I'd buy whatever sporter I liked and then pay a smith $50-75 to lop it off at 20-21" and give it a fresh crown. That's assuming the same rifle wasn't already available in the shorter-barreled version. When you open the door to bobbing a couple inches off a sporter, you have more options than just factory carbines. It's not like 2-4" of sporter tube really weighs that much out front anyway.
I have a factory Ruger American Compact Stainless .308 w/ 18" tube that shoots lights out. Sub MOA with several loads. Replaced the youth stock with a fullsize and she makes for an awesome little deer killing carbine.
Also have a Remington Model 7 stainless in 7mm-08 with a 20" tube that fits the bill as well.
I hear great things about the Browning X Bolt midas. Haven't shot the carbine ones before but the X Bolt I have shoots lights out. Would be a good look.
Like also said before, can also buy any reputable sporter and have it shortened and recrowned. I did this with a Kimber Hunter in 6.5 manbun and have never regretted it. She now wears a 19" tube after being lopped. She has quickly become my go-to when I want a short and light bolt carbine for mountain hikes.
Last edited by Steelruger22; 07/17/21.
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same... President Ronald Reagan
Steelruger22 do you just hit the mountain goats in the head with the 19 foot barrel? Not a very man-bun-ish sounding sport. Be well, RZ.
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill.
Ha, good catch! And no, I don't think such actions would be appreciated by our snowflake crowd....or the goats at that matter.
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same... President Ronald Reagan
Agreed. Everything you needs unless you're putting a can on it. 22" barrel though. But its a sub-moa gun. In fact, mine's a sub-moa gun with factory ammo (Norma Whitetail .308 Winchester 150 gr).
Older 700 youth model. Bought my son a 7-08 and put it in a hunter’s edge ADL. Timney, milled follower, Talley LW’s and a Zeiss 3-9. He’s killed a bunch of [bleep] with it.
Older 700 youth model. Bought my son a 7-08 and put it in a hunter’s edge ADL. Timney, milled follower, Talley LW’s and a Zeiss 3-9. He’s killed a bunch of [bleep] with it.
That is a very nice set up. That scope has enough eye relief for younger/smaller people to comfortably get a full sight picture.
Older 700 youth model. Bought my son a 7-08 and put it in a hunter’s edge ADL. Timney, milled follower, Talley LW’s and a Zeiss 3-9. He’s killed a bunch of [bleep] with it.
That is a very nice set up. That scope has enough eye relief for younger/smaller people to comfortably get a full sight picture.
For our AO and type of hunting it’s an ideal set up, IMO. I load 140gr SGK’s over RL15 and so far no problems even though Ive read (on here) about all the Sierra bullet disasters people have had. Shoot 165gr in my ‘06 and 65gr in .223 with same results.
I load 140gr SGK’s over RL15 and so far no problems even though Ive read (on here) about all the Sierra bullet disasters people have had. Shoot 165gr in my ‘06 and 65gr in .223 with same results.
I have several hundred old, 50+ years old IIRC, 120 grain flat base Sierras I got as part of a bulk deal a component supplier of mine got out of an old stash. I put a bunch of them on top of a stiff charge of Varget since I had a good bit of it. RL15 would have done just as well. My buddy shoots them out his 7mm08 Model 7 and he had no trouble with the does and pigs he popped. Also for many years my father shot 150 grain boat tails out of his 30-06 for deer. 52 grains of IMR4064. One shot, one deer, no problems. This last season I killed a number of pigs one shot apiece with 100 grain Game Kings out of my 250 Savage.
I load 140gr SGK’s over RL15 and so far no problems even though Ive read (on here) about all the Sierra bullet disasters people have had. Shoot 165gr in my ‘06 and 65gr in .223 with same results.
I have several hundred old, 50+ years old IIRC, 120 grain flat base Sierras I got as part of a bulk deal a component supplier of mine got out of an old stash. I put a bunch of them on top of a stiff charge of Varget since I had a good bit of it. RL15 would have done just as well. My buddy shoots them out his 7mm08 Model 7 and he had no trouble with the does and pigs he popped. Also for many years my father shot 150 grain boat tails out of his 30-06 for deer. 52 grains of IMR4064. One shot, one deer, no problems. This last season I killed a number of pigs one shot apiece with 100 grain Game Kings out of my 250 Savage.
