Does my dream rifle exist?

M

Max-4

CGN Regular
Rating - 98.8%
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Location
Southern Ontario
Hey there, I am searching high and low thru all the major gun manufactures sites and I am not finding the rifle I want. I am looking for a short bolt action .308 Win rifle for hunting big game here in Ontario. I know there are short carbines out there but there just isn't the exact rifle I want. Here are the specs I want it to fit:

- Must be .308 Win
- Barrel length of exactly 20"
- Prefer no open sights because I am gonna scope it anyways
- Walnut stock or maybe laminate, possibly slightly shorter LOP (like 13" instead of the standard 13.5")
- Blued metal, matte or gloss
- Detachable magazine prefer it to be metal with maybe 5 rounds
- Sling swivel studs installed from the factory
- The least amount of plastic on the rifle the better, none would be best

Hahahaha, so there is my dream rifle and im just not seeing it out there. I have found a couple that are close and I would have to just make some changes to.

- Ruger Gunsite Scout, barrel not long enough and don't need the scout rail or open sights.

- Ruger M77 Compact Magnum, exactly what I want as far as length and LOP but has a floor plate magazine and open sights.

- Remington Model 7 CDL, almost it but with a hinged floorplate magazine

- Savage 14 American Classic, pretty much exactly what I want but with a 22" barrel

Sooo, you can see that some of them are close but not exactly what I want, have I overlooked anything that may still be out there? Is the Savage 14 American Classic pretty much my best option and just get the barrel cut to 20" and re-crowned? I can live with doing that but I will NOT have a rifle with a hinged floorplate magazine, I cant stand them. Is there any other options I have missed out there? Thanks
 
You can switch out the floor plate with a box mag. coversion kit. I say if you can't find what you want build it! You may want to consider a complete build too. Then you know you'll be getting exactly what you're looking for.
 
The CZ 550 American has everything you described, and would only require a cut and crown. Comes in Walnut or Kevlar, 4 round DM, blued, no sights, with swivels installed.

images


http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-550-american/

I'd take the CZ over the Savage.
 
The CZ 550 American is for some reason 8 pounds with its original barrel length while the Savage 14 American Classic is 7 pounds. I don't think that entire pound of difference is from the 1.6" of barrel length the CZ has over the Savage. Maybe its a heavier rifle due to the mauser action?

My ideal rifle is a .308 with a 20" barrel and 40" OAL with no sights and a detachable magazine, walnut stock and weigh 7 pounds or just under. Then theres the issue of LOP, shouldn't a small fast carbine rifle like this have a slightly shorter LOP to come to the shoulder faster?
 
X-Bolt Micro Hunter

Browning makes an X-bolt Micro Hunter

I think it checks all your boxes, slightly shorter LOP at 13 5/16, but the DM is made of a composite materal (it is a rotary mag), but still seems very durable.

Check it out - http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?fid=023B&cid=035&tid=215&bg=x
 
Browning/Winchester

Sorry I know i'm being picky and that Browning x-bolt does have all the specs but I am ruling Browning/Winchester out because they don't fit me worth a damn. I owned a Model 70 Featherweight for about 6 months and sold it cause it never felt right the way it shouldered.

The Browning/Winchesters have very little drop at comb and heel, like 0.5" for both comb and heel. It doesn't fit me at all, it feels like I have to move my head down to align the scope right. Its the same reason the Remington 870 fits me way better than the Browning BPS (owned both of them too) :redface:
 
The Ruger 77 Int'l is/was a beauty in .308, short and handy, may still be able to find one if you like the classy Mann. stock.
 
Max-4, is there any other information missing? One that comes to mind is price.

I am assuming that you are looking for an out of the box rifle. You see, there is a plethora of rifles available which would fit your specs exactly. The issue is that like it of not, you may need to buy a new stock to fit your bill.

I know Remington, Weatherby, Savage, Tikka and CZ all make 20" barrel carbines. The CZ also comes with sights. The problem with the others is that you would have to replace the stocks with the wooden one of your choice. Another $200 or more.

Anything is possible, if you are prepared to pay for it.
 
Rem custom shop 308 mod 7 MS

This is exactly what you are asking for and they will build it to any spec you want. 20" bbl Laminated full stock with or without sights and I'm fairly sure they can DM it.
I bought one in 7-08 and it is a beautifully balance rifle. ONLY 3-4K
 
diemaco said:
Missed the no winchesters part
Click to expand...

No, I didn't miss that part. If the only issue is winchester / Browning bolt-action stock dimensions, the BLR has a larger drop at comb / heel that might make it suitable for the OP.

The 308 BLR has an OAL of 40 inches, LOP is 13 3/4 inches, drop at comb is 7/8, drop at heel is 15/16, weight is under 7 lbs, and there isn't any plastic on it. Fits many of the OP's requirements aside from the action, and if the stock fits and points well for the OP, might be a decent option to consider.

Here's a link with specs:

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?fid=003B&cid=034&tid=012&bg=x
 
Barnes_270 said:
No, I didn't miss that part. If the only issue is winchester / Browning bolt-action stock dimensions, the BLR has a larger drop at comb / heel that might make it suitable for the OP.

The 308 BLR has an OAL of 40 inches, LOP is 13 3/4 inches, drop at comb is 7/8, drop at heel is 15/16, weight is under 7 lbs, and there isn't any plastic on it. Fits many of the OP's requirements aside from the action, and if the stock fits and points well for the OP, might be a decent option to consider.

Here's a link with specs:

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?fid=003B&cid=034&tid=012&bg=x
Click to expand...

I meant that I missed the no winchesters part. I had a response typed out suggesting the featherweight compact + detachable mag kit (if made), then realised that the OP didn't like the fit of winchesters. I then edited my post.
 
diemaco said:
I meant that I missed the no winchesters part. I had a response typed out suggesting the featherweight compact + detachable mag kit (if made), then realised that the OP didn't like the fit of winchesters. I then edited my post.
Click to expand...

LOL. My bad - I thought you were responding to me. :redface:

Seems we're all recommending stuff the OP doesn't want.
 
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