Bolt action Carbine options?

[Bushleague]

This year my hunting style once again evolved a little bit, and rifles I had previously considered "perfect" were not always ideal. Anyhow I've come to feel that a light-ish bolt action rifle with about a 20" barrel, maybe a short action, and a low powered scope might a good fit for me. Just wondering what you guys have tried, what you liked, and what you would recommend.

[45/70/500]

a Tikka t3 in 308 and your good to go anywhere for any thing in AB

[elkhunter11]

My only carbine is a Sako Bavarian Carbine in 6.5x55, and it has a Swarovski Z3 3-10x42 scope mounted. It shoots 1/2moa to 5/8moa with the 129gr ABLR.

[kayaker]

Agreed,

For me a non-magnum 20" carbine with a more compact scope is ideal. I like the .308 but would be happy with any of the common .270-.30-06 class cartridges.

For scopes my 'choice metric' always seems to land the on the VX-3 2.5-8x36 as the perfect option although I use 3-9's and 2-7's.

I have a Ruger Scout set up with a regular scope and 3 round mag. Its great as a carbine hunting rifle, I would take a 20" barrel on that.
I also like the 20.5" barrel CZ 550FS. Mine is a 9.3x62.

The CZ 557 has a 20.5" barrel and looks really nice, as do the Sako 'Bear series', the T3 Battue, Ruger Ultralight's (not the compact, the 16.5" on those is just too short for me), Howa Carbine, etc. There a few options around. The Mauser M12 'Solid' looks super nice as well.

[Bushleague]

Originally Posted by 45/70/500

a Tikka t3 in 308 and your good to go anywhere for any thing in AB

I'm already good for anything in Alberta, I'm looking for a gun that fits a specific type of hunting that I've started spending a lot more of time doing. In this year's dry "cornflake" conditions I kept still hunting the bush but I had to get the range out a little further to help with the noise. I hunted ridges and fingers and valleys where I could look at, or into the terrain rather than across it. As a result the shots got a bit longer than typical bush hunting shots and a scope was needed to insure I had a clear lane. It proved to be an effective way to hunt and I expect I will keep using this strategy. The scoped rifle I currently have did work but I found myself wishing it was shorter and lighter. I have a couple shorter rifles wearing peep sights but I don't really want to scope them... presto, I came up with an excuse to get another rifle!

[Young Eldon]

Find a good used Remington Mohawk in .308. Great little rifles when tuned a bit.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Young Eldon

Find a good used Remington Mohawk in .308. Great little rifles when tuned a bit.

Or a Remington 788, Tikka T3, Savage Model10, Ruger 77 Ultralight, lots out there to choose from.
Personally I really like the Ruger RSI and the 1A but those are single shots.
Cat

[Flight01]

I have a Mohawk...sort of... the model 673. in 308 and it has been a great rifle.
Also, I have a Ruger compact magnum. 20" bbl chambered in 338RCM I like its balance and carrying characteristics.

[Hat in the Cat]

I just got a Ruger American compact for my kid. It has a 20" barrel but you would most likely have to replace the stock (compact size is for youth). Shoots well for the lower price point rifles.

[Bushleague]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

My only carbine is a Sako Bavarian Carbine in 6.5x55, and it has a Swarovski Z3 3-10x42 scope mounted. It shoots 1/2moa to 5/8moa with the 129gr ABLR.

Very nice rifle, I've never been quite sure how I feel about the double Schnabel thing that Sako has going on with those rifles, but the rifles are very nice. I'm assuming the 6.5x55 would be a long action?

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Bushleague

Very nice rifle, I've never been quite sure how I feel about the double Schnabel thing that Sako has going on with those rifles, but the rifles are very nice. I'm assuming the 6.5x55 would be a long action?

Sako lists six action lengths as opposed to most companies having two or three at most. The 6.5x55 is listed as a medium action. The stock is actually very comfortable for offhand shooting.

[Bushleague]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Sako has six action lengths as opposed to most companies having two or three at most. The 6.5x55 is listed as a medium action.

Interesting, I didn't realise that. I had a 6.5x55 for awhile and do consider it to be the finest deer cartridge I have tried. To me it seemed like it had just the perfect amount of overkill and not one bit more or less.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Bushleague

Interesting, I didn't realise that. I had a 6.5x55 for awhile and do consider it to be the finest deer cartridge I have tried. To me it seemed like it had just the perfect amount of overkill and not one bit more or less.

