Who Has a .308 along with your Experiences

I have hunted most everything that Canada has to offer with a 308 for a number of years. No griz, no polar bear. Yeah, there are more powerful ubermagnums out there, but a 308 of today, particularly with handloads is a more capable cartridge then the 06 of early post second war, and that is well accepted as being able to do what you need.

The advantage that 08 gives you is that you can go an buy a reasonably cheap crate of ammo, and put it down range from a bunch of positions, and get very comfortable with your platform.
 
I used my M14 in 308 last year for deer hunting and have done a fair bit of shooting from 0-200 yards and I'm pleased with the cartridge and its accuracy in this rifle. At 100 yards, the cheap Federal softpoints will not exceed 1.5" 5 shot group. At 200 yards, many of the shots group into a similar size group. Not bad for a $400 gun. In the spirit of cartridge compatibility, and looking more like a hunter, I recently purchased a Tikka T3 lite in 308 and I plan to use that as my main deer gun. Its a lot easier to stock and reload a single cartridge, and 308 is not a bad choice. The Tikka shoots very well and I'm confident in the gun's consistency. Sometimes the first two shots touch at 100 yards, 3rd shot brings it out to minute of angle. What more could I want in a light hunting rifle?
 
I have ony had 1 308 and that was in a Remington 760 with a Bushnell buck horn scope. I was not very impressed with it at all. But now that I don't have it I am starting to get convinced that it was the scope and not the gun or the cal. . When I got it I took it out to sight it in and at 100 yards I could not touch paper,:eek: so I shortened up to 50 yards to get it on paper and then tighten up the groups. Once that was done I took it back to 100 yards and was doing ok but not great. Once out hunting I made a 1 shot kill on a nice 10 point whitetail. :) Then later on in the year I took it out varmint hunting and could not hit anything.:confused: After that I took it out to do some 300 yard shotting on a solid rest and again I couldn't hit anything.:mad: After that I got frustrated and traded it on a SAA clone.:cool: Now that all said I am very seriously considering buying a New rifle in either a bolt action or a single shot such as a New England Hiandi Rifle or a Remington ( I think it is called a s18 or a sa18). Any way I am not scared off by the Caliber I think as I said before the scope was shot.
 
Today Fat Tony and myself, spent the afternoon shooting paper targets.
The .308 Wichita 1375 actioned rifle, and 30 inch barrel & target sights was a superb shooter.
This is the first time we have fired it, and after 9 rounds to get on paper,(first time ever) Fat Tony shot a 3/4 inch group. (1 pulled/called shot) At 100 yards.
And I was very pleased blacking out the bull with my group later as well.

Overall, a great day of target 308 shooting!

EDIT: Other rifles in this calibre I own:
Remington 788
Polytech M-14S
Tanker Garand copy, 18.5 inch barrel
 
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I have 2 308's a 5R Mil Spec and a stevens I love the 308 round for a do everything rifle. I've killed everything from coyote to bear with it. If hunting for coyote hides it's prob a little to big unless you use a fmj I shot a coyote last week with a 150gr sp and there were peices everywhere prob didn't help that I was only 10ft away when I pluged him though.
 
I have six .308 rifles at the moment and I've had a few more. Currently I have a Sportco, Remington Mohawk, Ruger 77 Mk II ss Varmint/target, Israeli M98, Norc M14 and a Stevens 200 all in 308.

I find the 308 really easy to load good ammo for, lots of good bullets available. Short action rifles, moderate recoil and generally very good accuracy are other benefits.

In my opinion, the 308 is the most useful cartridge available.
 
i have a Savage model 14 classic in a 308 that i totally love...its light(but not too light,like the Tikkas) its pretty(nicely figured dark walnut,jeweled bolt and rich bluing) and its dead accurate 3 shots in a quarter at 100 yards with Winchester XR2s...so yes i would say a 308 is a fine choice in any flavor of brand
i in no way shape or form work for savage

but buy a savage nudge nudge
 
I have a Rem 700 LTR .308. My best 3 shot group so far is 0.25" at 100 yards using my handloads. I hunted with it a few weeks ago and didn't even notice the weight and appreciated its short handy length, and got me a nice whitetail. I love this rifle.
 
