A good .308

[9 m&m]

Help me find a good !CHEAP! and I mean cheap, bolt action .308. I was lookin at the Mausers converted to .308 in good condition. Don't know how "good" of condition they are in. Have any of yall got one of these?? If so are they any good??? I really need some help on this one.

 

[Zeke Menuar]

Lee-Enfield Ishapore 2A. Around $150-200? if you can find one. I found mine at a local show.

ZM

 

[armoredman]

Samco Spanish Civil Guardia Short 1916 Mausers in 308, $130. Nice - I want to get one.

 

[rbernie]

I'm gonna be a bit contrary here. I've fondled a few Ishy 2A's and I've handled and examined a LOT of the Spanish re-chambered Mausers. I'd not place my face behind ANY of the examples I've seen. <shudder>

If you need a really cheap 308 - scour the local pawnshops for Savages and the like. Alternately, you can get a H&R/NEF HandiRifle single-shot in 308 for around $200 brand-new. They're actually reasonably accurate and are really popular in my neck of the woods.

 

[clarkg1124]

I have the following rifles in .308/7.62x51:
1.Spanish FR8-I have had this carbine since 1992.It has digested several thousand rounds of milsurp and hundred of rounds of .308 commercial ammo.It has had no problems during this time.I paid $100.00 in '92.
2.Israeli-converted K98-this rifle is my most accurate milsurp.It appeared new when I bought it,but I'm certain that a previous owner had reblued the metal and refinished the stock.This rifle set me back $250.00 last year.
3.Navy Arms faux jungle carbine made from a 1967 Ishapore 2A1.This is a fun little rifle to shoot,and will expend ammo almost as fast as a self-loader.It will occasionally fail to feed due to a worn magazine,but supporting the rifle using the bottom of the mag prevents this from happening.A new magazine would solve the problem nicely.This one cost $200.00.
4.MAS 1936 converted to .308 by Century-these are handy carbines with good sights and a mediocre trigger.I don't need to comment on CAI's quality control,so bear in mind you might get a shooter or you might get a loser.I have no issues with mine-$175.00 well-spent.
Clark

 

[BryanP]

Just keep looking. I ran across this on a table at a gunshow. Range report for this rifle is here.

I also saw a nice FR-8 at a gunshow recently. I would have bought it, but I'm on a rather restricted budget right now, so no toys for me. If you can find one that is affordable I'd get it.

 

[Ash]

Yeah, a good many used commerical rifles in .308 can be had at the local shops. I picked up a Revelation (Mossberg Model 810) for $200, scope and sling in excellent shape. The triggers will tend to be much better than the milsurps.

Ash

 

[ojibweindian]

How cheap is cheap? And what do you mean by good? Does good mean that when you pull the trigger, the rifle won't blow up in your face? Or does good mean that it won't blow up in your face AND you'll be reasonably certain to hit what you're aiming at?

If the former, cheap and good means a milsurp bolt around $150. If the latter, cheap and good means either a single shot Handi Rifle for around $219 or a used bolt from a major manufacturer for around $350.

 

[esldude]

Yeah, I would say Ishy Enfield or Savage used. The Savage will be more accurate.

Don't know why one is worried about the Ishy blowing up. Haven't heard of any that did. I have owned and shot a couple. And know of 3 more that get used. No problems other than one mentioned. That a worn mag can slip out after each shot.

The suggestion of a Handi-rifle might suit you for $150 or so used if a single shot will do.

 

[greg531mi]

I bought an Isreali 308 Mauser at a auction for $70....I let a guy seated ahead of me, with a wife, telling him, that too expensive, on every rifle he wanted to bid on, have another one for $70, with a scope!!! I figured he needed a deer rifle more than me, with a cheapo wife like that. That one was drilled and tapped anyway.
At least, he got a rifle to go deer hunting, and get away from the ol ball and chain.
So, they are out there, and that was my third one I had, they shoot great, and their bores are perfect. The story goes they were held in reserve, with brand new barrels on them.
I also bought an Issy, for $70, at the auction, with nice peeling black paint, but perfect bore, a little mineral spirits, and got it back to the blueing.
They both shoot great, and would reconmend them to anyone for a good inexpenive shooting gun.