Rifle selection

[Vic vinegar]

Greetings!
I have another “this vs that” question for ya and would like some input.

I am wanting to acquire a shorter rifle for hunting purposes only. I would be using for deer, cow elk and possibly bear. I have grown fond on the idea moving to a shorter barrel length; from the 22” I am currently using to a 16”-18”.

The reasons being I am shorter in stature so a longer barrel really sticks up high above me head when the gun slung over my shoulder, I want to cut some weight and be more maneuverable. I tend to move/walk a lot so maneuverability it big for me. Also, this would be chambered in .308 and none of my shots go past 350ish yards.

That being said, I would prefer a threaded barrel but it’s not 100% mandatory and I have narrowed it down to a few options

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting...FbSbe4SBmLbfsxYwHSS8dzvne1ZS-FKcH9BZHVhvbIgCc


https://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3x...15x1-w-5-8-x24-bbl-matte-hunter-stock-blued-3


https://www.bfgoutfitters.com/products/rifles-ruger-6974-736676069743-5952

Any thoughts on this? I am thinking the order of quality in these rifles may go 1) tikka, 2) Remington, 3) Ruger, but also the ruger is the least expensive and would give me more room to upgrade the stock and get a nice set of rings to go with.

I have never shot either of these rifles and have only handled a tikka and the ruger in the store.

Also, any other product suggestions that fit the 16”-18” criteria would also be appreciated. I need to keep it under $1000 for sure and don’t care for the scout rail set up.

Thanks!

 

[Samson7x]

Is the budget $1000 for bare rifle only or rifle+scope?

Of the options listed, I would purchase the Tikka.

 

[Vic vinegar]

Is the budget $1000 for bare rifle only or rifle+scope?

Of the options listed, I would purchase the Tikka.

Rifle only. I would transfer the glass on my existing rifle to the new one but would upgrade the rings regardless bc mine are trash.

 

[Harvey_NW]

This rifle and have it cut down and threaded.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

for sure a tikka. 308, or 6.5 creed, or 243 would all be fine choices. 223 if it's legal in your state.

 

[Vic vinegar]

This rifle and have it cut down and threaded.

I’ve never really looked into 6.5 PRC so I don’t know much about it. A quick google seems like it’s definitely “superior “ ballistics wise. Thanks for the tip, I’ll dig in a bit more. I was going .308 bc I have a ton of it.

 

[Harvey_NW]

I’ve never really looked into 6.5 PRC so I don’t know much about it. A quick google seems like it’s definitely “superior “ ballistics wise. Thanks for the tip, I’ll dig in a bit more. I was going .308 bc I have a ton of it.

It would be way less neutered performance wise, has less recoil, and is a pretty plug an play option for getting a quality rifle that will shoot available factory ammo well.

FWIW I can also tell you from experience the Ruger American has potential feed issues out of both magazine styles with 308 based cases.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

I’ve never really looked into 6.5 PRC so I don’t know much about it. A quick google seems like it’s definitely “superior “ ballistics wise. Thanks for the tip, I’ll dig in a bit more. I was going .308 bc I have a ton of it.

Give this a listen. You can skip like the first 15 minutes if you want

 

[BryGuy]

Go Tikka and you won't regret it. I have a tikka .308 stainless in a bell and Carlson stock, cut and threaded at 16 inches (ultimate suppressed lightweight mountain rifle inside of 300 yds) and love this gun. Shoots super tight groups, great triggers out of the box, and plenty aftermarket support.
I prefer the shorter bolt throw on the tikka action vs my bergara (rem 700 pattern) and I think the factory trigger is just as good if not better. I have not run into a single issue with the detachable box mags and I like the ability to pack a second magazine ready to go.

 

[Vic vinegar]

It would be way less neutered performance wise, has less recoil, and is a pretty plug an play option for getting a quality rifle that will shoot available factory ammo well.

FWIW I can also tell you from experience the Ruger American has potential feed issues out of both magazine styles with 308 based cases.

Thanks! I’m not a reloader so factory ammo would be a must for me. The rugers are definitely…well unrefined I guess. Sloppy bolt, cheep stock and marginal trigger and I have seen the feeding issues you speak of.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

OP stated "none of my shots go past 350 yards". Sticking with .308 is perfectly fine.

If you're looking for an excuse to move to a lowering recoiling cartridge with superior ballistics there are several excellent choices. You will lose barrel life and in some cases, readily available good killing ability ammo.

The answer for me is always "both" haha. But as a one gun choice, a .308 shooting 178 ELDX's will last you a lifetime of shooting and kills very well, is predictable in wind, and ammo will always be there for it.

 

[Vic vinegar]

Give this a listen. You can skip like the first 15 minutes if you want

I’ll give er a listen. Thank you. A lot of guys I hunt with are on the 7PRC wagon but I just think that kicks harder than I care for. I’m all about sorter recoil for accuracy and follow up purposes.

