Thoughts on a Shorty 308

[Fair Hill]

If you do make the move to Kerry I'd be surprised if the majority of your shots at Sika weren't under 100 yards. Generally speaking we don't have the big huge fields like ye have in Devon or in most of the UK.

If I was you I'd wait until you moved here and then buy the rifle you want locally and apply for the licence as a resident with the required local land permissions.

Property isn't getting any cheaper here and there's been more demand for houses in west Cork and Kerry since Trump got re elected. I work in construction and often hear of houses coming up for sale near me in south Kerry before any auctioneer would. I've helped a few friends to buy various types of properties here. Drop me a PM if you have any questions and I'll help if I can.

 

[Worzel_]

So here's the thing wrt barrel length, there has been a lot of discussion here whether factory issued barrels fall under this, it would take a court case really to sort it out, but it's like asking an official question...I have seen plenty of rifles here under 20 inch barrel, it's all what you personally are willing to take on, I would go for a Bergara BA13 if I wanted a shorty, I handled one in 243, really liked it.

Yeah I looked at those. I'm getting licensed for 243 and 308 in CF.

Saw a good deal on here for a new BA13 in 243 but it has a blued barrel, puts me off a bit since the steel is only a bit more, they just don't have it in 243.

Wasn't keen on a single shot as main rifle, but they do have BA13s in 308 with steel barrel.

 

[Olaf]

.308 RPA Woodland Stalker

Spot on I’ve got one, extremely accurate and he can easily afford a used one. There’s a few on gun trader too.
The woodland stalker is a very handy tool, perfect for highseat stuff where some long pole gets in the way. From memory mine is just a tad over 1m long inclusive of the sound moderator and , unlike many rifles, the woodland stalker is designed to be used with a sound mod . They only offer it in .308 and .243 so it’s clearly designed for the .308 case rather than just being churned out on a massive scale in millions of different forms .
It’s uk made too , which is great and it’s got a trigger that makes the one on my Schultz and Larsen seem a bit creepy. It’s got a 10 shot magazine too so it’s perfect for fallow and reds etc.
Kindest regards, Olaf

 

[fatboyron]

Steyr scout

Second on the steyr scout absolute amazing rifle I have one in 243 with a Burris scout scope on it really nice and light

 

[muddy42]

Chop away! The loss if velocity is insignificant compared to the ease of handling and not hitting everything you walk under or the car boot, altering every deer within a square mile at 4am.

 

[Twodogs]

Have you considered the Anschitz 1782? .308, as well as other calibres, barrel lengths 18.5, 20.5 and 22.8” from factory. Lightweight and superb Anschutz trigger.

 

[HandB]

I own a Sauer 202 Hardwood in .308. The barrel is 18 inches long, it is accurate and handles brilliantly which is all I ask for. Bag one if you can find one imho.

 

[1894]

I'm researching a first CF stalking rifle. I'm in Devon but plan to, at some point, relocate to Kerry, Ireland. Devon is Fallow/Red/Roe and Kerry is Sika.

Knowing Sika's hardy reputation I decided to go 308.

My main reason is I think all of my shooting will be <200m, more likely <150m. At those distances I figure it would be nice to have a short barrel 308, maybe 16 or 18 inch barrel.

Is there anything I'm missing here? I'm a noob on ballistics so what should I research here, is a specific twist rate required for the shorter barrel?

What rifles, aftermarket stocks & moderators lend themself to this build? (have a healthy budget, under £2.5k would be

Yes - they become VERY loud, kick more and are less steady plus have more muzzle flip.
I have an 18” - too short and I curse it’s not 20” minimum

 

[Loler UK]

A .338 is a restricted firearm in Ireland and you’d need a very good reason to own one, anything above 30.06 and you need a very good reason.

It's less energy than a 30-06?

 

[SikaSeeker]

It's less energy than a 30-06?

