r/canadaguns • u/noahdesouza • 2d ago
Buy recommendations .308
Looking for advice/input on what to get or build.
I want a hybrid rifle chambered in .308. One that is good for backpacking/hunting/target shooting. I don’t want it to be only a bench rifle, for that I will get a Tikka T3X Ace Target or TAC A1 most likely in 6.5 Creedmor.
So far I’m trying to choose between
Sig Cross 16”
MRA Maverick 12.5” or 16”
Tikka CTR w/ MDT HNT26 Chassis
Tikka CTR w/ MDT The Tactical-LSS Gen3 Kit
Tikka CTR w/ MDT The Worker-LSS Gen3 Kit
Tikka components
They all have their pros/cons and tradeoffs.
Preferably I would like a shorter barrel.
I’d really appreciate your input/advice and thank you in advance for your responses!
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u/FD4L 2d ago
A 12.5" will be a pretty unpleasant 308. I'd personally go for 16" with a decent linear compensator.
You could do a ruger ranch and put it in a minimalist config mdt lss3 with a folding stock and it should come in just long enough to be legal while folded. It would probably be 9-10 pounds loaded with an optic but it would fold to like 27" for carrying.
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u/noahdesouza 2d ago
Thanks for your response! How would you compare that build to the Sig Cross? How’s the action, BCG, barrel, etc. compared to the Sig Cross?
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u/Iokua_CDN 2d ago
I'm going off my experience with a 16 inch CZ Trail here.
It's fantastic to have a little 16 inch barrel and a folding stock. Really makes it super compact. Definitely some blast though with the shorter barrel (mine is 7 62 x39.... 308 is going to be much worse. Consider maybe a flash hider or linear comp)
So with that in mind, going for just the short barrel,
1. you can buy a Howa m1500 with a 16 inch barrel (and tons of options to put into a chassis with a folding stock). With cheap gun prices and tons of decent aftermarket stocks, I'd recommend this one personally. Pretty sure howa is a 1 moa rifle
- You can find a 16 inch Ruger american in 308. Probably more costly but likely has a better stock on it. I'd get the howa if you plan to replace the stock anyways.
- Black Creek Labs Broncho is basically everything you want. 308, 16 inch barrel and folding stock. I hear iffy things about their quality control, but I also hear great things about their warranty. At a 3rd of the price of a Sig Cross, I'm OK with a bit of fine tuning before it's perfect
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u/noahdesouza 2d ago
Thanks for your response! I’ve heard a lot of great things about the CZ Trail! My friend has one in .223 and loves it. I have an MRA Renegade II in .223 Wylde with a 12.5” barrel. I love SBRs so I was also thinking of getting another MRA Renegade II with a 12.5” barrel but in 7.62x39 or I was considering getting the CZ Trail in 7.62x39. I like how MRAs are Canadian built and have lifetime warranty. The reason I’m considering the CZ Trail is because a bolt action is easier to clean, has less parts and has lower chance of something going wrong compared to a straight pull.
I don’t know too much about Howas, I’ll look into it. I also have been told to maybe get a Ruger and then getting a new chassis. In my decision, I’m also trying to factor in barrel quality, action, etc…. For example; the reason I would choose the Tikka CTR over the Lite is because the barrel is thicker/heavier so the barrel won’t get hot as quickly as the Lite
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u/Iokua_CDN 1d ago
I gotta say, I do love the Trail. The collapsing stock needs a bit of work, I'm adding heat shrink to it to take out the wobble. A better solution is the adaptor to let you run a pic rail or buffer tube stock. But that's extra money, where as fixing the normal stock is free!
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u/No-Today5207 7h ago
I like my two Howas. The HACT two stage trigger is easily adjustable. I like the three position safety to lock the bolt down or have the trigger safe but bolt workable. Great rifles for the price. On a great day i'm sub MOA shooting prone with pmc bronze 308, if im not taking my time its 1-1.5MOA. Some people comment on the zipper sound on the action it makes a "woosh" kind of noise. Its not as smooth as a tikka likely out of the box, but its very smooth and can be run fast/hard with ease.
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u/Murray3-Dvideos 2d ago
Variety can be the spice of life. Considering u might get the Tikka ACE, having a Sig Cross aswell could be a nice change.
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u/noahdesouza 2d ago
Variety can definitely be the spice of life! I’ve heard a lot of great things about the Sig Cross, my main thing holding me back from buying it is if I can build something similar for around the same price or more that is way better than the Sig Cross. Way better in regards to being able to customize it, aftermarket parts, barrel quality, etc.
