Budget .308 all purpose

No experience with the model 10...

But I sighted in my buddy's new model 11 (243) a few days ago...that is one darn good shooting rifle. I used a load I have used found to be accurate in other rifles...90 grain Ballistic Tip, 44 grains of H4350, 2.735" OAL...firing 3 shot groups, that rifle never printed a group that couldn't be covered with a nickel.

Model 10,11,16 all the same action

even more basic Savage and that would be the Stevens 200 and go from there. they are accurate rifles. just ugly.

I would like to build up a decent rifle that is accurate.

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All model 10's are decent rifles that are accurate. Add scope and take a few shots.

the stock of course will be replaced

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If you plan to ever add an aftermarket stock (or "bottom metal" that takes an aftermarket detachable box mag, for that matter), make sure you know the difference between staggerfeed and centerfeed, because the screw spacing is different. You can tell from the feed lips of the magazine and/or by actually measuring the screw spacing between the action screws. I think the current production are all center feed, but in the accessory market the stagger-feed is probably just as common or more so.

FWIW, I bought my rifle with a Boyd's aftermarket thumbhole stock. I've since replaced it with the original cheapo synthetic. I found I didn't like removing/reinserting my thumb to work the bolt or the safety.

A friend of mine has a Savage Axis in 30-06 that shoots MOA with 180 grain Remington CoreLokt. He told me today that, after looking at the owners manual again, it is recommended to stick to 165 grain bullets. The trigger is adjustable by removing coils from the tension spring. I don't see this rifle as needing to be built up.

I recently purchased a Mossberg 100 ATR in .308. I only have 20 rounds through it, but I am very satisfied. My purpose is hunting, and it will be well suited to that purpose. The trigger is adjustable with an adjustment screw. Barrel is free floated and is available with synthetic camo/black and wood stock.

Either rifle would likely be suited for your purpose but they are not finely crafted works of art like their high end counterparts.

I have a pre accu-trigger Savage 16 (Stainless Model 10) in 308. I've since replaced the pre-accustock synthetic stock with a wood stock more to my liking. It is a decent, accurate rifle. With the improvements Savage has made since to the trigger and stock, I don't think you will be disappointed with a Model 10. FWIW, I didn't like how thin the forearm of my synthetic stock was, and I appreciate the extra weight of wood. The wood doesn't hurt my eyes so much either!

I've owned a couple Savage rifles. One was a model 10 in 308. I prefer Remington but the Savages do shoot well.

I've got a Savage 10fp in .308. I don't have the accustock or accutrigger and I'm very pleased with it. From what I hear Savage and Mossbergs are probably the best accuracy and quality for the price.

I don't have any experince with Remingtons, but it seems a lot of people always recomend changing a lot of parts out right of the back (just my observation).

OP, just out of curiosity, what do you mean by "all purpose?" Are you including self defense or just all types of hunting?

get a Savage and the best glass you can afford and call it done.

You can buy a Handi-rifle for less than half the money of any bolt action, & if you reload they can be very forgiving............

If your interested check out the Remington 700, the 20 inch tactical or the 26inch varmint in 308 are both exceptional rifles. If your planning on switching out the stock I believe Remington has more options then Savage also(correct me if I'm wrong THR). Savage is good to, I'm just biased towards Rem. Not sure what you mean by all purpose, but if your referring to hunting, SHTF, or target shooting, both brands are excellent choices.

The cheapest, best rifles out there are probably the Ruger American, Weatherby Vanguard S2, Remington SPS or ADL, and Savage non-Axis bolts. I've recently read articles that didn't favor the Axis, citing trigger and other problems, but have no direct information.

My money recently went to a Tikka T3 Lite in .243, for $547 and I love it!!

If the stock is going to go then I would say at least consider the Stevens 200. My .308 was MOA and under, and it was bone stock. Hell, it even shot 1 1/2" at 100 yards with South African 7.62 NATO! I paid $240 for it about 3 or 4 years ago.

This advice goes double if you are tossing the barrel too. Oh and they are center feed now.

I have a Savage .308 which is a few years old and it is a tack driver. I would never hesitate buying any Savage rifle. They may not be the prettiest but they sure are accurate.

I just got a ruger american and love it. it was about $350 at walmart and my first group while sighting in at 50yrds was 1 ragged hole. I haven't had a chance to shoot it at longer range yet

Take a look at the Marlin X7. I comes with pillar bedded stock, adjustable trigger, and target muzzle crown. I have a XS7 stainless in .243 and a X7VH in .22-250. The .243 is a tackdriver. I haven't got to the range yet with the .22-250. What ever you choose, don't scrimp on glass. Good luck.

Ky Larry said:

Take a look at the Marlin X7. I comes with pillar bedded stock, adjustable trigger, and target muzzle crown. I have a XS7 stainless in .243 and a X7VH in .22-250. The .243 is a tackdriver. I haven't got to the range yet with the .22-250. What ever you choose, don't scrimp on glass. Good luck.

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I just bought a stainless XS7 in 7mm-08 to use as a project rifle. If I was looking for a hunting rifle to leave as is, personally, I would save my pennies up and get a higher quality rifle like a used/new Winchester Model 70, Sako, Older BDL, ect.

If you want to spend less for a bargain priced rifle that you can upgrade I would get a Stevens 200 or the Marlin X7. The Stevens has far more aftermarket options than all other budget guns. The reason I got the XS7 is that it came in stainless steel. The Marlin has 3 aftermarket stock options from Boyds and there area couple companies offering pre-fit barrels for them. Savage barrels will work on the Marlin if you modify the bolt a bit.