Calling all .308 Hunters!

[rockstar.esq]

Ok guys, I'd like your help to find my next rifle. I prefer the .308 Winchester caliber and I'm looking for a semiauto deer rifle. I've got $500.00 max to spend. The Remington 7400 fits me well and Wally world sells them for $475.00. So far, this is the only non-milsurplus .308 semiauto that I have seen anywhere! I've seen the Century Arms Quasi FAL rifle which is about $450 where I live but it's not exactly "ideal" for a hunting rig. So there you go, I hope my hopes are not in vain! By the way, I'd seriously consider any used/ discontinued rifles that would meet the above criteria as well.

 

[30 cal slob]

Why a SA?

Why not consider a used bolt action gun?

Plenty to choose from within your budget (assuming you can spend extra $$$ on a scope).

 

[duckslayer]

You could probably find a used Browning BAR to meet your budget.

 

[rockstar.esq]

30 cal sob "why a SA?"
For the same reason I prefer electric start on my engines!
All the BAR's I've seen are hovering around $700.

 

[kfranz]

Why isn't the FAL an "ideal" hunting rig? It points well, is accurate enough, and carries easily.

 

[mountain_cowboy]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=30685259
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=30735512


Here's some BAR's on Gunbroker for under $500. I have both the BAR and a 7400, and find the BAR a little more refined and accurate.

 

[30 cal slob]

Hmmm, Brownings are very nice. I had one in 7 mm mag a while back - kicking myself for selling it.

As far as the FAL's go, my only objection to them is that that are a bit heavy to be slinging around for hunting. Accuracy for what I want to do leaves a little to be desired, too, but that's just my preference.

 

[Bear Gulch]

The remington is a fine rifle.

 

[Texian Pistolero]

Over the years I have heard of problems with Rem autos, but this can be solved with proper break in and testing.

Have you considered the Rem pump? Though Bass Pro considers the .308 an evil "cop" gun, and not to be owned by the great unwashed.

 

[Sharps Shooter]

Winchester built a whole passel of Model 100 semi-autos in .308. I'm always seeing used ones for sale in the gun shops. The marked price usually runs between $200 and $300. I've never looked seriously at them because I already have one. In fact, it was my first big game rifle and it's 43 years old this deer season. I've put a lot of deer and elk meat on the table with that rifle. I don't use it anymore, but would never sell it.

If you do opt for a Model 100, be aware Winchester issued a recall on them back in the 1980s. I think they had some firing pin breakage problems. You would want to be sure the problem has been corrected, or you would have to contact Winchester yourself to get it fixed.

 

[49hudson]

Russian Saiga in 308 with 22" barrel and 4x24 PSOP scope for under $500.00

 

[runswithscissors]

I second hudson

I own a Saiga .308 and it shoots like a dream. No probs and quite accurate for an AK. Pop on a 3-9x40 and the deer will fear

 

[30 cal slob]

One of my .308 babies. I love her, sometimes I take her to bed with me.

 

[rwc]

Tikka T3 isn't semi-auto but it is a good rifle for the price.

 

[SpookyPistolero]

I second the Saiga. Boringly reliable. Lots of optics options. You can have wood or synthetic furniture, with a 22" or 16" barrel, and it won't break the bank.

 

[LeonCarr]

As Sharps Shooter mentioned, be careful of a used Winchester 100. A buddy of mine has one in .243 and it went full auto on us one day at the range. He sent it to Winchester, and they fixed it free .

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[cracked butt]

The upside to the .308 is it tends to be an easy round to shoot accurately. You really aren't going to be able to take advantage of this in a semiauto unless you get an AR-10 or a BAR. But since the AR-10 is pricey as well as the BAR, I would definately reccomend a bolt gun by sako, tikka, remington, CZ, winchester or savage.

If you want a rifle to shoot for accuracy other than for the first 2 shots, I would definately not reccomend the remington 742/7400. Their barrels heat up real fast, and with the stress the foreend puts on the barrel, accuracy goes completely to hell after 2 to 3 shots. I've seen a few that shoot good beyond this, but from the hundreds of these rifles that I've seen, they are the exception, not the rule. If used strictly for a hunting rifle, they do just fine, provided that you keep the action squeaky clean, and don't overlube it which will gum it up in cold weather.

One shot- there will be venison on the table tonight
two shots- there might be venison on the table tonight
three+ shots- someone's blasting and making noise.

 

[greg531mi]

CDNN has the Benelli R1 in 308 for $798, a little over budget, but nice rifle. Too bad you didn't buy the HK 770 or SL-7 when they were $500 new.....in the 80's

 

[rockstar.esq]

I heard somewhere that the HK 770 used some kind of roller lock system that battered the brass so much that you couldn't reload it at all. Thats really all I ever heard about them, I know that HK has an enviable repuatation with their other guns. Any other perspectives on this gun would be appreciated.

 

[Jalexander]

30 cal sob "why a SA?" For the same reason I prefer electric start on my engines!

Huh? Maybe I'm dense, but can you explain how they're equivalent? Presuming that you're willing to accept a bolt-action, how about something like a Remington 700? I've seen them in .308 with a decent scope for less than $500.

James

 

[1911user]

What kind of deer hunting is this for?
what would you consider a "long" shot for your planned deer hunting?
Do you intend to put a scope on it?
I need more info to suggest a rifle.

As far as the remington semi-autos, they are hunting rifles at best (not a compliment). I had a model 742 in 308 and do not desire another remington semi-auto anything and was happy to sell that one for a little less than I paid for it. If reliability, ruggedness, or 2 MOA accuracy after a few shots is important, look for something else. If you have a thought of using this as a fighting rifle some day, forget it; get something military based with a proven history.

 

[chink]

Jalexander what he is saying is that while bolt action is fine and dandy, rockstar.esq would like the modern convience of a Semi auto... just like a kick starter will start a motorcycle just like an electric starter will but the electric starter is so much easier

 

[spalit]

I second the Tikka T3. I have a .308 tikka laminate/stainless that I can get to shoot .42" MOA, when I do my part. Here is a range report with pictures of the gun and groups I got last week

 

[Jalexander]

Jalexander what he is saying is that while bolt action is fine and dandy, rockstar.esq would like the modern convience of a Semi auto... just like a kick starter will start a motorcycle just like an electric starter will but the electric starter is so much easier

Gotcha, thanks for clarifying. But which one is more reliable? That'd be the question I'd ask myself. Of course, these are are personal choices, so whatever feels best is what you should use.

James

 

[BusMaster007]

mountain cowboy:

I have both the BAR and a 7400, and find the BAR a little more refined and accurate.

Same here.
If the 7400 is available NOW, and NEW, go for it!
The factory magazines work BEST, so use them instead of the aftermarket ones.
These are pretty decent rifles for hunting.