A Maverick will fulfill this requirement. I have a 12.5" on the way. Hopefully it arrives in time for deer.
Not sure which rifle to buy next, help me decide.
- Thread starter Northern Shooter
- Start date
A Maverick will fulfill this requirement. I have a 12.5" on the way. Hopefully it arrives in time for deer.
The Ruger Scout is what got me interested in this concept in the first place. However they seem to have been distincontinued in Canada? Can't find one new and don't want to buy second hand. The CZ Ranger was the second rifle that piqued my interest, same story. It seems almost impossible to find a compact bolt action .308 with detachable mags, a traditional stock and barrel under 20".
I might end up going this route if I can't find a rifle that provides all of these features with a traditional stock. Are there 10 round SR-25 mags available for those?
Yessir there are. That's one of the reasons for me getting a Maverick. Uncle Sparkle Socks took my deer rifle away. I'll be able to scavenge my scope, grip, buttstock if I choose and reuse the mags I have for it. The 10 rounders aren't always the easiest to find, but they are out there.
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I remember reading a while ago an article written by Chic Hawks, 'Refining a hunting rifle battery'. He started with more than 25 cartridges but the final battery included a 22 Lr, a 223 (varmint), a 6.5x55 (class 2) , a 30-06 (class 2 and 3), a 9.3x62 (class 3), and a 458 win mag (class 4), only.
Depending on what hunting you do, I think these cartridges cover everything. Of course a shotgun in 12 gauge is also a must.
You seem to lack something in the middle. a 6.5x55, a 6.5 CM or a 270 would be great. For $1400, you can almost get a Tikka stainless with a decent scope, or a Howa. The 30-06 will do everything you want to do with a 308, and hit farther.
Depending on what hunting you do, I think these cartridges cover everything. Of course a shotgun in 12 gauge is also a must.
You seem to lack something in the middle. a 6.5x55, a 6.5 CM or a 270 would be great. For $1400, you can almost get a Tikka stainless with a decent scope, or a Howa. The 30-06 will do everything you want to do with a 308, and hit farther.
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blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
Have you held a Ruger M77? They're more compact then most bolt actions on their own.
I quite like them.
Also, you're missing out if you skip the second hand firearms market.
A lightweight 308 would fit in nicely, but would forgo the big drop mag if that was in the works. All those extra rounds are not needed for a sporting rifle while adversely affecting handling and add unwanted weight.
Don't go under 20" at least until you've tried it. Under 20, they get quite blasty and again handling suffers.
I am missing something in the middle. I've been eyeing Swedish mausers in 6.5x55 recently and will consider 6.5 CM down the road when I get into long range shooting.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
I just bought another CZ557 Lux with a 20.5 inch barrel and excellent adjustable sights (in 8x57, but 308 is available). By far and away the very best value for the dollar.
The Ruger M77, especially the older models, are also excellent.
The Ruger M77, especially the older models, are also excellent.
- Location
- Vancouver Island, BC
If you reload, you may want to consider a thumper. One of the members has 2x SA 9.3x62s on the EE at a fair price now. May not be the best proposition if you don't reload. The Benelli argo (R1) soaks up a LOT of recoil. I have one in that caliber and love it. The barrel is a bit longer at 22 in than the bar at 20in. semi-auto 9.3s don't pop up that often.
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Update to this post from about a year ago, I purchased many of the options recommended here since.
1. Ruger American Hunter (.308). Bought this as my "compact .308" with detachable AICS mags, only problem is it's not nearly as compact or light as the scout build I wanted.
2. Winchester Model 70 Featherweight .308. Addressed the weight issue from above but no short barrel or detachable mags.
3. CZ527 7.62x39, hits all the features I wanted above minus the .308. Great intermediate deer rifle that can share ammo with the SKS.
4. Canuck Operator 12 gauge - new affordable semi to replace my one they took from me.
5. CZ Bren 2 NR - pre order. If this thing ever arrives it will fill in my Gucci black rifle slot.
6. Henry Big Boy .357 - New range toy, love this rifle and blasting away with .38/357.
7. Swedish Mauser M/38. A few here reccomended the Swedish Mausers and I was able to find the M38 model I wanted. I wanted both a milsurp bolt action and a new intermediate rifle cartridge so this 6.5x55 does both.
Now having revisited this thread I am once again asking myself, where do I go from here?
First things first I need a new safe as the current one is bursting at its seams.
