.308 opinions wanted

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Tim the student

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So, here is the deal. I've got the bug for a new rifle, and I'm thinking about a .308, almost entirely for paper. If I shoot anything other than paper with it, it will be prairie dogs (got another varmint gun, but it may be fun to change things up a bit).

I have a Field Grade M1 that I'd be willing to trade/sell if I decide to actually get a new rifle. A local store has already offered me $600 in store credit for it, and a local guy has also offered 5 for it just a couple days ago. On top of those numbers, I could go maybe $250 more. I already have a Buckmaster that I will put on it for now, so that doesn't need to be figured into the equation.

I'm looking at a couple rifles - mainly a 700 SPS that I can get for around 580 (at the store that will give me in store credit), and a couple different Savage models. Also from the same store, I can get a Model 10FP-SR (the one with the threaded barrel, which has no appeal to me right now, but may in the future), and a 10FCP-K (muzzle brake, accustock, and a detachable mag) for $799.

I'm a bit leery of the Remington because of reports I've read here of declining quality - but I've also read good reports here about them. Sounds like they may be kind of hit or miss.

But, I'm confident of the quality I'll get with any Savage. I know they will shoot right out of the box, which is what I'm after.

So, what are your opinions? What would you do? Any other rifles I should think about?
 
I have a Ruger compact in .308 which I hunt with. Nice, light, accurate little gun for its purpose.

I also have a TC Encore rifle in .308. Also quite a shooter.

No experience with others. The .308 is a great round. A little heavy for a lot of varmint shooting and a little light for big and heavy game like big bitey things, but otherwise quite adequate and versatile.
 
You can have savage build the rifle you want aslong as the parts work together they will mix and match . They also build several match grade rifles and thru your favorate smitthy you can buy there match recievers for under 400 dollars and build what you want with say a nice krieger barrel. Can't say about the m1, it would make a good defence rifle.
 
Howa 1500 varmint w/ 24" heavy barrel. They are $399 at CDNN. Spend the extra $180 on some federal 168 match kings or a reloading press;)
 
Remington 700 SPS tactical or varmint. Save up down the road and get a nice HS stock or something along those lines with aluminum bedding blocks and upgrade the trigger to a timney or jewell. And shoot till you burn the barrel out. Or just hold out a little longer and get the savage 10 with accustock and accutrigger and be done with it. Wont go wrong at the range either way as long as you do your part. Best of luck with your new rifle choice.
 
For paper and prairie dogs with a 308, you probably want a heavy barrel. The weight helps with recoil, and the barrel takes longer to heat up. And you might as well get a long barrel.

I'd look at Howa and Savage and all the Remingtons. I think I would end up with a Remington VLS.
 
Tikka T3 Varmint. Medium heavy barrel, 5 round detachable mag, really good action and sub-MOA out of the box with the right commercial ammo. It's on my shopping list :)
 
I am in the same boat, but had a few other options and some the same:
Tikka T3
Savage 16FCSS
Remington SPS
CZ550
I have no idea which one to get, but it needs to remain light enough to walk around with and shoot standing.
 
If you a just punching paper there's a lot better calibers than the .308, nothing against the .308 I have two, if you're shootin 100 to 200 yards consider a 6mm PPC if you're shootin out there 500 yards or more look at the 6.5-284 or a 7mm mag or 300 mag if you wanna go cheap get a .223, any action will work, you just need a good barrel infront of it
 
I had a .308 Remmy SPS Varmint before I started reloading, and for me the cost of ammo to shoot paper was more than I wanted to spend. I think I paid $450 out the door for it from Dicks Sporting Goods with a cheap worthless Remington scope. I believe Dicks puts them on sale in the spring, but I don;t remember. The gun was more accurate than I was out to 400yd or so.

One good thing about the .308 is the versatility of it. If you do decide to hunt with it eventually, you can take down most any game in North America with it, including prarie dogs.

If you do reload, the 308 round is more than adequate out to 1k yards wiht the right load.
 
