Best out of the box $400 or less .308 bolt gun?

[Hanzo581]

After shooting my friends Savage some more this weekend, I think I've made my decision to stick with Savage and particularly models with AccuTrigger.

I wish there was a way to rent these guns like you can pistols to test them out before deciding on a model but I guess you can't have everything.

 

[Hanzo581]

I'd say that if you can't afford another few hundred for the rifle and scope, you aren't going to shoot it enough to matter much. Especially if you don't reload ammo (or have a close friend who does so. If it's just for target shooting, why does it have to be a bolt action, anyway? What sort of groups do you expect to turn in, at what ranges? Consider buying a $300 SKS, perhaps? Also, a used Mini-14 can often be had for $400, and Ciener Firearms makes .22lr conversions for it. For the stuff inside 100 yds, .22's work.

Not a matter of what I can afford, I see no sense in spending $800 on a rifle that I am just going to punch holes in paper with. That said, I want bolt action because they are inherently more accurate than semi-autos so if I am going to get something for target shooting I'd like it as accurate as possible without breaking the bank. .308 ammo at my local gun shows is actually pretty reasonable. I don't plan on shooting hundreds of rounds each time I go to the range, I have other long guns for the higher volume shooting.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I'd say that if you can't afford another few hundred for the rifle and scope, you aren't going to shoot it enough to matter much.

Well then, they should just take every rifle off the market that costs less than $800 huh? After all, if you're so dirt poor that you would ever consider buying a less expensive rifle, it isn't going to matter any huh? That may be the silliest thing I've ever heard on here.
My $390 Vanguard will shoot one ragged hole. How would an $800 rifle help me?

If it's just for target shooting, why does it have to be a bolt action, anyway?

Because its his money and its what he wants to spend it on.

Also, a used Mini-14 can often be had for $400

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

[akolleth]

Good choice with the savage. For a scope try to find a used Nikon Prostaff 3-9, should run you about $100 used. You can find used ones on Ebay quite a bit. Its one amazing scope for the money and consistently gets mentioned as a top contender when people talk about sub $200 scopes. I have 3 and they blow away the cheaper ones.

 

[fragout]

Deleted

 

[benzy2]

On the idea of what you can justify for a rifle, rather than what you can afford. If you look used, I always can justify a more expensive rifle than new. Take that $400 budget minded rifle. Shoot it for two years, and then, it will bring maybe $300 used if lucky, probably closer to $200. So you've lost $100-$200 in value. Now take a used $800 rifle, one in good clean shape that wasn't abused, that originally retailed for $1200. That depreciation has already been factored out. Assuming you are paying a fair market price, its hard to see that rifle being worth $600 after two more years use. If you aren't abusive, it will probably still bring near that $800 mark.

So which would you rather, lose $200 in value and shoot a $400 rifle or lose $200 in value and shoot a $1200 rifle? I know what I'd pick and it isn't one of the budget rifles. Now, if you can't afford $800, rather than can't justify it, I'd much rather shoot a rifle that didn't put a dent in my lifestyle and buy what I could manage. I wouldn't want to take that initial depreciation which is why I like used firearms. Rifles tend to be decent at holding value, but buying a quality unabused used firearm will give you a great value that should net most of, if not all of your money back down the road more so than a factory new rifle.

 

[Hanzo581]

Ok. Little bump here but I have a question.

Came across the Mossberg MVP series. (I know not .308 like I was originally looking for) but I was wondering, for my purpose (punching hole in paper at 300 yards max) would a 5.56 be sufficient? The draw of it using a caliber I already buy and AR mags is pretty attractive.

Let's say I also wanted the capability to hunt (if the need arose in an emergency) do people hunt deer with .223/5.56? I know on here people talk about some crazy cartridges for hunting.

 

[flynryn]

i have a savage 110 the most acc. rifle out of the box. for a good price too. if you whant to shoot tight groups, save your money. buy a good rifle with good cust. service.

