New Hunter Rifle PH3 16" 308/Trijicon/TMK or is there a better option?

[Fabel.52]

Do you guys recommend another combo at similar price point?

Well, I have been hunting 2 legged creatures for many years now and decided to get in to some deer and maybe Blackbear hunting near South Carolina mountains. I am lucky enough to shoot about twice a month. I intend on hunting with a AR with 77 grain tmks this first season (after looking at the 223 big game thread). In the meantime, I am planning on putting together a dedicated bolt action hunting rifle for next season.

As much as I would like to go with a less recoiling caliber like a 6mm Creedmoor (I'll probably get a 6mm barrel for it in the future), I have access to a lot of .308 Federal T308T (uses TMK bullet) (also good testing ground on the T308T performance). A suppressed 16" 308 PH3 seems to be a nice lightweight and good fit. (my work 308 weighs 18lbs otherwise I would just use that) The furthest shots in the area I will be in is around 250 yards. Applied Ballistic has me at 1902 velocity at 250 yards based on an expected muzzle velocity of 2450.

For my riflescope I am looking at Trijicon models based on durability, zero retention and weight I am in between the creedo hx 2.5-15 and the 2.5-10 both in second focal plane. I have seen the 2.5-15 and I am pleased with it. The only downside is 15x is a maybe little high for a second focal plane if I do get in to wind in the future with the 6mm .

As you can see, I am putting a lot of thought and effort into a getting a really good setup for my needs. How does this plan seem to you all?

 

[gtriple]

I’m also hunting SC/NC mountains for black bears. Personally, I’m going to be hunting with an Ultralight non-repeating AR15. It weighs 5.5lbs fully loaded with a suppressor as it is now. I’ll be swapping the scope to a 3x or 5x Primary Arms prism in May, which will drop it to sub 5lbs.


308 is a fine. I think your AR in 223 is a better choice though. The mountains are thick out here and getting a follow up shot quickly could be the difference between a dead bear and an empty pack.

Within 250 yards, no chance I’d up the recoil and cost of shooting up to a 308. Instead of building such a limited rifle, if you really wanted something other than the 223, go with a 6 or 6.5 creed.

If I was going to build a 308 for mountain hunting here, I’d consider something like the IWI Tavor 7. Something compact and quick to get on target and follow up.

That AR above is also my deer rifle in SC. I’m comfortable with it out to 400 yards. It’s incredibly easy to shoot.

 

[Fabel.52]

I’m also hunting SC/NC mountains for black bears. Personally, I’m going to be hunting with an Ultralight non-repeating AR15. It weighs 5.5lbs fully loaded with a suppressor as it is now. I’ll be swapping the scope to a 3x or 5x Primary Arms prism in May, which will drop it to sub 5lbs.
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308 is a fine. I think your AR in 223 is a better choice though. The mountains are thick out here and getting a follow up shot quickly could be the difference between a dead bear and an empty pack.

Within 250 yards, no chance I’d up the recoil and cost of shooting up to a 308. Instead of building such a limited rifle, if you really wanted something other than the 223, go with a 6 or 6.5 creed.

If I was going to build a 308 for mountain hunting here, I’d consider something like the IWI Tavor 7. Something compact and quick to get on target and follow up.

That AR above is also my deer rifle in SC. I’m comfortable with it out to 400 yards. It’s incredibly easy to shoot.

Those are good points thank you for your response. I may use the 223 more then I think then. I also just generally enjoy bolt action precision rifles, and I don't own any outside of work so that's why I want one as well. We are also switching from ruag styx 167 grain to federal t308t 308 tmk, I know the Ruags work great leaving fist size exit wounds. But we have not tested the t308t on anything living yet. As usual the answer seems to be have multiple rifles.

 

[gtriple]

Those are good points thank you for your response. I may use the 223 more then I think then. I also just generally enjoy bolt action precision rifles, and I don't own any outside of work so that's why I want one as well. We are also switching from ruag styx 167 grain to federal t308t 308 tmk, I know the Ruags work great leaving fist size exit wounds. But we have not tested the t308t on anything living yet. As usual the answer seems to be have multiple rifles.

Yea I got that. I’ve gone through a lot of rifles. A lot.

If you want to get a 308 in order to shoot that ammo because you get it cheap, I wouldn’t spend a lot of money up front on it. Get a base model Tikka T3X Lite (blued or stainless) and you will be more than happy. And then you can easily swap the barrel or modify it over time if you love it. Eventually it may end up looking like one of these.

I just wouldn’t recommend putting so much money into a rifle like the Seekins when you don’t know if you’ll like the stock. You don’t know if you’ll like the barrel length.

If you are ever in the south Charlotte area, you can come by and test shoot any of my rifles. I’ve got 4+ semi-custom Tikkas. Including a 16” 308 in a HNT26 chassis. It’s a badass backpack gun.

 

[Fabel.52]

Yea I got that. I’ve gone through a lot of rifles. A lot.

If you want to get a 308 in order to shoot that ammo because you get it cheap, I wouldn’t spend a lot of money up front on it. Get a base model Tikka T3X Lite (blued or stainless) and you will be more than happy. And then you can easily swap the barrel or modify it over time if you love it. Eventually it may end up looking like one of these.

I just wouldn’t recommend putting so much money into a rifle like the Seekins when you don’t know if you’ll like the stock. You don’t know if you’ll like the barrel length.

If you are ever in the south Charlotte area, you can come by and test shoot any of my rifles. I’ve got 4+ semi-custom Tikkas. Including a 16” 308 in a HNT26 chassis. It’s a badass backpack gun.

Cool I am a lot further west very nice rifles. I could do my original plan which was to just lug up my very heavy rifle on a stand with a bag rest and just use that for testing the 308 ammo that is free. And use one of my ARs if I know I plan on moving around some. Gives me a little more time to feel whats out there.