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Feedback on rifle choices needed

I won a Ruger American 3006 in a raffle 2 years ago. "Stainless" synthetic. To be honest this is not a gun I would even considering looking at if I were in the market. I decided to keep it since I did not have an 06 in my gun cabinet at the time. I topped it with a VariX 2 and headed to the range with low expectation. Long story short it is now my go to deer gun. Much lighter than the Weatherbys I've been using, and shorter. I like the clip(a bit sloppy) and the action is pretty solid for and economical rifle. The finish they call stainless scratches easily but it has no affect on the performance of the rifle. The trigger is decent and the safety is tight. Low recoil for light weight gun. Grouped well with factory ammo. It does not fit me well and is a bit short in LOP but most guns are for my long arms. Overall I am very happy with this rifle. I cannot comment on the others.
 
I was in the same boat as you are looking for a left hand 7mm o8 for my son. I had limited choices but the axis and the American were on my list. I did a bunch of comparisons. You tube has some videos comparing the two. They both have about the same accuracy, but according to everything I saw the ruger was hands down the better gun. I went with the American, but have not shot it yet. The plastic clip feels cheap but is supposed to function well and still superior to the savage. I do like the better made Savages. I have a savage 22-250 with a acu trigger that is a sweet gun.
 
I hate to speak out of turn since this is not one of your stated choices...

That said, I shoot a Remington Model 700, .270, synthetic stock, stainless barrel - scoped with a Leupold 2x7. I can haul this gun through thick and thin, rain and snow, pull it up and kill anything I can see (probably 200 yards through in the woods). If you're not sitting in a stand all day, you'll appreciate the lighter synthetic stock. A lot of guys in our crew shoot .270s because they shoot flat, with more that enough punch to kill anything in our woods. Good luck... I'm sure you'll love whatever you choose.
 
Apple Junkie said:
I hate to speak out of turn since this is not one of your stated choices...

That said, I shoot a Remington Model 700, .270, synthetic stock, stainless barrel - scoped with a Leupold 2x7. I can haul this gun through thick and thin, rain and snow, pull it up and kill anything I can see (probably 200 yards through in the woods). If you're not sitting in a stand all day, you'll appreciate the lighter synthetic stock. A lot of guys in our crew shoot .270s because they shoot flat, with more that enough punch to kill anything in our woods. Good luck... I'm sure you'll love whatever you choose.
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What kind of blood trails have you seen with the .270? My buddy bought a .270 in part for the flat trajectory but the blood trails have been very light. Between that and the fact that a shot longer than 100 yards is really rare by us he is considering changing caliber.
 
I think what bullet you pick has more to do with blood trails than caliber, the new TTSX style bullets changed the game big time.
 
When I go deer hunting my older Ruger Model 77 sits in an after market synthetic stock. I do not worry about dinging it up when I am getting in and out of vehicles or stands. A hunting rifle should be able to take rough handling. It is just the nature of the sport.
One feature no one has mentioned regarding the Ruger is the tang safety. I find this very handy to manipulate even with gloves on. Ruger is also know for their excellent customer service. I would not worry too much about the magazine. If it craps out, call Ruger customer service and I would bet they will send you a new magazine without even requiring you to send back the damaged one.
I can't speak to the other manufacturers as I do not own a Mossberg or a Savage.
 
Most often I hunt thick cover at bow type ranges. I want a fast acting rifle that fits right. Make dang sure the gun is unloaded and throw it to your shoulder with your eyes closed. Then open your eye(s) and see if you are looking straight down the barrel and through the middle of the scope. If you hunt thick cover and quick shots, you do not want a gun that you have to settle in to. You do NOT want to have to move your head around, or force your cheek to the stock . It needs to be “ right there” when you throw it to your shoulder. Second thing is check the safety. Is it right there when you throw the gun up or is awkward to operate. Is it noisy. Safeties can wear in and become quieter or can be worked on.

If you are hunting open country and can settle in to a gun, forget what I have said.


