Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles A Tale Of Two 308's... 84 MT vs. 70 EW

I love my 300WSM EW and 84M in .308. I will sell every rifle I own before these two go. My Remy Ti in 06 has gotten lonely.

As Brad said, not much difference in 7-08 w/ 150's and 308 w/ 165/168's!

Buy both, stop this mental abuse. Merry Christmas.

From this morning. Yea..sure glad you sold me this rifle. Lots of love for lightweight hunting rifles, especially model 70 Winchesters.

Brad is turning out some great threads lately. I've been a long time lurker here but always appreciate his perspective.

Nice write-up Brad and even nicer rifles.


I have a 6.5lb 270 and an 8.5lb 270 both scoped with 6x36LR's.
They both have a purpose but obviously it would be wise to fill the huge weight gap and complete the deadly trifecta with a 7.5lb 270.

Sam that's funny....like most of us on here, you're beyond hope.


Merry Christmas!

lol

I "need" at least 7 308's...

Something on an AR platform or FN FAL.
Lightweight bolt.
Midweight bolt.
Heavyweight LR bolt.
Pracitcal bolt (scope in detachable mounts/open sights backup.
Savage 99 F
Custom Mauser with drop-dead wood.

I have found that I like the heavier 84Ls better for the reasons stated in this thread. The extra weight and 24" barrel help with stability, and I run a little heavier scope and mounts on these than other guns. That plus a Montana sling and ammo gets the rifle to a well-balanced 7.5-7.75 all up, which is perfect for me. All in a rifle that comes from the factory with a good stock and barrel and needs little to go hunt.

The Kimber below in 25-06 was used hard last year, taking several animals, including an elk, and covered a lot of miles. I decided to use factory ammo (Hornady American Whitetail) and forgo cleaning for a season to see how tough Kimbers really are. Incredibly, the box style trigger didn't even fail! Also, like most Kimbers I have shot, this one will do 1/2"-3/4" at 100 hundred with several loads, including the above mentioned Hornady and I don't think I have even bedded this one.

Can I carry a 9-10 lb rifle for miles in the back country and at elevation. Yes I can, I've done it in the past and could still do it. But at 57 it is even less pleasant than when I was 17. If I really needed a rifle that heavy to get the job done I'd carry one that heavy.

But carrying 1-2 lbs of dead weight that adds nothing to the hunt makes as much sense as taping a brick to the barrel of your gun. I don't lug around unnecessary weight just to prove how tough I am.

i have used lite and heavy rifles elk hunting but you guys should try carrying a compound bow with quiver and arrows elk hunting in the mountains,that`s when weight and size is hard and I am 62 years of age,but our freezer is full again this !

.

Brad how is the EW shooting for you?

Great thread. It's always good to hear from those who can and do deliver on a regular basis.

Thanks Brad.

I am glad I am not the only one with a .308 "problem".

Excellent thread, as always Brad.
I was lucky enough to try out a few 6 lb. class rifles that belonged to JimF if you remember him. It convinced me to not go below 7 3/4's lbs. loaded with a sling.
I didn't realize for many years just how important weight was until I started playing around with a 26 inch barreled, 10.5 lb. .308. Shot two five shot groups one day, once I learned how to read the ever changing wind, at 547 yds. Both groups, five shots each, were shot from a sitting position with a military style shooting sling. Both were 6 inches across.
There are a few things one can do to help a light rifle shoot better from field positions. One is to build the rifle with as long a barrel as you can tolerate. The other, is to use a good shooting sling. At present, my favorites are the 3 pt. Ching Sling and the African Ching Sling which works with only two attachment points. E

I have always maintained that balance and feel are every bit as important as is weight; even when just carrying.
I generally carry the rifle in my hand when I am packing in and I really want it to fit comfortably in my hand and balance well. Weight isn't super critical but there are some limitations, of course.
I have an old Model 70 which I have always liked (a 308 Norma) but it weighs close to ten pounds, all up. After a few miles my old, arthritic hands have had all they want. As long as the rifle is under eight pounds though, I'm still OK. When an eight pound rifle becomes too much, I should probably quit the whole backpack thing.
Please understand, I'm not saying a person shouldn't go for a lightweight rifle; saving weight everywhere just makes sense. I have just never been so inclined; mostly because I already have all these old-timey rifles which weigh a bit. I also still carry a two burner stove on my back! GD

I would love to get a stainless Model 70 this year. However, I wouldn't have the funds to customize it like you have. So, if you were to keep everything factory stock on the Model 70, would you get the .308 EW, or the .308 Stainless Ultimate Shadow?

Scot, the EW is a tackdriver.

I've also got a 270 problem

E, I really liked Jim F... do you see him anymore? If so, give him my regards. IIRC he was managing a backpack shop around Truckee?

My idea of a great, all-around rifle weight is 7.25 - to no more than 8lbs all-up.

At least 15 years ago when gunsmith Dave Gentry was still with us, he and I were discussing rifle weight in his shop. He's one of the progenitor's of the lightweight rifle from "back in the day." He told me he took one of his sub 7lb wonders on a sheep hunt and hated how it didn't settle down well for the kill shot. He subsequently went to a 7.75lb all-up rifle.

I'll stay with a sub 7 lb rifle for a sheep hunt, but I do know exactly what he was talking about.