.308

[u/noahdesouza]

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!

[u/H0B013]

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

[u/noahdesouza → u/H0B013]

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.

[u/H0B013 → u/noahdesouza]

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

[u/noahdesouza → u/H0B013]

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.