Which Option for New Rifle?

[Jebrown1517]

Ok, so I am getting ready to get a new rifle. It will be my first new hunting rifle and due to budget/time constraints, it’s going to be a hunting and fun shooting rifle. I have decided I want to go with 308 Win seeing as most of my hunting is going to be Ga deer and hogs, but the boss is warming up to the idea of going out west for antelope and mule deer to start with. I don’t have any aspirations to shoot 1000 yards with any regularity, plan on keeping myself 500 and in. I like a longer barrel in general. But here are the options I have narrowed myself down to:

1) Tikka UPR in 308 with a 24” barrel, 0 or 20 MOA rail, stainless or black, no experience with Tikka.

2) Tikka T3X in 308 if I am not mistaken the longest barrel I will be able to get is 22”. Put in stock or UD chassis.

3) Ruger American Gen 3 Predator in 308 with 22” barrel and put in an upgraded stock or likely and UD chassis.

Of these 3 options, would you go with a ready to go rifle in the UPR, or more of a semi-custom route with T3X lite/superlite or Ruger American Gen 2?

 

[Dbevans]

I would get the tikka roughtech super lite from europtic. Stainless and cerakoted. I have one and it shoots good and takes alaska no prob


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[def90]

I got a Howa 1500 carbon stalker a couple years back and love it. Great shooting rifle.

 

[idahodave]

T3x Superlite, a NXS 2.5-10x42, UM rings, and a case of ammo will put you well on your way. It’s the easy button that’s within financial grasp of most folks and what I generally recommend to all those in my circle of family and friends. Just had one call me from AZ thank me again a year after I talked gin into it.

A 6.5 (with 140/143/147) would be better still imho,… but to each their own.

 

[mtnbound]

Ok, so I am getting ready to get a new rifle. It will be my first new hunting rifle and due to budget/time constraints, it’s going to be a hunting and fun shooting rifle. I have decided I want to go with 308 Win seeing as most of my hunting is going to be Ga deer and hogs, but the boss is warming up to the idea of going out west for antelope and mule deer to start with. I don’t have any aspirations to shoot 1000 yards with any regularity, plan on keeping myself 500 and in. I like a longer barrel in general. But here are the options I have narrowed myself down to:

1) Tikka UPR in 308 with a 24” barrel, 0 or 20 MOA rail, stainless or black, no experience with Tikka.

2) Tikka T3X in 308 if I am not mistaken the longest barrel I will be able to get is 22”. Put in stock or UD chassis.

3) Ruger American Gen 3 Predator in 308 with 22” barrel and put in an upgraded stock or likely and UD chassis.

Of these 3 options, would you go with a ready to go rifle in the UPR, or more of a semi-custom route with T3X lite/superlite or Ruger American Gen 2?

If you can go handle a UPR and see if you like it. I would opt for the T3X, and although I have used a 308 for years, I would seriously consider a 6.5 PRC.

 

[Rich M]

Tikka is having some sales right now - seemingly getting rid of the nonthreaded barrel guns. See if you can find one of those, seen 2 since got my newest rifle.

I just bought the ruger predator in 243. Like it so far. Have a trijicon Huron on there - dont believe the reviews where they say the eye distance is short. Havent shot it yet but soon.

A fellow GA hunter, I been out west 3 times. Had plenty of antelope opportunities between 25 and 200 yards. Muley at 220. Amazing how far 400 yards is.

.308 is a great caliber, start with 150 gr bullets. If you reload you can get 125 and 130 gr bullets.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I understand the desire for a longer barrel, but I strongly urge you to consider a Tikka with a 20” threaded barrel. And eventually convince the boss to let you get a Reaper or OG. It will be much more pleasant for you.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[EdP]

Have a trijicon Huron on there - dont believe the reviews where they say the eye distance is short. Havent shot it yet but soon.

I have one on a fairly heavy recoiling rifle and the eye relief is no issue.

Like others have suggested, you might want to consider a cartridge with better ballistics than the .308 if western hunting and longer ranges is in your future. The .308 is a great cartridge ideally suited to southeastern deer and hog hunting, but some other options could be just as good and also give more range out west. The 7mm-08 and 6.5 PRC (mentioned by others) are examples. There is a thread on Rokslide comparing these two here: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/practical-difference-between-7-08-and-6-5prc.90565/

If recoil is a factor (if the boss is going to use it also), the 7-08 is a very pleasant cartridge to shoot. My 5'0" wife shoots a Rem M7 in 7-08 comfortably.

 

[Diamondback]

Tikka T3X stainless is a nice lightweight hunting rifle.
308 Win or 6.5 Creedmoor

Rings / Base integrated: Talley or DNZ
Separate rail / rings: Leupold or Warne

For 500yd a 3-9x or 2.5-10x is all you need.

 

[ktm450]

I live and hunt (everything legal) exclusively in the west. The .308 is a fantastic round that will do everything you need it to. I have shot a pile of everything with the ones I own and I have much “better” cartridges to choose from.

The UPR/CTR Tikka's are some of the most accurate guns I own and a pleasure to shoot, but they are heavy and a bit unwieldy with the magazines for western hunting.

The “regular” TX3 with a vertical grip and a good scope is hard to beat…it is boring, incredibly accurate, and easy to hunt with. I use a good load of Varget under a 168 ELD-M for one hole groups.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

My older brother recently got a CTR in .308 and loves it. He didn’t listen to my scope recommendation (he got some Athlon thing), but everything else is first class. It handles very well. I look forward to shooting it with him at some point.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[sndmn11]

2) Tikka T3X in 308 if I am not mistaken the longest barrel I will be able to get is 22”. Put in stock or UD chassis.

I'd play open sights and get @EuroOptic so hook me up!

Tikka T3x Drover .308 Win 20" 1:10" Bbl Roughtech Green/Blued 10rd Ranch Rifle JRTXWV316/20 For Sale - EuroOptic

Tikka T3x Drover .308 Win 20" 1:10" Bbl Roughtech Green/Blued 10rd Ranch Rifle JRTXWV316/20 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

 

[Jebrown1517]

She has a 7mm-08 American Gen 2 Predator already and does perfectly well with the recoil!

 

[North of 60]

.308 is a good cartridge and with light bullets (120-135), to 300 yds will be easy peasy with a decent scope.

If hunting 400-500 yds even somewhat regularly, i would opt for a flatter shooting cartridge for a first rifle...6.5 PRC would do all of that with some authority. And get a good scope.

If i were buying now, i would probably look at Tikkas and Howas.