r/canadaguns • u/General_bacon21 • May 31 '26
Buy recommendations Hunting bolt gun recommendations
Hi everyone, I am looking into getting a 308 bolt action rifle for hunting and some range. I want it to be 20 inches or less and I have narrowed it down to these few:
CVA Cascade SB (Threaded barrel, good price but sort of hard to find)
Tikka T3X Lite Compact (Non threaded barrel, probably the most expensive of all, hard to find and the really expensive mags are a con)
Ruger American Ranch Gen2 (Nice looking rifle, I do have some doubts about a 16 inch barrel and I have heard there might be some issues with the feeding sometimes)
Bergara B14 Ridge SP (Also hard to find and the one I know the least about)
I would like yalls opinion on all of these rifles and if you own them what you guys think of them. Note that I think for this one I would like to buy this gun used and I don't think I would be hunting past 250 meters.
Thank you
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u/Murray3-Dvideos May 31 '26 edited May 31 '26
As a .308 Bergara Ridge Rifle owner, cant say I'd recommend one. The sole reason being that there is a notable chance the .308 version of the rifle will be fussy accuracy wise with the ammo you feed it.
This is a very polarizing issue amongst Bergara owners.
I wish i'd just got a Tikka. Ive yet to meet someone in person who has had an issue with their Tikka.
Can't offer any insight regarding Ruger rifles, but 16" barrel wise, I cant imagine it would deminish capabilities from taking big game within 250m in a way that is noticeable. Packing a 16" barrel when hunting in the woods is a very pleasant experience.
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u/Iokua_CDN May 31 '26
I'm noticing a couple folks aren't happy with Bergaras. Like I'm sure there are plenty who are happy, but I'm noticing more and more on reddit folks who don't like them or are disappointed in one they bought
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u/Murray3-Dvideos May 31 '26
They seem to be alot like X Bolts... excellent if you get a good one, absolute pie plate accuracy if you are unlucky and get a tempermental one. I recently discovered that mine does love Sierra 175gr matchkings (sub moa 5 shot group potential) which is usually what Bergara tests their barrels with and reconmends. But its annoying that the rifles seems to hate many other popular bullets. My friends Tikkas will shoot everything reasonably well.
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u/LumberjackCDN Gold'n Loan Outfitters & Pawn May 31 '26
Get the Tikka, theyre the number 1 selling hunting rifle for a reason. (The g2 ranch is a cool gun too and we have a plethora of them right now in 308, but hard to beat a Tikka for out of the box value and a 308 isnt a thumper so the break isnt really needed)
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u/Iokua_CDN May 31 '26
Wanted to toss out the Cz600 alpha
10 round magazines, 18 inches, good adjustable trigger, 800 bucks.
Call it the Almost tikka quality for a lot less.
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u/HappyCan7250 Jun 04 '26
Cz600 Alpha is a fantastic rifle, I'll second that.
I've got one in 7.62x39, decided to pass on the trail due better accuracy in the Alpha. 1moa guarantee in the Alpha, only 2moa on the trail.
My 600 Alpha somehow shoots steel cased red box Norinco fantastically well, like 1.5moa with the most garbage, shit, cheap ammo out there. Shoots about 0.75moa with any brass cased I put in it.
Surprisingly light as well for having a medium profile barrel.
Trigger is also fantastic for the price of the rifle, goes down to I think under 1lb, up to about 3 or 4lb if I remember right. They're amazing value for an $800 rifle. I've even seen them on sale as low as high 600s.
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u/Iokua_CDN Jun 04 '26
I remember that sale for high 600s! Would have bought one but they were sold out.
You ever think of putting irons or a red dot on your alpha and top loading it with stripper clips? Very weird questions I know, but I've thought of it often after seeing they could be top loaded
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u/FD4L May 31 '26
Also, control feed and the ability to lock the magazine in place and top feed it rounds is pretty cool. I want one in x39. I just with they had more aftermarket support, there's almost nothing out there compared to its little bro the 457.
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u/Iokua_CDN May 31 '26
I think in enough time there will be!
Like the x39 at least has 12 round mags available for it! I think there are Boyd Stocks available too, but at that point, like just buy the Lux or the American if you want a Cz 600 with a wooden stock.
I definitely considered the Alpha in 7.62 x39 for a while. Ended up getting the Trail instead since I don't have much modern looking guns, and since the stock folds to make it like 27 inches for storage. The Alpha likely would have been much more accurate and nicer to shoot but I'm happy with my choice.
I'd be grabbing a 308 if I didn't already have the older 557 in 308 done up how I like
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u/Omega_Shaman May 31 '26
Normally I would recommend a Ruger American Gen 2 because it has a medium barrel and is cerakoted. But mine had feeding issues and I had to switch out the stock.
I would go with a CZ 600 Alpha because it has a medium barrel that wouldn't heat up too fast at the range and wouldn't be too heavy for the field.
What is important is your preferred length of pull though. Test out a few to see what feels best for you.
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u/AccountantLow8671 May 31 '26
I recently got a Sako S20 precision in 308 and it’s amazing. A bit heavy if you plan on hiking it a great distance but may be worth a look. I looked at Tikka but found them cheap feeling but they are highly regarded. Price point may be a bit higher with a Sako as well.
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u/preferablyoutside May 31 '26
That S20 is an exceptionally accurate rifle as well, mechanical perfection
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u/COBernard May 31 '26
Can’t recommend the Tikka enough. I got a 20” 308 in Roughtech but that’s a bit more expensive. Nothing wrong with the compact version. If you plan on keeping it for the long run, so many aftermarket upgrades available for them. And if not, it’ll probably be a reliable shooter right out of the box.