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Correction in above post . You do NOT want to have to move your head around.


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sandbur said:
Correction in above post . You do NOT want to have to move your head around.


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Corrected!

I do not like the 3 position swing safeties. Probably just personal preference, but I prefer the Remington safety. Quieter and I don't have to fumble with it.

I think the stock fitting you is a very important point. Width of face, should structure, arm length are all involved and there are people for more knowledgeable than me. But it has to feel right when you throw it to your shoulder and open your eyes.
 
.308 win is my favorite rifle caliber for deer, been using it for 35 years and have 4 different rifles in that caliber. Don't worry much about barrel length mine range from 24 inches to 16.5 inches. That difference results in about a 175 fps loss in muzzle velocity that in practical terms reduces the point blank range from 295 yards to 265 yards. Still a long way past what most woods hunters will ever shoot. My 20 inch barrel averages only about 25 fps less than the 24 inch. The .308 is very efficient in shorter barrels and shorter barrels are stiffer, usually shoot smaller groups and are a joy to carry. The mechanical features I really like are tang safeties, detachable magazines, crisp 2.5 to 3.5lb trigger and a good quality scope that will go down to 2x or lower for a big field of view. The most important thing is to pick up different rifles and feel how they fit you. There are many differences in stock dimensions and rifle balance. This will be more important for accuracy in the field than how well the rifle shoots off a bench rest. All the rifles you mention are plenty accurate. After you pick one, mount the scope as low as possible to have a good cheek weld on the stock.
 
OK - some "big picture" info on my end. First of all I want a 308 because I figure it will handle virtually anything I could possibly hunt in the lower 48. My targets for now will be deer and yotes, but if I get the chance to go after something bigger I want to be able to do that. I also want a gun to better hunt the wide open crop fields that we have here......I literally have places where I can see 500 yards or more. Not that I intend on shooting a deer at that distance, but being able to target shoot at that distance is of interest to me. I also feel the 308 has one of the largest factory ammo selections of the 30 caliber cartridges out there. I'm not a reloader and don't intend to become one. So that variety may come in handy. For hunting in more wooded areas at shorter distances I will have my 30/30 lever gun for that.

I am physically shopping now. I have picked up a few and have intentions to try a few more. I'm trying to dig into every detail I can to make sure I know what the various features are and if they are important to me or not. I am doing the same with optics. I may start with a package gun (gun/scope combo) but that doesn't mean I can't upgrade the stock or optics later as well.

So far I have found little support for the Mossberg. They have great shotguns, but seem to struggle with any serious following in the world of rifles. That can be bad for down the road for parts and the like. I haven't scratched it entirely off the list yet, but it's fading fast. The Ruger American seems to be getting decent responses and I know Ruger has a great reputation for Quality rifles. The only thing I have seen is that some have had issues with the rotary style magazine. The Savage Axis seems to have a good following as well.....however from what I can tell it is the Axis II (for the accu-trigger) is what I want and not the basic Axis. I want to get my hands on wood stocked versions of all 3 of these guns, and maybe some others and decide then.

I am going window shopping tomorrow and I have a large gun show in my area next weekend.....and Bass-pro and Cabela's are just an hour or so away as well. I'm not the type to make an impulse purchase on something like this. I'm just trying to tap into as many resources as I can to get opinions. I value forums like this because your opinions are genuine and you have nothing to gain by sharing them. I can read review after review by gun magazines....who have adds in them of the manufacturers......hmmmmm....wonder how objective some of those reviews really are?
 
Want to get reviews that aren't jaded by manufacturers try a search like this "savage axis forum". Throwing the word forum in there will bring up a lot of stuff that actual people are talking about. If you want more recent discussions add a year to it "savage axis .308 forum 2017"...

Good luck shopping!