It’s obviously to do with calibre. It wasn’t too long ago that the only calibre you could have was .22-250

 

[dryan]

.270 or 6.5mm of some sort. You'll be taking long range shots I expect, it can often be difficult to get into animals in rough country. If it's anyway like the land here you'll have lots of open farm land running into forestry with the deer being on the margins.

I'd opt for 6.5 of some sort or a .270 with lighter bullets- fast and flat with plenty of punch.

 

[tackb]

the steyr scout is a superb solution with an 18'' barrel if i recall , i loved mine but sadly could never get it to shoot well so if you decide to go this route make sure you try before you buy and make sure it will shoot , i wish i had and i would still have it

 

[Worzel_]

the steyr scout is a superb solution with an 18'' barrel if i recall , i loved mine but sadly could never get it to shoot well so if you decide to go this route make sure you try before you buy and make sure it will shoot , i wish i had and i would still have it

Looks cool those Steyr Scouts but yeah I've some a few people say that.

 

[dryan]

Another thing to consider, if you buy an unusual calibre, it can be difficult to source ammo in Ireland for it.

Check the online gun shops here for stock of that ammo before you buy anything unusual calibre wise.

 

[Loler UK]

It’s obviously to do with calibre. It wasn’t too long ago that the only calibre you could have was .22-250

Right so you can own a 300RUM on a restricted licence but not a .338 fed unless you have an unrestricted licence?

Quite allot of people in ROI I know must have an unrestricted licence.

I also see that you can't own a shorty on a restricted licence either, moreover, if you get an unrestricted licence would this be allowing you a shorty but not a .338 calibre? So they'd let you have a short barrelled 30-06 but not a short .338 fed?

 

[SikaSeeker]

Right so you can own a 300RUM on a restricted licence but not a .338 fed unless you have an unrestricted licence?

Quite allot of people in ROI I know must have an unrestricted licence.

I also see that you can't own a shorty on a restricted licence either, moreover, if you get an unrestricted licence would this be allowing you a shorty but not a .338 calibre? So they'd let you have a short barrelled 30-06 but not a short .338 fed?

All I know is, if it’s over 30-06 then you need a good reason. If the super looks at your application and see a not so common calibre, he’ll be asking questions.
I’m happy with my .308 in 20” barrel.

 

[Sdoc]

Right so you can own a 300RUM on a restricted licence but not a .338 fed unless you have an unrestricted licence?

Quite allot of people in ROI I know must have an unrestricted licence.

I also see that you can't own a shorty on a restricted licence either, moreover, if you get an unrestricted licence would this be allowing you a shorty but not a .338 calibre? So they'd let you have a short barrelled 30-06 but not a short .338 fed?

Larger then 308 is restricted so 300 RUM is unrestricted, (assuming its a 30 cal, not familiar with the cartridge.) 338 is restricted. Any Barrel length under 50 cm, (22 inch) is banned, (See grey area post on factory issued rifles) doesn't matter what cal. Also overall length has to be a min of 90 CM.

 

[scotch_egg]

A rifle with shorter barrel takes a bit more user input from my experience. One of the most usable rifles I’ve had in the last 20 years was a 20” Tikka T3 varmint. I shot factory ammunition and it just worked. Of course as is always the case I’ve wanted to improve on something that came out of a factory with customs and more expensive rifles. I’ve come full circle with my fox rifle using a factory T3X but this time in a PSE stock.


To the OP keep things simple. Factory T3X and then buy a PSE stock. I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed just ask @75 who has this setup.

 

[DRN]

If you are ever down in Cornwall @Worzel_ I have a Short barrel Bergara BA13 and a bolt action .308 with a 20 in barrel. You are welcome to see them side by side and that might help you make your mind up.

 

[Worzel_]

If you are ever down in Cornwall @Worzel_ I have a Short barrel Bergara BA13 and a bolt action .308 with a 20 in barrel. You are welcome to see them side by side and that might help you make your mind up.

Cheers for the offer, was looking at those ba13s they look nice and short.