.308 Mountain Rifle - Your Thoughts

[Woodchuck Dan]

A Tikka T3X Compact .308 WIN is my first rifle and I have to say that I was very happy with the first year. Smooth action and cycling. Scoped myself with the first shot and is taking some considerable effort and time with dummy rounds to remove a flinch.

It's 6 pounds 17 ounces and has a shorter barrel which I appreciate for humping the amount of ground I do and the type of bush I move through. I feel like I have sacrificed little since I doubt I will be taking a shot beyond 150 yards, and mostly likely will be closer to 40.

People dislike the synthetic stock but it was particularly useful to me as I live rurally in a Yurt... This allows me not only the spiritual superiority of living in a circular space, but also the inability to completely control temperature and humidity fluctuation. The structure has seasons lows of -5 C (23F), and seasonal highs of 38 degrees (100.4F) As well the humidity can move from 20 - 90+%.

It's much easier to reliably control the humidity in the winter as I heat with a wood stove.

All of this to say I needed to find a strategy to store a rifle that would not turn it into a block of rust. Keeping it lightly oiled, in the open(trigger locked), with the bolt in a separate safe has worked quite well. The bonus of the synthetic stock is I don't have to worry about the stock cracking or warping. I would like an after market stock but I am going to wait several years until my housing changes.

I do think that for smaller game harvests I think I will pick up a .243 in the future. I currently have a 1.75 X 5 scope on the 308 as I expect to be harvesting from close distances and would like a wide FOV. It would be nice to diversify and have a higher magnitude scope on the 308, while having a smaller caliber, lighter firearm with a minimal scope (or iron sights) for close ranges.

For versatility and access to ammunition it's been great. Picked a compact mountain gun and have not been disappointed.

[REMINGTON JIM]

The Special Edition Tikka T3X True Timber VSX cammo ,cerakote barrel rifle ,not sure it would be light enough to be called a Mountain Rifle
Maybe RJ knows ?
Arctic Lake

is that the 6.2 lb er ? RJ

[Arctic Lake]

RJ ! Yes in the .308 it weighs 6.2 pounds

I don’t own any Tikkas but it does look like a nice rifle .

Arctic Lake

is that the 6.2 lb er ? RJ

[REMINGTON JIM]

Nice rifle ! Be better in 30-06 JMO RJ

[Arctic Lake]

I thought so as well , not that I really know anything about the intricacies of rifles though .

I already have a 30.06 as you know and a 6.5 Creedmoor . I was thinking another cartridge for that Tikka if purchased . Perhaps the .308 or 6.5 PRC ? Or another that you could get with that particular rifle .
I did send you PM by the way .
Arctic Lake

Nice rifle ! Be better in 30-06 JMO RJ

[REMINGTON JIM]

I've replaced all my plastic Tikka stocks with McMillan, Manner or MDT chassis, but they all shot well in the factory handles

RICH BOY ! some of us have to stay with THE factory stuff ! lol RJ

[Arctic Lake]

RJ did you have a look at that Tikka Special Edition that was on sale at Cabelas ?
Arctic Lake

RICH BOY ! some of us have to stay with THE factory stuff ! lol RJ

[REMINGTON JIM]

Yes I did ! 👍 I have a Super Light Strata 30-06 Fluted Barrel and Bolt so I’m Set 😀. RJ

[BGHA]

I currently shoot a 6.5 Creed Bergara B14 Ridge. It is a bit too heavy of a rifle for that caliber to be lugging up and down the mountain, imo. It became pretty obvious after my recent goat hunt. I am looking to move to a lightweight .308 with a short barrel. Something along the flavour of the Ruger Hawkeye. I know the 6.5 and .308 perform similarly, but I think the larger 30 cal is better for short range bear defense (low probability but still a factor), shorter barrel, lighter weight, cheaper to reload, and easier to find ammo.

I realize there are lot better calibers for mountain hunting, but for the above reasons, combined with the fact that I don't ever see myself shooting beyond 500m, I think the .308 hits the sweet spot.

Am I completely missing something? Anyone here have a .308 lightweight mountain rifle that would like to chime in? Or other thoughts. Thanks in advance.

I think you're spot on with your reasoning. Yes, the 6.5 Creedmoor has some advantages in a lightweight mountain rifle platform, but the 308 has the edge with a shorter barrel, easier to find ammo, and is a little better choice for something like bear defense like you mentioned. With all that in mind, I can't fault your logic and I wish you luck afield with your new rifle!
More info here if you're interested:https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/65...08-winchester/