r/canadaguns • u/WinterOrb69 • May 11 '26

Buy recommendations Need help choosing 308

I'm on the market for a new 308 win.

If you had to chose 1, which one would you choose and why?

Straight pull:

MRA Maverick

Savage Impulse

Beretta BRX1

Semi-auto:

Benelli R1

Browning bar

Bolt:

Ruger American gen2

Tikka T3X

Pumps: I haven't looking into those yet. Not really a fan.

11 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

31 comments sorted by

16

u/GodsGiftToWrenching May 11 '26

Tikka T3X is pretty solid. do not get the ruger american, they are cheaply made and feel like it. And alternative to the ruger for a similar or better price point (depending on cknfiguration) is the Bergara B-14 series. I've been using a B-14 ridge with the shorter 18" barrel, thing feels great and is a pretty decent weight. Definitely feel miles above my ruger american ranch gen 2 which I kinda dislike ahooting

3

u/WinterOrb69 May 11 '26 edited May 11 '26

Regarding the ruger, noted.

3

u/gspotcowboy May 11 '26

The American line is fine at what they used to sell for. But I agree with the other poster, once they hit the $1000 mark there are much better options for not much more money.

FWIW I have a gen 1 ranch in 556 and I have zero complaints but I paid 600 plus tax for it like 5 years ago

1

u/Traditional_Bus2955 May 11 '26

Would have to disagree. I have a Ruger American Ranch Gen 2 and it actually feels really good. Have put around 400 rounds through it no complaints so far.

2

u/GodsGiftToWrenching May 11 '26

Genuinley curious, how many other bolt actions have you ran before? Because between all my milsurp rifles including a Mosin, and all of my modern bolt actions, the ruger is by far the cheapest feeling and poorest finishing quality amoung them all. The sharp edges and visibly rushed machining are to be desired, it's also the only bolt action in my collection that I consciously have to thing about how I'm running the bolt or else it binds up if I'm running it fast

1

u/Traditional_Bus2955 May 11 '26

I have a pretty extensive collection of bolt actions with milsurp and modern rifles. Maybe you just got a dud or need to work your bolt in morešŸ¤·ā€ā™‚ļø. If the issue is the stock maybe great aftermarket options exist (sharps bros etc.)

2

u/GodsGiftToWrenching May 11 '26

No see that's exactly the issue, if you're paying almost 1,000 dollars for a bolt action rifle you shouldn't have to work anything in. My savage rimfires didnt have to be worked in, my savage 10T-SR didn't have to be worked in, nor did my R700 or bergara lol. The binding it due to whack tolerances and the amount of slop at rear of travel where if mild outward pressure is applied to the bolt it becomes cockeyed in the reciever and will not move. (polished bolt surfaced was attempted to mediate this but it did not work) which is a problem I've seen on a couple at the range too lol. Another issue the gen 2 ranch has is feeding, a couple other guys at my range kept getting feeding issues with P mags whereas mine hates cross mags, but every .223 I've owned hates cross mags so I'm giving it the benifit of the doubt. The ruger american ranch just isn't a good rifle for the price, if it was still 650 bucks I wouldn't be so critical but like... an axis 2 has a better bolt

14

u/BeerGunsMusicFood May 11 '26

T3x. All day every day.

Straight pulls youā€™ve listed are:
1. Not accurate enough (still fun though!)
2. Too heavy and still not as accurate
3. Too expensive.

Semis are also too expensive for what theyā€™re capable of.

You cannot beat a tikka bolt action at the price point.

11

u/swift_gilford May 11 '26

T3X. Full stop.

Lite if its hunting focused;

CTR, Varmint or Ace if you want a 'target' build.

2

u/ChaseJulien May 11 '26

Second this, T3X is smooth, accurate, excellent adjustable trigger. T3X Lite is deadly accurate for up to 5 shots at the range then goes to crap until it cools down. I usually do 3 then shoot something else for a bit. Great for carrying around the bush though.