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u/Mochadon 2d ago
If backpacking then you want something light and short, hunting- light but accurate with that first shot out to 400-500 yards as an example. Target- small groups, multiple shots so that means a longer heavier barrel that can handle the heat better than pencil barrel of a hunting rifle. It’s going to be hard to find something that will do all of these without a trade off. That said, you may want to check out the Bergara B-14
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u/noahdesouza 2d ago
I was considering the Bergara B-14. The only thing that kind of holds me back is the barrel length. The Sig Cross with a 16” barrel is what makes my choice more difficult. If only tikka or bergara made their own version of the Sig Cross. I was also thinking if I should maybe just buy a 16” barrel, buy a MDT Chassis and then buy either the Tikka T3X CTR or Bergara HMR B-14 and then just use all of its parts other than the chassis and barrel.
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u/No-Today5207 7h ago
The bergera action is an r700 footprint so they are nice for aftermarket options
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u/DashCameraman 2d ago
If you ever plan on shooting it without ear pro while hunting, definitely stay away from the 12.5 and 16" .308s
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u/noahdesouza 1d ago
I’ll most definitely have ear pro, I dont want to go deaf or have hearing problems😂
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u/Cute_Ad6301 1d ago
We have the Sig Cross .308 at the range and it's a great shooter.
Absolutely fantastic all-round backpacking/hunting/target shooting rifle. Make sure you add a good muzzle brake on it. The thing shoots fireballs without one.
If you want more of a hunting version, maybe grab the longer version? Same specs; just a 20" vs 16" barrel.
Also, the 308-16B-TRX (TRAX) has a Leg Bone minimalist stock. No cheek or LOP adjustments and basic bolt arm. Great for a backpack.
The Standard 308-16B one as the fully adjustable SIG Precision stock and beefier bolt arm.
5.9 lbs vs 6.5 lbs weight difference too.
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u/noahdesouza 1d ago
Thank you for your response! That’s good to hear, most people love their Cross. I think I’d prefer the 16” barrel. If I were to get a 20” barrel, I’d probably just get a Tikka T3X CTR with a 20” barrel and put it in a MDT Chassis. I looked into the Trax a little bit, I think I’d prefer the standard Cross, it seems a little tougher and I don’t mind that extra weight
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u/Cute_Ad6301 9h ago
going with the Tikka T3X (great gun btw) with an MDT that matches the ergonomics and features of the stock Cross .308 with 18" barrel would make it a bit heavier with all the fixinngs. Probably cost more too.
Tikka mags also cost more ($100-$120) than the standard .308s.
Just my two cents.
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u/noahdesouza 8h ago
I’m still trying to figure out which to build around. The MDT chassis also allows for AICS Mags so I can get metal or polymer mags for a lot cheaper than tikka mags.
I was thinking of possibly getting the T3X Roughtech Ranch in .308 with 16” barrel. My other option is the CTR in .308 with 20” barrel.
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u/H0B013 1d ago
Venture down the scout rifle rabbit hole. Best multipurpose rifle I've ever built. Light, easy to walk with, solid on a bench or bag, and you can sling up and shoot it from any position. 16 inch .308 with a 1.5-5.5 or 2-7 scout scope is quick and snappy close up, but still accurate out to 500
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u/noahdesouza 1d ago
Thanks for your response! That’s basically what I’m trying to buy or build. How’d you build yours? If you don’t want to share it publicly you can message me if that’s cool with you. I don’t know if I’d be fully satisfied with the Sig Cross. Id want a better barrel and action, plus I think I can build something better for around the same price or up to 1-2k more. I was thinking maybe get the Tikka T3X CTR and then putting it in an MDT Chassis but what’s holding me back is that it has a 20” barrel, I’d prefer 16” or maybe even 18”. The Tikka MDT LSS Tactical build would only weigh around a pound more than the Sig, it’ll way less than the Sig if I go with the MDT HNT26 Chassis. They’d both also have a folding stock. I was also considering that if I do that then maybe also take it to a gunsmith and get him to chop the barrel.
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u/H0B013 4h ago
It was a little easier for me because I found a ruger scout for a good price, so I didnt need to do very much to it, I just threw on a vortex scout scope with leupold QD rings, a magpul rls sling, nylon cheek riser with detachable mag pouch, and a spartan precision quick detach bipod to keep the weigh down. Future mods will be a few inset QD points so I can move the sling around.
Finding the action and barrel will be the difficult part, as 16 isnt as common of a barrel length. If you've got the dough, the HNT 26 chassis is phenomenal. I had the chance to use one the other day and it was very very nice. It still has a 20 inch barrel, but the tikka t3 arctic may be something to look at as it fits most of your criteria, and you would still have the ability to drop it in a hnt26 if you felt inclined to do so. Otherwise you could look for a ruger scout or a savage scout, or wait and settle for the ruger american scout.
