Author Topic: opinions needed for new rifle  (Read 1309 times)

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Offline stxhunter

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opinions needed for new rifle
« on: November 17, 2009, 01:56:18 PM »
Looking for a new rifle. I hunt in the south Texas brushland to open country so I want a short barrel, 20in. or less and 308 win caliber. Wild hog and whitetail are the game. Most shots will be from 25 yards to 150 yards. I am not worried about a little loss in velocity, from the short barrel ,because I feel the handiness of the short gun lenth out weighs the loss. Even though most shots will be short I still want a very accurate gun to shoot on the range for fun say out to maybe 300 yards. Something along the lines of maybe a Remington tactical or a FN tactical. Something with accuracy but fast handleing. Any ideas? thanks!

Offline diggler1833

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Re: opinions needed for new rifle
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2009, 02:10:42 PM »
If you can still find a Remmy SPS Tactical, jump on it.  The LTR is a great shooter as well, but a bit more pricy.  I have an SPS Tac in .223 and it is a solid 1/2 MOA performer with handloads, just under MOA with FGMM 69gr.

The velocity loss in a 20" barrel with a .308 is minimal at best.

Offline stxhunter

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Re: opinions needed for new rifle
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2009, 02:24:30 PM »
hear those were great shooters. Thanks!

Offline Empty Quiver

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Re: opinions needed for new rifle
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2009, 03:10:18 PM »
DPMS in .308, many to choose from. Pick the level of tactical you want. They are owned in the same conglomerate as Remy now.
**Concealed Carry...Because when seconds count help is only minutes away**

Offline stxhunter

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Re: opinions needed for new rifle
« Reply #4 on: November 17, 2009, 04:59:21 PM »
DPMS? Is this a manufacturer?

Offline Empty Quiver

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Re: opinions needed for new rifle
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2009, 05:27:16 PM »
Yes I believe they might be better known as Panther Arms. They do AR 15 as well as the larger .308 versions.
**Concealed Carry...Because when seconds count help is only minutes away**

Offline stxhunter

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Re: opinions needed for new rifle
« Reply #6 on: November 17, 2009, 05:50:44 PM »
thanks Empty! will check em out.

Offline jasonprox700

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Re: opinions needed for new rifle
« Reply #7 on: November 19, 2009, 04:21:18 PM »
Check out the black rifles (DPMS).  I own an AP4 from DPMS.  It is a great gun, a little pricey, but a good gun none the less.  Mine has a 16" barrel and a collapsible stock.  This makes for a very compact package.  There are a few modifications I would make though.  Once deer season is over, I plan to send the barrel to ADCO to get the barrel turned down to shave about a pound off the gun.  I also have a carbon fiber handguard which shaves weight as well.  Once completed, I should have a gun that is less than 7lbs (minus optics, mag, and ammo).  This gun is also very accurate.  1moa is the norm with good handloads, sometimes better.

http://www.adcofirearms.com/shopservices/shop_.cfm?code=21

Offline charles p

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Re: opinions needed for new rifle
« Reply #8 on: November 22, 2009, 10:58:05 AM »
I'd get a Mod 7 Remington in 308.  In fact I have one and love it.  Mine is stainless.

Offline Tonk

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Re: opinions needed for new rifle
« Reply #9 on: November 29, 2009, 05:30:56 AM »
Well I know most of those Texans like the .270 Winchester a bunch and up East those deer hunters favor the .308 Winchester. However, when you through the HOG part into the equation that changes the whole picture just a tad bit, especially if your going after those Russian critters. I myself like at least a 30-06 for big hogs using a (least a 200 grn.) 220 grain bullet in the Winchester or Remmington factory loads. If you handload, a good 180 or 200 grain premium bullet, like those TBBC bullets or Swift A Frames do a outstanding job. Yes they are expensive but so is a trip to the hospital or doctors office for a sliced open leg from a big sow or bore.

I myself hunt hogs with a .444 Marlin or 45/70 Marlin lever gun, light in weight generally speaking and fast to shoulder too. Not to mention those big hardcast bullets that drive very deep into flesh and out the other side. Deer or even big bucks are no problem for a .270 or .260 caliber but hogs is a horse of a different color gents!

Please don't tell me about all those piggies you or your buddy took using a .223 because I just don't want to read about snipping hogs or pigs from 200 yards. It is far better to have more gun than needed then to come up a cup short by golly. Those big sows and bores can be a whole lot of trouble in a hurry! I learned my lesson the hard way hunting with a smoke pole once upon a time and that will never happen agailn wilth out a couple of back up guns close.