 

[Vic vinegar]

OP stated "none of my shots go past 350 yards". Sticking with .308 is perfectly fine.

If you're looking for an excuse to move to a lowering recoiling cartridge with superior ballistics there are several excellent choices. You will lose barrel life and in some cases, readily available good killing ability ammo.

The answer for me is always "both" haha. But as a one gun choice, a .308 shooting 178 ELDX's will last you a lifetime of shooting and kills very well, is predictable in wind, and ammo will always be there for it.

Right now I’m using 150gr Nosler partition in .308.
I picked up a whole slew on clearance over at federal but not married to it by any means.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Right now I’m using 150gr Nosler partition in .308.
I picked up a whole slew on clearance over at federal but not married to it by any means.

Nothing wrong with a 150 partition for killing. They won't kill as quickly as the bullet I mentioned before, but they are more likely to exit which some hunters like.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

I’ll give er a listen. Thank you. A lot of guys I hunt with are on the 7PRC wagon but I just think that kicks harder than I care for. I’m all about sorter recoil for accuracy and follow up purposes.

They discuss the recoil difference between 6.5 and 7prc while talking about shootability and spotting shots

 

[The Guide]

FWIW I can also tell you from experience the Ruger American has potential feed issues out of both magazine styles with 308 based cases.

I know you had issues with your 6 Creedmoor but I have had 5 short action standard boltface Ruger American rifles (4 in 6.5 Creedmoor and 1 in 6 Creedmoor), 3 short action small boltface (5.56, 223, and 204), and an intermediate boltface (7.62x39) that have all fed fine from their respective magazine offerings. This includes the rotary, STANG AR-15 type, Mini 30 type, and AICS type. Not all of the Ruger American rifles have issues but when they do, it is frustrating since it seems to be the stock fitment and magazine interface where the issues arise.

The Ruger American is no where near as refined as a Tikka but I'd choose it over a Remington all day. In this case, the Ruger is several hundred dollars cheaper than the Tikka and that money could be put towards a bunch more ammo but with the OP's budget, the Tikka is within reach but will tap it out with shipping and transfer fees.

OP, if you want a buy and shoot option the Tikka is probably your best choice. If you're handy and don't mind making a gun what you want it to be while saving a good chunk of change, the Ruger American Predator 18" in 308 would be a good starting point.

Jay

 

[TreeDog]

Tikka would definitely be my choice in rifle, 308 would do fine for what you want.

 

[TxLite]

OP stated "none of my shots go past 350 yards". Sticking with .308 is perfectly fine.

If you're looking for an excuse to move to a lowering recoiling cartridge with superior ballistics there are several excellent choices. You will lose barrel life and in some cases, readily available good killing ability ammo.

The answer for me is always "both" haha. But as a one gun choice, a .308 shooting 178 ELDX's will last you a lifetime of shooting and kills very well, is predictable in wind, and ammo will always be there for it.

I’d also put the 243 and 7mm-08 in there but with less recoil than 308

 

[Vic vinegar]

I know you had issues with your 6 Creedmoor but I have had 5 short action standard boltface Ruger American rifles (4 in 6.5 Creedmoor and 1 in 6 Creedmoor), 3 short action small boltface (5.56, 223, and 204), and an intermediate boltface (7.62x39) that have all fed fine from their respective magazine offerings. This includes the rotary, STANG AR-15 type, Mini 30 type, and AICS type. Not all of the Ruger American rifles have issues but when they do, it is frustrating since it seems to be the stock fitment and magazine interface where the issues arise.

The Ruger American is no where near as refined as a Tikka but I'd choose it over a Remington all day. In this case, the Ruger is several hundred dollars cheaper than the Tikka and that money could be put towards a bunch more ammo but with the OP's budget, the Tikka is within reach but will tap it out with shipping and transfer fees.

OP, if you want a buy and shoot option the Tikka is probably your best choice. If you're handy and don't mind making a gun what you want it to be while saving a good chunk of change, the Ruger American Predator 18" in 308 would be a good starting point.

Jay

Thanks. That was kind of my thought on the ruger, yeah it’s not in the same league quality wise, but the price is nice. If I did the Tikka T3x Lite .308, cut the barrel down and threaded it I’d be around $850 give or take; about double the cost of the ruger.

I wouldn’t refuse spending the extra if its that much better of a gun and I’d ultimately be happier with it. My only fear is that I chop the barrel down I’d, something doesn’t go right, I void the warranty then have to eat all that time, money and effort.

 

[keystone112]

Tikka is my recommendation. I have a couple and they are great.

I also have a R700 308 18” rifle and I find that barrel length to be excellent.