Help Me Find the Perfect General Purpose 308 for Me

D

dhpsask

CGN Regular
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Alberta
I am wanting to see what it out there for a 308 Winchester bolt action rifle. I kind of want this to be my general-purpose rifle. Something that can do all things well but does not have to be the best at any one thing. I am looking for a mix of a scout rifle and a hunting rifle.

What I am looking for:
  • Iron sights – preferable barrel mounted so I can add a conventional scope
  • Synthetic stock – for weight reduction and so I do not care if I scuff it up
  • AICS magazines – They are cheap and come with a 10 round capacity
  • Light-ish weight
  • Barrel length of 20” or less

So far, I have a few options that I can find, but none have everything.
  • Ruger American Ranch Gen II – does not come with iron sights
  • Ruger Scout Rifle – Have to remove the rear iron sight to conventionally mount a scope
  • Tikka T3x Battue Lite – Does not have AICS magazines
  • Tikka T3x Ranch Drover – Does not have AICS magazines and I’m not sure if it is released yet
  • Mossberg MVP Patrol – Does not have AICS magazines
  • Savage 110 Hog Hunter - Does not have AICS magazines

I am wondering if there are any other rifles I am missing or if one of these would be my best bet in Canada. As of right now, with just the list above, I think the Tikka T3x Ranch Drover is at the top of my list. I am curious to here what others have to say.
 
For many years my go-to big game rifle was a 300 WM, synthetic stock. First was a Century Arms P'14 conversion and second a Savage. I appreciate easy to clean rifles that don't scratch or risk splitting on a grain defect.

When I was looking at 5.56 bolt guns, I learned the Ruger had a proper feed lug on the bolt face. The Mossberg had a spring loaded finger off the bottom of the bolt. I considered that to be a weakness. So, go to the store and look how they work, and don't just trust the publicity.
 
Tikka CTR is my favourite GP rifle out to 400m, it doesn't come with sights but they are available aftermarket.

Tikka Arctic is a pricey option, but heavy with the laminated stock

The Tikka Ranch you mentioned is just a Battue using a CTR stock and mag. You could build one

All Tikka T3's are interchangeable for stocks and mags

Although the CTR mag is not AICS I have tested them both and find the 10rd CTR mag to be smoother and more reliable
 
I, like many here have gone through the same thought process. You will likely find that you can meet the majority of the criteria, but not all.

When I initially went through this process I decided on the Ruger American Hunter model. The Gunsite Scout would make for a better all rounder, although i'm not sure if they take AICS mags?

CZ Ranger is another option, but no AICS Mags.

I ended up buying a Ruger Guide Gun to halfway meet this criteria. Short barrel, lightweight, iron sights, but no detachable mag.

You're likely going to be making a compromise, one way or the other.
 
Northern Shooter said:
I, like many here have gone through the same thought process. You will likely find that you can meet the majority of the criteria, but not all.

When I initially went through this process I decided on the Ruger American Hunter model. The Gunsite Scout would make for a better all rounder, although i'm not sure if they take AICS mags?
Click to expand...
Ruger Scout takes AICS mags and fits all the other criteria the op listed.
 
Northern Shooter said:
I, like many here have gone through the same thought process. You will likely find that you can meet the majority of the criteria, but not all.


I ended up buying a Ruger Guide Gun to halfway meet this criteria. Short barrel, lightweight, iron sights, but no detachable mag.
Click to expand...
Plus the Guide Gun comes in 30-06 too.
 
Northern Shooter said:
Looks like he has his answer then.
Click to expand...
I went down this road a few years ago, same list of criteria. .308, good irons, 18”-20” barrel, mag fed and left hand bolt action. The Ruger scout has been great, it’s my go to 30 cal now.

With an optic it shoots moa with most cup and core sp, accuracy has been so good I haven’t bothered to handload for it yet.

The only thing that I didn’t like was the scout scope mounting position, the xs full length rail solves that. Mount a scope over the action and retain the rear peep sight.
 
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Northern Shooter said:
I, like many here have gone through the same thought process. You will likely find that you can meet the majority of the criteria, but not all.

When I initially went through this process I decided on the Ruger American Hunter model. The Gunsite Scout would make for a better all rounder, although i'm not sure if they take AICS mags?

CZ Ranger is another option, but no AICS Mags.

I ended up buying a Ruger Guide Gun to halfway meet this criteria. Short barrel, lightweight, iron sights, but no detachable mag.

You're likely going to be making a compromise, one way or the other.
Click to expand...
Went down the rabbit hole looking for a CZ Ranger a year or two ago but it seems they're all in private hands now!
 
If you're concious of weight I wouldn't bother with 10 round mags personally except at the range. 5 rounds is plenty for hunting and for a scopeless rifle large capacity mags tend to bugger up the balance point for one handed carry. My 2 cents.
 
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