[st.attila]

If you don't reload and already have a 308 I'd go for the 260…especially if you want to shoot long range later. Which you will once you see the accuracy the gun is capable of.
The 260 will give better ballistics out to 1000yrds and beyond, and it is an excellent choice for the hunting purposes you have mentioned.

I have a 308CTR and wish it was a 260…If I had the chance to do over I would have waited for the 260.
The next gun I purchase will be a 260 or 6.5 of some sort…

Dog Down!,

Well, I went to Midway USA and checked ammunition.  For 260 Rem, they had 20 offerings.  For .308 Win, 161 offerings.  Hmmm….that's a concern for a non-reloader.

What about question 1 on finish?

[st.attila]

Well, after much additional reading, I think I'm going to pull the trigger on the CTR (pun intended) and get one.  Since I'm in no hurry, I have a couple more questions.

1. I'm a stainless guy and the CTR part number in the thread subject line is for stainless.  The non-stainless model states it is a blue finish.  It looks matte black (and very nice) to me.  Is this finish as robust as the typical AR rifle finish?

2. I like the .308 Win (I don't reload and I already have a .308 Win AR) and my caliber selection criteria has always been the ability to travel to nowhere USA and get ammunition at the local hardware store if necessary.  Having said that, I have read a lot about the .260 Rem.  What are the pros and cons?

I guess I should add that I will use the CTR for hunting hogs, whitetail deer and varmints…and paper punching (noncompetitively at this time).

[st.attila]

Maybe I'm misreading your post but: http://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3-hunter-stainless-fluted.aspx

[st.attila]

Welcome and btw
Jason is working on mags for Tikkas so you might be able to follow Dog down's advice and still have the mag capacity. For low price (relatively).

Thanks.  I'll keep looking.  I have not come across a LGS with a good selection of Tikka rifles yet.

[st.attila]

Whatever you decide…if you buy a T3, its gives you the platform to makes changes and build on a solid action for cheap later.

Do you have a set budget in mind?

If you were asking me; I do not have a set budget.

I prefer when possible to buy exactly what I want and only make minor upgrades.  For example, I'm a trigger snob.  If the trigger can't be tuned to my satisfaction, it will have to be replaced.

In other words, I try not to over personalize in case I want to sell and try something else.

[st.attila]

Pickup a 308 Stainless Varmint, chop and thread the barrel at 20″…
Drop it in a GRS adjustable stock and you will have one of finest rifles you will shoot for under $2000.00!

You could not build a full custom rifle anywhere close to $2000 that will outshoot this setup.
Grab an extra mag or 2 and you are set.

Or you can just by the CTR for $1000.00 and experience some of the best accuracy from any rifle you can buy off the shelf or even build for that matter.  I would put my 308 CTR up against any gun at my range…if everything is going right with conditions its possible to do this at 200yrds.  Its the most accurate rifle I have ever shot and it out shots rifles 10x its price all the time.

Dog Down!,

Like I mentioned to Larkin, I'm trying to avoid your first suggestion.

I like the passion you express about your .308 CTR.  Maybe it is my solution and I just need to get over the stock and shoot it before I think about changing things.

This feedback I have been getting is why I came to the forum.  Thanks

[st.attila]

Hi it might be worth looking at a semi custom rifle using a Tikka action that way you're getting the rifle you want and not paying for anything you are going to change

Larkin,

I was trying to avoid that approach.  I tend to overdue it.  I would not ever tell my wife how much I have in my “semi-custom” .308 Win. AR.

[st.attila]

I also thought I would pass this along to :
I had a hunter lite in .243 . The plastic magazines
Are not so great Maby fine for hunting use but
Regular range use get spares. Also if you reload and
Want to load long to touch the rifleing forget it.
  My copie had a piss poor fitted recoil lug and
The rifle shot poor and recoiled heavy . I suspect the lug.
  I liked the action so much I got the CTR. It's
Smooth like a custom action. I installed a Boyds stock and pillar
Beded it. Its a .260. Mild recoil . working up a load 3 shot clusters just happen. Shot a .75 in 5 shot group and that was not
Even the in the sweet  spot yet.

Matchman,

More good feedback.  Thanks

[st.attila]

CTR uses Sako TRG-22 magazines.  They are about $200.
1) Threaded barrel
2) Bottom metal, not bottom plastic
3) Trg-22 magazine
4) Medium weight barrel

Fred Ziffle,

Thanks for the insight on the magazine.  I had no idea.

[st.attila]

Matchman,

Thanks for the information on the trigger, barrel contour and stock.

I'm still wondering where the extra ~$400 is in the CTR.  I suppose the heavier barrel, threading, magazine, metal bottom metal and a “better” plastic stock consumes some of those dollars, but ~$400?

I'm considering a MDT LSS chassis system for a stock.

It's sounding like a T3 Lite is the cheapest way to get a barreled action.  Then I could have it chopped and threaded.  Maybe a used one will make me feel better about tossing a stock.