Your advice on a new 308ish bolt action rifle

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Storm_

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Hi all,

I've found enjoyment shooting longer with my SO and a 308 Tavor. We recently picked up a spotting scope and that changed the game.

Now, given that it's a battle rifle its accuracy leaves a little to be desired.. I was curious what y'all would recommenced for a new bolt action build.

I'm not very adventurous in the caliber department, I have 9MM, 556 and 308 rifles. I'd prefer to stick with 308 for this build.. but I'm open to opinions if you feel super strongly about something else that is semi common.

To give some context, my desires are in this order:
- Reliability
- Accuracy
- Threaded Barrel (Suppressor)
- Weight

Conditions:
- Long range target shooting (600yds)
- Maybe hunting one day - but I don't like hurting animals truthfully. Hogs don't count.
- Must be light enough to hike with.

Budge (just to give an idea):
- I have a like new AK to trade plus about $800. Or all cash I'd imagine I'm at about $1800.

The Tavor is already a sledgehammer so ideally we keep this under 11lb.

As far as my abilities as a shooter, I'd give myself a C+ at best.

Open to any thoughts y'all have on rifles and optic combos. Not opposed building one IF there is a large advantage.

Storm
 
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Ruger has many bolt guns that fit your criteria. I have a Ruger American in 300BO I love to death for reliability, accuracy and it’s super lightweight. Ijust picked up an M1A in 308 to play with myself but it’s heavy as lead and doubt the accuracy will be what you want. Mossberg also has great bolt guns. I’ve had a patriot in 308 I loved and have one in 556 currently. I was also surprised by how accurate the CVA Hunter 308 was as it’s a super short barrel and very lightweight but it’s a single shot and kicks like a mule.
 
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I'd get a Tikka. Checks all the boxes.
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Ruger American Standard or Savage 110, both in 308. Leupold or Burris 3x9 or 4x12. Ammo.
 
lots of options in that range
Since you already have a Tavor in 308 you can find rifles that accept the same mag pattern.
Ruger precision is in that price range and offers a lot out of the box along with great customer support and warranty
I would also look hard at Bergara
 
BrettB said:
lots of options in that range
Since you already have a Tavor in 308 you can find rifles that accept the same mag pattern.
Ruger precision is in that price range and offers a lot out of the box along with great customer support and warranty
I would also look hard at Bergara
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Great observation on bolded part. Also, Bergara makes a fine rifle.
 
My Remington VS shoots .50 groups with Federal Gold Medal 168gr BTHP ammo.
Mine is an early model with the HS Precision stock not bedded, & when taken down
& retorqued will return to point of aim. This is a real shooter. I did replace the trigger
with a Trigger Tech & have a Leupold 12X Mil Dot scope.

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This straight pull Beretta looks pretty slick. If I wasn't already in the Tikka camp, I'd be all over this one.
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Timfoilhat said:
This straight pull Beretta looks pretty slick. If I wasn't already in the Tikka camp, I'd be all over this one.
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BRX1 Black

<p>Fast, instinctive, and customizable. With linear loading, ergonomic balance, and caliber change options, it's the ultimate rifle experience. Learn More!</p>
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The bad part is it’s the basement model blaser.
 
To get into the sport, bergara or a Tikka t3x or a Ruger precision all around 1k leaves plenty of cash for a decent quality scope and ammo.

The world of accurate bolt guns has expanded tremendously. From mild to wild. It's hard not to expect any known makers gun to get right at moa out of the box.

For budget options I'm a Ruger American fanboy. Have an all weather in .308 that stays under an inch reliably with hunting ammo as long as I remember to rest it on a backpack because any pressure on forend of the flimsy stock makes it throw shots everywhere. But it's so light and handy I won't change it out.

Not to long ago, I got a used ranch in 5.56, it also shoots easily under an inch using my plinking AR fodder. Haven't had factory 5.56 ammo and I'm pretty well set with load development but this little guy makes me want to work up some just for it.

Then there's my hunter in 6.5 cm. Barely have shot it but everything has been touching. I need to stretch that one out.


That rifle actually just won it's place against a recently traded for Savage 110 tactical. Which is another solid platform and it makes 150g .308's touch the one time I shot it.

