I had been considering a new rifle this summer. I don't *need* it for anything in particular, I just have some credit with Cabelas and thought a 308 carbine would be a neat addition to the safe. However, with ammo hard to find and reloading components just as tough, I'm reconsidering. I don't currently shoot anything in 30cal, so I'd need bullets and brass to reload 308. I may need a different or at least more powder.
I'm starting to lean back towards a gun I was considering at the beginning of that thought process, the Ruger 77/44. I already load and cast for 44mag, plus 44mag is still on the shelves in some places. That gun checks several of the boxes I needed/wanted in a new gun (iron sights, carbine length, light/handy). It lacks the power of the 308, but will handle anything I hunt in the Mid Atlantic.
I won't be buying anything before mid Spring or early Summer, so if things improve by then, I may go back to the 308, but I don't see that situation changing anytime soon.
Chris