General Purpose 308

[Vincent1966]

I am looking for a general purpose 308 rifle. I would like it for hunting hogs and deer. I want to "play" with it, meaning change out parts, take it to the range, take family and friends with me and let them shoot it.

I've shot a few 308's including a Mossberg ATR, a Remington 700 (I think) and an FN Scar. Of the three, the Scar felt the best, but the owner admitted he had done some "work" to his Scar. I like the Remington bolt action compared to the Mossberg.

Having built an AR15, I want something that will put me in "the club" meaning, lots of parts, customization, etc.

I read about the Remington recall but it seems like a good number were replacing their triggers which is something I'd probably do as well.

I'd like to hear your thoughts about a general purpose 308.

MC

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

For a bolt action I'd go with a Remington 700 or a Savage. Those are the 2 easiest rifles to build "custom" with a bunch of aftermarket for them.

For a semi a S&W M&P 10 is where I'd look. You get a lot of rifle for a good price. And its a standard AR 10 configuration so the "custom" possibilities are endless

 

[jmr40]

A decent quality, lightweight bolt action 308 is hard to beat. Remington, and especially Savage are easier to get aftermarket parts for if you want to customize. You don't state a budget, but on the low end I really like the $350 Ruger American. I'd buy 2-3 spare mags and be done with it. After that the sky is the limit. I'm also pleased with my Kimber 84M and Winchester 70 EW. But the Ruger shoots as well for 1/3-1/4 the price.

 

[js8588]

PTR91, Saiga 308, Ruger SR762, FAL

 

[MistWolf]

Build one, starting with the newly introduced Aero Precision 308 receivers, $306 for the set-

http://aeroprecisionusa.com/m5-upper-lower-bundle.html

Build it with a sporter weight 18 or 20 inc barrel, lightweight FF tube and a 2-7x Leupold

 

[Jackal]

Vepr .308 for $599, best deal anywhere on a high quality .308 semi. http://legionusainc.com/vepr-.308-carbine.html

 

[Redlg155]

As fo the Scar 17, the only work that can really be done is to perhaps swap an aftermarket trigger and some rail systems or flash hiders/brakes. They are expensive, but I feel mine was a great investment and worth the money. I've never had a malfunction and sub 1"groups are obtainable.

A more affordable rifle would be a Ruger Scout. Bolt action with a magazine. You also have the option of a scout or conventional scope mount.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

That Aero set is a freaking steal!

General .308? A good sub 10 pound rifle (semi or bolt) with a decent low powered optic (traditional or scout) with a 20" barrel and back up iron sights would be perfect.

If it is a bolt, make sure it does have a stripper clip cut or an AI magazine, semis will obviously have a magazine. Oh and a good quality shooting sling (T.A.B. sling), NOT a carry strap.

Lastly, shoot it until its a part of your physique.

 

[sappyg]

'General purpose' may mean a lot of things to different people. For me i would lean towards the lower end of the budget bolt guns. It needs to be cheap and easily replaced if need arise. It should be light weight and compact.

The very 1st that I think of is the Ruger American Compact. That's close to perfect. There aren't many (if any) after market parts for it that I know of but then again. You don't need them because it's a 'general purpose' rifle after all. If you want to play with it you can always play with the trigger I suppose. If you really want to play with it try your hand at reloading ammo.

The Remington 700 ADL is another winner for a general purpose 308. More aftermarket options than the RA and has a more solid feel than Savage or Ruger. Actually, they all fill the bill for me but I sure would like to try one of those Mossberg MVPs.

 

[Reloadron]

I am looking for a general purpose 308 rifle. I would like it for hunting hogs and deer. I want to "play" with it, meaning change out parts, take it to the range, take family and friends with me and let them shoot it.

I've shot a few 308's including a Mossberg ATR, a Remington 700 (I think) and an FN Scar. Of the three, the Scar felt the best, but the owner admitted he had done some "work" to his Scar. I like the Remington bolt action compared to the Mossberg.

Having built an AR15, I want something that will put me in "the club" meaning, lots of parts, customization, etc.

I read about the Remington recall but it seems like a good number were replacing their triggers which is something I'd probably do as well.

I'd like to hear your thoughts about a general purpose 308.

MC

Based on the very first sentence I would assume you want a good, simple, solid and affordable bolt action rifle chambered in the 308 Winchester cartridge. However, the second sentence where you define "play with it" changes the way I see it in a big way. You just went from a simple bolt action rifle to something along the lines of an AR 10 or similar configured semi automatic rifle. Maybe this would go better if you could define to yourself the type of action you want in this rifle.

While the tried and true bolt action family of rifles certainly meets your criteria for hunting deer and hogs as well your criteria for family and friends enjoying shooting it such a rifle does not lend itself very well to being able to play with it. Not really much you can do as to accessories and such. Put the scope on, take the scope off, swap out the trigger mechanism. Boring overall in my opinion.

Since you mention the AR type rifle and apparently enjoyed building one and shooting it then consider a semi-automatic type rifle which is a big jump in complexity from the traditional bolt action rifle. Go to the store and buy a S&W MP10 and start changing it around, no limit to how many gizmos you can hang on one of them and apparently they are a very good bang for the buck rifle out of the box.

I'd like to hear your thoughts about a general purpose 308.

My thoughts? Go buy a Remington, Savage, Winchester or rifle from a dozen other manufacturers chambered in the 308 Winchester round. A simple bolt action rifle. Tweak and peak it a little and enjoy it alone or with family and friends.

