Best .308 hunting rifle under $500?
- Thread starter AirPower
- Start date
- Status
ftierson
Member.
Get a Weatherby Vanguard Synthetic...
It'll bring a smile to your face...
Forrest
It'll bring a smile to your face...
Forrest
Regolith
Member
I just bought a Remington 700 SPS a couple of months ago for $484 out the door. So far it seems pretty damn accurate, though I haven't shot for groups yet.
Savage makes some pretty decent rifles too, for around $300-$400 or so. Stevens, a subsidiary company to Savage, makes essentially the same rifle for cheaper, but they don't have the AccuTrigger that the Savage does.
Weatherby is a good company, but I don't have any experience with their rifles. So I don't really know how they compare to the Remington or Savage. The accessory after-market for the Remington/Savage is much larger than for the Weatherby, however, so if you're looking to accessorize it may not be the best choice. If not, it probably wouldn't be a bad choice.
Savage makes some pretty decent rifles too, for around $300-$400 or so. Stevens, a subsidiary company to Savage, makes essentially the same rifle for cheaper, but they don't have the AccuTrigger that the Savage does.
Weatherby is a good company, but I don't have any experience with their rifles. So I don't really know how they compare to the Remington or Savage. The accessory after-market for the Remington/Savage is much larger than for the Weatherby, however, so if you're looking to accessorize it may not be the best choice. If not, it probably wouldn't be a bad choice.
Regolith
Member
I bought it from Bi-Mart, which is a Northwest store (they're only in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho) that's a bit like Costco, only smaller. They were still using 2007 prices, and it looked like the 2008 prices were going to be a bit higher, so they probably don't have them at that price any more. IIRC, they were 80% of the MSRP.
Regolith
Member
Just checked Remington's page: The current MSRP for the Rem. 700 SPS in .308 is $620, so if you got it at a similar discount to what I got mine at (20% off MSRP) it'd cost around $494.
rocinante
Member
in semi automatic you could go with saiga. well under 500.
cluttonfred
Member
There are a lot of budget bolt-actions in this range - Savage-Stevens, Savage, Mossberg, Remington, but also Howa, Weatherby and Tikka. I asked a similar question with a survey not long ago in Inexpensive .30-06 rifle? Savage, in both budget Savage models and the economy Savage-Stevens line, was the overwhelming favorite.
Don't forget that you don't always need more than one shot -- besides the Rossis and Spartans, there are also a couple of choices from H&R/NEF. All the break-open single shots will generally be lighter and handier than the bolt guns with the same length barrel. I like the NEF Survivor in .308 under $300 including 22" bull barrel, stock with storage, sling, swivels and scope base and plenty accurate, I hear. It's also as the same overall length as a bolt gun with an a barrel 3-4" shorter and weights only 6 1/2 lbs.
Don't forget that you don't always need more than one shot -- besides the Rossis and Spartans, there are also a couple of choices from H&R/NEF. All the break-open single shots will generally be lighter and handier than the bolt guns with the same length barrel. I like the NEF Survivor in .308 under $300 including 22" bull barrel, stock with storage, sling, swivels and scope base and plenty accurate, I hear. It's also as the same overall length as a bolt gun with an a barrel 3-4" shorter and weights only 6 1/2 lbs.
Last edited:
skinewmexico
Member
Stevens Model 200. And it's infinitely upgradable, in your garage.
MIL-DOT
member
Yeah, i agree, in a under $500 bolt action, i'd lean heavily toward the Stevens model 200,too.
Schleprok62
Member
Another vote for the Stevens Model 200 here... I have one in 7mm-08...
cluttonfred
Member
Like I said, check out these poll results from a thread a couple of weeks ago--different caliber, same answer.
rangerruck
Member
look for the new Howa, in the green or black Hogue over molded stock, with heavy bbl. Exceptional value.
No one has mentioned the new Marlin bolt, not sure it is available in 308 though but MSRP is well under $500
Used it is a buyers market, probably 90% of the used bolt actions, or hunters guns, on the rack in pawn or gun shops in this area are under $500.
Used it is a buyers market, probably 90% of the used bolt actions, or hunters guns, on the rack in pawn or gun shops in this area are under $500.
