If there were a classic, workhorse .308 bolt-action what would it be?

[Doug Bogg]

On the bolt-action side, over the years acquired a couple of .30-06s and couple of .243s. I renew my interest in centerfire rifles every few years and the apparently miraculous .308 has a growing appeal. One of my .30-06s has never had a round through it and the other only a handful. Starting to do more hunting, but with gettn’ up there it’s clear I ain’t gonna’ be going out west hunting and the .243s are fine for anything around me.

Crossing my mind to pick up a .308 bolt, not for practical reasons but just to say I finally got one and can use that cartridge (like for example if a case of .308 parachuted out of the sky - I keep hoping). So the question is, with what I've described, would there be any practical reason to own a .308, other than just to satisfy the romantic appeal? Could it do something for me what I already got can’t? And if so, would you trade one of the .30-06s or just buy outright? Never traded in anything, do you get a fair value?

Is there some classic workhorse (but not outrageously priced) .308 bolt-action that is the must-have even if just to hang on the wall and say “Ain’t it beautiful”? Personal opinions and thoughts appreciated - thanks

 

[acloco]

Build an M40aX ......but not with a period date coded action.

 

[NETim]

Pre-'64 Win 70 Featherweight.

 

[watercam]

I have been running Winchester post-64 actions for Palma/Long Range for decades. Could change to another brand and be more sexy but I have not because these are just about as bullet proof as one can find. Keep the lugs greased, keep your loads where they should be and you will be find. I AM running out of some parts but there are a lot of those around. My $0.02" after 40+ years in the game.

 

[Bugs]

every time I get that itch, I end up with another Tikka

 

[jmm03]

save your shoulder and rebarrel one of your 30-06's to a 6.5x55 Swede, changed my Remington 700 in 7mag over years ago, had the action trued, no bolt change, works great, very accurate. Jim

 

[ebb]

There is not enough difference between a 30-06 and a 308win to justify the change. If you load to 308 win velocities in your 30-06, don't waste the time and money to acquire a 308. Spend the money on range tome and ammo or a hunting trip. Now if you want to go to a 6.5 Creedmooor then that's ok.

 

[K22]

The 308, 30 06 and 270 are all great cartridges. Over the past 50 years I've owned and shot all three. For big game hunting, namely deer and black bear you can't go wrong with anyone of them. If hunting is my game, I would stay with the 30 06 since there is nothing to be gained by acquiring a 308 as others have said.

The 308 in a heavy barrel version however would be nice for target shooting. If you want a sporter weight, I'd opt for a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight with the control feed action. This is an outstanding rifle. The "Featherweight" nomenclature is somewhat misleading, these rifles are well stocked, and the recoil is not severe.

I really like Tikka's, but in the 308, the recoil can be severe in the T3X lite. Mine was a "bear" to shoot and not a lot of fun but I'm a small guy and in my mid 70's.

Of all of the ones you mentioned, the 243 Win is my favorite. I've been shooting it since the late 60's and it was my first centerfire rifle. I've taken deer, varmints and predators with it. It never failed me. With the 85 grain Sierra BTHP, you have a do all bullet you can used for all three of the aforementioned species. No need to resight or change ammo. It's very since to have a multi-use cartridge since you will soon get to know your rifle and build confidence. The mild recoil is especially appealing to me.

My top choices in a 243 would be the Tikka T3X or Winchester Model 70, Featherweight. Both are outstanding rifles. I'd top mine with a 3 x 9 high quality scope and you're good to go. I currently have 4, 243's. My Browning X bolt is extremely accurate, a 1/2 moa rifle but I don't like the trigger at all even after I had it worked on by my rifle smith. My old Rem 700 is a great rifle and was a good choice, but I hate the triggers on the new 700's. Also, the extractor designs of the others I mentioned are far superior in my opinion to the 700's.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

A classic BDL is what would be the thing to have. Of course if you wanted a wallhanger get a sauer404, a benelli or a blaser

 

[Rset]

Crossing my mind to pick up a .308 bolt, not for practical reasons but just to say I finally got one and can use that cartridge (like for example if a case of .308 parachuted out of the sky - I keep hoping). So the question is, with what I've described, would there be any practical reason to own a .308, other than just to satisfy the romantic appeal? Could it do something for me what I already got can’t? And if so, would you trade one of the .30-06s or just buy outright? Never traded in anything, do you get a fair value?

For hunting, No practical reason, but may satisfy the appeal and there is nothing wrong with that.
If you like the rifles you have, you could just have one of them re-barreled to .308 to make the change.

 

[NETim]

That reminds me. Years ago, Winchester did produce a run of their Model 70 in the 6.5 Swede.

Classic on classic on classic.

 

[joshb]

I love Tikkas. Keep an eye out for an old 595. That or find an older Remington 700 5r. They’re two of the most accurate factory guns I own.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

My list:

Factory rifle - Sako
Custom - Surgeon action- Rem 40x clone.
FTR - Barnard or Borden action. Bartlein or Brux, Cerus stock
Fun for hunting - Fix by Q

 

[Doug Bogg]

There is not enough difference between a 30-06 and a 308win to justify the change. If you load to 308 win velocities in your 30-06, don't waste the time and money to acquire a 308. Spend the money on range tome and ammo or a hunting trip. Now if you want to go to a 6.5 Creedmooor then that's ok.

Thanks much for everyone's input. Highly appreciated!

And so, is seems the answer is to just learn to love the .30-06 and be happy, which is easy. Don't really need anything else. So, yep, the .30-06 can perform like a .308 if loaded to .308 specs, but can do more if desired. A versatile beast. Thanks for you folks kind replies and answers -

(But now you got me thinking about 6.5 Creed - what's up with that?)

 

[dannyjbiggs]

For me, only the Win Model 70. I've used both the pre-64 and the post-64. But I'll take the short action post-64 in .308 (even 6.5-08 and 7mm08) anytime over the pre for the NRA HP 200 and 300 rapid fires. Yet, haven't done it since last century! And I only used the pre for shooting 7mm57.

 

[john 800]

I have always wanted a laminated model 7 in 308 or 7-08.

 

[JFrank]

I love Tikkas. Keep an eye out for an old 595. That or find an older Remington 700 5r. They’re two of the most accurate factory guns I own.

I found a factory wood stock for my T-3, I think it made a bit of a difference in felt recoil.

 

[john 800]

For me, only the Win Model 70. I've used both the pre-64 and the post-64. But I'll take the short action post-64 in .308 anytime over the pre for the NRA HP 200 and 300 rapid fires. Yet, haven't done it since last century! And I only used the pre for shooting 7mm57.

I have heard alot about mod70s, but have never shot any of them. I have to ask, what itnis you prefer about the post 64s. They are non controlled round feed am I right?

 

[NETim]

Since when are we here to talk fellow shooters OUT of buying another rifle?

 

[JFrank]

A classic BDL is what would be the thing to have. Of course if you wanted a wallhanger get a sauer404, a benelli or a blaser

I might have already told you this, anyway several years ago I gave a beautiful older 700 ADL to my oldest daughters husband. A month or so later she divorced ‘the bum’ !!
I told her to give me a heads up next time …geez