godale
Member
if i cant get a deal on the remington from dicks. i prefer the stevens 200. just my opnion. its a savage pre accutrigger and you can do so many things with it
Ideally I want a rifle that shoots 1 MOA that can kill anything in North America. This will be primarily a range toy with occasional hunting and a long range shtf gun.My .02, there are scads of inexpensive rifles out there that can do what most people want done with reasonable accuracy. Specifying .308 in some ways implies a rifle capable of fair distance or larger game or perhaps both.
Knowing what your intentions are as well as expectations will help narrow down the more suitable candidates. Saying "better glass" to some means a Nikon ProStaff while others feel a Leupold is "bargain glass".
If you simply want a decent starter rifle with room for improvement, I'd suggest a Savage Model 11/ Nikon combo. At under $475 delivered, you may never want for more but if you do, barrels, stocks and glass can all be upgraded readily and easily. I own several Accutrigger Savages and while not as good as most basic aftermarket replacements, can be finessed with minimal work.
The aforementioned Tikka, Win. 70 and a host of others may suit your purposes as well or better, depending on your requirements, preferred finish, etc. I would not recommend the basement model Remington or Savage for much more than a back up or camp rifle.
If I got a Nagant it would be a backup long range gun. My criteria is for modern rifles.A Mosin Nagant? Really?
First off they are no longer under $100 and if you do buy one you will need to completely replace the trigger for at least $100. Then you have to deal with the weight, it's a very heavy rifle. Then there is ammo, there isn't very much commercial 7.62X54R ammo out there for hunting. If you want a scope that presents another set of problems.
IMO the Mosin is a good range rifle and I own one but in this case I think it misses the mark by a wide margin.
As for Tikka rifles, they are very good rifles but I highly doubt you can buy one anywhere near the OP's self imposed budget.
First off they are no longer under $100 and if you do buy one you will need to completely replace the trigger for at least $100.
Then you have to deal with the weight, it's a very heavy rifle. Then there is ammo, there isn't very much commercial 7.62X54R ammo out there for hunting.
How about a Tikka Mosin 91/30?A Mosin Nagant? Really?
First off they are no longer under $100 and if you do buy one you will need to completely replace the trigger for at least $100. Then you have to deal with the weight, it's a very heavy rifle. Then there is ammo, there isn't very much commercial 7.62X54R ammo out there for hunting. If you want a scope that presents another set of problems.
IMO the Mosin is a good range rifle and I own one but in this case I think it misses the mark by a wide margin.
As for Tikka rifles, they are very good rifles but I highly doubt you can buy one anywhere near the OP's self imposed budget.
Marlin XS7.
Good stock for a synthetic, great adjustable trigger, better than average accuracy and overall a very nice intro rifle.
I picked up a Marlin X7 in .270 Win. on sale locally for $249.95 a few months ago. I have been very impressed with it. Sub MOA accuracy with 130 gr Nosler Solid Base handloads, light weight, smooth bolt, nice trigger. Haven't even had to adjust it or mess with the bedding. It shot well right out of the box. Threw a Nitrex TR-1 scope on it ($99.95 at Natchez Shooters Supply), and am very happy with it. Also very happy with my Stevens 200 in .243 Win (after installing a Rifle Basix trigger, a Hogue recoil pad, and having my son sand down and paint the stock camo)I think the Marlin is overlooked more often than not because it's not available at large retailers. I spent some time at Cabelas looking at the different budget rifles, just killing some time. Fit and finish wise I would rank the Marlin above the Axis, American, and even the TC Venture. I think there would be more Marlin recommendations if people actually held them in hand compared to other low-budget guns. Granted, I have held a few Marlins that have warped stocks and other issues, but comparing a good example of each rifle, I think the Marlin is the best $300 gun by a long shot.
I am not just saying this because I have one. I bought mine as a cheap stainless platform to put a good stock and barrel on and I think spending $1000 or more on a great rifle off the shelf is a better economy. I personally would never want a $300 rifle for much more than a toy, even though they are as accurate as more expensive guns, these days. If I ever buy another rifle, I want it to be something with no compromises.
My 2 main bolt action hunting rifles are both Howa 1500 guns. One is in 30-06 and the other in .223 and both are very accurate. The OP originally mentioned the price point of $400 but removed that part of the post for some reason. The price of $400 is why I didn't originally mention the Howa rifles, they are now more than that, I think in the $550 range. Both my Howa rifles deliver sub 1/2MOA accuracy with my handloads.I only know them by reputation but A Howa 308 looks like it would work for you needs.
As for the Mosin, soft points from S&B and Privi Partizan are available as is an interesting scout mount from Brass Stacker. I have heard that US Made metric-caliber ammunition tends to be a bit under powered compared to CIP loadings, YMMV. I have a Mosin and after getting used to the recoil, think its a very under-rated rifle. If you buy one, take a q-tip or cotton swab soaked in balistoil to the barrel extension's bolt lugs and make sure you get all the cosmoline there too.