I have a m-70 .308 featherweight. It's not really my style of rifle (I don't go for small barrels and furniture), but I do hunt with it because it is by far the most accurate rifle I own. Can hit a 6" gong offhand at 200 yards all day.

The rifle doesn't like bullets heavier than 165 grains, but I feel that it's enough for big game provided my shot placement is good.
 
You really can't go wrong with a .308 for your intended use. I presently have a Remington R5 Milspec, a Win M-70 FWT, an M-14 and 8 or 10 Savage 99's in .308. I have had many others over the years and the one constant factor was that they all shot really well with a a variety of handloads and several also shot really well with cast bullet loads.

I have not used a 308 on game bigger than Mule deer but would not have a problem taking one moose or elk hunting.

FWIW, 44Bore
 
Had two .308s and .30-06, ended up selling the .30-06 and standardized to .308 (now have three). They work.

Are enough threads debating the calibres but for practical purposes, 270, 7mm, 7-08, 30-06 why not?
 
I have a Savage 99c in 308 and a Ruger 77mk II in 30-06 but that damn Savage is such a sweet carry it is going to be my fave. Got a Nikon 6x on it and it is a delight to shoot unlike the 06. The Ruger is stainless and has a lam stock so it it quite a bit heavier. As a carry rifle the savage is more comfy than my 94 or 336. I have so many bullets I have bought off the EE that I could load hundreds for all 3 30cals I have but will likely use them for the 308.
It just fits me so nice and it is such an elegant design. Ideal truck gun too. Everybody I let shoot it says the same thing about it too-just fits so nice. My dad hunted exclusively with a 308 too and his Winnie 100 is still around somewhere in the family.
 
.308 good choice. Mine is a heavy custom but if I was going to buy a light walk around it would be a TC Icon. I have shot my friends alot it is very accurate great trigger and the detachable mag is nice.
 
Ruger 308, shoots great right out of the box. Its my main deer rifle. Only thing is, it has a heavy trigger which can be fixed easily if you wanted too. You only notice the heavy trigger at the range, never in the woods.
 
The brand new Stevens 200 which I just took to the range for the very first time, using 150 gr FMJ, was very enjoyable both accuracy wise and recoil wise.
Some groups were cloverleafs at 100 yards, some were not as good, but this was just a first batch of reloads used to sight in rather than for load development.
 
i have a 99-c 308win i have shot a number of deer with it , its good if the range doesnt exceed 225 yds, i wouldnt choose one as a hunting round as with a 22 inch barrel its sure not a great long range caliber, i think a .270 or 30-06 , 25-06 would be my chose if longer range is part of your hunting country,,,wade
 
wade said:
i have a 99-c 308win i have shot a number of deer with it , its good if the range doesnt exceed 225 yds, i wouldnt choose one as a hunting round as with a 22 inch barrel its sure not a great long range caliber, i think a .270 or 30-06 , 25-06 would be my chose if longer range is part of your hunting country,,,wade
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Sorry, there is no practical difference between 30-06 and .308 in long distance shooting. On paper, no question, but in the field, Nada. If it were otherwise, military snipers would still be using the 30-06. there is a little difference between the .308 and the .25-06 or the .270, but not much, really. Not enough that average skills could tell any real difference. It IS fun to debate though. For what it's worth, I currently shoot four .308 and one .25-06.
 
long walker , i beat you shot those .308s more at targets , and carry your 2506 for deer, as you ,, i love the debate,,, i will buy a 2506 for open country deer hunting, and use my old 99-c .308 where i now the ranges will be shorter,,, wade
 
Have had a few 308's over ther years....but I get bored quickly and change all the time.
My favorite was a Ruger 77RSI nice and short, handled easily for thick bush walking.

Sure I will get another at some point.
 
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