 

[IBEWBULL]

Savage

Savage HB Tactile came with a 3-10x scope for a whole $325 about 10 years ago. Widh I had a case of them now. It was slightly used then.
It will handle .308 WIN and &.62 NATO fine.

Our Savage Custom .308 will not do the NATO ammunition. It was more than $500 but don't recall closer to 6 I think.

Also note the Remington 700 BDLVLS will not take 5.56 Nato.

 

[greenlion]

I have a Savage Axis, a Stevens 200, and a Ruger American. The Ruger is a better gun, all-round. The stock is better than the Stevens, and the trigger is MUCH better than the axis. The newer Stevens rifles come with the same crappy trigger thats on the Axis

 

[Cee Zee]

Haven't read the entire thread but I will say my used Savage 110 (pre-Accutrigger) has served me well. It shoots plenty accurate enough to hunt whitetail. Mine's a 30.06 but there are .308 models too. It's basically the same rifle as the Stevens 200 BTW. The Savage 110 series has been a terrific success story for Savage. They have a bunch of rifles built on that platform from the Stevens 200 to the 110 BA and up. And upgrades are a snap compared to many rifles. You can start at the bottom and work your way up buying new parts if you want. I have two 110 based rifles. The 110 in 30.06 and a 12 LRPV in .223. The 12 is a varmint rifle and it will shoot very well for an out of the box rifle. They make a .308 model of the 12 LRPV but you're looking at $400 plus about $1000. I bought my 110 for $225 used and it had a decent scope on it. It had not been shot that much either. Used is a very good way to go if you know what to look for. A lot of people buy a rifle and get it out to hunt for a few days a year and stick it in the closet the rest of the year. They might practice a bit and make sure the scope is still sighted and shoot at a deer or two and that's it for a year. 25 rounds might be all the rifle shoots over that year. Heck I bought my 12 and I bet it didn't have 10 rounds through it. Saved about $400 buying it that way too. It didn't even have any powder residue in those impossible to clean areas. The owner had it on consignment in a LGS saying it wasn't accurate. Yes it is. He didn't break it in at all and I'm not talking about shoot one, pearl two, stand on your head and rub your tummy kind of break in either. I mean he didn't knock down the nubs on the crown even. There are some great deals on used rifles around. But watch out for other people's problems. I like to buy used from a place that will give me a week's warranty or maybe a month. Many LGS's will do that at least in my area anyway.

 

[WYcoyote]

Marlin XS7 is simply the best sub $400 rifle made. Period.

+1.

 

[rhinoh]

" stay away from the newer 700 cheaper package deals...they can be junk."

That is for sure! I picked up one of the Dicks 700 Varmint packages last year.
Accuracy sucks.
My Ruger American far outdoes it and for less money.
My Howa 1500 does even better for $100 more than the 700...

 

[Ash]

I, too, recommend getting and older rifle and putting the money saved into a good scope. It gets you the most shooting iron for the buck. But, I would stick with a Savage if you like them. I have owned several, including a 110 FP with adjustable trigger (pre Accutrigger) that was scary accurate. I ended up transitioning to 1960's Mossberg bolt rifles, which I like above all others, but would still recommend a Savage. But, I would recommend getting a used one (most are hardly ever shot anyway). You can get a whole lot of rifle that way, and then justifying good glass.

I like the Marlin, which copies features from Savage, plus other rifles, but a 110-based action is truly an accurate platform on which to build a good rifle.

