Budget 308 help

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newguy07

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I am looking to buy a bolt rifle to use for target shooting out to 600 yards and to use in my ranges varmint target shoots out to 300 yards. There is also the possibility of taking this gun on an elk or moose hunt at some point in the future. I don't know a ton about rifle calibers but thought a .308 would fit the bill. My first question is does a .308 sound like a good choice?

My second question is recommendations for a budget rifle (.308). I am considering the mossberg 100atr, the marlin x7, or one of the savage rifles with an accutrigger. I would like to stay under 500$ tops so that unfortunately rules out the Remington 700. So which of these (or something not mentioned) would you recommend? If recommending the savage I need a specific model because they had way too many listed on their website in 308 for me to keep straight.
 
Savage is my first choice for super cheap and stupid accurate, if you are willing to spend a little extra the Tikka is even better straight out the box mine shoots consistent 3/4" with el-chepo factory fodder and one hole groups with handlaods, it does not get any better then that in featherweight rifles. I cannot comment on the Ruger American seeing as I have never seen one in person much less shot one, but if the reports are good I plan on getting one in 243 (1:9 twist HELLZ YEAH)
 
Stevens 200 for about $280 bucks, $100 for a good stock and then some extra for good optics and you got a tack driver for a real long range....I know.....I got one.
 
I would add the Mossberg 4x4 to that list. My .243 shoots like a dream and is in the same price range as the Savage Axis ir the Ruger American
 
I think you should find a good deal on a .308, a .270, or a .30-06. They will all do well and aren't too different hunting-wise. I can see wanting a .308 for the target shooting, but the other calibers can work for that, too.

Buy the rifle you like and don't worry so much about the caliber choice. That way you can expand your choices and get a good deal within your budget, perhaps on sale. Consider used.
 
For those voting savage. Which model? Is it it worth it to go for one with thR accutrigger
 
^ Absolutly, the accutrigger is very very good, near the top of the food chain for factory triggers right behind Sako/Tikka. Regular old Savage 110s are fine but for super accuracy their heavy barrel 12 series is a cut above.
 
Are you wanting the short action (308) cartridge specifically or are you open to long action cartridges? As far as caliber, I think you may be better served if you were to include the 06 cartridges. 25-06, 270 or 30-06. All are common chamberings with the 25-06 being the least common of the three, 270 and and 30-06 being most common. I'm just stating this from an ammo availability standpoint if you were to go to Academy, Walmart or local gun shop to pick up a box.

Does your price include your glass or strictly the rifle? That makes a big difference...

Going by a "just rifle" view and considering your price, you've gotten some good options so far that can come in well below your budget. Ive heard good and bad about the Mossbergs, both the 100atr and 4x4 as far as quality concerns. Same goes for Tikka. I don't have a qualifying opinion on any of these except the 4x4. I sold it after a short time, but while I had it I couldn't complain on anything. I bought it because I could get a stainless version for a comparable price vs blued and I thought the boss was "cool". On the other hand, some people swear by these rifles I mentioned. I guess you can get that with anything. I agree more with the recommendations of Savage and Stevens choices. I'm going to throw in the Weatherby Vanguards and Howa 1500's as my picks. Same action between these two, same rifle save a few very minor differences. I have both and have been very impressed accuracy and quality wise with the most recent 25-06 i've purchased.

As far as hunting goes, elk and moose... A lot of people will say that a 25-06 will not be enough gun for these. What it really comes down to is careful bullet selection and also careful shot placement, but that's all ultimately up to you. You may be better suited with the 270 or 30-06 if you see these hunts being a real possibility. Varmint hunting? 25-06 hands down. If you handload, this cartridge can really shine. You have everything from 75-85 grain varmint grenades to 115, 117 and 120 grain well bonded bullets that can take just about any game in North America. The 115 Nos Partition being a real stand out. Good luck on your choice, lots of good info to be found from guys around here.
 