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2007
- Messages
- 13,146
Yeah, you have a myriad of good choices if willing to buy used under $500. First of all, do you want a pump, levergun, turnbolt, or single shot? That would help. But limiting the discussion now to turnbolts, you could find the following in that price range at pawn shops, gun shows, or private sellers on the net and elsewhere:
Used:
-Remington 700 (ADL, CDL, BDL, SPS, others)
-Winchester 70
-Browning A-bolt
-Fancier Savage 10, 11, or 12
-Tikka T3 / Whitetail
-CZ 550
New or used:
-Howa 1500
-Weatherby Vanguard
-Savage 10, 11, or 12 (the basic models anyway)
-Stephens 200
-Remington 770
the new Marlin is not offered in .308, I don't believe. Nor do I believe the Mossbergs are offered in .308, so Owlnmole, you're mostly right, but the answers are not *exactly* the same as when asking about .30-06.
Look for one of my bolded choices if you want a turnbolt. Then there's pumps and single shots. I can't think of any leverguns in .308 under $500 except a used Browning BLR in .308. The Marlin uses a proprietary round called .308 marlin, so that ain't .308 win.
Used:
-Remington 700 (ADL, CDL, BDL, SPS, others)
-Winchester 70
-Browning A-bolt
-Fancier Savage 10, 11, or 12
-Tikka T3 / Whitetail
-CZ 550
New or used:
-Howa 1500
-Weatherby Vanguard
-Savage 10, 11, or 12 (the basic models anyway)
-Stephens 200
-Remington 770
the new Marlin is not offered in .308, I don't believe. Nor do I believe the Mossbergs are offered in .308, so Owlnmole, you're mostly right, but the answers are not *exactly* the same as when asking about .30-06.
Look for one of my bolded choices if you want a turnbolt. Then there's pumps and single shots. I can't think of any leverguns in .308 under $500 except a used Browning BLR in .308. The Marlin uses a proprietary round called .308 marlin, so that ain't .308 win.
Tarvis
Member
I vote remington
mainmech48
Member
If you're looking for rugged utility for the absolute rock-bottom bucks check out the Ishapore 2A1 version of the SMLE.
You can buy one in very nice condition with an almost pristine bore, an NG (no gunsmithing/DIY) mount and serviceable scope and have a hunting combo capable of 1-1.5 MOA accuracy with good ammo for under $350 total.
You might not impress anyone with its looks, but you won't wince every time it bumps against something in the field, either.
You can buy one in very nice condition with an almost pristine bore, an NG (no gunsmithing/DIY) mount and serviceable scope and have a hunting combo capable of 1-1.5 MOA accuracy with good ammo for under $350 total.
You might not impress anyone with its looks, but you won't wince every time it bumps against something in the field, either.
clemsonu0219
Member
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2008
- Messages
- 237
Remington 700
Stevens 200, Savage (with accu-trigger) Mossberg ATR-100 or 4X4 series.
Not familiar with the Tikka/Howa/Weatherby rifles.
Have a Mossberg ATR-100 in .30-06. With most of the cheaper soft-point hunting ammo, will keep 3 shots inside 2"@100Yds in MY hands....and I don't claim to be any great shakes as a rifleman.
Not familiar with the Tikka/Howa/Weatherby rifles.
Have a Mossberg ATR-100 in .30-06. With most of the cheaper soft-point hunting ammo, will keep 3 shots inside 2"@100Yds in MY hands....and I don't claim to be any great shakes as a rifleman.
Schleprok62
Member
Eliphalet, The Marlin XL7 is only available in 25-06 Rem, .270 Win and 30-06 Spgfd currently. No word about a short action version anywhere to be seen... Good rifles though...
Last edited:
futureranger
Member.
savage 10, the 26" barrel on the varmiter model is a great deal, walmart has them for $485, most people say they can shoot under 1" at 100yards right out of the box, i got mine and i wouldnt trade it for anything, well mabey not "anything"...
Last edited:
Kitchen_Duty
Member
Go with savage they are a great great rifle and you can do all of your own gunsmithing. I own 2!
Ash
Member
- Status