Ron

 

[hardluk1]

talking about several bolt riflkes then a fn scar is sort of like talking about a old VW bettle and a porche. If conditions are tough and the bugett is now wide open the vw bettle well be sure to get you there. The porch just shots off doing it.

If ya want to dink around with your rifle buy a used savage or stevens 200( new ole model 110/10). Theres not a lot you can do to the FN anyhow that's not window dressing, optics/sight, slings upgrades.

 

[CoalTrain49]

A general purpose rifle means several things to me. 1) It needs to be 30 caliber. 2) It needs to have a removable magazine. 3) It needs a ghost ring sight or a good scope.

That's it. A SMLE is a good general purpose rifle although a little out dated.

If I were in your situation, having built an AR already, I would opt for one of the many good bolt guns available. That would certainly keep you under 1K and the fun factor would be there for everyone to enjoy. I used to put optics on everything but I found I had more fun using a ghost ring.

A good point was made about reloading. Just about every long time shooter I know reloads. That's how we "play" with rifles. The reason is ammo is the key to accuracy. You can buy good ammo but it isn't always available. You can do more to tweak a rifle by swapping a trigger set out and working up a good load then hanging a mountain of gadgets on it. A lot of folks miss that these days. Cool is putting everything in the 10 ring. That takes good ammo and lots of range time.

 

[Vincent1966]

Thanks for all the great comments folks. I learn something most every time I post a ...post.

@MistWolf - that Aero Precision is sweeeeet!!! My home built AR15 has an AP lower and I have a spare waiting to become a 3 gun rifle some day.

I think I am going to try a bolt-action rifle. Number one, because I don't have one.

@P.B. Walsh -

Lastly, shoot it until its a part of your physique

That has got to be one of the best statements I've heard in a while. That is what I try to do.

A number of you have said that general purpose means different things to different people. That is the beauty of this post, you all are helping me define (or refine) what general purpose means to me. Last night at 2:00 am in the morning, I checked out a bunch of YouTube videos. I was leaning toward the Remington 700 but now I have an eye on the Ruger American in 308. Price, versatility, ease of trigger pull adjustment. I think it can suite my "general purpose" needs for now.

One last question: Short barrel vs not-so-short barrel?

Thanks to everyone.

MC

 

[sappyg]

One last question: Short barrel vs not-so-short barrel?

MC

For me I prefer short. The rifle is just plain handier. Whether in a stand or tossing it in the truck for a range trip it easier to use in a confined space. Less barrel means less hassle in the brush. More barrel means moderate gains in velocity that generally mean nothing in the grand scheme.

A short light 308 is no slouch. Meaning, it will get up in your face right quick with stout loads. For that reason, My knock around 308 load is a 130 gr. bullet at modest velocity.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

If you can find one I would recommend a Remington 788. I have one in .308 and it is a great shooter at a reasonable price.

 

[splithoof]

I have had a good number of .308 rifles in several action types, but my go-to .308's are now a set of Ruger GSR's. For my uses, they have been great jeep guns that have proven quite durable, and have been used to harvest much game.

 

[Flynt]

I had the same goal in mind, a good all-purpose rifle for hogs and deer. I wanted semi-auto for hog slaughtering (easier said than done) and a versatile caliber. I ended up with a Patriot Ordinance Factory .308, an AR-10, with a 16.5" barrel, a Liberty Freedom suppressor, Bravo Co. charging handle, POF enhanced trigger, and an Elusive Wildlife green flashlight secured to the rail. I have Nikon glass for now. I had to send the rifle back to the factory twice, but now that the rough edges are smoothed out, I'm a happy camper. Shoots .5" 100 yd. groups with Remington Hog Hammer 168 gr. and even better with match ammo (which I don't use for hunting). If I want a lighter round for whitetail, I get .75" groups with Hornady's American Whitetail.

 

[B!ngo]

If you are looking at the Rem 700 and the Ruger American I would have a look at the Tikka T3 Lite. Probably in between the Rem and Ruger in price. The slickest bolt action in the price range and extremely accurate. I have a Rem 700 CDL which is a beautiful rifle but I'm not sure it's actually a better gun than my Tikka. The Ruger (and Savage) models just feel cheaper in my hands but that's very subjective as well.
But when you pose the question of a general purpose rifle, I have to imagine that it should include the ability to get off a number of shots rapidly and accurately. That sort of leaves out the bolt rifles to me, and focuses on the M&P AR10 and the SCAR 17. If your budget could handle the SCAR then I would absolutely buy that first and your budget will also allow the purchase of a Ruger, Savage or Tikka! (yes, the 'buy both' internet strategy at work!).
B

 

[krupparms]

To answer your last question. Go with a short barrel. I have the Ruger GSR w/18' Blr. It works great when climbing around the creeks & woods around here in S.OR.! The Ruger GSR is a very nice rifle & I would recommend it as great all around .308 win.! The short blr. was one of the selling points for me. If you handload, you will have no problem with the shorter barrel.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Quote:
Lastly, shoot it until its a part of your physique
That has got to be one of the best statements I've heard in a while. That is what I try to do.

Now I need to also apply what I preach! Oh how we need more time to do fun stuff.....

 

[yzguy87]

Flynt,
Glad to hear your POF eventually worked out for you. Last time I read something you said about your rifle you were a bit unsatisfied with it and was in the process of shipping it back to the factory.