Ruger M77 RL if you can find one - might have to tinker with it to get 1 moa though. Tikka T3x then get an adult stock would be my easy button as others on the fire often say about these rifles.
I like my 77RSI in 308. 18 1/2" so it barks though.
Ditto. Paul B.
Our forefathers did not politely protest the British.They did not vote them out of office, nor did they impeach the king,march on the capitol or ask permission for their rights. ----------------They just shot them. MOLON LABE
Howa ranchland compact is one that I have. They may have changed the name. Comes with the “lightened” action, #1 contour 20” barrel and hogue stock. I don’t mind the stock.
Talking to you is like trying to nail jello to the wall.
Would seriously consider Howa Stalker in 6.5 CM, 7-08 Rem or 308 Win. All have bottom metal with 22-inch barrel. Weight is in the 5lbs arena. A 308 win in 22-inch barrel is about perfect for achieving good velocity and excellent handling. Prior to this model I would look for a used Howa Alpine, but they are scarce with cerakote finish, 20-inch barrel and wonderful Bansner stock. Weight just shy of 6lbs or so depending on drop magazine or bottom metal, as they came in both configurations.
Older 700 youth model. Bought my son a 7-08 and put it in a hunter’s edge ADL. Timney, milled follower, Talley LW’s and a Zeiss 3-9. He’s killed a bunch of [bleep] with it.
Makin’ Meat! 👍 Always good to see the young ones in the woods. And…. That rifle package is perfection. I could hunt the entire continent with it. Well done sir.
Here's my Ruger Lightweight Deluxe .308 with Circassian walnut, 200 made for Talo
dude thats gotta be the sexiest looking ruger i've ever laid eyes on fo sho. i'd love one just like it but in 7mm-08. that said both my sons started with a teeker t3 compact in 7 0h 8 and its never failed to impress. not as sexy as the aforementioned ruger but if looking for plug and play thats your ticket. Big Ed
"Only accurate rifles are interesting" Col. Townsend Whelen
Tikka T3 lite topped with SB 4x16-56 Polar that shoots factory rem corlocks and fed blue box damn near in the same hole. I in the process of working on loading some 155 lapua scenars for it to stretch it out and see what it will do at longer ranges.
A lot of great choices here and hunt with a carbine myself(Weatherby Mark V carbine ss with 20" barrel in 7mm-08). To me, if hunting with a gun and the barrel is less than 22", you are hunting with a carbine. The OP's original question on a "Compact" to me says a shorter barrel and length of pull. The Tikka T3 lite compact is a great choice. The gun Jackmountain put together for his son is another great choice. Had one for each of my boys, they get older and want a full length stock, easy enough to find and drop in.
I've owned/had a number of short barreled .308 bolt guns. I had a M70 lightweight carbine for years, but traded it off after its accuracy fell off and I wasn't smart enough to fix it. Other .308s are a M600 Mohawk, a M700 stainless DM cut from 24" to 20", a Ruger American stainless compact, a TC venture compact, and also a Winchester M670 carbine in .30-06. I like short barrel rifles for hunting in thickly wooded areas. They're handy in tree stands.
I've owned/had a number of short barreled .308 bolt guns. I had a M70 lightweight carbine for years, but traded it off after its accuracy fell off and I wasn't smart enough to fix it. Other .308s are a M600 Mohawk, a M700 stainless DM cut from 24" to 20", a Ruger American stainless compact, a TC venture compact, and also a Winchester M670 carbine in .30-06. I also have a Krag cutdown .30-40 with a 20" barrel. I like short barrel rifles for hunting in thickly wooded areas. They're handy in tree stands.
I've been extremely impressed with my Kimber Adirondack in 308 with 18" barrel. Completely stock from Kimber with no work done on it and it puts factory Barnes 130ttsx in one ragged hole at 100yds. Fired as fast as I could chamber round and line up scope.