7

u/AdAgreeable6192 May 11 '26

Canā€™t go wrong with tikka or browning. I have a bar that shoots better groups than some bolt guns I own. My bar shoots a slightly larger group than my tikka, with considerably less recoil.

7

u/CurlyWurly61 May 11 '26

Tikka T3x Varmint or CTR + MDT Chassis & some good glass...

You have a gun for life

4

u/Successful_man_797 May 11 '26

My Tikka T3x Superlite is a fantastic bolt-action rifle. I absolutely love mine. Itā€™s lightweight, smooth, reliable, and unbelievably accurate right out of the box. The action cycles beautifully, the trigger feels excellent, and it consistently shoots tighter groups than rifles costing much more. Itā€™s one of those rifles that instantly gives you confidence every time you take it to the range or into the field.

3

u/Penguinbotxv May 11 '26

I see no mention of howa, therefore I must say howa

2

u/MourningWood1942 May 11 '26

Depends on what itā€™s used for

My hunting rifle is .308 Browning X-bolt and I like it a lot. It was that vs Tikka T3X

1

u/WinterOrb69 May 11 '26

I'm thinking probably both. I like shooting things. :p

2

u/Iokua_CDN May 11 '26

I have a CZ 557 (discontinued)Ā  so if I had to do it again, I'd grabĀ  their cz 600 alpha for cheap.

I've looked into the Browning Bar for a semi, but I'd rather pick up a cheap European 3006 version than spend big bucks on a 308 version.

On that same note, pick up a cheap European 3006 bolt action from IntersurplusĀ  for like 300-400 bucks if you are really strapped for cash

2

u/COBernard May 11 '26

A lot of great options out there but my vote goes to the Tikka. I have one in 308 and love it. If you keep it for the long run, there are a TON of great upgrades you can do with wide aftermarket options for Tikkas. Weather you want to upgrade your current stock with a different grip or a cheek rest, or dropping it in a whole new chassis or stock. You have options. Trigger spring kit, bolt handles you name it.

Plus, they are mostly just well made accurate rifles out of the box.

2

u/MeanCleanpalpatine May 11 '26

Another for T3X. Excellent rifle. Haven't put much into it other than a scope and bipolar.

I will say the Rugar American in 5.56 is noce to shoot, fairly accurate. Bolt is a bit stiff and stock does feel a bit cheap.

1

u/2feetandathrowaway May 11 '26 edited May 11 '26

Tikka, American Ranch or Bergara B 14 for me

1

u/Cock_ball_dickin May 11 '26

Iā€™m currently planning on getting the BAR MK 4 in .308 pretty soon. Idk I like semis

1

u/Birdybadass May 11 '26

Whatā€™s the purpose of the rifle? Thatā€™s going to be much easier to narrow it down than the current list you have.

1

u/sonichanxiao May 11 '26

The purpose of this 308 and budget?

1

u/WinterOrb69 May 12 '26

Mix of both hunting and target. Budget is pretty set, all those guns are between 1500 - 2000 range

1

u/sonichanxiao May 12 '26

For that range, Tikka CTR is the one I would pick. Easily converting to a target rifle with a chassis, and light enough for hunting.

1

u/iridemotorcyclesfast May 12 '26

I love my Ruger American Predator 308 Gen 1. Iā€™ve handled Tikkas and Bergara. They are smoother. Iā€™ve handled beautiful Wetherbeys and Brownings but Iā€™d be afraid to drop them or hit them off a rock or tree in the field. Ruger Gen 1ā€™s (or now Glenfields) offer you a reasonably priced rifle for the working man. I actually enjoy how utilitarian the rifle fields and have peace of mind knowing that if I scuff it up in the field it wonā€™t bother me

1

u/Traditional-Pop-8748 May 14 '26

Maybe Bergara Wilderness..or slightly less a CVA Cascade. Both bolt action .308

0

u/Mjolnir-Valore May 11 '26

Model 70 super grade AAA claro