308win.

[GoneHunting]

I am in the market for a 308win.  I have decided to get the Tikka t3 varmint stainless.  I'm pretty sure on the 308.  The gun will be used for varmints, targets and deer.  I understand the tikka shoot real well.  What do y'all think about the 308win. as an all around caliber?

In God I Trust!

[Arkie-06]

I think it is one of the very best for hunting big game and on targets, I don't varmit hunt but  no dought it would work  on coyotes and critters like that .  Ammo is plentiful and it is a breeze to handload for. I have a Western Field in .308  and have shot some very small groups with it,,one group was slightly over an inch  at 300 yards  with a Tasco Target scope. I think it is a good caliber  but my all around choice would be the 30-06 springfield. The 30-06  just has more oomph to it  than the 308 Win. I think it is better.

[longwinters]

The 308 is a nice caliber.  It will certainly do anything you are talking about.  Plus in the Tikka it would be a real nice handling rifle.  Did you ever think about the 280?  If you reload I think it is an excellent caliber, although I don.t know if Tikka offers it.  Check in a couple of reloading books and compare similar weight bullets and their velocities etc...  You may be surprised at what the figures actually are with some of these calibers.  I have 308, 30-06, 280 and 7mm.  I like em all.

Long

[Leftoverdj]

Nothing better for general CONUS hunting. It's a bit heavy for the varmint end, but will do for some casual occasional groundhog shooting or the like.  I am partial to the .25-06 and .257 Roberts for general use rifles although they are getting to be handloading propositions. I ain't likely to run into anything bigger than a smallish black bear so they do for me.

Some other good all rounders are .260 Rem. 6.5x55, 7-08, and 7x57. You might consider any of the above if you plan on doing a good bit of varminting.

But you would not go far wrong to get the .308 with a view to adding a varmint gun when you can.

[huntsman]

My first hunting rifle was a .308 and I used it exclusively for about 12 years before I moved on to other cartridges. I believe it is an outstanding cartridge, especially for the handloader. It will handle any and all N. American game except the big bears with the right bullets. That said, it is not a cartridge I would prefer for all-around hunting from varmints to big game. The .308 diameter bullet is not ideal for varmint hunting because the lighter bullets have a lower sectional density and ballistic coefficient than many other choices. Also the low-end range of bullet weights is a bit on the high side for smaller varmints (100 grains) This is a picky point, but the exactness demanded of a serious varmint shooter benefits from such pickiness.

The .308 will do everything you indicate you want, but it won't be as versatile as some of the other cartridges available. Leftoverdj's thoughts on other cartridges sound pretty much the same as mine. Let me outline the following handloader options as a case in point:

.308 dia, bullet range from 100 grain to 250 grain

.284 (7mm) dia, bullet range from 100 grain to 175 grain

.277 (270 Win) dia, bullet range from 90 grain to 180 grain

.264 (6.5mm) dia, bullet range from 85 to 160 grain

.257 dia, bullet range from 75 to 120 grain

.243 dia, bullet range from 55 to 117 grain

For taking the larger big game (moose, elk, black bear), the .243 and .257 on the low end do not have the heavier bullet weights I would want. For taking gophers and prairie dogs, the .308 and .284 on the high end do not have the lighter bullets I would desire. In both cases, the job could be done, but IMO these are not the ideal situation. My personal preference would be the .264 diameter in 260 Rem, 6.5x55 SE, 6.5 Rem mag, or 264 Win mag; or the .277 diameter 270 Win. Either the 260 or the 6.5x55 would work for a light-recoiling round, while the three others would be better harder-hitting long-range specialists. All four could handle any North American game except the big bears (same as the .308) with ease.

A lot depends on just what kind of varmint shooting you will be doing. If it is plinking and spanking an occasional coyote or groundhog, then the .308 will serve quite well. If it will be more exacting and involve smaller varmints, then I would recommend a more thorough comparison with the cartridges named above.

Whatever you decide, good luck with your new rifle, it sounds like fun!

[Big Paulie]

Huntsman,

   That was an outstanding analysis of the .308 Winchester!  Especially, the recognition that it will easily take anything in North America, given the right bullet, except for the really big brown and grizzly bears.  It is my do-all big game and medium game round.    Let's face it, whose gonna shoot a really big brown or grizzly anyway?  Not one in 10,000 of us.

   I like your analysis on the smaller  6.5 rifles.  Trouble is, there are no decent factory loads for the Swede that are lighter than  140 grains.  The .260 is great, and until this year there was a Remington factory load in 120 grain, but I think they dropped it.  So, these really boil down to hand-loading calibers.

    I know it is a sin, but I do not and will not hand-load.  It gives me a head-ache and I hate it.   (There, I said it!)

   So, for a great lightweight and varmint round, I am now eagerly awaiting the new Remington 6.8 mm SPC, with hopes that they will make decent factory loads for it for both varmint and deer.  On paper, it looks totally fantastic.  (Maybe I shouldn't hold my breath.)

