308 based action for lighter, shorter, hunting rifle?

[hunter-4-life]

well, my budget idea was to spend around 800 for just a used action

Thats not out of reason actually. Again, if your considering a Tikka, the odd time you can buy a used Tikka rifle for like $850-$900. Then just sell the stock for $100, barrel for $50-$100, you could do it less then $800.

That could be said about any action you want, Model 7, 700, Tikka, whatever. The EE is your best friend, never know whats going to pop up. I see theres a used Tikka action on there right now with a 308 BF.

 

[EJG]

As far as I know the T3 action is a nice bit lighter than a Rem 700 short action. Nothing wrong with a T3 in 308. Use an Atlasworx aics floorplate and have a choice of lightweight 3 shot MDT plastic mag or up to 10-12 shot mags. Whatever fancy stock you get for the T3, the T1X will also fit as a trainer rifle.
edi

 

[blakeyboy]

well, my budget idea was to spend around 800 for just a used action, which AFAIK is what a RAP retails for these days. The deduction of stock and being used would "cover" the upgrade of it having a magwell.

Obviously once this one is setup, the Ruger could be sold off, it just has the sentimental value of my first centerfire, first deer, first bear on it. I wish they'd let me buy the magwell adaptor kit, or better flush mags!

yeah the ruger isn't going to be a lightweight project, my American ranch grendel in factory stock with factory rail and 2.5 oz weaver detach top mount lows and 10.0 oz vx3hd cds-zl 1.5-5 is 6 lb 15 oz, mine has been good to me and has killed a lot of stuff so it's staying, they are transformers though with good aftermarket so you can go chassis one day or walnut the next, mine went stock first, then chassis for a lot of its killing between 3 shooters in the family, now it's going to try some walnut on, I expect it to land in the 7's somewhere but totally ok with that, I gave up on ultralight awhile ago as you just see more in scope and shoot better overall with rifles in the 7-8 lb all up range so as long as I'm in there I'm happy, my tikka build on 308 is currently 7.0 all up with that vx3hd 1.5-5 and will be as lively as I like I'm sure, it won't hurt to add more scope to it to get it a little heavier but will see how it does with this scope to start

and what I meant by the bolt locking down on safe, many hunters prefer that so you can't bump the handle up accidentally while stalking, tikka/ruger HAWKEYE/sako and many others the bolt handle locks down on safe, many have a middle setting or secondary button to be able to cycle on safe, the ruger AMERICAN just cycles regardless if on safe or not

keep the ruger imo, it's always good to have a back up, rig ready to go and it has your firsts, once you have a new primary rig then you can project play with the ruger, make it a chassis range toy, dress it up in walnut, etc., going heavy in chassis with beefy scope and rings would make a perfect range day set up and volume shooter etc. while you keep the new build just for hunting

 

[jparent]

So is the magazine you don't like, or the stock? Either are fixable. Depending on the production year, you can swap the bottom metal for one that is AICS compatible. Or change the stock entirely. Plenty of aftermarket options for the Ruger American.

 

[gaff]

Winchester 88

 

[Jahnj0584]

So is the magazine you don't like, or the stock? Either are fixable. Depending on the production year, you can swap the bottom metal for one that is AICS compatible. Or change the stock entirely. Plenty of aftermarket options for the Ruger American.

Stock is fine with my 3D printed cheek riser. It’s the magazine that sucks and makes me feel like every reload just brings it that much closer to death. It’s SO flimsy. I also hate how tight it is loading with 4rds in it,it feels wrong.

I haven’t seen any mag options outside of a mdt chassis. My bolt is apparently too old for the AICS magwell that they won’t even SELL it to me! I’m a machinist and could for sure modify the bolt as required to get the clearance parts they want. I already polished it up to 1000 grit and hit it with buffing compound.

 

[The Kurgan]

If you don't need a repeater, there are several single shots in 308 that are both lightweight and very compact by their design. The fact that they can be taken down into two pieces makes storage, transport and cleaning easier.

