What say you?

Ruger Hawkeye All Weather

Not anymore, they were discontinued.

700 SPS gets my vote. I

Yep, they have been discontinued, but there are several still on dealers shelves. It would be one of my choices too. All steel, a good open trigger design, and most are very accurate. In the price range, they'd be hard to beat.

I have an old model 7 stainless synthetic that shoots 1/2 moa with 155 scenars over Varget.

Bb

Ruger Hawkeye

Tikka T3

Steyr Pro Hunter

Cooper if you have the $$$$

Kimber Montana

Kimber Montucky
Remington 700 SS
Tikka T3 Lite

Money no object id vote Cooper Excalibur but for most a Remington 700 will due just fine.......Id also give the Browning X-Bolt Stainless Stalker a look....Good luck.......Hb

I'm pretty fond of those too.

Winchester EW, in an Edge. Weighs 7lbs 5 oz as pictured. Puts 3 shots of most anything into .5-.75 MOA



I have a Kimber and it is nice too, but I don't consider it an all around rifle. If you absolutely have to keep weight down under 6 lbs scoped it is the best game in town. The Kimber is plenty accurate, but I just shoot this a bit better overall and at 7 1/4 lbs scoped isn't really heavy.

I like the looks of the laminated Hawkeye Predator. Think it comes in 308.

Tikka T3 SuperLite!

I have Remington and Tikka and the Tikka T3 gets my vote. This coming from a diehard Remington fan.

Nothing against Kimber but I hold better with a little more weight. T3 and Weatherby S2/Howa came to mind. Rugers are solid as well. The EW above is a nice package and not heavy at all. How are the new triggers on the new M70s? As reliable and durable as older models?

Tikka T3 lite stainless

Kimber Montana or Model 70 EW.

I think it would be hard to convince momma I need "another" hunting rifle with that jem in the safe

Before it's too late..

308 Hawkeye

On the ruger do you guys use the rings that come with them

Ruger Hawkeye, Synthetic/Blue, $499 plus $14.75 shipping.
http://www.cdnnsports.com/308-hm77rfp-22-syn.html#.VZ5cjPlVhBc

Or get an All Weather for $549.

Just picked up a walnut/blue .30-06 at the $549 price two days ago. Best trigger I have seen on a non-VT M77/MKII/Hawkeye -- ever.A little take-up, then a crisp, clean break and fairly light.

The Ruger rings are all that I've ever used on the several I have.

Absolutely. Why pay more for a hunting rifle when the Ruger rings come with the rifle and work fine?


Here's my old (1982) M77 7mm RM, 10 shots in a very gusty 40+ MPH crosswind (radio said gusts were hitting 60+):



1989 Ruger M77 .257 Roberts:



2003 Ruger MKII .30WM, first shot from an oiled bore:


1984 Ruger M77 .30-06, 2-shot scope check:


1994 Ruger semi-custom (2010) MKII .338WM, factory barrel and rings, 3 shots:



19913 Ruger #1 .280 Rem, two different loads:


No target pics for my MKII .223 but it routinely shoots .5" groups at 100 yards and i use it to shoot clay pigeons at 500 and 600 yards. (At 600 I miss most of the time but rarely by much unless the wind is kicking up.)

I would suggest the Remington 700SS Mountain Rifle with BC stock in 308.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=493855827

Yes and no.

I have a Hawkeye Predator. Rifle comes with mediums. I used them for an older VX-1 4-12. I bought a set of lows for the illuminated Mark AR 1-4 it's wearing right now. Amazon has good prices and a good selection of rings so you can match the rifle's finish. I like the look of the gray rings and matte black scope, but lots of people don't. There was a big discussion a while back about the various color combinations possible.


I would be okay with the Leupolds as well if I was going to use matte black rings.

Win m70 ew gets my vote.

Win EW M70
Kimber Montana
Remington MTN 700

I would have said Ruger Hawkeye, but had one last year that no matter what I did, only shot 2-3" groups. Had an 06 that was the same, so I am 50/50 on the Ruger's now.

