal where you're at then you can also hunt with it using the right ammo. Get the same scope for this rifle.

A .223 has a great barrel life and ammo is cheap. That's why it's so popular. This will give you options and a route to practice. Learn to dial your scope for distance and fundamentals to make a good shot.

Personally, I swap a .223 barrel on my rifle after season is over and only use that one rifle to practice with. This is my main rifle during deer season and when I put my 6cm barrel back on, I'm still shooting the same rifle so I'm comfortable. I've started shooting local PRS matches because they're fun but more importantly I've become a much better shot. Practice is everything.

You're headed down the right path. It took me YEARS to figure out why I was going around in circles with my rifles and it was mostly optics and cheap rifle related problems. I sold a few, built a couple, and started reloading. It's been a fun journey and there's always something to learn.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

I was going to reply when you first posted and got distracted. I think your two rifles there's a lot of overlap, both 30 caliber shooting within a couple hundred fps of each other if even that. I get that you're new and building gear. I think I would recommend keeping the 30-06 for your "larger game" rifle and if you really want a second rifle get something smaller that you can shoot more with cheaper ammo. You don't have to go all the way to .223, the 6's and 6.5's are popular right now for a reason. I think a 6.5 Creedmoor would compliment your 30-06 nicely as a second rifle. Either way I wouldn't consider anything Vortex for hunting, just don't like them anymore and been through a few. Get a good quality Trijicon is what I'd vote. Here's another off the wall idea, if you use a Picatinny base for both rifles you can splurge more on a scope and very easily swap it back and forth between the rifles until you save up and get another scope.

As for the Elk hunt, I would be completely confident going into an elk hunt with the 30-06 or sending my wife or kiddos with it either. It's more than plenty. So I guess what I'm saying is if you feel the itch for a second rifle I'd go smaller and target medium game rather than buying something for the Elk hunt since you've already got that covered.

 

[Marbles]

Other option: sell everything, buy tikka .243, mount with reliable scope.

I had regrets after i bought a 308…wished i would have bought 243 or 223 instead.

I have owned four 30-06 rifles and three 308 rifles. I like my 243 Tikka better than any of those.

To the OP, get a reliable scope before another gun, sell a rifle if you have to.

Add a 223 trainer, then get a suppressor next. You can't ballistically advantage yourself into being a long range shooter, only rounds down range can buy that. A 223 is the cheapest way to do that. Spending money is fun though, I have trouble following my own advice.

Why do you like the 30-06 so much more than the 308?

 

[pharmfisher]

Those were only 2 caliber’s mentioned. .308 and .284.

Ok my bad lol

 

[sierracharlie338]

Upgrade the scope and add a case of ammo. Go shoot and build confidence in your system.

 

[Kylenautique]

Good scopes don't leak. If you can't throw it in mud puddle, and go home to sleep well, it ain't good enough. Your scope didn't leak because the scope caps were off. (I'm using polite language)

Do what you wish. But if you are sticking to a factory rifle there is no guarantee your next one will be a great shooter. And your "musket" -
Gunny Hathcock wasn't wishing for an '06. But he had a good scope. It isn't about the gun in your case. My scopes cost what the rifle costs.

Vortex was very surprised it happened. We had an ungodly amount of rain last elk season, but still, it shouldn't have happened. I've been looking at all the scopes y'all have recommended and been reading through reviews on this website.

 

[pharmfisher]

Vortex was very surprised it happened. We had an ungodly amount of rain last elk season, but still, it shouldn't have happened. I've been looking at all the scopes y'all have recommended and been reading through reviews on this website.

Vortex has perfected their response to customers having issues with their scopes, it happens a lot. To be fair they have great customer service, likely because it costs them approximately $20 to replace a defective scope.

 

[Kylenautique]

Do you have access to a range that goes past 200yds? If so and you're trying to get better, go there and go there often. If you want to hone your skills, work on getting to know that rifle and specific ammo.

Pick one rifle you have and go with it. Sell the other and get a proven scope so you have one solid setup. Start working towards picking up another rifle with minimal recoil that you can practice with. The .223 recommendation is great, if it's legal where you're at then you can also hunt with it using the right ammo. Get the same scope for this rifle.

A .223 has a great barrel life and ammo is cheap. That's why it's so popular. This will give you options and a route to practice. Learn to dial your scope for distance and fundamentals to make a good shot.

Personally, I swap a .223 barrel on my rifle after season is over and only use that one rifle to practice with. This is my main rifle during deer season and when I put my 6cm barrel back on, I'm still shooting the same rifle so I'm comfortable. I've started shooting local PRS matches because they're fun but more importantly I've become a much better shot. Practice is everything.

You're headed down the right path. It took me YEARS to figure out why I was going around in circles with my rifles and it was mostly optics and cheap rifle related problems. I sold a few, built a couple, and started reloading. It's been a fun journey and there's always something to learn.

I have a few places not far from my house that I can shoot out to 200 yards. I'm trying to locate a few more. 100 yards is easy to find, but 200 and beyond can get a little tricky. A friend sent me an onX location that is a clear cut bowl that I can probably get close to 400 yards. I have to hike to it though. I might get some balloons for targets.

Picking the rifle I shoot best and selling the other has been resonating with me. I went shooting this morning to confirm my zeros for deer season coming up. I have a Savage 110 storm in 308 and a CVA Cascade in 30-06. I shoot the CVA better. I can take a 100 yard standing shot an pretty much hit the bullseye. I can't do that as well with the Savage. The CVA is balanced better. The action is amazing. They are awesome guns. I planned on getting a Tikka, but the CVA just felt better..