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Bueller, post #24 - I've hunted with a Rem. model 721 in .270 for 40 years. Sweet shooting rifle. Since I started using Federal Premium ammo - 150 gr. Nosler partition bullets - I haven't lost a deer. That switch from Remington ammo was about 1984 (?) when I had misfires due to primers set too deep from the factory. One misfire cost me a big hog of an 8 pt. at 30 yds. CLICK. I've only used the Federal / Nosler 150gr. combo since. That bullet puts 'em DOWN. The longest tracking job was about 100 yds. on a big 10 pt. and it sprayed lots of blood. Most of my shots at deer are 30 to 150 yds. FWIW.
 
I'll take a crack at the questions-

Barrel length you got.

Threaded barrel I assume is for the suppressor.

3 smaller locking lugs means a shorter bolt throw than 2 larger locking lugs - rotate up less to open the bolt. Less likely to interfere with a big scope and faster reloading for the follow-up shot on that coyote. Not something that would be a deciding factor for me.

Barrel bedding - most of the cheap guns come with an injection molded plastic that is flimsy. I'm not up on how these new guns are done but I think some have been improved by adding metal bedding inserts (pillars or one piece blocks) so it can at least be stable around the action even if you don't bed around the action. Bedding is putting a glass filled epoxy to get good stable contact all around the action. Not sure if any glass bed from the factory at these prices. With either the metal bedding block or epoxy/glass bedding, that is typically just for the action and the barrel is free to float without touching the stock. With the poor synthetics, you might be better off with rigid metal inserts rather than bedding since the stock is so flimsy. Or some want to bed the entire length of the stock. Lots of ways to do it but these new guns shoot so well that I'd wait

V -shaped aluminum bedding pillars on Ruger American
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PowerBedding.jpg

3 Lug bolt on Ruger American
Bolt.jpg

Savage Axis bolt
axis-bolt.jpg


Higher end savage accustock - not on an Axis
5530d1380390952-savage-10-flcp-k-rifle-308-winchester-accu-stock.jpg
 
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Admittedly a semi-related contribution to your original post, but for whatever it might be worth to those following the thread... have used a 6.5 creedmoor to kill a hog and the only 2 bucks I harvested this fall. On positive note hit like a laser beam where I was aiming, though shots were all 75 to 100 yards. Hog went down flat / didn't move an inch. On the other hand, took nearly center mass lung shots at the bucks and they ran about 75 yards. Both left blood trails but I found them to be surprisingly light ones. While field dressing them though it was like uncorking a pot of blood stew when I unzipped them.
 
Also consider Howa Rifles, The most accurate factory rifles i have had have been Howas, they are very affordable, and you can buy just the barreled action and pick out your own aftermarket stock, Weatherby Vargaurd's are a re badge'd howa and are also good shooters. Made in Japan is the only downside.
 
Mahindra3016 said:
Also consider Howa Rifles, The most accurate factory rifles i have had have been Howas, they are very affordable, and you can buy just the barreled action and pick out your own aftermarket stock, Weatherby Vargaurd's are a re badge'd howa and are also good shooters. Made in Japan is the only downside.
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Beat me to it! I am a big fan of Howa an the houge stock they use! Rubberized stock is much warmer on your hands or lap when hunting in cold. Sweat trigger.
I would stick with your choice of 308 J!
I like a 22" barrel for hunting rig
Here is what I suggest or a SS ruger american in 308 :)
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...d&refType=&from=fn&ecList=7&ecCategory=485354
 
My daughters shoot a Savage and a Howa in 7.08.


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j-bird said:
I am looking for a budget minded "tree beater" for yotes and deer.
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I am going back to your original post. If you are looking for a rifle that you can shoot deer and all larger North American game, and yotes, what are you really looking for?

I think these are 2 different rifles ...
 
I'll throw a new one out there, CZ America distributes a pretty decent rifle. I have a bolt .223. The guy at the local store told me I'd love it and if not bring it back. I had never heard of them. Czechoslovakian manufactured so?

The .223 I have grows up great and it's a Tac driver. I didn't take it back....
 
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