Topic: The Best .308 Hunting Rifles of 2023 (Read 39 times)
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Why It Made the Cut
This basic but functional hunting rifle setup has a crisp adjustable trigger, and it’s light enough for most hunting situations. Plus, you simply can’t beat Ruger’s accuracy to cost ratio.
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The basic rifle/scope co*bo is, well, basic. The Crossfire might not make it on the best rifle scopes list, but it’s more than capable for most hunting situations. And if you want to add some color to your hunting rig check out the Go Wild camo version.
I’ve tested several Ruger American rifles in various calibers and—no surprise to anyone who’s familiar with these guns—every one shot well. On a bear hunt in Alberta, I managed to harvest two bruins with this rifle, neither of which made it out of view before expiring. With an American rifle chambered in .308 you can hunt most of the world’s game. So do you really need a more expensive rifle?
Why It Made the Cut
With its two-piece oil-finish American walnut stock and rich bluing, the Long Ranger is a modern take on the classic lever-action hunting rifle.
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The .308 lends itself well to a variety of action types, including lever guns like the Long Ranger. And the rack-and-pinion system is smooth and fast, so you can deliver quick follow ups with this rifle. I’m glad that Henry used a transfer bar hammer instead of sullying the look of this gun with a manual safety, and the side-mounted push button magazine release is intuitively positioned.
When I tested this rifle I mounted it with a low-mount scope, and the Henry’s short, steeply-angled hammer stayed well out of the way. Accuracy wasn’t half-MOA, but this rifle certainly is accurate for a lever-action, and it even challenges some bolt-actions. Plus, there’s nothing like the feel of a lever gun.
Why It Made the Cut
The Springfield Waypoint is accurate enough for long-range target shooting yet light enough to carry in the field, which makes it the ultimate dual-purpose .308 rifle for hunting and co*petition.
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No part of this rifle has been overlooked, and the Waypoint’s bolt slips through the wire EDM raceway with surgical precision. This gun costs a couple grand but feels like it should be priced higher.
Of course, four-figure guns better co*e with precision and luckily, this Springfield does. The .308 I tested shot just over an inch for three rounds at 200 yards, and I had no trouble dropping a Wyoming antelope at just over 400 while hunting with Kody Glause of Heart Spear Outfitters. I trusted the rifle to make any reasonable shot and hated to see it go. And I’m still kicking myself for not buying that gun.
Why It Made the Cut
The Mossberg Patriot Youth Super Bantam is a durable and affordable gun that’s perfectly suited for small-statured or growing shooters.
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This rifle co*es equipped with a bore sighted 3-9×40 scope, so it provides a hunter with everything they need to start hunting at a bargain price. While this rifle is technically youth sized, the adjustable LOP(length of pull) means that hunters can grow with it.
There’s nothing particularly fancy about the Mossberg (save the Muddy Girl pink camo finish), but these are workaday guns that punch tags without pretensions. The LBA trigger is reliable and safe, and I’ve never seen a Mossberg Patriot rifle suffer from reliability issues. After carrying Patriot rifles while chasing Coues deer in Mexico, whitetails in Kansas, and ibex in Spain, I’m a fan of this purpose-built bolt gun.
Why It Made the Cut
The Wilson co*bat Tactical Hunter is a tack-driving AR-10 rifle that’s built with premium co*ponents.
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I’ve spent considerable time behind Tactical Hunter rifles chambered for .308 Winchester and Bill Wilson’s sorely underrated .300 Ham’r cartridge. I went on a hog hunt with Bill at his ranch in Texas and took a nice boar with one shot before shooting the Tactical Hunter out to 1,000 yards.
Understandably, the Tactical Hunter is priced like a premium AR rifle, but there’s no better option if you’re looking for a semiauto .308 hunting rifle. And if you’re wondering why there’s no category for best .308 varmint/predator rifle, it’s because this gun wins that award, too.
Why It Made the Cut
The Hunter Pro Desolve Blak brings a new look to the Hunter line of rifles and at 5 pounds, 9 ounces, this gun is perfect for hunting the high country.
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I own one of these guns in .308, which I purchased after an evaluation. Why did I buy it? I wanted a lightweight .308 rifle that I could use for anything, especially for hunting big game in the high country. And the Kimber Hunter Pro Desolve Blak fits the bill. My Kimber is a bit finicky about loads, but it absolutely loves Black Hills’ 152-grain Dual Performance. With that load, it would shoot under an inch at 100 yards for five-shot groups, and that’s my go-to rifle/load co*bo for big game hunting. With the light weight, you do gain a bit of recoil from this rifle, but it’s not unmanageable. But with this gun’s accuracy, if you’re lucky enough to pack an elk out, you’ll forget all about recoil.
Why It Made the Cut
With a forward-mounted scope and ten-round magazine this versatile Mossberg is the perfect rifle to ride shotgun in your pickup.
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The MVP is an affordable introduction to the world of Scout rifles. I’ve successfully hunted elk and mule deer with this rifle, but it’s also my go-to hog hunting weapon. And with subsonic loads it’s a super training and self-defense rifle. In fact, I probably shoot my MVP Scout rifle more than any other centerfire that I own. Is a Scout rifle ideal for hunting elk? Not under all circumstances, but my Mossberg placed a 165-grain Partition in the top of a bull’s heart from a couple hundred yards away and that, as they say, was that.
The side Picatinny rails make this rifle more versatile. For AR hunters who want a bolt gun that offers them a place to mount all their swag, this is it. Because I shoot this rifle often I shoot it pretty well, and I believe Cooper was right when he said that the speed of a Scout rifle is unmatched by other bolt guns.
Why It Made the Cut
The M21 is designed to function perfectly in tough environments, balance well, shoot accurately, and it’s built with high-quality materials. It’s a dependable all-around hunting rifle that will last a lifetime.
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The Nosler Model 21 is a fantastic hunting rifle, and it won Editor’s Choice in our 2022 rifle test. It’s a medium-lightweight, well-balanced rifle meant to take on any hunt. Though it’s an expensive rifle, you get a high-quality, long-term piece of equipment for the price.
The M21 isn’t ultra light, but it’s light enough to take on a mountain hunt and substantial enough to be easy shooting. It features a bolt that’s fluted to minimize receiver contact and utilizes an M16-style extractor.
The Triggertech trigger is user-adjustable, and the rifle is suppressor-ready. I really appreciate the bolt’s tool-less takedown feature. And the action is designed with user-friendliness in mind. If you want a rifle that can handle anything, consider this one. —Staff Writer Tyler Freel
Winchester