Suggestions wanted for a backup 308 with iron sights

Nobody currently makes what you want. You might find an older Remington model 7. They initially came with 18.5" barrels and iron sights. I have no idea what they sell for now.


There are 2 possible options new, the Ruger Scout. But it isn't cheap and the ones with laminated wood aren't light.

https://ruger.com/products/scoutRifle/models.html

The Savage Hog rifle is another option, The price isn't bad,but they aren't particularly light.

https://www.savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product_summary&s=57020

The irons on the Ruger are good sights, the ones on the Savage more for decoration, as are most iron sights anymore.

If iron sights are a requirement I'd buy the rifle I wanted and have a gunsmith add good iron sights later. That opens up a lot more doors. Personally I'd forget irons and put a low powered 1-4X scope on there and call it good. Anymore optics are more reliable and cheaper than decent iron sights. Something on 1X does everything irons does and does it better.

I really like the Ruger American rifles. They don't come with irons, but priced at about $350 you could buy one, add irons and still be about 1/2 the cost of the Scout rifle above. About the same overall cost as the Hog hunter, but a full pound lighter.

Mossberg MVP scout or patrol. Both come with iron sights.

Sounds like you're describing my FR-8 though, I'm sure you want new.

How 'bout a .308 lever-gun too?

Todd.

It’s not difficult, or expensive to bring a rifle to your smith to have sights mounted.

Opens up your options tenfold. Sights are often subjective so manufacturers leave them off.

jmr40 said:

You might find an older Remington model 7. They initially came with 18.5" barrels and iron sights. I have no idea what they sell for now.

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Apparently still made new. Gallery of Guns shows them for as low as $900.00 out the door pricing in my area.

https://www.remington.com/rifles/bolt-action/model-seven/model-seven-laminate

Rather than a bolt action, I suggest looking for a Remington 760 or 7600 carbine in 308. Factory fitted with iron sights. There's at least one on GB right now. Quite handy.

Otherwise the Mossbergs mentioned above. 16.5" is too short for 308 in my view - waaaaay to loud.

Ruger Scout Rifles run about 7 pounds. They have iron sights. You might be able to find a used one in your price range.

https://www.ruger.com/products/scoutRifle/models.html

I’d buy a new 700 ADL from Academy, buy a lightweight stock for it have iron sights installed.

Or buy a new Vanguard and do the same thing as with a 700 ADL. This is a my first choice though the rifle will be heavier than a Model 700.

DocRock said:

Rather than a bolt action, I suggest looking for a Remington 760 or 7600 carbine in 308. Factory fitted with iron sights. There's at least one on GB right now. Quite handy.

Otherwise the Mossbergs mentioned above. 16.5" is too short for 308 in my view - waaaaay to loud.

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That's a really good point. Those Remingtons are outstanding repeater rifles.

Todd.

I would look at one of the scout rifle configurations. Ruger, Savage and Steyr all make good scout rifles. I personally have the Savage 10 Scout in .308 that I really like.

The Remington Model 7s come with iron sights, but I'm really liking @jmr40's suggestion of a 1x scope.

Pick up an old Remington 788 carbine in .308. Remington made a gazillion of them and they are readily available and all came with iron sights. Known to be very accurate with the fastest lock time of any production rifle.

Later, you can always use it as a platform to build a very accurate rifle in the SA caliber of your choice or sell it to a competition shooter.

I went with the Ruger GSR with composite stock. Light and handy. But the price isn't the best. It sure does have the features.

dh1633pm said:

I went with the Ruger GSR with composite stock. Light and handy. But the price isn't the best. It sure does have the features.

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Yep, a good gun. The trigger can be made great with a simple trigger spring change. My 17.25" barreled GSR has the recoil reducing laminate stock. Since I'm back to shooting it with just the factory sights, it's down to 7 lbs. empty.

Mine is lighter due to the synthetic stock. I replaced the factory trigger. The muzzle break does a good job of reducing recoil.

The Savage Scout comes with iron sights. I regularly shoot 2" groups at 100 yds with mine using just about any NATO spec ammo.

YMMV

I lend this out to friends all the time. It would be just as good without the scope. Sometimes even I am tempted to take it off.

weasleyhr said:

I like this idea. Are there any good lever action guns in 308 as well, in similar price range, that are not limited to round nose ammo?

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Maybe a used Browning BLR.

weasleyhr said:

I like this idea. Are there any good lever action guns in 308 as well, in similar price range, that are not limited to round nose ammo?

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Savage 99, BLR, or Henry Long Ranger. None of them as cheap as the Remington pump carbine.

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/sav...e-lop-matte-black-finish/FC-011356570192.html Still made. No personal experience other than "it's a Savage" so it probably shoots. If you wanted a little more class with a higher price tag, this site also lists the Rem M7 in .308 still featuring irons and a relatively attractive laminate stock.

Depends on your definition of light but IMO if 7.5lbs or so isn't too heavy, the Savage Hog Hunter is probably one of your best bets.

Another slightly different option if you aren't married to it being bolt action would be one of the Henry Singleshots in 308. Nice and simple for a backup rifle.

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/single-shot-rifle/