Which gun? 308, Ruger, howa or new marlin?

don087

Hi, need some advice and guidance. Thinking of getting a .308 for mostly target but may give some stalking a go in the furture, not competition targeting just up in the hills, anyway any one have advice on any of these, new ruger scout, new marlin x7 or a second hand howa 1500, the howa with glass will work out slightly cheaper then the scout without glass. Should i hold out for a heavy barrel? Any help, advice or opinions would be very helpful, I've a .22 and a decent browning clay gun but the clay gun is going to fund this. Some one will think I should go from .22lr to a 223 then 308 but I can't afford three guns. Can't really afford two!!!!! Thanks for any help.

deerhunter1

don087 wrote: »

Hi, need some advice and guidance. Thinking of getting a .308 for mostly target but may give some stalking a go in the furture, not competition targeting just up in the hills, anyway any one have advice on any of these, new ruger scout, new marlin x7 or a second hand howa 1500, the howa with glass will work out slightly cheaper then the scout without glass. Should i hold out for a heavy barrel? Any help, advice or opinions would be very helpful, I've a .22 and a decent browning clay gun but the clay gun is going to fund this. Some one will think I should go from .22lr to a 223 then 308 but I can't afford three guns. Can't really afford two!!!!! Thanks for any help.

do not worry about going from 22 to 308,I done it,not an issue,same rules stand for any firearm its just a little more powerful. Any of those rifles will do you fine,if you are doing a bit of target shooting well i would go for a heavier barrel, but if it just a bit of personal target shooting stick with the lighter barrel especially if you are going to do a bit of stalking,especially up there in Donegal with the mountains you want as less weight as possible :rolleyes: especially when dragging a deer back as well, if it is going to be your one and only buy try and get a quality rifle as you will lose out if you try and trade,buy cheap and you will buy twice,having said that most modern cheap rifles will do the job now as good as a dear one or custom made,it is a matter of choice. But good luck on your purchase.

Cass

don087 wrote: »

Thinking of getting a .308 for mostly target but may give some stalking a go in the furture.........

As i say to everyone trying to purchase a gun for dual purposes, pick the primary use, and go with a suitable rifle for that job. If you can swing something that does a secondary purpose great. However no rifle built is excellent at both target and hunting.

That is not to say it cannot be "worked around".

You say your primary reason is informal target shooting. So you want something in the 24-26" barrel mark, medium to heavy barrel, with good action, and a solid stock.

So take the ones you have listed;

Ruger Scout - The model i think you are referring to has an 18" barrel. If reloading was an option target shooting would be a breeze, but as it's not the shortened barrel will result in reduced muzzle velocity, and as such the range of target shooting you can do is limited. The light barrel will not be as good with multiple rounds (heat, mirage, etc). However for a stalking rifle it is light weight, and very portable. So average target rifle, and good stalking.

Marlin XS7 - Decent gun at a great price. Stock is average, and the barrel is one of the lightest i have seen meaning multiple shots of .308 ammo would heat the barrel quickly, and as a result shot count would be down. 22" would be a little below avergae for target work, but would work better than 18". For stalking you would have a perfect little rifle. Much like the Ruger it would be a breeze to carry and for the few shots (including follow up shots) the rifle would handle it well.

Howa 1500 - Good gun, and if it's the one i'm thinking off it has a medium sized barrel in 24". Meaning multiple rounds are better handled, and mirage, etc is not as big a problem. Good stock, and resembles the Savage in some ways. Good action based on a Remmy. For stalking might be heavier than the others, but still manageable.


Either of the three guns would be suitable for stalking. However none would be "great" at target AND stalking. The next question is how far would you be looking to shoot. The three above should manage 600 yards with factory ammo. The Ruger, even if you could reload, will be limited. Meaning if you could load a hot load the bullet has left the barrel before the propellant has been fully burned, and as such you get a drop in muzzle velocity, and unburnt propellant being wasted.


For target shooting you ideally want 30-32" barrel. If you intend to stalk this is impractical. Too heavy and awkward to carry. As a compromise you would want 24 or 26". This allows a good burn, but does not make the gun so heavy as to be a pain in the ass to carry.

Other brands to look at would include Remington or Savage. Multiple models in 24 & 26" barrels, medium weight, and would do fine as either a target or stalking rifle.