I would highly recommend the T/C Venture. They retail for around $450. Their triggers are awesome and guaranteed to shoot 1 moa with factory ammo. I have one in .243 and can't say enough good things about it. I also own multiple Savage rifles with Accu-trigger. They are great guns, but I can honestly say I like the T/C's trigger better. If you're going to shoot 600 yards, you'll need a damn good trigger, so I would skip some of the cheaper options such as the Stevens.
 
TC Venture, Weatherby Vanguard Series II, Savage 110, Tikka T3 all good choices and I would own all of the above, find what fits you best and go with it. BTW I would add the Model 70 to that list as well, I found my 308 on sale for less then $500 NIB. Don't feel bad about the Rem 700s being out of your price range, the new ones are garbage anyway, they just took LAST place in a recent multi rifle accuracy comparison averaging a whopping 2.33" groups!! There is no space in my gun case for drivel like that, especaly from a $900 gun.
 
newguy07 Savage/stevens 200. Then if better trigger is wanted a Rifle basix SAV-1, $85 bucks. Put a redfield revolution on it and your ready to go hunt for just under or just over your 500 dollars complete. Change the stock only after break'n and shooting while to deside if even needed. Probably not for general hunting. The stevens 200 is just a older pre-accutrigger savage model 10's
 
I am looking to buy a bolt rifle to use for target shooting out to 600 yards and to use in my ranges varmint target shoots out to 300 yards. There is also the possibility of taking this gun on an elk or moose hunt at some point in the future.
Click to expand...

I would put some thought into what would be expected from this rifle. If you're going to expect tight groups for extended sessions, a varmint or heavy barrel will be best. If you're going to carry the rifle more than you shoot it (like hunting), a sporter weight barrel is best.

There's some good suggestions above. The TC Ventures are very impressive shooters. I have one in .270 and have fired another one in .270. Both rifles shoot like a lazer. I've never shot mine enough to get the barrel hot, so I can't say how it would handle it.
 
But when you write budget of,, and if it can all be done for the 500 dollars and be a rifle atleast with the trigger can shoot moa and maybe less , thats not all bad ether. Spend another 25 to 50 dollars at a gunshop that also dicounts tikka and you may spend that 500 + a few on a basic T-3.
 
The .308 will give you no problems with what you want to do. There are also at least a dozen other rounds that will do what you want to do. However, the only other one that would be cheaper to shoot would be the 7.62x54R; I don't recommend it, though, since there aren't as many good choices of ammo and you are severely limited in which rifle you buy. The .308 is a great choice!

Also, I've seen used Remington 700s as low as $400, though that's the exception not the rule.
 
NewGuy,

The most "budget" Savage rifles that offer the Accu-Trigger in .308 are the Model 11/111s. However, I once bought a model 10 with a cheap-O scope and the accu-trigger for $399 at Wal-Mart. Check Wal-Mart and other "box" stores (Dick's Sporting Goods, Dunham's, etc...) that sell rifles for a good package deal. I literally have no idea if Savage still works with them.

But the 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP is probably your best bet if you can't get a fantastic deal at Walmart, et al. The MSRP is $675, but I'm sure you can find them under $500, especially used... perhaps under $400.
 
Get ya a savage 110 in 308.. Good round for 600+ yards,accurate as hell, easy to handload for.. And barrel life is outstanding.. If in the future you dont like the 308, just get you an aftermarket heavy varmint 6.5 creedmore barrel and swap the barrels out.. Thats my opinion.
 
+1 on the Savage. Those things are ridiculously accurate out of the box, and even more ridiculously cheap to modify because of the way they're made.

My main words of caution: There's a lot more aftermarket support for the short actions. I had a 111 in 30-06, took me forever to find a nice stock to replace the factory plastic one, mainly because I had the first generation removable mag with the button on the side. But once I did find one, that sucker tightened up it's holes like... well, y'know :p . You won't have any problem finding pieces for a .308 short action, with or without removable mags.
 
Some of the guns recommended have a 22 inch barrel an 26 inch heavy barrel recomendation. I am fairly new to this style rifle so can someone talk about adv and disadvantages. Which would be the best choice for 75% bench shooting, 15% off hand range shooting, and 10% hunting. ( cant use this for deer in Indiana)
 
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