We bought two hawkeyes 243s for my twin little sisters. One being a RH and the other LH. Despite our hand loading efforts we have yet to find any loads that can consistently maintain sub 1" groups. Pretty disappointed with them.

sako 85

For the Ruger Hawkeye fans - it sounds like there is some discrepancy in the replies so far; some seem to think they shoot great, and others not so much. Obviously that trend can (and does) occur in all manufactured rifles, but what are the odds of getting a lemon hawkeye vs. a shooter hawkeye? I might be interested in picking one up, but I'm wondering what kind of gamble I would be taking.

I'd pick up a Kimber Montana all of the 308's I've heard about shoot very well. I'm sure you can learn to shoot it well and it's a hunting rifle after all. Past that a 700 in a Mcmillan will be a fine choice. Good luck!

The only dud Ruger I've owned is a 308 Hawkeye. It does really well with one load and nothing else. It won't shoot any 165 to save its own butt. I replaced it with a 700 and my 308 problems were solved.

I've got 2 other Hawkeyes and they are great. Based on mine 2 out of 3 are good

I have yet to get a lemon Ruger M77/MKII/Hawkeye and my safe is full of them. The targets I posted above speak for themselves.

That includes the the two Hawkeyes in .308 Win and one in .280 Rem that I've purchased in last 7 months.

I do float the barrels on my Rugers but I do that to all my rifles with one-piece stocks.

What is available new today in a sporter? My picks:

Win 70 EW or Stainless Synthetic
Sako 85 Finnlight

Ultralight:

Forbes Mod 20 (only a stainless barrel on this one now, but allegedly a stainless action with be available shortly)
Kimber Montana

The 700 mountain rifle is fine too, but I don't like the B&C stock on the current ones.

For my use, reliability of function trumps everything else. I've owned 77s of all three vintages, and all have been accurate enough for any hunting situation I will encounter. My current Hawkeye just averaged 1 1/8" for three 3 shot groups with 44gr of Varget and 165gr BTs. Dead stock, no tweaking of load, seating depth, bedding, or barrel break-in. Later this summer, I'll probably remount the 4-12 and play with some other powders and match bullets, maybe some cast bullets and saboted .224s. I got the Predator to be a do-all, dinking around rifle. If I wanted an out-of-the-box tack-driver for long range, I'd probably get a Savage. For pretty, I'd go Cooper or Select Grade Kimber. For light, a Montana.

The Predator is all steel, inletted perfectly, has a great 2-stage trigger, and came with matching rings for $769, delivered to my FFL. I think I got a heckuva deal.

My opinion here, but based on all the 77s I have owned and been around since Ruger started making their own barrels, the odds of getting one that won't shoot are slim. I'm not talking benchrest here, but MOA is the norm in my experience.

Okay, you bunch of enablers talked me into the stainless laminate Hawkeye that CDNN has for sale . I hope it shoots well - I don't hunt flys, so sub-MOA isn't necessary... it would be a nice surprise though

To the OP - My apologies for hijacking your thread.

Tikka T3 or Super lite

Really like my Montana....

My Ruger was averaging 2.5-3 inch groups until I bedded and free floated it. I filed down the box magazine and put in an aftermarket trigger. It will shoot 1 inch or better now! My first but not my last Ruger!

Good stuff. Thanks all.

^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^

This Package is what floats my boat. A good friend put together a package very similar and I have been impressed with how it carries and shoots. Not very much you can't do with one like this for all BG in NA.

NB

A (discontinued) Remington LVSF, if you can find one....yes, they made a few in .308. Might want to change out the stock.

I started looking at stainless rifles for goggles about a year ago. If I ever get one I think I would like to have a Savage 116 in .270 win.

Any opinions these?

Funny how Rem discontinues some of the few configs I've liked.
Always repeating history.

Mine of course!

T3 Lite 20"s with 2.5-10 compact nightforce.

