Any Recommendations? .308 Lightweight hunting rifle.

[Shumba]

Tikka T3X Superlight

Bought one for my son in .308. It is stupid accurate and will shoot almost any factory ammo of any weight bullet into less than 1" consistently. It will shoot Federal Match 168grain factory ammo into 1 hole. Shoots the Barnes Vortex factory ammo (130, 150 or 168 TTSX's) into 1/2" groups if you do your part. We are in CA, so have to use non-lead.

Have heard that others have experienced similar accuracy.

If this gun wasn't left-handed (like my son) I would have taken this back from him so quickly!

[Tere_Hanges]

I have a 308 Rem 783 22" barrel in Boyds laminate stock, really like it, but it weighs 9 lbs with 3-10 scope and nylon sling, so someone looking for a rifle that weighs couple pounds less might not like it.

Well, the basic model without any optic is supposedly 7.5lbs. Not too bad for a sub $300 hunting rifle.

[smittty]

I had the same question a few months ago. I ended up with the Browning X-Bolt HC Speed and I love it! Built a pretty good list here:

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1552227

In order by weight, with the rifle and weight (lbs/oz):

• Kimber 84M Mountain Ascent (4/13)
• Barrett Fieldcraft Standard (5/2)
• Kimber Montana (5/2)
• Christensen Arms Summit TI (5/8)
• Savage 11 Lightweight Hunter (5/8) [walnut stock]
• Sako 85 Finnlight II (5/10)
• Weatherby Mark V Ultra Lightweight (5/12)
• Ruger American (6/2)
  

I stopped you're list at 6 lbs 2 oz but only because of price. The 5 lbs 2 oz guns with ultralight scope, rings, and base will finish with a +/- 6 lb rifle. 6 lbs is a nice weight.

If price is a major factor the the Ruger American is OK but will finish out as +7 lb rifle. 6 lbs feels a lot nicer!!

This scope weighs 9.5 oz. I got one and I'm thrilled with it.

https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-2-5-10x32-ultralight-rifle-scope.html

[ar15barrels]

What’s technical reason for velocity increase? Could it be caused by other factors such as difference in bore diameter or chamber?

We know Bartlein cut rifle is the best. How about Tikka CHF vs stainless button rifling? Every Tikka I know can already shoot 0.5 MOA with reload. Maybe custom barrel can shoot 0.25 MOA easily.

Throat length and bore dimensions dramatically effect velocity/pressure.
A custom cut chamber that fits the ammo better will give more velocity.
Factory barrels almost always have long chambers to protect against high pressure.
When you match a chamber to the ammo you want to shoot, you can get better accuracy and more velocity than a factory barrel.
1/4 moa is pretty normal for a properly chambered Bartlein.
The harder part is finding 1/4 moa capable shooters.

[sigstroker]

That is good information. I've got a Bartlein ordered and Randall will be installing it once it arrives.

While Bartlein makes a superior product, I suspect the OP is looking for a COTS factory rifle to take hunting. I kinda wonder what the new Brownings or the Remingtons look like when using a borescope? How do they compare to the Tikka? Do other factory barrels use the process Randall outlined above?

.

I think some Weatherby Mark V's are hand lapped. Possibly some higher end Brownings. You're probably going to spend $1000+ to get a rifle with a hand lapped barrel.

No idea why it was faster. He said the Tikka barrel was plenty accurate, he wanted the velocity increase. The lower SD is a big bonus. Maybe it's just smoother.



Interesting his approach to building up a Tikka. Sounds like the cheapest route is to just get an ordinary T3x, keep the action and trigger, and set everything else aside. Buy a barrel, stock or chassis, and the whole shebang wouldn't cost a lot more than a TAC A1 and you get to use AICS mags.

[ar15barrels]

Interesting his approach to building up a Tikka.
Sounds like the cheapest route is to just get an ordinary T3x, keep the action and trigger, and set everything else aside.
Buy a barrel, stock or chassis, and the whole shebang wouldn't cost a lot more than a TAC A1 and you get to use AICS mags.

The same as people do with a 700.
The only difference is that parts are cheaper for the 700...

[TMB 1]

Well, the basic model without any optic is supposedly 7.5lbs. Not too bad for a sub $300 hunting rifle.

Yeah those Boyds laminated stocks are heavier, did same thing to Savage 110E 7mm mag, it added almost an extra pound over the original plain wood stock. It went from hair over 7 lbs with Leupold 3-9 and nylon sling to 8 lbs. Only thing I've put in Boyds laminate that it didn't make heavier is MVP.

Other than the weight I think the Rem 783 is just as good as Tikka, I like it better anyways, but saying that usually offends the Tikka guys almost as bad as it does Remington guys when you say anything good about Savage or the Savage guys when saying 783 is better than the Axis.

[MJB]

Stay 7-8lbs all good, one pound makes little to no effect when the elk is 120-200lbs deboned.....the 1/2lbs in savings is nothing while hiking.

I'd up my caliber for elk.....06 with some hot 180's will get it done in 300 wm style.
Smooth & flawless actions, Sako or (win M70, if a budget or beater gun)........WBY but I'd pick a wby caliber

[Dano3467]

Do yourself a favor, go & handle a Tikka T3x superlight.

Likely one of the lightest out there, very surprising, swings very fast.

https://www.tikka.fi/rifles/tikka-t3x/t3x-superlite

[USMCM16A2]

Folks,


My basic rifle in possession is a SPS Remington 700 in stainless with a 24 inch sporter contour barrel. The stock is Hogue Over mold with a bedding block. It weighs 44 ounces. So I have invested in a Bell and Carlson Alaskan which weighs 32 ounces. And some PTG aluminum bottom metal.
I went to the range today and shot the Remmy for a couple of hours. 175gr Lehigh Defense Controlled Chaos, 2620fps see accuracy in the pic below. 12 shot group 1.85 inch by 2.1 inch at 100 yards. What say you. A2

[elk hunter]

Folks,


My basic rifle in possession is a SPS Remington 700 in stainless with a 24 inch sporter contour barrel. The stock is Hogue Over mold with a bedding block. It weighs 44 ounces. So I have invested in a Bell and Carlson Alaskan which weighs 32 ounces. And some PTG aluminum bottom metal.
I went to the range today and shot the Remmy for a couple of hours. 175gr Lehigh Defense Controlled Chaos, 2620fps see accuracy in the pic below. 12 shot group 1.85 inch by 2.1 inch at 100 yards. What say you. A2

OK, remind me again why you need a different rifle to hunt with because the one your shooting will do just fine in my opinion.

[sakosf]

SAKO makes a light weight .308.......but, it is rather expense. What is your budget?

[MJB]

Muzzle velocity is one thing but impact velocity while hunting is the whole enchilada with red sauce!

[USMCM16A2]

Gents,


Just added the PTG speed firing pin kit. A2

[ar15barrels]

My basic rifle in possession is a SPS Remington 700 in stainless with a 24 inch sporter contour barrel. The stock is Hogue Over mold with a bedding block. It weighs 44 ounces. So I have invested in a Bell and Carlson Alaskan which weighs 32 ounces. And some PTG aluminum bottom metal.
I went to the range today and shot the Remmy for a couple of hours. 175gr Lehigh Defense Controlled Chaos, 2620fps see accuracy in the pic below. 12 shot group 1.85 inch by 2.1 inch at 100 yards. What say you. A2

That will kill anything that needs killing.



Were the first 3 shots the ones in the orange and then the rest of them moved off the orange as the barrel heated up?
If not, adjust your zero about 1moa right and 1moa down so that most of your shots will land on the 2" orange dot for your next group.