Tough bush gun in .308 ... M305 vs Ruger Gunsite Scout vs T3 Battue?

owlowl said:
Hm, just for looks

HELIX-TRK-308_1000.jpg
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The modern Euro trend, as a rule, doesn't appeal to me, but I would like to try this one. The lever release, switch barrel system does appeal to me, and if purchased as a 3 barrel battery: say .243, 7X64, and a 9.3X62, it would be both useful and versatile; not unlike the .243, .280 Ackley, .375 Scovile I chose for my custom switch barrel. If someone preferred, interchangeable bolt heads are available for an even broader range of cartridges, and a wide range of barrels and forends are available. Barrels can be had both sighted and plain. The straight pull bolt would be quick cycling, and the two groove integral rail provides some latitude in ring positioning, and there are adaptable scope rails available. I almost wish I had known about this one when I ordered my switch barrel M-700.
 
It's the Blaser R93/R8, reinvented. Switch-barrels (and tool-free, to boot!), straight pull action, decocking safety, interchangeable bolt heads...I'll bet that the scope mount returns to zero just as well as the Blaser version, which is virtually perfect. They even managed to take the Blaser's kinda-funky cosmetics, and distill them down to pure ugly!

It may look like a sweet shooter...but it sure as hell ain't a sweet-looking shooter, IMHO. Beauty is in the eye...:)
 
Sorry I cant resist any longer. For 100 years guys looking for a tough bush gun in 308 have been choosing the savage model 99. BLR, Winchester model 88 also have the exact criteria you are looking for. ;) Seriously I would vote for the Ruger gunsite if I had to have a bolt action
 
jjohnwm said:
It's the Blaser R93/R8, reinvented. Switch-barrels (and tool-free, to boot!), straight pull action, decocking safety, interchangeable bolt heads...I'll bet that the scope mount returns to zero just as well as the Blaser version, which is virtually perfect. They even managed to take the Blaser's kinda-funky cosmetics, and distill them down to pure ugly!

It may look like a sweet shooter...but it sure as hell ain't a sweet-looking shooter, IMHO. Beauty is in the eye...:)
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I handled a blaser and did not like it at all, The trigger being part of the detachable magazine is another drawback.

I have not handled the Merkel but from those I have talked to that have handled both the Merkel is the clear winner.

The one pictured above is the Tracker model and does not appeal to me that much either because of the barrel mounted sling and large iron sights. I like a light profile fluted barrel with no sights, wish all my rifles would come from factory that way.
 
I agree, that picture shows probably the fugliest version of the Merkel, but none of them are exactly beautiful. Same with the Blaser, even the dressed-up ones are still pretty "non-inspirational". As far as the Blaser trigger/mag assembly goes (I hate it!), only the R8 has that design, and I believe that an optional fixed version is available, although not sure about that. I had an R8 very briefly, but much prefer the older R93; lighter, more compact, much better handling. I don't care for detachable mags, but some folks might miss that feature.

I also had a chance to play with and put a couple rounds through a Merkel. The only thing that stood out to me was the tools-free takedown/barrel-swap (on the Blaser, an allen key is required). Otherwise, I prefer the Blaser, but that might just be familiarity...I'm sure many find a better "fit" with the Merkel, but there really isn't a lot of difference...Ford or Chevy? I wish I had tried the QD scope on the Merkel, but when a fellow you barely know offers you a couple of shots out of his rifle, it's bad form to immediately yank the scope off. :)

Oh...I forgot...one of the things I like about that gun is the open sights! Tomayto, tomahto...
 
Dang, are you guys talking about Merkels and junk *again*?

Is this the new CGN? "How many pages until it turns into a Merkel thread?"

:)

Kidding guys, and with respect... but kidding on the square :)

Of the three options, I'd go Battue. My beloved old Marlin 1895 is going on scratch and dent sale on the EE shortly, I like my Battue in 30/06 so much. Of the OP's original choices, it's the lightest to cart around, it's got the most capable cartridge (30/06), and it's got by far the fastest sights. Some QD rings and a VX-2 I've got hanging around, and it's a great hunting rifle for almost any hunting distance. Integral rail means I'm not dragging around part of a rifle I don't need when I don't need the scope.

Regarding rust and blued rifles and all that jazz, over the years I probably did 150 nights sleeping rough in the BC coast mountains (gallons of rain almost daily) with my 1895, wood and blued, and never a spot of rust. The forearm cracked, but that wasn't a problem at the time, or to fix when I got home. Hand sanitizer did strip some of the blue, but whatever :) All I did was renew the CLP once a year.
 
Boomer said:
If I was looking for a compact light weight .308, I'd take a hard look at the new Howa Alpine Mountain Rifle, although I'm on the fence concerning the choice of the hinged floor plate or the DBM. I'd prefer to handle each before choosing. It would be easy enough to fit that rifle with a set of quality aftermarket irons if that was deemed desirable, then topped with a variable low power scope, and the addition of a shooting sling, it would make a fine general purpose rifle.
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I like the look of that one too. Wonder what they will sell for in canada?
 
hoytcanon said:
I have owned more than fifty M77's and never had a single one with an action that would "bind." Bill Ruger stipulated some play in the action for reliability... every hear of a Ruger freezing up on a cold, frosty morning... ever hear of a Ruger jamming up because a bit of grit blew into the action? I keep hearing that the least play between the bolt and receiver is the litmus test for "quality"... I will be the first to admit that a tight action "feels great" at the gun counter... but that is where I will leave them... in the field, I want dead reliable... and that is what my M77's have always been.

For this thread, my submission would be an M77 MKII Frontier in .308 Win or and M77 MKII RSI in .308 Win.
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depending on what ruger you and if it was contracted out to some factory in the 80s when ruger was going broke
like my mk77 worst shooting gun out of the collection .
Sold it off fast once I traced serial number :(
 
I have my mind pretty much set on the Tikka T3 Battue, however, in my search for one I stumbled across the Browning BLRs and was quite impressed. Can anyone convince me to go BLR over the T3?
 
If you could accept .303 Brit instead of .308 Win. then a LE No.5 with it's excellent iron sights, 10 shot magazine, very fast cycling action and WWII reliability might suit.

You can also use a no gunsmith mount to put a scope on it.
 
My Battue Lite in 30-06 has been superb. The action is unbeatable as far as modern mass produced actions go.
You could also look at a Tradeex Mauser 98 or 96 sporter, have the barrel cut down to 20" and get it Arma-coated. Drop it into a Boyds Laminate stock and you have a virtually indestructible rifle for not alot more than a new Tikka or Ruger. Scoping is optional.
 
I was prompted to return to this thread after spending part of the afternoon sighting-in and shooting my new-to-me Chinese Socom M14 clone. I've had a couple of M305's in the past, and this one is by far my favourite of the three. Huge fun to shoot, reasonably accurate, a cool-looking range toy...and I was laughing as I shot it, thinking that there are actually folks who would consider this heavy, clunky monstrosity to be in the same league as some of the other fine hunting rifles discussed in this thread! This gun is charming in its own way, but as a hunter? What a joke! I intend to carry it for a day or two this fall, looking for deer...because it's such a poor choice, not because it's a good one. :)
 
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