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buckhorn_cortez · October 23, 2012, 07:58 AM

For hunting with a .308, a lightweight bolt action gun with a 20 or 22-inch barrel. The 20-inch barrel is only down about 100 fps from a 26-inch barrel. There's a big difference in carrying around a 26-inch barrel gun and a 20 or 22-inch barreled gun, both in weight, maneuverability, and quickness to shoulder and aim the rifle.

If you're going to carry the rifle all day, weight is a consideration. I have a .308 AR and with a scope and it weighs 14lbs. I use it for precision tactical rifle and regulary shoot 980 yards with it. I would never consider carrying the rifle for hunting and would change to a lightweight bolt action for that use.

For pure long range shooting, I have a 30-338. I use Sierra 190 grain boat tail bullets chronographed at 3400fps. Using heavier .30 caliber bullets it could easily be used for elk at 300-400 yards.

My advice would be to look at the 300 Winchester Short Magnum as the action is shorter, can be cycled a bit faster, you can find lightweight field rifles in that caliber, and it will do everything a 300 Winchester Magnum will do in a slightly smaller package.

You can even find semi-auto rifles in 300 WSM. The Benelli R1 weighs 7.2 lbs and with a scope would come in at about 8.5 -9 lbs.

October 23, 2012, 07:58 AM	#14
buckhorn_cortez Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2010 Posts: 857	For hunting with a .308, a lightweight bolt action gun with a 20 or 22-inch barrel. The 20-inch barrel is only down about 100 fps from a 26-inch barrel. There's a big difference in carrying around a 26-inch barrel gun and a 20 or 22-inch barreled gun, both in weight, maneuverability, and quickness to shoulder and aim the rifle. If you're going to carry the rifle all day, weight is a consideration. I have a .308 AR and with a scope and it weighs 14lbs. I use it for precision tactical rifle and regulary shoot 980 yards with it. I would never consider carrying the rifle for hunting and would change to a lightweight bolt action for that use. For pure long range shooting, I have a 30-338. I use Sierra 190 grain boat tail bullets chronographed at 3400fps. Using heavier .30 caliber bullets it could easily be used for elk at 300-400 yards. My advice would be to look at the 300 Winchester Short Magnum as the action is shorter, can be cycled a bit faster, you can find lightweight field rifles in that caliber, and it will do everything a 300 Winchester Magnum will do in a slightly smaller package. You can even find semi-auto rifles in 300 WSM. The Benelli R1 weighs 7.2 lbs and with a scope would come in at about 8.5 -9 lbs. Last edited by buckhorn_cortez; October 23, 2012 at 08:08 AM.