I greatly disagree with the folks who believe Savage is better than Remington. I cannot imagine spending 500 dollars or more on a rifle and buying a Savage over a Remington 700. Quality has absolutely never been an issue for me personally or anyone I know who has owned Remington. I own 3 of them- one built in 1965, one built in 1967, and one built last year. All quality is perfect minus the X Mark Crap Trigger but I replace all my triggers anyway. And yes, I would replace the accutrigger if I ever got one. I have shot them and they still aren't as good as a 100 dollar Shilen. My buddies I hunt with and their dads use BDLs and ADLs. Never issues. My grandfather shoots a BDL. I have never spoken in person to anyone who has ever needed work done on one because of defects. I hunted season before last in MS at nice lease and everyone in camp had a 700 of some sort. Mostly 30-06s. My opinion will always be positive towards Rem 700s. I don't dislike Savage but I just can't agree whatsoever that they are BETTER like so many people on this forum try to make it seem.
 
Tim: I would recommend you go the Weatherby web site and do a little research, some on this forum will tell you they are a Howa with a Wby. stamp on them, not true. Would also recommend you take a look at the 7mm-08, if you are a reloader this a great round to shoot.
 
Wnycollector, do you own one, or have you shot one?
Click to expand...

Yep, I own one...the exact same model I suggested to you. The Howa 1500's are regarded pretty highly over on sniperhide and snipercentral. I spent LOTS of time reading on those forums as well as THR before I bought my howa. Thus far I have zero regrets. I do plan on upgrading the factory stock to a B&C tactical medalist stock in the spring.
 
Any of the Savage short actions with accustock/accutrigger should do you fine. My 77 Mk II in 308 is pretty good but I routinely get outshot by the savage people.
 
Well, a couple months ago, I purchased a pair of Savages. One in .308 and one in 300 WM. Accu trigger, accu stock, box mag, SS metal for both. The only difference from the outside is the WM has a longer bbl, and longer action.

Anyway, a month or so after I got them, my dad came to town... and he was excited to 'see' them. (he can't really 'see' them cuz he's blind, but he used to see, and loves guns)

Well, I convinced the local range to let dad shoot, and one of the guns I brought was the .308. I don't have a glass mounted yet, but I figured it didn't matter, he can't see anyway, right? We both took a couple shots and WOW, is that thing nice. Any 'buyers remorse' I had with that purchase went right down range with the first round. I am VERY happy with my new Savage in .308.

Oh, and he like it too. Wanted to take it home with him....

PE
 
Ok, so I can get a 10FP-SR for $650, or a FCP-K for 800. The FCP has the accustock, a detachable mag, a muzzle brake, and a 2" longer barrel.

The 10 FP-SR has a threaded muzzle (to which no suppressor will probably be attached) and no accustock, and an internal magazine.

Here are my thoughts:

I won't be suppressing it, so the threads may not serve an advantage for me, unless I want a muzzle brake in the future. Right now, I don't necessarily care either way if it has a muzzle brake.

I'd probably end up replacing the stock on the FP when funds will allow, and I may end up doing the same to the FCP (assuming I don't care for the Accustock).

I do prefer a detachable mag, but it isn't a deal breaker for me. If it were for a hunting rifle, it may be, but it isn't now. If I ever decide to hunt with it, I'll deal with it.

I'd rather have the longer barrel than not, but again, it isn't a deal breaker. I hope to be able to shoot longer range in the future, but I currently don't have a range near me longer than 200m, so it isn't a big deal now.

I'm concerned with how much louder the muzzle brake may be. Can someone shed some light on this for me?

In all honesty, I think I will be quite pleased with either of these two rifles. I very seriously doubt I'll be displeased with either.

Thoughts?
 
Don't forget about the CZ line of rifles. THey even come with scope rings, and a single set trigger. I now have 3 CZ rifles, the latest is a CZ Varmint with walnut stock in 308win to boot. It is a preaty rifle and shoots great ontop of being a looker.
 
I just bought a new Winchester Model 70 in .308. It is the Stealth model with a 26" heavy contour barrel, composition stock with full length aluminum bedding block and their standard MOA trigger system. It also has a target fore end with a 2 1/2" flat. They list for a grand, but my dealer saved me $150. I mounted a Bushnell tactical Elite 3200 scope in 5-15x 40 mm. with mil dot.

I can't wait for it to warm up so I can get to the range and see what it will do. I am expecting sub moa since I reload my own.

Some gun clubs (mine) and ranges nix muzzle brakes in the bench rest area because of blast.
 
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