Best Regards,

Big Paulie

[magnum308]

In my view the .308 Win is one of those once in while cartridges that does everything well but with a minimum of fuss that doesn't necessarily get the headlines. It is one of the most efficient rounds since WWII. Unfortunately, during this same period the western world has been beguiled by the magnums brigade. I confess that I have succumb to that influence too but fortunately I have kept a .308 in my gun safe (we have to lock our guns up here downunder).

I have just finished an extended session of developing some loads for my .308 after a season (of 20 years) of inactivity as a shooter and hunter. But that's changing. Results from today's session at the range (SSAA Brisbane) with my .308. Last time out I tried a load of 47grs AR2206 (repackaged in US as BLC(2)) behind 150gr Bullets (both Nosler HPBT and Winchester silvertips). Both these were chronoed at 2,873 and 2,879 fps respectively (3 shot groups each). Today I started with the 47gr loading behind the Noslers which confirmed the previous velocities (today's average of 5 shots was 2,871) with a 5 shot group @ 100 yds of .750". All this is out of a 40+ year old Winchester pre 64 (year of manufacture 1961) Model 70 featherweight (22" barrel) all original. Though I was pretty pleased with this I was after 2,900 fps average (one of the shots was actually 2,907). I knew I was pretty near it but as the 47 gr load did not show signs of excess pressure (in my rifle) I figure I could go up a bit.

I tried 47.5 and 48.0 grs AR2206 with both bullets. I like the BC of the Noslers but also the large amount of lead exposed at the nose of the silvertips makes them my favoured pig (boar) bullet. The result are as follows:

Noslers
47.5gr AR2206 ave vel 2,911 fps (3 shot ave)
48.0gr AR2206 ave vel 2,932 fps (3 shot ave)

Silvertips
47.5gr AR2206 ave vel 2,909 fps (3 shot ave)
48.0gr AR2206 ave vel 2,919 fps (3 shot ave)

I was quite impressed with this performance out of a 22" barrel and all the groups were respectable but not sensational. This will improve though. The 48gr load is hot but extraction was smooth and did not required extra grunt. Primers are showing slight cratering but not flattened. The base of the case just above the extractor groove was measured by a vernier calipers and revealed no expansion.

This is great performance out of such a little case, no wonder it's called the "big little cartridge". This is really in the 30-06 league. in fact I doubt if a 30-06 with a 22" barrel would do materially better.

The final shot with Nosler bullets ahead of 48.0grs AR2206 to rezero the rifle to be 1.3" high @ 100 yards was chronoed at 2,966 fps!! I put this through the Point Blank programme when I got home and it's ballistics are as follows:

100 yds 2,704 fps 2,435 fpe +1.32"
150 yds 2,594 fps 2,241 fpe +0.98"
200 yds 2,487 fps 2,060 fpe -0.64"
250 yds 2,382 fps 1,890 fpe -3.62"
300 yds 2,280 fps 1,731 fpe -8.20"

This makes my outfit a good 300 yard rifle (with current sighting) with no hold off required up to 250 yards. The Taylor knockout figures rate it good to excellent up to 400 yards for deer, sheep, boar (pig), antelope and (surprise) black bear. You could hunt high and low and still not find a better performance in such a little package as this. No wonder they call it the little big round.

Magnum

[bconway84]

Very glad to see these replies.    
I was beginning to think I was one of the few left that saw the 308 as one of the best all around calibers, for a wide range of shooting.
I personally if forced to make a choice of one out of the rifles I have would never give up mine.
As stated very well by others you can do some surprising things with it if you handload.
I have not shot a Tikka but have read some good things about them, enjoy your new purchase.

[longwinters]

The 308 has never intrigued me.  I always thought of it as a weaker brother to the 30-06.  But then I bought a Sako in 308 (only because I liked the wood on the rifle) and of all my different caliber rifles the 308 went to the woods with me this year.  I have other calibers that I always prefered but there really is something about the 308.  I can't put my finger on it . . . just can't figure it out.  But I really like this cartridge.  :?

Long

[searsmann]

The 308 is a nice caliber.  It will certainly do anything you are talking about.  Plus in the Tikka it would be a real nice handling rifle.  Did you ever think about the 280?  If you reload I think it is an excellent caliber, although I don.t know if Tikka offers it.  Check in a couple of reloading books and compare similar weight bullets and their velocities etc...  You may be surprised at what the figures actually are with some of these calibers.  I have 308, 30-06, 280 and 7mm.  I like em all.

Long

tikka did offer the .280 caliber in the whitetail series it has a syn/blue stock (rocky mountain elk foundation). i seen one at a local gun shop never did buy it for 419.00 but i am thinking of if its still there.

