My history of .308 carbines-
Rem M600 Mohawk, 18" barrel in a Numrich walnut stock.
Winchester M70 lightweight carbine-20" barrel, shot lots of deer with it, mediocre accuracy. Traded it away.
Ruger American stainless youth carbine, 18" barrel, fitted with a standard length stock. Great shooter.
Thompson Center youth carbine, just about perfect 20" barrel. Stock fitted with TC-supplied "adult" length spacer.
Remington M700 stainless synthetic DBM cut down to a 20" tube. My current woods rifle, put together as a "tree stand rifle".
Honorable mention, a .30-06 Winchester M670 carbine with a 20" barrel, a Stevens 325 in .30-30 with a 21" barrel.
For most woods hunting, I think a .308 carbine is about perfect. Good up close, but can still reach out some if needed. Usable for for bear in overlapping seasons with the right bullets.
