New hunting rifle, .233 trainer, or upgrade current .308?

[WCT3]

After this season I'm ready to make some long awaited updates to my rifle/training set up. Right now I have a Tikka 308 as my main rifle and a Remington semi auto 22 as my "trainer" (it's really just a plinker). I want to stretch my effective range out further and I'm trying to figure out what will help me the most for my money. My 308 shoots great but I can't spot my shots less than 300ish and sometimes I start to flinch on high round count range days.

Option 1 is get a Tikka 223 trainer, put a new scope (probably trijicon or maven) on the 308 and my current scope on the 223.

Option 2 is get a Tikka 6.5 CM with a trijicon or Maven and train/hunt with it. I'd probably keep the 308 as a backup/loaner/everyone should have one 308 in the safe rifle.

Option 3 is upgrade my current 308 with the new scope and a rokstock whenever I can get one.

All rifles would be cut and threaded for a can and I would probably be adding a rokstock later if I don't get one this year.

I'm leaning towards option 2 but want to see what more experienced guys think.

Edit: I forgot to mention that I do have an AR in 223 but it's not set up anything like my hunting rifle

 

[bascott1]

Option 2. You’ll probably never burn the barrel out of either of those barrels. Always nice to have a backup rifle or loaner. Easy to find ammo on both calibers and good ballistics on both. If elk is on the menu I’d run a heavier bullet out of the 308 and lights on the creed for deer and target what not. But that’s just my personal opinion

 

[Sadler]

If you don’t already own a can, I’d buy one of those first, then options 1.

 

[mtnbound]

After this season I'm ready to make some long awaited updates to my rifle/training set up. Right now I have a Tikka 308 as my main rifle and a Remington semi auto 22 as my "trainer" (it's really just a plinker). I want to stretch my effective range out further and I'm trying to figure out what will help me the most for my money. My 308 shoots great but I can't spot my shots less than 300ish and sometimes I start to flinch on high round count range days.

Option 1 is get a Tikka 223 trainer, put a new scope (probably trijicon or maven) on the 308 and my current scope on the 223.

Option 2 is get a Tikka 6.5 CM with a trijicon or Maven and train/hunt with it. I'd probably keep the 308 as a backup/loaner/everyone should have one 308 in the safe rifle.

Option 3 is upgrade my current 308 with the new scope and a rokstock whenever I can get one.

All rifles would be cut and threaded for a can and I would probably be adding a rokstock later if I don't get one this year.

I'm leaning towards option 2 but want to see what more experienced guys think.

Keep your 308. I would do option 1, a 223 trainer will save money when it comes to shooting a lot and will fix your flinch; if legal, you could still use the 223 for hunting.
You have a 308, so you only need the 6.5CM if you want a spare rifle in a similar caliber, but option 2 is not bad either.

 

[WCT3]

If you don’t already own a can, I’d buy one of those first, then options 1.

I already have a can, like everyone else says love it, can't believe I waited so long to get it, never going back to shooting without it

 

[N2TRKYS]

Just shoot your 308 and don’t buy another rifle.

 

[WCT3]

Keep your 308. I would do option 1, a 223 trainer will save money when it comes to shooting a lot and will fix your flinch; if legal, you could still use the 223 for hunting.
You have a 308, so you only need the 6.5CM if you want a spare rifle in a similar caliber, but option 2 is not bad either.

223 isn't legal for me to hunt with. My main thought with option 2 is that I can train for the same cost as my 308 with less recoil

 

[WCT3]

Just shoot your 308 and don’t buy another rifle.

This is probably the smartest move, I think part of me just wants a new toy

 

[N2TRKYS]

This is probably the smartest move, I think part of me just wants a new toy

Now you’re speaking my language. Lol. In that case, the 223 and the 6.5 would be an awesome add. Still time to get the $75 rebate.

Fwiw, I didn’t do the smart move myself. I own a 223, a 6.5 CM, and have a 6.5 PRC en route. All in t3x lite stainless.

 

[WCT3]

Now you’re speaking my language. Lol. In that case, the 223 and the 6.5 would be an awesome add. Still time to get the $75 rebate.

Fwiw, I didn’t do the smart move myself. I own a 223, a 6.5 CM, and have a 6.5 PRC en route. All in t3x lite stainless.

Lol I'd love to just order them both but unfortunately it's been an expensive year for me so my fun money budget is running low. I'm sure I'll end up with a 223 and a 6.5 CM (or maybe a semi custom 6 CM) eventually

 

[WCT3]

Option 2. You’ll probably never burn the barrel out of either of those barrels. Always nice to have a backup rifle or loaner. Easy to find ammo on both calibers and good ballistics on both. If elk is on the menu I’d run a heavier bullet out of the 308 and lights on the creed for deer and target what not. But that’s just my personal opinion

Hmmm that's interesting. What's the expected barrel life on a 6.5 CM? I honestly was kind of looking forward to eventually burning that barrel out and maybe trying the 6 CM

 

[BradArnett]

You could snag a 100$ take-off 6.5cm barrel and screw it on your 308 and try it. If you liked it then just sell the 308 barrel. If not, swap them back and ditch the 6.5 barrel.

