I think the Ruger American is a mistake over a T3X, even at the lower price point. Don't make the mistake of conflating an M77 Mark II or Hawkeye with the American, they are completely different beasts. Also, there are stated criteria on your list that are largely irrelevant, IMO, drop the need for an adjustable comb and trigger, and you don't need a threaded barrel or muzzlebrake on a .308 hunting rifle. The .308 Win is a good cartridge choice, stick with that. Your best bang for your buck regarding true quality will come from the used market with a little shopping around. Spend more on your scope than you are currently inclined to. Go to a good gunstore and try a bunch of rifles for fit, feel and handling and don't buy the sales hype from the teenager behind the counter. Don't get sucked in by current manufacturers bottom end rifle line-up... you largely get what you pay for. With your $2000 budget you can a solid, quality rifle. Check the EE, there are several quality .308's selling in the $600 range... I just looked for a friend.
Hunting rifle recommendations
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Agree on the 16 inch barrel. Too loud, too muzzle light for offhand shooting plus you are losing velocity to no benefit. There are good reasons a 22 inch barrel became pretty much standard length for non magnum cartridges.
Prices may look like this. Scope $400 -$500; Rings and bases $100; Ammo $60 - $80 / box of 20. That leaves you with about $1200 for a rifle and up to $100 for a sling. Some of these prices may go for less. And some might go for more. Rifles in your price range - maybe a Tikka 3X, Winchester XPR, Ruger American Gen I or II, Savage (various model). And if you can narrow the rifle down you need to find a sale or get one used. I'd suggest a 22 inch barrel and the 308 can get a lot of meat in the freezer.
tactical lever
CGN frequent flyer
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- Fox Creek, Alberta
I agree, with leaving the budget rifles on the shelf. Not crazy about the way (new) Tikka are built either, but that's a rant for another day.
The budget rifles aren't even cheap anymore, and you can fiddle and spend money til you convince yourself it's almost as good...
Saw one fella bought a couple Axis and they both rusted. The one that he hunted with got unbelievably rusty. Might blame it on the care he took, but he treated it like all his other rifles and none of them rusted up like that one.
One fella I know bought an American, and his action nearly locks up after shooting it a bit. And he has to really scrub out the recesses for the locking lugs to be able to keep shooting. Weak mag springs on top of other flaws/general cheapness.
I'd rather pick up a nice used as you say.
First one was a Marlin 30-30 from Dad, and the first one I bought with my own money was a 96/38 Mauser and it shoots great and I don't think I could find rust on it despite it being a century and a quarter after manufacture despite my use and casual neglect.
Sometimes good sales on the "good" models too. Picked up an M77 compact stainless laminate for about what the American goes for.
I’d get a gen 2 ruger American in the caliber of your choice. A Leupold freedom or a vortex viper in 3-9x40. And with all the money you saved get extra boxes of ammo and practice at the range. If you’re like the rest of us it won’t be your last rifle. You can upgrade and the ruger American can be your backup rifle/loaner
you could do what I did.
Before anything, research the different generally accepted calibers for your application. For me, it was hunting. With that the most common calibers for deer / moose / elk were the .308, 6.5 creedmore, 30-30, and the 30-06. I then compared them all to figure out which would probably be the most forgiving for me and accuracy, that needed the least amount of compensation at the distances I would be shooting at. For me, that was the 6.5 creedmoor.
I then bought the cheapest example of a 6.5 Creedmoor I could find. I shot it a bunch, decided what I liked, and what I didn't, and what I could live with. Once I knew that, I went looking for a rifle that fit those criteria.
I ended up with a Weatherby Vanguard S2 as it fit what I liked and didn't.
Ultimately, what I have learned is that each person's list is going to be different, and is unique to them. Asking such a broad question like this is just going to confuse you and leave you with more questions than answers.
It is best to come and ask for opinions on specific rifles as that is going to give you more valuable and relevant information when it comes time to purchase.
Before anything, research the different generally accepted calibers for your application. For me, it was hunting. With that the most common calibers for deer / moose / elk were the .308, 6.5 creedmore, 30-30, and the 30-06. I then compared them all to figure out which would probably be the most forgiving for me and accuracy, that needed the least amount of compensation at the distances I would be shooting at. For me, that was the 6.5 creedmoor.
I then bought the cheapest example of a 6.5 Creedmoor I could find. I shot it a bunch, decided what I liked, and what I didn't, and what I could live with. Once I knew that, I went looking for a rifle that fit those criteria.
I ended up with a Weatherby Vanguard S2 as it fit what I liked and didn't.
Ultimately, what I have learned is that each person's list is going to be different, and is unique to them. Asking such a broad question like this is just going to confuse you and leave you with more questions than answers.
It is best to come and ask for opinions on specific rifles as that is going to give you more valuable and relevant information when it comes time to purchase.
The budget guns rusting quickly is a result of the budget bead blasted finish. Easy for rust to get a toe hold in the rougher surface as opposed to a highly polished steel. I've seen some Remington 870 Express guns turn orange in a hurry.
tactical lever
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Fox Creek, Alberta
That's certainly a factor I'm familiar with. But in that case I think it was cheap steel with high inclusion percentage.
When old Swedish gun steel was tested, they found the opposite. And they have a reputation for being hard to shoot out.