I had checked out the CVA Cascade SB at my local shop when they had them on sale for $849. I think the barrel length was like 18”. Felt a bit heavy and cheap to me, but they are often advertised as the new budget kings.
I like Bergara but I’ve seen so many reports of them being picky shooters that I’d be hesitant.
Keep in mind, I don’t have any real life experience with any of these rifles except the Tikka, for which I can vouch for.
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u/Upstairs-Zebra8115 May 31 '26
For what its worth, don't rule out a Steven's 334 in 308. It is an incredibly accurate rifle. Just change out the trigger to a Jard trigger and you're good to go. Great gun.
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u/HappyCan7250 Jun 04 '26
I'll second this as well. The 334 is amazingly accurate for its price.
By the way, you can actually turn that crappy factory trigger into a very nice one. They are adjustable, but you have to remove the epoxy. There is guided on how to do it. If you adjust it too low the safety will stop working, which is why they decided to start epoxying them.
I also opened mine up and swapped a spring, and it breaks around 1.5lb now, is drop safe, and safety works still.
That thing is genuinely one of my most accurate rifles despite costing half as much as some. I ended up selling my 2 other 308s because I just love the 334 an have been blown away by its value. It's priced the same as an Axis, but is so much nicer than an Axis. I don't know why they even bother making the Axis when the 334 exists. (Savage is the parent company of Stevens if you didn't know, the 334 is sometimes sold as a Savage 334)
I even dropped mine about 5ft down onto some rocks, landed directly on the muzzle crown, then bounced and landed right on the scope. Still shoots perfectly, didn't even lose zero, despite dinging up the muzzle a bit.
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u/excellentiger May 31 '26
Tikka or ruger options will do you good. Magazine price is not something to get hung up on with a hunting rifle, you only need one spare. The 16" barrel is fine, preferred if you do lots of bushwacking
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u/preferablyoutside May 31 '26
Most of the LARPers on here are absolutely in love with a flagpole length barrel as they neither hike nor actually go outside so you’re bound to get some hate for even mentioning a sub 24” barrel.
I’d get the Ruger, the price is right and the feeding issue is more guys not bothering to clean or CLP them when they first buy them. If you don’t mind being a little heavier the Bergara is fantastic.
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u/Iokua_CDN May 31 '26
See I'm not much if a hiker/hunter, but I love a short barrel. Like under 20 please. My shorter rifles are so nice to pack around, store, and transport. I imagine they would be a lot nicer out hiking too.
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u/Berns35703 Jun 01 '26
I’ve got a gen 2 prairie in 6.5cm. Still haven’t broken it in completely and I had one or 2 minor feed issues at the very start. Just a bit of work to clean it and it works perfectly fine. Also have a Bergara SP in .223 I’m looking at a longer barrel for because it’s a bench rifle. But it’s reliable, well built and I have no clue how many rounds I’ve put through it
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u/Canadian-Footy-Fan May 31 '26
Other end of the power spectrum but I just got a stainless Tikka T3x in 223. Lots of people saying It is a great rifle and I did t want one that I would feel the need to upgrade any time soon. Plus it is European which I liked.
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u/Difficult_Pipe_991 May 31 '26
May I introduce you to the Franchi Momentum All terrain Elite.
*not just the momentum Elite*
18” floated barrel, flip up irons, fluted bolt, cheek risers, muzzle break, all the bells and whistles you could ask for.
I can currently only find the momentum all terrain (all black, elite is camo) online.
I love this rifle, mine is 308 and I have a 2-14 Athlon scope.. I put shots on top of each other at 200 M and I’m an average shooter at best. And I mean on top of eachother, the advertised “under 1 MOA was true for me.
Takes AICS mags.
10/10 rifle, look it up just for fun at least.
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u/Water-Foul May 31 '26
I shot my first deer last year with a 6.5 creedmore ruger american. I like it a lot.
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u/No_Win_9797 Jun 01 '26
I have a savage model 110 in 308, came with a heavy threaded, fluted barrel and 4-12 vortex scope …..I couldn’t be happier with the groups I get with this combo rifle I picked up
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u/HappyCan7250 Jun 04 '26
Just got a 110 Hog Hunter in 223 and I am super happy with it as well. Ive owned 4 or 5 different 223 rifles and the 110 is my favourite bolt 223 so far. Sold my Ruger Gen 2 Ranch after getting the 110.
Nice heavy barrel on it, incredibly accurate, fairly smooth, and only cost me $750. Not the most refined, but outshot my Ruger Ranch by a wide margin. Holds up to repeated shots very well too.
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u/No_Win_9797 Jun 04 '26
I haven’t received my Gen 2 ruger ranch in 556, but now I’ll be selling it for another savage lol Does your hog hunter take AR mags?
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u/swift_gilford Jun 01 '26
Honestly, just get the Tikka. Any competent gunsmith can easily thread the barrel for you.
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u/BritBuc-1 Jun 01 '26
“Buy once, cry once”, is a bit of a misnomer, but there’s certainly a seed of truth in the expression.
The Tikka is the superior option, out of the ones listed in the OP. Yes, the higher quality should carry more value, labour intensive, higher quality parts etc, but the name carries an additional premium; especially with the limited options available in Canada.
You absolutely are going to be spending more money on the Tikka, but it’s still cheaper than buying any of the other options, and then buying the Tikka.
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u/epnk420 Jun 01 '26
Tikka T3X all the way I went with a Savage 110 then got the wife a Tikka, wish I went the same route too lol Tikka action is like butter
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u/Hotdog_Broth May 31 '26
There’s a reason people often say they wish they had just bought a T3X instead.