Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Budget Bolt Guns in .308

Wanting to add a budget .308 bolt gun for general hunting here in the southeast. Grew up with .270 and later 6.5x55, my current caliber of choice. Leaning towards the Tikka T3x as I already have one in 6.5x55 but I know Ruger's CHF barrels can be crazy accurate in the less expensive American series. Don't care for the Savage Axis or MB Patriot rifles although the 110 series is great in the accuracy dept. Another option is the Browning AB3.

To boil it down to a simple question: between T3X, RAR, and AB3, what would be the consensus pick?

The Tikka is the official rifle of the 24hourcampfire. Do you really think this is a contest?

Agreed. If I want a known shooter, the Tikka is it.

I didn't expect it to be such a foregone conclusion but there it is. Mods, you may close the thread.

Another job well done with my usual speed and accuracy. :0)

Tikka and the Savage 110 are far from budget but would get my nod of the ones you mentioned.

Pick whichever seems to fit you best and has the options you prefer.

Winchester XPR.

Go Ruger American. Exactly 6.1 lbs on a scale. An actual short action, unlike the tikka. Holds more rounds than the tikka, Flush magazine, unike the tikka. A faster 1:10" twist than the tikka. One of the easiest triggers to adjust, of any rifle. Accurate as heck, even with 200 grain bullets.

Though the ruger american lacks the features of a serious Alaskan rifle, Ive seen these cheap plastic-wonders operate flawlessly up here from 30 below zero, to constant target shooting at 75 degrees, where the barrel gets scorching hot.

My buddy's 6.2 lb 30-06 handles nasty creek mud, and tundra/taiga foliage equally well:






Paid $100 for mine with 2-7x33 scope.....

mainer, we've talked about this.

I too have a RAR 308 (mines a lefty) ridiculous what you get for the money. Downright disconcerting.

Fancy, it is not. I treat mine like I treat my lawnmower. It keeps drilling little groups with whatever is on sale.

Even now about half the cost of a Tikka.

OGB,

Rugers are kinda like Elmer Keith.:

They know their way around a rifle, shotgun, and handgun. Theyre rough around the edges, and alllllllll American...........

Sometimes Budget has different meanings.... buying a Tikka you would almost be guaranteed excellent accuracy, a sweet trigger after installing a $3-5 spring, super smooth action, without spending anymore money after initial cost.

Remington 280,
Yep, budget has a different meaning.

Heres the ruger american/merriam websters version:
The American has a better name, is lighter, and even comes with a scope rail.

Ive weighed the tikka "compact" 308 winchrster. To quote the famous big stick: "hint hint".......it weighed more than a standard ruger american with free scope rail removed. To quote the famous big stick again........"hint hint"

You're quoting him wrong. It's "hint. Congratulations? "

Bought a Ruger American Predator in 308 a couple of weeks ago and screwed a Dead Air Nomad can on. Shot it in the backyard (I’m on 10 wooed acres) and after sighting in at 25 yards you had to look close to tell there was more than one hole. I like it………

I bought a LH Ruger American Predator 308 a couple months ago. Called Ruger and for under $30 got the parts to convert the little flush-fit magazine into an AICS pattern magazine. It makes a pretty nice utility rifle.

I did exactly the same to my Ruger American Compact .308. It absolutely does make a nice atv/truck gun. Varget and Hornady 165 flat base interlocks get me 2600 fps out of that 18" barrel, and under moa out to 300 yds so far.

Manny

Kind of boring, but that is the way it is..

Good suggestions.

Ruger American Predator with the AICS mags here as well. Shoots blue box Federal 150’s into very small groups.
Watch Sportsman’s Warehouse. I’ve seen the basic 308 for $399.

That sounds like a nice package. I would have chosen the Compact if it was available in LH.