Hi,do you find it appreciably worth it in carrying qualities to cut it to 20 inches?
Given it to do over again would you cut the barrel to 20 inches ?
Did you chrono it before and after ?

Thanks
Craig

I like that chopped T3

I've had good luck with ruger, but tikka is in a class of its own.

I agree with this. The EW makes for a more practical all-round rifle at a sensible weight. Even with steel rings and the B&C stock it isn't exactly heavy. Talley lightweights and a Leupold 4x33mm would be about as meat and potatoes as you can get in .308.

The Featherweight SS would also fit very well if Winchester would see fit to make it a regular catalog item.

I will put a Savage fcss Weather Warrior with its accustock and accutrigger up against any of them. Put some good glass on top and you're ready to go. You can only let the gun down, it will never let you down.

Craig.

I did not chrono it before and after. I have carried standard 22" sporters a fair amount to be familiar with their chracteristics. That said, when I was envisioning my perfect "all around" rifle, a 20" .308 was what always came to mind.

Depending on your terrain/hunting style, the shorter barrel may be of little value to you, or it may prove ideal for swinging around inside pickup cabs, working your way through under brush, whatever.

I hunt a mix of very open, typical western terrain, and dark northside timber. I probably could do just as well with a 22", but am very happy with the balance, handling and shooting characteristics of the 20".

Would I do it again? Absolutely.

In fact I just bought another T3 Lite .308. This one will be presented to my soon to be 13 year old daughter next month, for her first hunting rifle. It will be cut to 20"s as well, though I intend to put a brake on it for her, for recoil control, due to her scrawny frame. Adding a shortened stock, I think it will be ideal for her.

Mackay, just a thought.. Might it not be better to load the .308 with a lighter bullet and a little less powder for you daughters first hunts than put a brake on the rifle.. To me the blast of a brake out weights the recoil problem.. With a couple young folks, I just loaded a lighter bullet until they were older and more experienced.. Just an idea.. good shooting and good luck with the fall hunt.. They are just around the corner.

That one is very nice. Just about perfect in fact.

Wyo,

You are likely right. That said, I am trying to minimize my load development time, and standardize on loads in just a few cartridges. Time is one commodity I am very short on. I have a 155 grain Scenar load that works well in every .308 I have tried it in so far, as well as a 165 grain HPBT Game King that has proven superbly accurate, as well as very effective on big game.

My intent is to minimize loads and maximize time available to spend hunting, and teaching the kiddos how to hunt/shoot.

I will not argue your sound logic though.

Cheers!

Thanks
I did have Remington 660 308 Umteen Years ago and liked the short barrel.
I hunted the woods almost exclusively back then.

I gots to go with the Kimber Montana on this one.




Travis

Some really nice alternatives out there. My vote is for the Montana. Just about a perfect hunting rifle IMO. I will say that the Howa Alpine Mountain Rifle shoots really well and feels exceptionally nice to me. Not stainless, but rather Cerakote.

Why people refer Montana and the roulette odds for the money. I just don't get it.

I would not recommend if I really thought there was much of a Roulette game to be played. I have as much confidence in a Montana shooting and functioning well as any other comparably priced rifle.

From reports it sounds like customer service at Kimber is good if needed - vs say the new Forbes.

A buddy of mine bought a new Montana 7mm.08 that shot 4 MOA and had feeding issues so he sent it back to Kimber, 4 months later he got his rifle back and the feeding issue was resolved but it still shot 4" groups @100 yds so he took it to a gun show and unloaded it......My own Kimber Model 84 in .308 Win functioned fine and shot 1 MOA with factory ammo.....So I most certainly do believe in "Kimber roulette"........Hb

FWIW, I do believe there was an issue with 7-08s for a time. My only Hawkeye wouldn't feed and went right back to the factory.

Gotta wonder if at least some of the Montana accuracy "issues" are caused by the difficulty of shooting a really light rifle off the bench.