The Bavarian Carbine in 6.5x55 was actually over $400 less than the same rifle in 270win or 30-06 at Ellwood Epps. Lucky for me, as I would not have purchased a 270win or a 30-06, even if the price was less than for the 6.5x55.

[Bushleague]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

The Bavarian Carbine in 6.5x55 was actually over $400 less than the same rifle in 270win or 30-06 at Ellwood Epps. Lucky for me, as I would not have purchased a 270win or a 30-06, even if the price was less than for the 6.5x55.

Actually, I checked it out on their website and it also lists the, 30-06 and .270 as being in a "medium" action. So I'm guessing "medium" means "non magnum"? As for the six action sizes, as far as I could see, some of them were referring to barrel length, since many cartridges are listed as being chambered in two different action sizes in the same model of rifle, the two action designations did have different length barrels... it doesn't matter much to me though.

As long as the rifle handles nicely I don't really care what its chambered in, I have more .270's in the safe than anything else so another one could be pretty convenient for me.

[Soulcousin]

I have a Remington Model 7 in .204. VX2 2-7X33 in ultra low mounts. 20" barrel. I like it so much for coyote calling I am seriously considering the exact same platform (I would go wood/blued) for my final hunting rifle. Would go either .308 or 7mm-08. Depending on funds, the Remington custom shop will do one in a Mannlicher stock. (BTW love that Sako EH11) If I were to go that route I'd chamber the 35 Rem.

[Bushleague]

Originally Posted by Soulcousin

I have a Remington Model 7 in .204. VX2 2-7X33 in ultra low mounts. 20" barrel. I like it so much for coyote calling I am seriously considering the exact same platform (I would go wood/blued) for my final hunting rifle. Would go either .308 or 7mm-08. Depending on funds, the Remington custom shop will do one in a Mannlicher stock. (BTW love that Sako EH11) If I were to go that route I'd chamber the 35 Rem.

Yeah, I saw one of those full stock Model 7's, used, at the South Side Cabelas in Edmonton. It was a looker for sure, but I think they wanted about as much for it used as a full stock CZ costs brand new. Not sure what the custom Remingtons go for new, but I'm sure they cost a fair bit more than a CZ, not sure if they would be any better or more desirable or not.

[bb356]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

My only carbine is a Sako Bavarian Carbine in 6.5x55, and it has a Swarovski Z3 3-10x42 scope mounted. It shoots 1/2moa to 5/8moa with the 129gr ABLR.

Beauty !!!

[bb356]

I think my next purchase is a Ruger Hawkeye 308 compact !!!

[Kawibunga]

I always thought it would would be good to accurize an old Jungle Carbine (is it possible?) and restock it for an application like this. Maybe a really nice Red Dot on it for a scope. 10 round magazine, good to go. Being partial to old Enfields thought it might be a fun project.

[Bushleague]

Originally Posted by Kawibunga

I always thought it would would be good to accurize an old Jungle Carbine (is it possible?) and restock it for an application like this. Maybe a really nice Red Dot on it for a scope. 10 round magazine, good to go. Being partial to old Enfields thought it might be a fun project.

I have an old Enfield sporter that doesn't see much use, I just bedded it but haven't got it to the range since. If I can get it to shoot around 2" or so maybe it would be worth cutting the barrel down and playing around with the stock. I do have a soft spot for Enfields, and the .303 makes a great bush calibre IMO.

[El-Brento]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

My only carbine is a Sako Bavarian Carbine in 6.5x55, and it has a Swarovski Z3 3-10x42 scope mounted. It shoots 1/2moa to 5/8moa with the 129gr ABLR.

Hey, now THAT's a beauty!

[sinawalli]

Originally Posted by Bushleague

I have an old Enfield sporter that doesn't see much use, I just bedded it but haven't got it to the range since. If I can get it to shoot around 2" or so maybe it would be worth cutting the barrel down and playing around with the stock. I do have a soft spot for Enfields, and the .303 makes a great bush calibre IMO.

I cut and crowned my SMLE No.4 Mk1 to 19" and scout mounted a Aimpoint 5000 on it. Shoots awesome, great bush gun.

[obsessed1]

Originally Posted by sinawalli

I cut and crowned my SMLE No.4 Mk1 to 19" and scout mounted a Aimpoint 5000 on it. Shoots awesome, great bush gun.

Did the same to my old mk4 no1. Scout mount red dot on quick release mount or open sights. Accuracy is good enough for me to go 10 for 10 on clay pigeons at 100yds off hand. Makes the perfect truck/ quad gun. And is right at home on the trap line or close/ mid range bush hunting.