Budget .308 bolt rifles... what say ye?

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ijosef

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I'm just beginning to test the waters on my first accurate rifle, and by "accurate" I mean moreso than my Mosin, AK, and Marlin Model 60 .22LR. :D

I haven't been able to test a lot of rifles, although I did shoot a Savage 110 that was pretty sweet (it was chambered in .223 however).

Right now I've got the Thompson Center Venture on my radar, as well as the Howa 1500 and comparable models by Savage and Stevens. I've even heard good things about Mossberg's new-ish rifles. Of course there's guns like the Remington 770.

I know it's still pretty vague at this point, but does anyone have experience with these rifles or an opinion on what's best at this price point?
 
There are 2 budget rifles I would avoid. The Mossberg ATR and the Remington 710 or the newer 770. After that get the one that works best for you.

I think the new Marlin XS-7 is the best bang for the buck. The Weatherby Vanguard or Howa rifles are good guns for just a little more, but are heavier than I like. The Stevens 200 is a proven design, but the Marlin is about the same price and has a lot more features for the same money.

You could always buy used as well.
 
Well forget the Mossberg rifles, along with the Howa and Remington 770, a waste of time and money may be in your future if you were to entertain any of these.

While the Savage Edge promises accuracy and longevity such as the Savage 110 design, we just don't know yet...but coming from the Savage company, it should be good.

The Remington SPS models cost too much for the accuracy you'll get and the Howa's may or may not preform for you, I have one that shoots nice (.4) groups and one that may have been a shotgun in another life!

Offered opinion... Savage 110/10, Marlin XL/XS, Stevens 200, Zastava Mauser or the Savage Edge, if your a gambling man.
 
Bass Pro Shop runs some fairly good sales. They have packages of deer rifle, scope, sling. A bud bought a Savage(I think) w/3X9 three yrs ago and has been deer hunting with it with no complaints.
 
I just bought a Marlin XS-7, I have put just under 100 rounds through it and it is amazing. I have only shot a few rifles in my time but it is the best one I have shot. I paid 329.00 a little on the high side but to me it was well worth it.
 
by "accurate" I mean moreso than my Mosin, AK, and Marlin Model 60 .22LR.
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You will have a hard time finding a budget centerfire that will shoot factory ammo as well as my Marlin 60 shoots Mini-Mags.

My Vanguard is quite accurate (.30-06), but it is heavy. It's the walnut version, so it's heavier still than the plastic one. It depends what you want to do with it. Hunting on foot in the mountains made me look for a lighter rifle. However, I won a charity "sporter" match with it once. If you don't need lightweight, it's accurate and durable.
 
Well forget the Mossberg rifles, along with the Howa and Remington 770, a waste of time and money may be in your future if you were to entertain any of these.
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What was found wrong with the Howa? Just curious, I have a heavy barreled 308, I was going to suggest the same to the OP. I think the Howa is a hard rifle to beat for the price. Do you happen to feel the same way about Weatherby Vanguards as you do Howas? I didn't see Weatherby on your list of rifles to avoid even though the Vanguard is the same barreled action as my Howa 1500.
 
My Vangaurd is synthetic and in .30-06. It's a tack driver. The target that came with it was one hole. I've tried several different factory loads and it liked them all. I've started handloading, and I've yet to find a combination that it doesn't shoot well. Best $390 I've ever spent.
 
go for TC Venture or Weatherby Vanguard ,but TC will be cheaper for SUB MOA guaranty
 
or get Remington 700 in 223 then re chamber it for 308 I think you can get one cheap at wall mart for 400 bucks nowadays, they got plenty of aftermarket parts so you can build something custom
 
On a budget used can be a great way to go. Opens up more variables but deals are to be had if you stay calm and patient.
 
I'm just beginning to test the waters on my first accurate rifle, and by "accurate" I mean moreso than my Mosin, AK, and Marlin Model 60 .22LR.
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Not much of an accuracy standard to beat, there. My fave is the Remingtons. My son-in-law has a 26" fluted barrel SPS (I think) that is a sub MOA gun with about anything it's been fed. My little 20 inch soda straw M7 will shoot 3/4 moa from a cold barrel first 3 shots. I have a Savage in another caliber, is picky about bullets, but I've gotten it down to 1 MOA with judicious handloading and free floating the barrel in a Ramline stock. It's an older Savage, pre-accu-trigger, but the trigger is set to a very crisp 3 lbs. Nothing wrong with the trigger on that gun. I believe you can buy the same gun called a Stevens 200 now days. :D
 
Few month ago I spend few weeks searching used Rem 700 action, couldn't find it in my neck of the woods... End up geting one for $430 from Dicks just to rip it out of its stock...
 
What was found wrong with the Howa? Just curious, I have a heavy barreled 308, I was going to suggest the same to the OP. I think the Howa is a hard rifle to beat for the price. Do you happen to feel the same way about Weatherby Vanguards as you do Howas? I didn't see Weatherby on your list of rifles to avoid even though the Vanguard is the same barreled action as my Howa 1500.
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In the past, the Howa rifles were a hit or miss proposition. Several years ago, there were several problems from barrel/receiver unions not square, bolt function difficulties, safety problems, but all that seems to be just a bad dream now.

Like I said, I have one that shoots good and one that shoots not so good, and from the customers comments during that time along with the scuttle butt from other dealers, this was the norm.

Today, I think the Howa is a pretty good rifle sans the weight and the cost...it seems as though, since their union with Weatherby, Howa thinks a little more of their product, price wise! lol

The reason I omit the Howa in the list above, is due to the cost vs. the quality, much like Remington, it is unbalanced and leans towards the cost side considerably!

As with the Vanguard, which is nothing more than a Howa 1500 in James Bond clothing, the prices are outrageous at best, I mean $800 for the sub moa Vanguard that will shoot every bit as good as a $400 Savage or Marlin.....
 
I like my Weatherby Vanguards. Top price I paid was $369.00 for the Magnum line. $349.00 for standard. Love 'em both. The .243 Win I have shoots 1/3 MAO any day of the week too! As for the factory target with these. This is something Weatherby has discontinued. You will have to find a new older manufactured Vanguard to get a target with your rifle. Still has 1.5" guarantee and mine do better than that.

Mike
 
try to get a used howa 1500 they're the same thing as a vanguard but usually a little cheaper.
 
I, too, am fond of the Vanguards. Weatherby guarantees the accuracy, and you can ask to see the factory target before you buy. Here in the Northwest, I don't notice them being any more expensive than the Howa.

gary
 
My Howa 1500 in caliber .308 should be delivered in a few days. When looking at the models and manufacturers of rifles I liked the feel and intermediate weight of the Howa.
 
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