best 308 for the under $400?

[cjessee0523]

I am new here. I am looking for a good 308 for under $400. I currently hunt with an old Savage model 110 in 270. It is a great rifle, but a little abusive to the shoulder. I dont get much range time, so I wont go more than 2 or 3 boxes of ammo per year. Mostly before and during Deer season. I have looked at the Remington 770, Marlin X7VH, and the Mosseberg ATR. I want to stay in the $300 to $350 range. I will add that I had an Remington 710 in 270 and I loved the way it shot and recoil was comfortable. But had to part with it, due to no fault of the rifle itself. What suggestions does anyone have?

 

[wyohome]

I bought a used 700 BDL for $330 at a pawn shop around Christmas. I would rather have a good used rifle than a new plastic one.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

as you can tell, I am a .308 person and got a few, my favorite is a Remington 788 made in 1986, still shoots dime groups, recoil not much for such a light rifle. back then they were selling for less than $200, now price is about $400 or so, now with gun scare, dont know. anyway a helluva rifle that outshot the model 700s, gee wonder why they discontinued the model...

 

[col_temp]

Stay far away from the Remington 770's. They stink.
Just search around a bit and you will find lots of reasons why!

With that budget I would do some pawn shop trolling. You will likely find a slightly used gun for your range as wyohome did.

 

[sixgunner455]

IMHO, you won't notice much, if any, difference in recoil between comparable .270 and .308 rifles. OTOH, recoil pads and stock fit make a huge difference. If your old Savage hasn't had a new recoil pad, I would suggest that you purchase one of the current OEM pads from Savage or from one of the aftermarket guys that make effective pads. Might make you forget all about buying a new gun, and at the bargain price of just springing for a recoil pad.

 

[1911 guy]

Agreed. Try a pad if the recoil is the motivator to swap rifles. At worst, you're out a few dollars. Best, you just saved hundreds.

If you DO swap rifles, though, I'm going to recommend the Savage or Stevens guns. They're inexpensive and accurate. The downside is that recoil is similar and the stock will be the same.

Or, for a very general but hopefully helpful recommendation, find a shop that will let you handle beaucoup rifles at one time and try them for fit. A poorly fitting stock will make recoil feel worse.

 

[FiveInADime]

I am new here. I am looking for a good 308 for under $400. I currently hunt with an old Savage model 110 in 270. It is a great rifle, but a little abusive to the shoulder. I dont get much range time, so I wont go more than 2 or 3 boxes of ammo per year. Mostly before and during Deer season. I have looked at the Remington 770, Marlin X7VH, and the Mosseberg ATR. I want to stay in the $300 to $350 range. I will add that I had an Remington 710 in 270 and I loved the way it shot and recoil was comfortable. But had to part with it, due to no fault of the rifle itself. What suggestions does anyone have?

If you wanted a rifle for informal target shooting, the Marlin X7VH would be a no brainer. 26" heavy barrel, light crisp stock trigger, good rep. for accuracy, etc. Since you mentioned that it will be a hunting rifle, I would find the nicest used Winchester M70 sporter or featherweight push-feed, Rem 7/700 or any other decent used rifle I could find in your budget. Also, since .308 recoil is almost the same as .270. Maybe consider a .243 or .25-06.

 

[Centurian22]

Another vote to stay far away from the Rem 770. Look into the Savage Axis XP in .308. Comes with a 3-9x40 Bushnell scope, mine shot 1" at 100 yards right out of the box. I couldn't be happier. Especially for $329 on sale at cabelas (last year).

Best of luck.

 

[Abel]

I would consider the Ruger American or possibly the Stevens 200 if Savage still makes it. Alot of folks have stopped mentioning the 200 since Savage's Axis line came out, but I'd rather have a 200 because of aftermarket compatibility with other Savage models.

 

[Wylie1]

From much personal experience stay far away from the 770! The Marlin X7VH would make first position on my list being the funds mentioned.

 

[Deer_Freak]

You really can't go wrong with any of these rifles savage axis. Ruger American or Marlin X7. The Savage Axis doesn't have an adjustable trigger but the trigger is just fine like it comes out of the box. Personally, I can't tell the difference between a 4lb trigger and a 3lb trigger without a scale. I doubt 95% of shooters can tell the difference. It is all in their mind!

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I got a Stevens 200 chambered in 7mm-08, got rid of the ugly synthetic stock, put a walnut stock from Boyds on it, got a beautiful low priced tack driver. I own some real nice rifles, but this cheapo always seems to be one of the 3 or so I take to the hunting lease.

 

[jogar80]

You can get a good new rifle at your budget in a ruger American or Stevens. But for something more classic I'd recommend going with a used rem 700 or Winchester 70. Wood and blue never goes out of style. Unless you prefer synthetic stocks that is.

 

[USMCRotrHed]

For under $400 you can get a Mossberg ATR100 with or without a scope. I have 2 of these rifles and they shoot just as good as any other rifle for under $1200.

 

[waffentomas]

Savage is probably your best bet. You might be able to find a Weatherby Vanguard for that or a bit more - but it will probably require more searching. I own one and have been shooting it for 10 years, taken elk, deer, bear and wolf with it.

I work for Cabelas at the NICS counter, and see TONS of Savages come through. Tough to beat those for the price.

 

[rhinoh]

I have an American in .308, under $400 and will shoot a 3 shot group with holes touching at 100 yards. Very happy with it so far. The all plastic mag is cheesy, will see how long it holds up.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Within the last two months Field and Stream did a big comparison of rifles in you price point. I'd go look that up as it was well written and gave pros and cons of each.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Duplicate by accident.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Ditto

 

[2slow04]

From much personal experience stay far away from the 770! The Marlin X7VH would make first position on my list being the funds mentioned.

What kind of problems did you have with your 770? I have a 30-06 and its a tack driver with my nikon monarch scope..plus I have killed many animals with it

 

[Wylie1]

Close to 8" groups from 100 yards straight out of the box, I don't like messing with the thing anymore. http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-580828.html

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

A used big-name bolt gun like a Remmy 700, Savage 11/10, etc... is better than anything new under $400 (sure, an ocassional sale, but generally speaking, no).

 

[Damon555]

$400 will buy you a pretty decent gun....If you don't like the way your Savage 270 recoils then you won't be happy with how the low end Savage 308's recoil. Most people don't shoot their rifles very much....you can get a very nice used rifle for that kind of money.

 

[cjessee0523]

I appreciate all the input you guys have given me. I will continue to look for a used rem 700. Most around here are going for $600 and up. I am also going to try a limbsaver recoil pad on the savage. Thank you all for your suggestions

 

[Abel]

I currently hunt with an old Savage model 110 in 270. It is a great rifle, but a little abusive to the shoulder.

The 308 recoil will be on par with the 270, if not a little more. The Savage 110 may kick, but that is a rifle design/recoil pad thing, not a 270 Win. thing. A new recoil pad like a Decelerator might be the fix, so good luck there. You won't reduce felt recoil based on cartridges unless you step down to a 7mm-08, 260, 6.5x55, 7mmx57, or 243.