I have began looking to buy a .308 rifle. i have been looking at the "entry level" more budget priced ones. as im looking to spend $300 to $500 for just the rile. no scope etc in price. i dont need a fancy rifle etc. i have been looking at the Mossberg atr's, 4x4's, Marlin xl7's and Savage Stevens model 200. all seem to be pretty decent with the exception of none have factory sights i have seen or been offered as an option. what others are in this price range? are there are made with iron sight? also i would prefer a wood stock to synthetic. thank you for any info.
Question, looking to buy a .308, $300 to $500
- Thread starter mxlj
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Broken11b
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What will the rifle be used for?
lloveless
Member
Hi,
I bought a Remington 788 many years ago for $325.00 with a scope and sling. If I were to be buying today I'd buy an Remington 710 in 30/06. The 06 is much more versatile.
Good luck,
ll
I bought a Remington 788 many years ago for $325.00 with a scope and sling. If I were to be buying today I'd buy an Remington 710 in 30/06. The 06 is much more versatile.
Good luck,
ll
Kragshooter
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I've had many many rifles but my Marlin XS7 in .308 has to be right at the top as far as groups, carrying and price. Has the Nikon 2 x 7 and I handload, I'm a happy camper!
Sock Puppet
Member
The Howa 1500 is a damn fine rifle for the money. You can buy the bare rifle, or a scoped combo (though there are mixed reviews on the Nikko Stirling scopes they come with.) Often the combos can be found in the $500 range. I have been extremely happy with my Howa and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
gearheadpyro
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My vote is on the Steven's model 200 for that budget. Good gun, basically an old model Savage. My .223 model 200 would group very well too.
Victor1Echo
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SAvage 99e about 400 used.
rangerruck
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All these suggestions are fine, especially the marlin, and the older remmy 788; I will also throw in with an old remmy 600/660/mohawk, but they will be tough to find for less than 500.
So lets talk about the Marlin, I like them - alot. and the new Rifle magazine does as well; just gave it a top 50 rifle to get, for the next Century!!
What they say about it is this; The designers either don't have an origional though in their head, or a very level headed thinkers, becuase with the marlin, they have taken all the good ideas, and put them all together, especially if you can find one with a wood stock.
For new, right now, the marlin, the Wetherby and the Thompson/Center, all 3 of their entry level rifles, seem double tough to beat right now.
Marlin uses the same bbl swap tech as the savage, and has an even more easier and adjustable trigger than the savage.
So lets talk about the Marlin, I like them - alot. and the new Rifle magazine does as well; just gave it a top 50 rifle to get, for the next Century!!
What they say about it is this; The designers either don't have an origional though in their head, or a very level headed thinkers, becuase with the marlin, they have taken all the good ideas, and put them all together, especially if you can find one with a wood stock.
For new, right now, the marlin, the Wetherby and the Thompson/Center, all 3 of their entry level rifles, seem double tough to beat right now.
Marlin uses the same bbl swap tech as the savage, and has an even more easier and adjustable trigger than the savage.
navyretired 1
Member
After looking at Stevens 200 at intro price I bought 2 one in 223 Rem. the other in 22-250. The 223 started shooting my AR handloads at .312" at 100 yards but 22-250 is still trying to break-in.
I was impressed enough to get a 200 in 308 Win. and it is a real joy with one of my old Redfield scopes mounted.
My only beef is the twang of the cheap plastic stock. The stock is also very light and I'm going to try some expanding foam to try to cure both problems.
The other good thing about Stevens 200 is price for $300-$500 budget you'll have scope money left.
I was impressed enough to get a 200 in 308 Win. and it is a real joy with one of my old Redfield scopes mounted.
My only beef is the twang of the cheap plastic stock. The stock is also very light and I'm going to try some expanding foam to try to cure both problems.
The other good thing about Stevens 200 is price for $300-$500 budget you'll have scope money left.
Quentin
Member
Good topic! While .308 talk often is about ARs they cost an arm and a leg. Nice to see this side of the story.
thanks for all the input. but most of the guns mentioned i believe do not have iron sights. or am i wrong? the stevens 200, mossbeg atr and marlin xl7 dont have them i believe. are they drilled and tapped for sights or anything?
Col. Plink
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The Mossberg 100ATR I bought had factory-installed mounts.
navyretired 1
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The Stevens don't have fixed sights but is drilled for scope mounts. They're the same as early model 10 round action top.
All of those choices will be drilled and tapped for scope bases. Very few guns have irons anymore. If you want them insalled it could be done for less money than a moderately priced scope and bases.
My next rifle is going to be a Marlin XL-7. I like it better than anything being brought out new at any price. It has all of the advantages of the Savage/Stevens rifles, but is about 10X better looking. And priced about the same as the Stevens.
My next rifle is going to be a Marlin XL-7. I like it better than anything being brought out new at any price. It has all of the advantages of the Savage/Stevens rifles, but is about 10X better looking. And priced about the same as the Stevens.
Here's a suggestion: Buy a Mosin Nagant 91/30. The 762X54R is as close to a .308 as you can get and they all come with iron sights. And, you can get a real nice one and 1000 rounds of ammo for less than the money you're talking about.
Here's a good of good examples.
I bought mine for $120. Then I removed the stock and refinished it and thoroughly cleaned the metal components and reassembled it. I bought 880 rounds of ammo for it for $154.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosin–Nagant
You can buy a hand picked one for $89. Check it out...
http://www.classicarms.us/firearms.htm
Here's a good of good examples.
I bought mine for $120. Then I removed the stock and refinished it and thoroughly cleaned the metal components and reassembled it. I bought 880 rounds of ammo for it for $154.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosin–Nagant
You can buy a hand picked one for $89. Check it out...
http://www.classicarms.us/firearms.htm
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ok i have heard of a few members buying stevens savage 200's and mossberg 100atr with iron sights. but all i have looked at dont have them. i guess i can check and see if they can order one that way? How long ago did you buy i with iron sights? i wonder if they used to make them with them and no longer do?
It's rough going, finding open sights on a bolt today. I found a a savage scout rifle on gunbroker for 500 but you will look at another 50 for delivery and transfer fee. weatherby vanguards will sell for around 400. Saiga sells a sporter semi auto for about 400-450 with open sights. You could also buy a marlin and for short money (100 bucks) have a front sight put on to match an aperture that would go where you scope mount would sit. Stay away from remington 799 from yugoslavia, seem to be real hit or miss.
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