 

[Jahnj0584]

does anyone know if this model would be able to take a different magwell?

https://www.gotenda.com/product/ruger-american-compact-308-win-18″-alloy-steel-barrel/

 

[Sun_and_Steel_77]

does anyone know if this model would be able to take a different magwell?

https://www.gotenda.com/product/ruger-american-compact-308-win-18″-alloy-steel-barrel/

If it is the EXACT rifle as they show in the image then no it will not, it needs to have the interchangeable module like these pics...

 

[Sun_and_Steel_77]

Also a question to the OP...are you having any feeding or function issues with your mags? Ruger addressed any trouble with the older mags long ago and aside from the odd rifle with issues the newer gen mags are decent.

I have hundreds of rounds through my .223 Rotary magazines without any trouble and I love them, flush fitting for one hand carry and can still single load through the ejection port.
If a plastic magazine just simply gives you the creeps then you are in a predicament as most popular rifles today have poly mags.
I am a high volume shooter and the only magazine with polymer feed lips that I have worn out to date was a Tikka .223 five rounder.

 

[Jahnj0584]

If it is the EXACT rifle as they show in the image then no it will not, it needs to have the interchangeable module like these pics...

That's not true as mine has THAT magwell but NOT the extra milling on the bolt to allow for the AICS mags - Ruger wont even SELL me the adaptor and see if it works.

Also a question to the OP...are you having any feeding or function issues with your mags? Ruger addressed any trouble with the older mags long ago and aside from the odd rifle with issues the newer gen mags are decent.

If a plastic magazine just simply gives you the creeps then you are in a predicament as most popular rifles today have poly mags.

This is my mag. Not sure of the "gen" as I got this rifle for $500 off the EE. The mag works fine as a mag, but it just loads weird with 4 rds and barely even clicks in with the bolt closed and 4 loaded. With one rd in, it basically flops around.

 

[Sun_and_Steel_77]

That's not true as mine has THAT magwell but NOT the extra milling on the bolt to allow for the AICS mags - Ruger wont even SELL me the adaptor and see if it works.

You asked if the pictured Compact in the Tenda link you provided would take the modules and I said the one in the picture would not as it appears to be the old style without the removable module, I didn't say anything about the bolt milling.

 

[FLHTCUI]

The Model 7 in .308 Win, with the 16.5" barrel, best fits your requirements IMO. And with sub MOA accuracy at 100 yards, you won't find a better option.

I'm thinking this might be worthy of a serious look.
It aint a 16' barrel, but a short action and a stiff stock with some nice features.
Weight factor is much heavier, but at the end of the day...
Tight Groups,
Rob

https://www.reliablegun.com/en/used-remington-700-police-ltr-bolt-action-308-win-20-fluted-barrel-with-bushnell-elite-6500-25-16x40mm-scope-parkerized-hs-precision-composite-stock-very-good-condition-2

 

[Jahnj0584]

You asked if the pictured Compact in the Tenda link you provided would take the modules and I said the one in the picture would not as it appears to be the old style without the removable module, I didn't say anything about the bolt milling.

Yes, but you said IF it had the module it could be changed. My rifle HAS the module and isn't able to be swapped.

 

[boxhitch]

No love for the Vanguard/Howa?
Gobles has some with good sale prices but not on the 308 right now
weighs in just over 7 lbs
drop mag on the la
good stock options for later updates too

 

[Sun_and_Steel_77]

Yes, but you said IF it had the module it could be changed. My rifle HAS the module and isn't able to be swapped.

I really don't understand what you're on about.
In the picture below is my second-gen Ruger compact stock with the AICS module from a Predator model installed. When I still ran the .308 it worked FLAWLESSLY with this set-up.
I've owned and shot the exact set-up that you are asking questions about, I'm trying to help you and you're telling me I'm wrong???

 

[niacbob]

I have a Tikka Battue in 308. I have used a Remington Model 7 and a 600. Liked all three. Had a friend who dropped his tikka magazine on an active logging road. Hunting the next year he saw it in the mud. Cleaned it up and is still using it four years later. I would buy the Tikka again.