 

[TheM1DoesMyTalking]

The 308 Tikka is an excellent rifle. I suggest that your first priority be ensuring that it's set up properly and then keep it as your primary rifle for now. If you haven't already, put a scope on it that retains zero (see drop testing results on the long range forum). It sounds like it's already cut and threaded so that's good. Then if you want to reduce recoil and improve the ability to spot shots consider a different stock like a Rokstock/Echo/Bravo.

After that I'd go for Option 1 and add the 223 Tikka RSS for practice and any legal hunting like varmints or small game. Again with a reliable optic, suppressor, etc.

Then if you still want a lower recoil, big game legal rifle I'd look at 6 ARC, 6 GT, 6 CM or .243. Unless Tikka releases new chamberings by the time you're ready and your budget allows, I'd choose the .243 1:8 twist over the 6.5 CM. The 6.5 CM will only have slightly less recoil than the .308, but you can drop the grain weight with a .243 to 95-108 gr and rebarrel eventually into your ideal 6mm chambering.

 

[mtnbound]

223 isn't legal for me to hunt with. My main thought with option 2 is that I can train for the same cost as my 308 with less recoil

Like I said, option 2 is not bad. Realistically, how many rounds do you shoot, or are you planning to shoot per year?

 

[bascott1]

Hmmm that's interesting. What's the expected barrel life on a 6.5 CM? I honestly was kind of looking forward to eventually burning that barrel out and maybe trying the 6 CM

2,000 rounds prob. If not more

 

[Wyo_hntr]

Either option 1 or buy a few cases of 308 ammo and shoot.

 

[Turkeytider]

Just a consideration if you happen to mostly or entirely hunt from stand/blind. If/when you consider a 6.5 Creedmoor, I REALLY like my Tikka Super Varmint in that caliber. I happen to use mine as a range rifle and it wouldn’t be my first choice if hunting involved a lot of traipsing about. Just too heavy.

 

[wesfromky]

Option 2, but maybe 6arc vs the 6.5cm.

 

[WCT3]

The 308 Tikka is an excellent rifle. I suggest that your first priority be ensuring that it's set up properly and then keep it as your primary rifle for now. If you haven't already, put a scope on it that retains zero (see drop testing results on the long range forum). It sounds like it's already cut and threaded so that's good. Then if you want to reduce recoil and improve the ability to spot shots consider a different stock like a Rokstock/Echo/Bravo.

After that I'd go for Option 1 and add the 223 Tikka RSS for practice and any legal hunting like varmints or small game. Again with a reliable optic, suppressor, etc.

Then if you still want a lower recoil, big game legal rifle I'd look at 6 ARC, 6 GT, 6 CM or .243. Unless Tikka releases new chamberings by the time you're ready and your budget allows, I'd choose the .243 1:8 twist over the 6.5 CM. The 6.5 CM will only have slightly less recoil than the .308, but you can drop the grain weight with a .243 to 95-108 gr and rebarrel eventually into your ideal 6mm chambering.

New scope is in order no matter what I do, if I get the 223 I'll put a drop tested scope on the 308 and my current scope on the 223.

The only reason I wasn't considering the 243 is that I can't find any factory ammo loaded with heavy 6mm bullets. I don't reload and I'm not really interested in starting any time soon.

Like I said, option 2 is not bad. Realistically, how many rounds do you shoot, or are you planning to shoot per year?

It varies year to year. This year was probably about 400 rounds of 308, 400 of 223 from my AR, and a pile of 22 just plinking.

Just a consideration if you happen to mostly or entirely hunt from stand/blind. If/when you consider a 6.5 Creedmoor, I REALLY like my Tikka Super Varmint in that caliber. I happen to use mine as a range rifle and it wouldn’t be my first choice if hunting involved a lot of traipsing about. Just too heavy.

I almost exclusively traipse so as light as reasonable will be the goal.

Option 2, but maybe 6arc vs the 6.5cm.

If it was available in a factory Tikka I would definitely consider it

 

[xsn10s]

It really depends on how far you want to take game at. Limbsaver recoil pads help with felt recoil. A .223 trainer can come close to matching 308 win trajectories with the heavies. I'd be leaning towards a .223 trainer and upgraded glass. But I upgraded to a .223 bolt action trainer and a 7-08 general purpose lightweight hunter for my 30-06 this year. So it really depends on what you fancy the most.