As for 2023 purchases, (since I think I'm done for this year) I'm considering the following:
1. CZ 457 Canadian. Bolt action .22 for longer range precision rimfire shooting.
2. CZ600 Lux. Already preordered but has been delayed by the recall. I'm guessing these will land this Winter.
3. Cz Bren 2 - Spring ETA. So far 2023 is looking like the year of CZ for me.
4. Milsurp semi auto battle rifle. I would love a M1 Garand or FN49 but they cost so much. Likely going to get a Swedish AG42b to share ammo with the Mauser.
5. Modern .308 black rifle. Maybe a Famae 542, if I win the lottery.
6. A dedicated long range build in 6.5 Creedmoor. This purchase is still a ways off as I still need to get more practice with long range with my .308s and future .22 before I try stretching out to 1000m. I'll likely go with either a Tikka or Bergara for this one.
Any other categories that I'm missing? Always open to recommendations.
1. Ruger American Hunter (.308). Bought this as my "compact .308" with detachable AICS mags, only problem is it's not nearly as compact or light as the scout build I wanted.
2. Winchester Model 70 Featherweight .308. Addressed the weight issue from above but no short barrel or detachable mags.
3. CZ527 7.62x39, hits all the features I wanted above minus the .308. Great intermediate deer rifle that can share ammo with the SKS.
4. Canuck Operator 12 gauge - new affordable semi to replace my one they took from me.
5. CZ Bren 2 NR - pre order. If this thing ever arrives it will fill in my Gucci black rifle slot.
6. Henry Big Boy .357 - New range toy, love this rifle and blasting away with .38/357.
7. Swedish Mauser M/38. A few here reccomended the Swedish Mausers and I was able to find the M38 model I wanted. I wanted both a milsurp bolt action and a new intermediate rifle cartridge so this 6.5x55 does both.
Now having revisited this thread I am once again asking myself, where do I go from here?
First things first I need a new safe as the current one is bursting at its seams.
As for 2023 purchases, (since I think I'm done for this year) I'm considering the following:
1. CZ 457 Canadian. Bolt action .22 for longer range precision rimfire shooting.
2. CZ600 Lux. Already preordered but has been delayed by the recall. I'm guessing these will land this Winter.
3. Cz Bren 2 - Spring ETA. So far 2023 is looking like the year of CZ for me.
4. Milsurp semi auto battle rifle. I would love a M1 Garand or FN49 but they cost so much. Likely going to get a Swedish AG42b to share ammo with the Mauser.
5. Modern .308 black rifle. Maybe a Famae 542, if I win the lottery.
6. A dedicated long range build in 6.5 Creedmoor. This purchase is still a ways off as I still need to get more practice with long range with my .308s and future .22 before I try stretching out to 1000m. I'll likely go with either a Tikka or Bergara for this one.
Any other categories that I'm missing? Always open to recommendations.
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- Location
- Vancouver Island, BC
the cz457 is a really nice rimfire rifle. Get the sub-model that's a proper lefty. you can always just swap the barrel later.
One of my friends had a famae 542 in his collection. I passed on the opportunity to buy it from his estate. It was one with the older fixed stock. It didn't float my boat. Very heavy and I didn't personally feel it was good value for the money. That's just my opinion. Maybe keep an eye out in the EE for an FNAR.
One of my friends had a famae 542 in his collection. I passed on the opportunity to buy it from his estate. It was one with the older fixed stock. It didn't float my boat. Very heavy and I didn't personally feel it was good value for the money. That's just my opinion. Maybe keep an eye out in the EE for an FNAR.
I actually prefer the old cold war looks of the previous model compared to what is being sold now, kinda FAL-like.
Having never held or shot one it might not live up to what I've believed them to be. I've heard they aren't the most accurate. At $3500+ it's not likely going to happen anyway.
The CZ457 will likely be my first purchase of 2023 since it's a fairly affordable option. Just need to figure out what scope and rings to top it with.
Yeah that definately has me second guessing dropping big money on one right now. I took a gamble with the Bren 2 pre order. Now that it's looking like spring 2023 there's a chance we'll either have a new government or an outright semi auto ban by that point.
Non-Restricted.
yes, anything in 6.5 x 55; I have both an M96 and M38 in original configuration, and also a Zastava M70 I bought new. I am currently loading .85 and 120 gr varmint loads, as well as 158 gr. all three loads shot to the same point of aim at 100 yards; and it is a legal caliber in southern Ontario.