 

[tommy.duncan]

Mossberg ATR Bantam series, ATR Short series, or the 4X4 series.
I have shot a handful of Mossberg bolt actions and they were good shooting rifles.
Good luck

 

[FiveInADime]

Marlin X7VH .308 26" heavy barrel... They go for about $350 and there are lots of reports of really great accuracy even with factory ammo. I have an XS7 in stainless that is a great shooter, cost me $350

 

[aandrew610]

Its really hard to beat the Ruger American right now. It comes in a compact 18in barrel and a 22in barrel. Been seeing a lot of rave reviews about this rifle I kinda wish I had gotten it instead of my Remington 700 adl

 

[2ndtimer]

I recently picked up a Marlin XL7 in .270 Win. for $249.95 on sale and I have been very impressed with its accuracy. Took a nice doe in Montana with it a week ago, good performance all around. Put a Nitrex 3-9X scope on it from Natchezss.com for just $99.95 plus shipping. Very impressive combo for right around $400 including rings. After my Montana trip I checked it out at the range and my average for three 3 shot groups was .894 of an inch with my handload of PPU brass, 53.0 gr of Reloder 17, Remington 9 1/2 primer, and a Nosler 130 gr Solid Base bullet. I realize it isn't a .308, but if I wanted a .308 Win. on a budget, I would sure try to find a Marlin XS7.

 

[cdb1]

I understand the value of a used rifle but I would not buy one unless I could shoot it first. I have seen a few people buy used rifles that looked perfect but were very inaccurate. Most used rifles are great if you know what to look for but there are some lemons out there. With a new rifle you at least have a warranty, used you are stuck. That's just me.

I have a Savage 11 .243 with AccuStock and AccuTrigger. It is super accurate. That being said I think I could have bought a Stevens, slapped a Timney in it and just as good a rifle for a good bit less money.

But if I had it to do all over again I would have bought another Vanguard. We have two S2's and two previous model Vanguards that cost less than $400.00. I adjusted the triggers and they are very nice. I also like the fact that Vanguards have a 24" barrel.

 

[Ash]

For more than a decade I have only bought used bolt guns and they have always been accurate. A good look down the bore and an inspection of the rifling will show if the rifle has been abused. If not, bolt action hunting rifles don't get shot out, and if one has indeed been fired that much, it will show.

Even so, since the OP doesn't want to consider used, then I personally still prefer a new Savage 110 over the rest if nothing else than because it has been on the market for 50 years and so has established staying power. Anyone who has a Marlin MR-7 knows that Marlin can drop quality bolt guns for seemingly minor reasons.

 

[ldlfh7]

+1 for the savage 110

 

[FiveInADime]

For more than a decade I have only bought used bolt guns and they have always been accurate. A good look down the bore and an inspection of the rifling will show if the rifle has been abused. If not, bolt action hunting rifles don't get shot out, and if one has indeed been fired that much, it will show.

Even so, since the OP doesn't want to consider used, then I personally still prefer a new Savage 110 over the rest if nothing else than because it has been on the market for 50 years and so has established staying power. Anyone who has a Marlin MR-7 knows that Marlin can drop quality bolt guns for seemingly minor reasons.

Now that Big Green is in charge you never know what will happen with the Marlin rifles. Remington already used the features of the X7 in the new 783, which are significantly higher priced than the X7s. All I know is that the X7 rifles are a very good value and if you stick to a hard $400 limit, I don't think you can do better for a NEW rifle. If you compare the X7 and the Savage 10/110 series rifles they are same same in almost every respect if you ask me. There aren't any accu-trigger Savage rifles that sell for $300 or less new, however.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

Stevens 200....hands down....I got lots of high dollar rifles, my cheapo stevens which I chunked the ugly stock first off....shoots dime groups in 7mm-08.....just a fact.

 

[Ash]

Wow, the Remington 783 looks to be a Savage 110 copy. From the barrel nut to the trigger to the magazine release even to the placement of the bolt handle, the separate bolt head, it's a Savage knock-off. How's that for irony, Remington is now making their version of a Savage to compete with Savage. They claim it was designed from the ground up by their engineers...right...

 

[jon_in_wv]

I"m much more of a pistol guy than a rifle guy but I've bought two Savages for well under $200 each. One was a used 110 in 7mm RM and the other is a Stevens 200 in .308. Both are tack drivers. I also had a Savage FCP-K in .308 and it was one hole accurate with my reloads. I only sold it because it was just too heavy. Really I wish I would have kept it though. That sucker was a shooter.