a 308 with good moa outta the box?

[vmfrantz]

I'm looking at getting a 308. that has good moa out of the box. Most likely will be used for hunting deer and target shooting. Was hopeing to keep the price around 650, and a detachable mag. if possible, and in a bolt action. Any thoughts appreciated..

 

[Quintin Likely]

Just about anything from RemchestersavagerugerCZtikkaington today will hold about 1-1.5 MOA with good ammo. It's all a matter of what fits you best. I'm a big Savage and Remington fan myself.

A lighter rifle would be good for walking through the woods, but remember said lighter rifle is gonna recoil harder, especially off a bench, and the sporter weight barrel will heat up faster. On the flip side, a heavier varmint type rifle makes a good bench/target rifle, but they become burdens stalking through the woods. I think there's some detachable magazine Remingtons around $6-700, probably a Tikka or CZ too.

 

[Fumbler]

Do a search on the forums for Tikka T3's.
They are very well made and guaranteed to shoot 1MOA out of the box.
I have a T3 Lite blued in .308Win and it will shoot factory match ammo at 0.5MOA and premium hunting ammo at 1MOA.

They have detachable box magazines that work very well.
The Lite and Hunter models in 308 have 3 round mags and the Varmint and Tactical models have 5 round mags.
You can buy spare 5 round mags, but prepare to shell out at least $75 for the 5 rounders.

I got my T3 for $425 ("used" but could easily pass as new), typical prices start as low as $450 for the blued Lite.

Add a cheap but decent scope to it and you'll come in at $650.

If you were setting the $650 limit to the gun only, then you could get a stainless Varmint and have enough money for a spare mag. The Varmints should be kick ass shooters.

 

[jpthegeek]

Savage FP10?

About $400 for the rifle. Spent about the same putting glass, rings, base and a bipod on it though. Could have spent a bit less and still had an excellent rifle. Shot about what your looking for with factory hunting ammo.

 

[ojibweindian]

Ditto what Quintin said.

I would lay off getting a heavy barreled rifle unless it is to be used soley for target shooting or hunting from a stand. 12lbs of rifle is a bit much to carry comfortably or get into action quickly when still-hunting.

You can get good accuracy out of any standard profile barrel. Just be aware that they heat up much more quickly than those with heavy barrels. When target shooting, shoot a 3 - 5 round string and let it cool a while. Take a .22 with you to pass the time.

 

[JNewell]

I bought a used Remington 700 LTR ("light tactical," 20" barrel) with the early detachable magazine. It weighs 7.5# without sights, which is close to normal sporter weight, handles very nicely, and shoots far better than I can. I get ragged one-hole five shot groups from prone at 100 yards that typically expand to around 1/2" due to the flyer that I almost always throw. I've read lots of complaints about the DM on these rifles, and some rifles definitely had problems, but mine has never had a hitch of any kind feeding from the magazine. This is not in the light/ultralight class, but if you look at the ordinary M70/77/700 sporters, it's in the same weight class and it outshoots any factory rifle I've had right out of the box.

 

[drannor]

I'll echo Fumbler....

I have a stainless/synthetic Tikka T3 which shoots 0.5 MOA with Hornady hunting loads. I mounted a Leupold VX-II on it and have been very pleased with the package. I've yet to find a better value in a bolt. In my opinion the feel, materials, and build quality all surpass the Rem 700 BDL SS I had.

 

[halvey]

I have a Remington 700 VLS that shoots 1/2" MOA with handloads. Cheap stuff: Range brass, Cabelas bullets, standard primers and mil surp powder.

I have no idea what factory ammo will do.

Probably too heavy though, although I've shot gophers with with just sitting on the ground, so you could use it for deer if your stand isn't too far off the road.

 

[tex_n_cal]

This rifle has fired some 3 shot one inch groups, with the hot factory Hornady light magnum loads. It is a Browning Micro Hunter, a very nice, light .308. I haven't shot any handloads in it but I would expect it would easily keep 3 in one inch with good handloads.

and I promise to take a better picture of it, someday

 

[BozemanMT]

CZ550
I don't actually have a 550 (although it's on the list), but every other CZ I own, have shot, or borrowed has shot amazing little groups. A 550 should be in the 500 dollar range, and then scoped from there.
I think CZ's are the best value going.

 

[Fumbler]

I have a stainless/synthetic Tikka T3 which shoots 0.5 MOA with Hornady hunting loads

Mine will shoot almost that well with Hornady SST's.
When I said it will shoot premium hunting ammo at 1MOA i meant ALL premium hunting ammo I have tried will do at least 1MOA. It will get 0.5MOA with 168gr Win Supreme Ballistic Silvertips (but not as consistnetly as the BHA Match), 0.7MOA with 150gr Fed Premium Nosler Ballistic tips, etc.
Cheap hunting ammo (rem Exp Core-lokt, Win silvertips) will usually do around 1.5MOA.