308 hunting rifle/suppressor host?

[Gumbo]

I finally got a sandman l out of jail and I'm looking for a new hunting rifle to use with it. I've been hunting with a .270 for years, but it's got a 24" barrel and with a 8+" suppressor, would make a very long gun to drag through the woods. I've seen good performance out of 308's in the 16-18" barrel range and as such think this would make a superior suppressor host for medium to large game.

My issue is that it seems like I can't find a 16-18" bolt gun in 308 in a lightweight/hunter format. I'd like to have a detachable magazine, but if not, it's not a deal breaker. Something like a ruger american ranch would be ideal in my opinion, but they don't make it in 308.

Any suggestions for other options?

Thanks!

[GJM]

I have a .308 Sig Cross with a 16 inch barrel and an Omega. Lightweight, compact package.

[OlongJohnson]

Does this work?

https://ruger.com/products/americanRiflePredator/specSheets/6974.html

I believe you can replace the rail with standard bases like Warne for the American if you want to mount the scope a little lighter/tidier.

Or a little higher-end:

https://www.bergara.online/us/rifles/b14/ridge-rifle-2/

B14S511 $865 .308 Win (Special Purpose Short Barrel) 7.2 lbs 37.5" 18" Hinged floor plate 4 standard

[Cory]

The Tikka T3x roughtech comes in a 20" .308 with magazines I think. A bit longer than you wanted, but seem to be regarded as a real quality rifle for the pricetags.

Other than wanting a Tikka eventually I have no experience with them.

[Gumbo]

Does this work?

https://ruger.com/products/americanRiflePredator/specSheets/6974.html

I believe you can replace the rail with standard bases like Warne for the American if you want to mount the scope a little lighter/tidier.

Or a little higher-end:

https://www.bergara.online/us/rifles/b14/ridge-rifle-2/

B14S511 $865 .308 Win (Special Purpose Short Barrel) 7.2 lbs 37.5" 18" Hinged floor plate 4 standard

I don't know how I didn't see that ruger, I looked through the website several times, but it looks almost perfect.

The million dollar question is the undoubtedly better bergara worth the trade of the extra 1lb of weight when I'm trying to traverse thick swampy timber? The inner man in me says yes, but the realistic middle aged man in the mirror says save weight everywhere I can...

[OlongJohnson]

I would try to handle both before deciding.

The injection molded stocks on the Ruger American line tend to be flexible and look and feel cheap. Bolts often sound like corduroy pants when cycling.

You may find the Bergara seems well worth the few hundred extra dollars in quality and general goodness.

Ruger Americans do shoot well, so I imagine it would depend on which example of each you might end up with as to which will be more accurate, and with what ammo.

Also, if 20 inches isn't too long, there are several options from Tikka as noted above. Over the past couple years, all my non-Tikka centerfire bolt actions have gone down the road, for whatever that's worth.

[CleverNickname]

Maybe a Ruger Scout? There's three different 16" and two 18" .308 Scout models, which all have threaded barrels and use detachable AICS mags. I'm happy enough with mine as a silencer host. If you don't like the scout mounting for the scope, XS makes a replacement scope rail which allows mounting a scope further back.

https://ruger.com/products/scoutRifle/models.html

[ASH556]

This was my version of what you’re talking about: https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?36872-Compact-ish-suppressed-bolt-action-hunting-rifle&p=890472&viewfull=1#post890472

It was nearly perfect, but the AAC N6 can was just awfully heavy and I hated carrying the thing through the woods due to the poor balance. Sold the rifle and the van. With one of the newer titanium cans it could be perfect.

[UNM1136]

What's wrong with trimming and threading the .270?

Honestly, that would be my first response...

pat

[PearTree]

I also wanted exactly what you wanted for a hunting rifle, 16 inch 308. I went with the Remington model 7 threaded, changed out the stock, and had my gunsmith work his magic on the action and add a timney trigger.

My can is an energetic armament vox, I’m using the q cherry bomb and plan b for the mount.