Offline JWP58

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Re: opinions needed for new rifle
« Reply #10 on: December 21, 2009, 12:24:42 PM »
Well I know most of those Texans like the .270 Winchester a bunch and up East those deer hunters favor the .308 Winchester. However, when you through the HOG part into the equation that changes the whole picture just a tad bit, especially if your going after those Russian critters. I myself like at least a 30-06 for big hogs using a (least a 200 grn.) 220 grain bullet in the Winchester or Remmington factory loads. If you handload, a good 180 or 200 grain premium bullet, like those TBBC bullets or Swift A Frames do a outstanding job. Yes they are expensive but so is a trip to the hospital or doctors office for a sliced open leg from a big sow or bore.

I myself hunt hogs with a .444 Marlin or 45/70 Marlin lever gun, light in weight generally speaking and fast to shoulder too. Not to mention those big hardcast bullets that drive very deep into flesh and out the other side. Deer or even big bucks are no problem for a .270 or .260 caliber but hogs is a horse of a different color gents!

Please don't tell me about all those piggies you or your buddy took using a .223 because I just don't want to read about snipping hogs or pigs from 200 yards. It is far better to have more gun than needed then to come up a cup short by golly. Those big sows and bores can be a whole lot of trouble in a hurry! I learned my lesson the hard way hunting with a smoke pole once upon a time and that will never happen agailn wilth out a couple of back up guns close.

Hogs arent bullet proof....atleast around the part of texas i live in.

To the O.P., i would suggest checking out Stag Arms. They make great products, and a 6.8spc would probably fit the bill for you (its also a plus that the 6.8 uses a 5.56 lower).

OR get you a marlin 336 30/30....works great on hogs, cheap to shoot, and fast handling.

Offline charles p

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Re: opinions needed for new rifle
« Reply #11 on: December 21, 2009, 02:08:29 PM »
Until deer and hogs start shooting back, and you have to defend yourself against them, I can't see why you would need something "tactical". 

I don't think it would look cool either.

Offline Coyote Hunter

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Re: opinions needed for new rifle
« Reply #12 on: December 21, 2009, 05:15:51 PM »
A Ruger Compact wuold get my vote.
Coyote Hunter
NRA, GOA, DAD - and I VOTE!

Offline boaman88

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Re: opinions needed for new rifle
« Reply #13 on: December 22, 2009, 07:12:15 AM »
I will second the Ruger Compact. I have one in 260 Rem and love it. Its very accurate and a pleasure to carry. Friend has one in 7mm-08. We have carried them far more than any of our other rifles since we got them. Its also available in 308. If you want lighter weight and don't mind a slightly longer barrel, I would look into finding a Remington 700 Mountain rifle in any of the cartridges based off the 30-06 case. I own one in 270 and it shoots and carries real nice as well.

Offline diggler1833

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Re: opinions needed for new rifle
« Reply #14 on: December 22, 2009, 08:53:27 AM »
No point in taking the "tacticool" out of "tactical".   ;D

This is really one of those threads where you could ask 100 different people their opinion and get 100 different answers.

And we all know what opinions are like...

Offline poncaguy

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Re: opinions needed for new rifle
« Reply #15 on: December 22, 2009, 03:46:12 PM »
TC Encore would be a short overall rifle.............

Offline ECVMatt

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Re: opinions needed for new rifle
« Reply #16 on: December 22, 2009, 03:55:02 PM »
Another vote for the Ruger Compact. I just got one in .223 and it is a great shooter. I am going to pick up another one soon. They are joy to carry and about the same length as a leveraction. I like them too, but the Ruger would get my vote. A .308 would be a solid choice.

BTW up in North Texas near Telephone we slay hogs with the wimpy .223 all the time. They are trouble makers and are shot on sight. We have killed truckloads full with it. I can't wait to get back out there in the spring and break in the new Ruger.

Matt
Credo Quia Absurdum!

Offline jeepmann1948

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Re: opinions needed for new rifle
« Reply #17 on: December 25, 2009, 01:55:52 PM »
Either an  Early Model Remington 7 or a Ruger Ultralite should fill the bill nicely. Both are accurate and a pleasure to carry
"it ain't what you shoot em with......................
  it's where you hit em "

Offline Cheesehead

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Re: opinions needed for new rifle
« Reply #18 on: December 25, 2009, 02:11:09 PM »
Browning Xbolt, I like the removable clip.

Cheese
Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance.

Offline tdn

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Re: opinions needed for new rifle
« Reply #19 on: December 26, 2009, 09:06:02 AM »
I'd take a good look at the Ruger line-up: Compact, Ultra-light, and International all are good options in the .308.

I have a .308 International w/ a slim Leupold VX-II 2-7x33 for all brush and high-mountain needs, and it is really handy.

tdn