[tripod]

Hi, I've always considered the .308 a light .30-06. The specs a very close with the .30-06 being able to shoot a heavier bullet and slightly more recoil. Of the two I prefer the 06 and that is what my wife shoots very well.  For myself I choose the .300 Win Mag the recoil is manageable for me and naturally unoticable when hunting. The .308 is a fine round and I have nothing against it, just prefer more offered in other calibers. It is odd that I know nobody personally in recent years that hunt with the .308, almost entirely 06's and magnums. I personally believe that for deer hunting and up sticking with .30 caliber is the way to go. For varmint/predator get another gun, I have never been a one gun hunter and if I was it would be the .300 Win Mag. I've heard it all, like shot placement and you can get elk with a .243. Well yes you can but I'll put it in the same place with my .300 and it will go down no tracking. We are very happy with our Tikka rifles that have performed flawlessly with great accuracy out of the box.

[tripod]

Hi, Forgot to mention that I heard Tikka is retooling and when they start shipping in Feb the price will be increasing $55-75 depending on model.

[Buckfever]

The 308 with the many premium bullets offered today has really bumped up the killing power.  The wound channel of a 30 caliber, penetration of a Barnes 150gr., and the accuracy of a 308 make a lethal weapon.  Now add that it doesn't have a bad recoil and it is a pretty good combination.  The 308 and the 30-06 pretty have the sweet spot covered for deer rifles.  I have smaller and larger calibers but only because I like them and want to.  I really don't need them.  Please don't let my wife see this post.   Thanks  Buckfever

[magnum308]

.... I have other calibers that I always prefered but there really is something about the 308.  I can't put my finger on it . . . just can't figure it out.  But I really like this cartridge.  :?....

Long,

It is just one of the most efficient cartridges deveoped in the last 60 years. It doesn't generate much emotion when you look at it as it is so small compared to other cartridges (like the great and classic 30-06). But it's a dynamite performer for its size. There is little, if anything, the 30-06 can do that the .308 Win will not do in a lighter rifle. The 30-06 has a slight edge with heavier bullets (180gr plus) but only slight.

The .308 Win is the sleeping giant of the 20th century and as the baby boomer generation of shooters and hunters the world over start looking for lighter rifles to carry into the hills in their post 55 age bracket we will see a golden era for cartridges like the 308 Win. It just does a lot of things well with a minimum of fuss.

Cheers & God bless,
Magnum308

[Squeeze]

I own .223 Rem., 22-250 Rem., .25-06 Rem, .270 Win, .30-06 Sprg, and .300 WSM,
rifles.  I recently discovered a "new" chamber that has enough versatility, to
hammer whitetails, to throw groundhogs into the wind, and make little groups
on paper.  I have purchased two handguns, a Savage Striker, and a T/C Encore,
in this magic new chambering, and a Browning BAR Stalker LW rifle.  Sure I
will probably buy other chamberings, in the future, but I sure am impressed with this
new to me chambering...This impressive, to me, chambering is the .308 WIn.

I use to look down my nose at it, as this mouldy old military round that didn't have
the punch of the much respected, in the deer camps of northern Wisconsin, .30-06.
I got my first .308 Win, in a Savage Striker, since the larger diameter bore has
less velocity loss, in the 14" barrel, over the 7mm-08, or .243 Win, chamberings.
That is where I first saw what it does to northern Whitetails, and how inherently
accurate this round actually is.  I was SO impressed, I traded off my .270 Win,
Remington 7400, for the .308 Win BAR.  What a SWEET brush rifle for deer!
It has a very soft recoil, for fast recovery second shots, it drives tacks, and
the short action keeps the rifle as light as possible.  I am currently in a full blown
love affair with the .308 Win!  You might not fall head over heels for it, like
I have, but I do believe you are on to a chambering that will more than meet the
needs you have posted, you want to use a .308 Win. chambered rifle for.

Squeeze

[High Brass]

The problems with a 308 are that it'll make your drag rope heavy with the deer you shot with it and it will be too easy to find ammo for.     Seriously though, I have two 30-06s, a 243, and a 280 but I have a healthy respect for a 308.  They're not fancy, but they'll kill any deer you hit right with it and dont' require high dollar ammo to do it with.  From what I gather from 308 shooters, it's easy to load for to boot.  The best desription that I've heard for a 308 is that it's the regular cab version of a pickup and a 30-06 is the extended cab version.  Both will do 99% of the same thing.

[hh4064]

7-08 the BC on the 7mm is very hard to beat. At 500 meters a 168gr 30 cal. will shoot as much as 5 minutes lower as the 7mm 168gr. (at the same speed) the BC is sooooooooooooooo much better. With the smaller Caliber you might even have a little bit smaller bullet for varmints. But a 7mm will take a deer with absolutely NO trouble.
7-08 ALL THE WAY

[Ramrod]

At 500 meters a 168gr 30 cal. will shoot as much as 5 minutes lower as the 7mm 168gr. (at the same speed) the BC is sooooooooooooooo much better.

I think you mean 5 inches. 5 minutes would be closer to 27 inches at 500 meters. That would take something like 1000 fps difference in muzzle velocity.
By the way, responsible hunters do not shoot at deer at 500 yards, or 500 meters.