 

[Kylenautique]

I have owned four 30-06 rifles and three 308 rifles. I like my 243 Tikka better than any of those.

To the OP, get a reliable scope before another gun, sell a rifle if you have to.

Add a 223 trainer, then get a suppressor next. You can't ballistically advantage yourself into being a long range shooter, only rounds down range can buy that. A 223 is the cheapest way to do that. Spending money is fun though, I have trouble following my own advice.

Why do you like the 30-06 so much more than the 308?

Honestly, I think its more the rifle than the caliber. I feel more comfortable shooting the 30-06 CVA Cascade over my 308 Savage 110 Storm. Its balanced better, it feels lighter even through they both weigh 8lbs scoped up. According to my ballastics calculator, the 30-06 is flatter shooting. I'm using 175 Terminal Ascent on both rifles.

Keep in mind, I purchased the Savage when I had zero rifle experience. The guy at the counter recommended it because of the stock being so adjustable. Nothing at the time felt comfortable and I had no bias to anything. Now I've shot quite a few different rifles and calibers. 7mm Rem Mag is about as big of a caliber I want. I didn't really enjoy shooting a 300WSM Tikka. Too much kick for me. Rifle weight plays a big part in this too.. as I've learned. Also a good recoil pad is important. The Savage has a great recoil pad. My CVA now has a limbsaver which is amazing! I don't notice much of in recoil difference between the two, but they are different rifles.

I don't think I would buy a Savage again simply because if the 90deg bolt throw. Not my jam.

 

[Kylenautique]

Vortex has perfected their response to customers having issues with their scopes, it happens a lot. To be fair they have great customer service, likely because it costs them approximately $20 to replace a defective scope.

This very well could be the case! We shall see how they perform this fall...

 

[pharmfisher]

This very well could be the case! We shall see how they perform this fall...

I think they work for your average hunter. I live in Wisconsin where they are based. So 90% of the whitetail rifles wear a vortex. But the vast majority of our shots here are under 150. So if a scope shifts 3-4 inches from being bumped, we don't notice. That won't work for guys shooting farther distances.

 

[Marbles]

Honestly, I think its more the rifle than the caliber. I feel more comfortable shooting the 30-06 CVA Cascade over my 308 Savage 110 Storm. Its balanced better, it feels lighter even through they both weigh 8lbs scoped up. According to my ballastics calculator, the 30-06 is flatter shooting. I'm using 175 Terminal Ascent on both rifles.

Keep in mind, I purchased the Savage when I had zero rifle experience. The guy at the counter recommended it because of the stock being so adjustable. Nothing at the time felt comfortable and I had no bias to anything. Now I've shot quite a few different rifles and calibers. 7mm Rem Mag is about as big of a caliber I want. I didn't really enjoy shooting a 300WSM Tikka. Too much kick for me. Rifle weight plays a big part in this too.. as I've learned. Also a good recoil pad is important. The Savage has a great recoil pad. My CVA now has a limbsaver which is amazing! I don't notice much of in recoil difference between the two, but they are different rifles.

I don't think I would buy a Savage again simply because if the 90deg bolt throw. Not my jam.

Yeah, that is reasonable. Good reason to send the 308 to a new home.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

So, how much you want for the .308? I’m here to help. And since it clearly isn’t capable of ever harvesting an animal, I’m willing to give it a good home for next to nothing.

 

[Luke S]

Lots of good advice here. If I could go back in time I would have limited my rifle purchases to my 308 rifle and added a .223. I have a 30-06, .358 and 375 Ruger because I thought each was "better" in some way. But I discovered my .308 kills things as fast as the others with less recoil and easy to find ammo. I shot a grizzly with it this year.
I've seen enough of Vortex products that I won't use their scope again. Get cheaper Trijicon.
You can easily spend a lot of money on rifles but without practice a better rifle won't help. And a 600 yard rifle is pointless if you don't have money to travel where the game is. Keep things in perspective. If the .308 is working and accurate I'd leave well enough alone for a while.

 

[General RE LEE]

I recommend keeping the 308. Incredible barrel life and excellent off season shooting platform plus it’s an excellent hunting cartridge.

 

[ZAK13]

I would keep the 308 and just spend money on optics, both the 308 and 30-06 are more than capable of taking elk out past 400 yards, no reason to get a 7rm, unless you want one

 

[X0311]

Trijicon Huron 3-9x40 BDC Hunter Holds, 1 in., Satin Black Riflescope 2700006

FREE SHIPPING on Trijicon Huron 3-9x40 BDC Hunter Holds, 1 in., Satin Black Riflescope 2700006

www.eurooptic.com

The best value in scopes today. The easy button is sell everything and get a Tikka T3x in 6.5 creedmoor plus the Trijicon scope. Otherwise, sell the 30-06 and upgrade the scope on the Savage. Btw, I live and hunt in WI and my deer rifle is a 6.5 Creedmore.

 

[pharmfisher]

Trijicon Huron 3-9x40 BDC Hunter Holds, 1 in., Satin Black Riflescope 2700006

FREE SHIPPING on Trijicon Huron 3-9x40 BDC Hunter Holds, 1 in., Satin Black Riflescope 2700006

www.eurooptic.com

The best value in scopes today. The easy button is sell everything and get a Tikka T3x in 6.5 creedmoor plus the Trijicon scope. Otherwise, sell the 30-06 and upgrade the scope on the Savage. Btw, I live and hunt in WI and my deer rifle is a 6.5 Creedmore.

Same here, agree with everything you recommend.