I recently made a thread about it in the appraisals area. I would let it go for a fair price if your interested. Send me a PM.
 
Did anyone mention Tikka? Yep, everyone. There is a reason for that! Get a Tikka!
 
Rob01 said:
Not me. 😉
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Right! You recommended a lesser option for more money. I was giving you the benefit of the doubt and hoping that it was a temporary lapse of judgement. Clearly, since you have doubled down, it was not! 😁

I haven’t shot a Solus but would have a hard time believing it’s a better option than a sub $1k Tikka CTR.
 
Lee Satterfield said:
Tikka CTR. I would suggest a 223. It’s cheap to shoot, long barrel life and 600 is no problem with right bullet. I don’t think there is another rifle in its price range that can compete. I have one and it’s the most accurate factory rifle I’ve ever shot.
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Unfortunately, I don’t believe the CTR is available in .223 anymore. If you find one, please let me know, I’d certainly like to have one!
 
Nomad2217 said:
Unfortunately, I don’t believe the CTR is available in .223 anymore. If you find one, please let me know, I’d certainly like to have one!
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Still up on Tikka website
 
Nomad2217 said:
Right! You recommended a lesser option for more money. I was giving you the benefit of the doubt and hoping that it was a temporary lapse of judgement. Clearly, since you have doubled down, it was not! 😁

I haven’t shot a Solus but would have a hard time believing it’s a better option than a sub $1k Tikka CTR.
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Lesser option? Lol Keep telling yourself a custom action with a custom barrel put together by a riflesmith is a lesser option to an off the rack rifle. Lol That barreled action is a much better rifle than any factory rifle. Just because you have a hard time believing it doesn’t make it untrue. 😉

But his money and if he just wants a cheaper rifle to shoot a few hundred yards a couple times a year then he should save money and get the Tikka and spend the rest on ammo.
 
Rob01 said:
Lesser option? Lol Keep telling yourself a custom action with a custom barrel put together by a riflesmith is a lesser option to an off the rack rifle. Lol That barreled action is a much better rifle than any factory rifle. Just because you have a hard time believing it doesn’t make it untrue. 😉

But his money and if he just wants a cheaper rifle to shoot a few hundred yards a couple times a year then he should save money and get the Tikka and spend the rest on ammo.
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Absolutely, I’ll be the first to say I’ll never own a box rifle again since I shot my first custom in 2002, but no way to custom build and scope a rifle for his price range with quality parts and optics. A top tier receiver alone is over 1k then a bartlein, Brux, kreiger ss blank is going to be around 350, trigger 250, stock 1k, gunsmith 600-1000, optic 2500.
 
Jimbob78 said:
Absolutely, I’ll be the first to say I’ll never own a box rifle again since I shot my first custom in 2002, but no way to custom build and scope a rifle for his price range with quality parts and optics. A top tier receiver alone is over 1k then a bartlein, Brux, kreiger ss blank is going to be around 350, trigger 250, stock 1k, gunsmith 600-1000, optic 2500.
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That link I posted gives him a custom barreled action for $1150 and then he can get a KRG Bravo for $350 and a trigger and be under his $1800 budget and have a hell of a rifle. If he needs optics in that $1800 then that’s another story. I thought this was about rifle only.
 
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I have really learned to love the way my three Howa Hogue 1500’s shoot and feel.
They shoot way above their cost.
 
Rob01 said:
That link I posted gives him a custom barreled action for $1150 and then he can get a KRG Bravo for $350 and a trigger and be under his $1800 budget and have a hell of a rifle. If he needs optics in that $1800 then that’s another story. I thought this was about rifle only.
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I don’t see where that is a great leap beyond the tikka. It’s not a bat, defiance, terminus, etc with a Brux, bartlein, kreiger, proof, etc barrel. I wouldn’t say a krg bravo would be the most satisfying stock/chassis. I’d be all behind that route but even with the bravo and a TT diamond, great rings, muzzle device and at least 2 mags (who wants just one?), we’ve gone over 1800.
 
Didn’t realize Aero Precision was considered “custom” these days. Learn something new everyday!
 
My local pawn shops keep the Aero Precisions in the same case as the PSA…not knocking either one as I have and enjoy both, but they’re far from what I would call “custom”.
 