My Montana 7-08 was shooting 4" groups outta the gate. A little extra barrel float back at the shank made a world of difference...

Before:







After:









[img]http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums...D-4CD3-A11B-15FE8DC34EF6_zpsnxxce7z9.png[/img]


Etc.

Etc.

Etc.

Sometimes a little bit of effort and time can be well worth it, to end up with a rifle that is 6 lbs scoped and ready, shoots 3-shot groups under 0.75 MOA with many different bullets and loads, has an excellent stock and trigger, CRF, all SS construction, etc, etc, and you guys in the US can get all that for ~$1000 and possibly a few minutes of elbow grease, if you look around.

If you like to tinker with your rifle ( not me ) Kimber rifles are probly fun but I cant bring Myself to spend $1100.00 + for a rifle That I will most likely have to work on to (maybe) make shoot.......Hb

Rem 700 with Timney trigger, or Tikka T3 with Limbsaver recoil pad.

Which sub-6lb, stainless, tinker-free, rifle do you prefer when spending $1,100.00?




Travis

That's a great question. How many people criticize a 700 because a guy put on a new tube,new stock,and new trigger?

Sub-6 lbs scoped, that is...

First of all I was a little light on price, I did a search on GB and Kimber Montana's are $1200.00 not $1100.00 that being said you are right the Kimber Montana is the lightest production rifle in that price range but I can't pay $1200.00+ for a rifle that I know more than likely I will have to take home and screw around with just to make it shoot, that is ridiculous! If I want a light rifle I will save me a pile of money and buy a Tikka T3, I will carry the few extra ounces with the Tikka at half the price and have a rifle that will shoot or I'd spend a couple hundred more bucks than the Montana and buy a Sako Finnlight and have IMO a much better rifle that has bottom metal, I am not going to fret over the minimal weight difference but if a few ounces difference mean's that much too you and your an amateur gunsmith by all means its your money, buy a Montana you will be tickled to death with your project and who knows you might get lucky and buy one with no issues......I didn't mention that I also hate the slick blind magazine stock on the Kimber Montana but that is a personal thing.............Good hunting............Hb

Also for others not mentioned thus far, take a look at the Montana Rifle Company XWR/X2 and Mauser 12 Extreme.

LOL

I'm on my second one and they aren't tinker free.

Yeah, Ive had several Myself and mine did fine but I know all rifle makers throw out a turd once in a while, it seems from what Ive experienced Myself and buddies and what I read on the campfire that Kimber rifles are the biggest grab bag of the bunch.....What about Remingtons new Model Seven SS? That would make a fine little package at a reasonable price.....and its got a floorplate, a feature I like...... ..Hb

What I find interesting is the variety of responses people get from the CS folks at the same companies for similar problems. When I deal with CS in other lines of business over the phone and don't like what I hear, I usually call back and get someone else. Often I get a better deal from the next guy.

My choice was a Kimber Montana in .308. No problems, no tinkering needed, no regrets. No current production rifle I'd rather have instead.

My vote goes for my Browning Mountain Ti, you can see its picture over there on the left.

Weatherby Mk V; if you can find one and put it in a McMillan Sako Classic:

...gets my vote!!!

Bob

yes, an excellent choice that I had forgotten about........but last I looked these were mighty spendy.......Hb

Yea that torques me off as well......

Just an FYI on the pricing I have found for a stainless all weather rifle.

In So Oregon the Kimber Montana is running $1250.00 and must be ordered. Hopefully, they are making them or have one, if not / you will wait. Remington SPS $750.00 and can be found caliber lottery is your only drawback. I am looking at Winchesters today.

My buddy just picked up a Remington model 700 XCR II. I have to admit it is a nice combination for the money. Great trigger, good factory stock I could live with if I had to, TriNyte coated, and very accurate. I was impressed by the accuracy just setting up the scope.

He is in under a thousand with a VX-II scope and ready to hunt anything reasonable in the lower 48.