Just my opinion.

fathersymes

Can't comment on the guns you've mentioned but I had a heavy barrel Sako which I used for stalking and the weight of it does get to you if you're walking miles.

Once you add a scope, sling, moderator, bipod it really is too heavy for rambling around for hours, was for me anyway!

don087

Thanks deerhunter. Yea, for some of the "hills" here, a quad would be handy!!! Bit of a shock to a midlander. Again thanks for the info.

don087

Thanks cass, that's some detail you went to. Will take it all in and hope for the best, looking like the howa but I'm in no rush. Will probably be mostly target so I'll keep turning it over. Again thanks for the detailed help.

don087

Thanks fathersymes, heavy might suit me as it will more then likely be target shooting, them sako guns are nice alright.

rowa

Don't overlook savage rifles either , they make a huge range of models in a lot of great calibres.

don087

rowa wrote: »

Don't overlook savage rifles either , they make a huge range of models in a lot of great calibres.

Thanks, a lot of people think highly of them alright. Will keep looking for one at the right price.

Tommy87

Have you thought about a ruger m77. I have one in .308. Fine light gun. I saw a new one lately for €625. I literally nearly fainted. I paid a grand for mine 2 yrs ago!

Cass

I had a Savage Model 10 FCP a year or two ago. The gun was heavy enough for stalking (long walks you'd know you were carrying it), but on the range i couldn't believe this gun for accuracy. With any round. 150 - 200 gr. Hunting or target. Out to 600 yards it was a tack driver. Had a medium heavy barrel, 24" long, and Savage's edition/attempt at the McMillan stock.

My only complaint with the rifle was the blind mag. No floor plate or box mag. They were loaded from the top, and had to be ejected by cycling the bolt. However a small complaint for such a tack driver of a rifle. Not too common, and not too dear. About €1,000 brand new, but can be gotten second hand, with scope (good one) for around €1,100.

xchrisshana

don087 wrote: »

Hi, need some advice and guidance. Thinking of getting a .308 for mostly target but may give some stalking a go in the furture, not competition targeting just up in the hills, anyway any one have advice on any of these, new ruger scout, new marlin x7 or a second hand howa 1500, the howa with glass will work out slightly cheaper then the scout without glass. Should i hold out for a heavy barrel? Any help, advice or opinions would be very helpful, I've a .22 and a decent browning clay gun but the clay gun is going to fund this. Some one will think I should go from .22lr to a 223 then 308 but I can't afford three guns. Can't really afford two!!!!! Thanks for any help.

I went from a HMR to a .308 have a look at the remmy sps Tactical it has 20 inch heavy barrel shoots very well for a cheep gun I had groups touching at 150 yards yesterday I was shooting sako super hammer heads very good rounds

juice1304

Cass wrote: »

My only complaint with the rifle was the blind mag. No floor plate or box mag. They were loaded from the top, and had to be ejected by cycling the bolt. However a small complaint for such a tack driver of a rifle. Not too common, and not too dear. About €1,000 brand new, but can be gotten second hand, with scope (good one) for around €1,100.

That problem is now solved the new model the fcp-k has a detachable box mag and you can get a drop in bottom metal from cdi precision that will allow you to use AI mags. They also have an upgraded aluminium bedded stock. I just bought a flcp-k only difference is it is left handed in .308 for E1100:pac::cool::cool: Can't wait until she arrives.

Cass

You won't be disappointed.

Mine was 1:10, and even so she worked brilliantly with 150 and other lighter bullets. At 100 yards there almost no difference in POI (perhaps 1/2"). The heavier rounds went extremely well through her. Ragged one hole (5 shot) groups with most any bullet at one, and two hundred yards. My tightest group was approx 1" at 300 yards. That's sub 1/2 MOA with bipod, and back bag in prone position.

Make sure, and get some pictures up when she arrives. Would like to see it.

alphaburner

I just purchased a Tikka T3 lite and couldn't be happier. Was looking a a second 308 for Target and Ray in Lazy Dog Guns in Limerick has a new Howa in 308 for around 500. Wood stock. I was going to buy but I'm not allowed:( by swmbo.

don087

Thanks, will give him a shout