Jimbob78 said:
I don’t see where that is a great leap beyond the tikka. It’s not a bat, defiance, terminus, etc with a Brux, bartlein, kreiger, proof, etc barrel. I wouldn’t say a krg bravo would be the most satisfying stock/chassis. I’d be all behind that route but even with the bravo and a TT diamond, great rings, muzzle device and at least 2 mags (who wants just one?), we’ve gone over 1800.
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It is in the under $1000 custom action area like a McBros or Zermatt Origin so not one of the top end but still a custom action and made to better specs than a factory action. Also the Osprey barrels PVA uses are as good as others. I have used Bartlein, Kreiger, LW, Rock and others and the Ospreys I have now are just as accurate and clean up very easily. He doesn’t need a TT Diamond for his use so he could use a $150 trigger made by TT or Timney and as far as rings they are considered part of the scope purchase so if you keep it to the rifle he can easily stay under $1800. Magpul AICS mags are under $40 each.

I am just trying to get the guy a great rifle he can grown with and not have to buy another rifle down the road and then have to spend more to get it up and running. Once set up and he wants another caliber he just needs to buy a new barrel and maybe a bolt face.
 
The Gen 2 Ruger Americans look pretty nice and take AICS mags, threaded barrel, several length options

I am gonna find a ranch version (16”) in .308 to mess around with


Tikkas can be converted with little work to AICS if factory mags are an issue
 
Nomad2217 said:
Unfortunately, I don’t believe the CTR is available in .223 anymore.
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That would be a shame. Here is mine in 223 with a 24” barrel. I bought this to dip a toe in precision shooting and it has been a fantastic learning tool.

Euro optic is where I got mine and they seem to be the hot dealer for the CTR. It would be worth a call to them and see if they have the inside scoop on availability. They are a great dealer and very helpful over the phone.

IMG_0302.jpeg
 
Frack N Cylons said:
That would be a shame. Here is mine in 223 with a 24” barrel. I bought this to dip a toe in precision shooting and it has been a fantastic learning tool.

Euro optic is where I got mine and they seem to be the hot dealer for the CTR. It would be worth a call to them and see if they have the inside scoop on availability. They are a great dealer and very helpful over the phone.

View attachment 764286
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Their website is where I learned they were discontinued. I’m going to keep looking.
 
Buds has some T3X in .223 if he wanted to go the Tikka .223 route. He mentioned hunting with it so not sure he would want a smaller cartridge but a .223 is a lot of fun.

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I’ve killed a metric ton of deer with a .223. Put the right bullet where it belongs and it kills them as well as anything else.
As for the Tikka, the action tolerances are tight enough to put a prefix on. Have a competent smith screw a Bartlein or Kreiger on there and it will shoot with anything else. That was my plan. I have a Bartlein sitting in the safe that was intended for the Tikka, but it shot so well, I figured I’d wait till the accuracy falls off. I’ve got a few customs and they will outshoot the factory Tikka, but not by much, and they cost me 2-3 times as much, took 6 months to year to get, and they don’t shoot 2-3 times better. I know Grey at Swift Creek has built more than a few rifles,on Tikka actions. My buddy has two, a .223 and a 6 Dasher. Both are shooters and the Tikka action is slick as snot.
 
Lee Satterfield said:
I’ve killed a metric ton of deer with a .223. Put the right bullet where it belongs and it kills them as well as anything else.
As for the Tikka, the action tolerances are tight enough to put a prefix on. Have a competent smith screw a Bartlein or Kreiger on there and it will shoot with anything else. That was my plan. I have a Bartlein sitting in the safe that was intended for the Tikka, but it shot so well, I figured I’d wait till the accuracy falls off. I’ve got a few customs and they will outshoot the factory Tikka, but not by much, and they cost me 2-3 times as much, took 6 months to year to get, and they don’t shoot 2-3 times better. I know Grey at Swift Creek has built more than a few rifles,on Tikka actions. My buddy has two, a .223 and a 6 Dasher. Both are shooters and the Tikka action is slick as snot.
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Absolutely, I think Gray wants you to go ahead and let him spin up that barrel for you. He’s got that 223ai reamer that he’s said I should use.
 
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