Thread: What 308 to buy

Maybe I should just keep the little 3-10 z3 that's on my sako currently and put that on the howa or tikka. I rather like the idea of a dialing scope though.

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

It has talleys on it, rails also creep me out, rails and detach mags

Oh roger that. I thought you said it had a rail on it, but you weren't referring to the scope rail I see by the picture.

Originally Posted by Brad S

So you find the howa is nicer to handle, but the stock a bit flimsy?

Yes, the forend. I got to fondle one after I bought my Tikka.

In the real world the perceived advantages of one brand of rifle over another don't really matter so just buy whatever you like - I can almost guarantee that you will never be in a situation where you can honestly say if I had got the other brand rifle I would have got that animal, etc ...

You have got a nice scope in the Z3 so just use that until you work out what you really need.

Just my 2c

I'm with this guy, the actual action and barrel don't really make much of a difference. What does is the stock, the trigger, the scope, the suppressor and the accessibility and usability of the sling/bipod mounts and mags etc.

I really hate most of the cheaper factory triggers especially the ones with smooth slippery blades. They always get biffed and upgraded to something with a ridged and not slippery trigger even if they work fine... The factory stocks are never perfect, always on the upgrade list to stiffer, lighter and foam filled butts so they don't ring like a drum if they tap something. Very hard to find the perfect mag setup, Rem suit my purposes with the side release and long enough to seat a little further out than factory but others hate them - personal choice. I do prefer detach mag, just easier come unload time.

I have not yet found an off-the-shelf factory synthetic stock that ticks all the boxes on any brand.

Talk to Amanda at gun works and get how's set up with skinny Spartan suppressor. Job done. Too easy.

Originally Posted by MB

Yes, the forend. I got to fondle one after I bought my Tikka.

Forend is simple fix.ten seconds with sharp pocket knife n the synthetic Hogue will behave... Then when a few spare $ you fit std factory walnut and be forever happy.

Originally Posted by Brad S

Hypothetically speaking, if a young guy were to sell his 30-06, 223, and 7mm rem mag, and replace them all with one 16" 308, what should he buy? Tikka, howa super lite, or something else?
Light and handy is key, and no more than approx. $2k for the rifle is also key. And preferably new - im tired of buying 2nd hand guns that have hidden issues. I do love a nice wooden stock, but I want something light.
And it must be a short 308. I always wanted one, and I'm not going to be persuaded to buy something else this time

I've been looking at getting custom guns in invercargill to set up a howa super lite with a GPO centuri 6X 3-18X44i. If someone thinks this isn't a good idea please let me know.

This would be primarily under 200m hunting, i don't have time to drive 3hrs and get into big open central otago tops hunting usually. But it would be fun to shoot gongs at 500m if I ever got the chance, hence the dialing scope.

Is there any reason you dont want to shorten the 30/06? Its close enough to be the same as a 308 and has the advantage (or disadvantage) that you already have it. Use the extra money on the scope or ammo.

As for the dialing scope idea for "But it would be fun to shoot gongs at 500m if I ever got the chance" I would suggest that even a 4-12 or 3-9 would do almost everything you need - Or more importantly the Z3 tthat you already have....

If you really want to go new the the Howa do a very good action and barrel. Some of the stock options are light because they are thin but they also do some good ones depending on the budget. They did a lightweight laminate one in black that was pretty stable, but I have not seen one for quite some time.

Originally Posted by MB

Yes, the forend. I got to fondle one after I bought my Tikka.

Are you even talking about the same rifle? A superligjt with carbon stock? They're stiff as anything you'd have to really be swinging on it to try make the forend touch the barrel

Originally Posted by Krameranzac

Maybe a Mauser M18 cut down to 16”? That will cost you well under $2k.

I paid $1k for one with Talleys included and have left the barrel at the standard 22" for now, really like it as its nice to shoot.

Originally Posted by Krameranzac

Maybe a Mauser M18 cut down to 16”? That will cost you well under $2k.

I paid $1k for one with Talleys included and have left the barrel at the standard 22" for now, really like it as its nice to shoot. Oh I much prefer the detachable mag it sits totally flush when you remove it your ammo doesn't get dumped on the ground, but that's just my opinion others may differ

A Howa Lightweight and a 320g Vixen 2-8 x 32 would be strong medicine capable out to 300m with a 16" barrel.

@Ryan_Songhurst why did you bed the stock on your howa?

Originally Posted by Brad S

@Ryan_Songhurst why did you bed the stock on your howa?

It shot fine, mainly just to tidy up the inletting a bit as I don't really like seeing little gaps around the action etc

You could slide a thin bit of paper between the action and the stock along here on both sides (you can with lots of rifles) which I don't really like the idea of so I just bedded the whole thing so every surface of the action that can is all sitting on the same bedded surface, front, rear, sides etc