I would have to say that the Ruger - set up the sameway - for the money spent - would be a real close second. If a guy is not wanting something special and just wants to get it done, I feel you could not go wrong with and Tikka, Ruger, The 700, or the EX Winchester.

I would comment that the two most accurate I have seen have been the Tikka and the Remingtons without messing with them. And I shoot a Winchester EW - Go figure...............

The Montana is a great rifle but I wouldn't pick one just because it's a stainless rifle,nor would I compare them to other stainless rifles that weigh over a pound more.

Hillbilly,

Probably disqualified since they are discontinued now as well. I practically stole mine, but they have always been pricey.

KC

I wish Browning would offer the same rifle in an X-Bolt......I have had several of these and found them all to be delightfully accurate....Hb

Good deal... Thanks!

I think one is on my short list.

Local Dicks sporting goods has ADL SS 700's for $500.... Can't order one but stock changes frequently. As of last week they had 2 243 one 270 and one 06'....

As far as the Montanas go I still find it impossible to beat a $500+ stock holding a SS barreled action with a nice trigger for a grand hard to beat. If the stock fits it's money...

W

Traded my A-bolt for my 1st Tikka and X-bolt for second Tikka, so now I have 2. Both will do .5 MOA with my loads when I am 'on'. Browning was close in accuracy but Tikka is more refined, better trigger, holds and carries better for me. Buy 2 'Plastikkas' for the cost of a Montana, they're better shooters and you won't cry if you ding it up hunting. If you want art that's cool, I have an old Browning FN Safari in mint condition that stays in the safe, Tikka's are superb hunting tools that get hard use.

I would give serious consideration to the Ruger All Weather on sale at Whittakers.

Great post and info. Thanks for sharing your experience.

308 hunters - what will you take afield this season?

Rifle n Load.

Sako85 Finnlight,all one needs

Montana Rifle Company XWR.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...ntana_Rifle_Company_XWR_Rang#Post9645294

John

Cause its only roulette to idgits. For the rest of us, not so much...

Blah blah blah same old chit coming out of a different parrot.

Come up with something else 'cause we've heard that one before and thoroughly debunked the bull.

For those with Hawkeyes that are not shooting quite up to par, get on that front action screw really hard. And I mean really hard. You might be surprised with group improvement. Ruger for a heavier gun, Montana for a lightweight. Just my way of flying. I've got both.

One more thing:
Everybody has their own preferences and bias, but if I can buy a gun manufactured by an American gun company, even if I have to tinker with it a little to get it to shoot, that's how I'm going. Not trying to slam anybody, but we need to support U.S. Gun manufacturers all that we can.

An aside here; I've owned what I consider expensive rifles and cheaper models and I've never owned one that I didn't tinker with. Just me.

Sako never disappointed me. That. 2-8 or 3-10?

I like the new slimmer B&C stock of the 2015 M70 EW. I'd probably go that route.

The 700 Mountain SS would be my #2 choice and then the T3 Superlite with the fluted barrel. I like the Kimber Montana too, but I like a little more weight to a rifle. I typically do not tote a rifle more than a mile or two in a day, on flat land mostly.

Ruger 308 All Weather, 2-7X33 LRD, Factory Nosler 150 or 165 Accubond, Federal factory 165 TBT (P308TT4) high energy, all work for me.

For me there is not a nicer rifle than this EW Winchester. The stock saves the weight and creates a much different handling rifle than the B&C. Quick is the feeling I get. The scope speaks for its self and being in .308.

I'm a huge Kimber Montana fan and have to say that this is one of the most refreshingly honest reasons I've ever heard here as to why not choose one.

Montana
150 AB or 155 Skinners over Varget


788
165 SGK over Varget

What's the opinion here of the discontinued Remington LVSF -308?

I can't say I have any built in loyalty, but the Sako 75/85 line has been very good to me. I have a M85 in 308 and it has everything I want. Good trigger, good barrel, good weight, good twist, good stock, good magazine. No drama, no fuss, turn key. I have confidence in the one's I own.