The possibilities are kind of endless, that's why I say venture down the rabbit hole, because there is a ton of shit out there about building general purpose rifles. Look up "On the Scout" on youtube, great wealth of real world knowledge from that guy as hes a backcountry guide in some pretty gnarly areas
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u/noahdesouza 53m ago
Thank you for sharing your build and for your advice! You have a nice setup! I’m also going to check out On The Scout on YouTube. The Sig cross seems very compelling, it has everything I like and would want minus a few things such as the barrel, it being ammo picky and that I can probably build something better. I was thinking of maybe getting a TACT A1 in 16 inch and then throwing that in a MDT HNT26 chassis. I would like a light build but I also don’t mind if it weighs a little heavier than the Sig. I’d also like a barrel that is good for a higher string of fire. So far I’m kind of leaning towards a CTR 20”, TACTA1 16” or Roughtech Ranger 16”. And then any of those Id put into the MDT HNT26.
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u/preferablyoutside 2d ago
The LARPers on here overwhelmingly go hard at the thought of a Tikka, so I’ll buck the trend.
Get the Sig, they’re handy as shit and a sweet setup for the money. You obviously are aware it’s not some 20lb PRS rig and understand it may not be as accurate as such.
Going off most of the inside kids on here only mag dump Benelli knockoffs I’m sure with a little practice you’ll outshoot them despite what they claim their uncles wife’s boyfriends cousins nephew can do with their Tikka
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u/noahdesouza 2d ago
Thanks for your response! I’ve heard tikkas are near the top along with Sakos. I don’t want to buy a budget rifle, I would like something of good quality. Ps I love my Benelli M4 H2O
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u/preferablyoutside 1d ago
They’re an OK rifle, I like them well enough they just seem to fit into the guy who has slightly too much discretionary incomes budget and has no problem telling you how great it is but won’t and doesn’t use it because he’s scared of putting a mark on it as he can’t replace it. Those are the kinda guys I mark as Tikka owners, the same ones who put too much Vortex glass on top and tell you about the warranty they’ll never use.
Sako is a beautiful rifle, and for the price point on Tikka I’d throw Bergara in the mix as well.
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u/Agonizing-Stroke1812 2d ago
Damn why the aggression towards Tikka fans 😂 I never even thought of them as LARPer guns they're just very nice for hunting and generally have very few issues
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u/preferablyoutside 2d ago
Lots of gums flapping about how accurate guys and their tikkas are, yet mostly feet pics, sks mag dumps and Benelli knockoff videos, die of old age searching for a guy posting his recorded groups with one of the Tikkas
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u/New_Patience_8938 2d ago
I would argue guys talking tikka are generally in long range/hunting subs. I always thought of this sub as a more "general" sub for guns/gun culture in canada. Just my 2 cents.
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u/Parking_Media 2d ago
There's "proof or stfu" and there's being a complete goof. You seem to be choosing the latter bud and it's just super uncalled for.
Stick with the former, keep this place at least kinda positive, cuz it ain't classy with all the feet.
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u/preferablyoutside 2d ago
I never said I’m complaining about what’s being posted rather happy to know the odd Turkish shotgun isn’t a waste of money, and SKS punching steel is a satisfying ring, tad tiring when people claim how accurate their Tikka is and never follow it up, you seem to relish sitting in that camp though.
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u/Parking_Media 2d ago
You want an argument have it with someone else. Your lack of reading comprehension and repeating your points nobody is arguing with annoys me.
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u/H0B013 1d ago
I feel like this isn't the first time I've seen your name pop up in this sub throwing the same insults at a hypothetical group of firearms owners just for the sake of being pissy. Don't let what strangers on reddit (that might not even be real people) do irritate you so much, you'll be happier for it
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u/preferablyoutside 1d ago
Maybe, it is peach season so I’ve been on the porcelain throne more than usual.
Dunno man, Tikka kids like talking their guns up but when it comes to posting group sizes they disappear like Chinese mildurp 7.62. The SKS guys are always posting groups, Tikka kids though….
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u/H0B013 8h ago
"It is peach season so I’ve been on the porcelain throne more than usual." I feel that 😂
People spending all their money on gear thinking it will make up for only shooting 100 rounds a year is definitely a thing so I'll give you that. My range is pretty bad for it, $8000 dollar rifles shooting 4 moa groups. It used to irritate me, but now it just feels good to be reminded that all the money in the world cant replace all the trigger time and practice I've put in
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u/preferablyoutside 7h ago
That’s what I’m getting at, they seem to be the go to for the guy who wants an easy button and doesn’t put the time in
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u/Parking_Media 2d ago
Of those the Sig cross 16" would be fantastic with a nice light scope on it. I'd pack that around happily in the bush.
It'll be a hand full on the shooting bench but I will make that trade any day. You already said you're getting something nice for the bench so that's sorted.