Good 500 yard .308 rifle
- Thread starter JakeBZ
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LubeckTech
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Jake asked about .270 which leads me to ask just about the same question that being: How much difference is there in .270 and .308 (in practice not theory) at long distances?? Form the limited amount of table reading I have done there is not a tremendous difference but .270 tends to be flatter. I would opt for the .308 because of the greater variety and availability of ammunition. But good buys can be often had on .270 guns as it is an extremely popular caliber depending on your area.
I have been hearing some really goods things about the Howa M-1500 varmint heavy barrel. Someone on another thread said you could get it with a 24" heavy barrel for $399 at CDNN. Does that sound right and where is CDNN.
LubeckTech
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www.cdnninvestments.com
They have a downloadable catalog. I have done business with them several times and have been well satisified.
They have a downloadable catalog. I have done business with them several times and have been well satisified.
BADUNAME37
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I am convinced that one can build just about ANY Rifle into a tack-driving long-distance shooter by accurizing the rifle, adjusting the trigger or installing a new adjustable trigger (Timney comes to mind) and working up accurate loads for the gun - loads that both serve your purposes for having that long-range shooter and particular bullets (pills) that will deliver a humane deadly-blow to the quarry -- whether for the freezer, to eliminate certain varmint(s) and/or keeping a certain predator population down.
With a bit of ingenuity, knowledge of how a gun is transformed into a tack-driver, and the tools to make it happen, I am convinced that anyone who is good at working with their hands and good at figuring things out (one who sees just how things work - how things go-together) and who can envision just how the completed-shooter will look and function after it is finally completed, in my opinion, can be done by just about anyone!
Once the rifle is complete, then the accurate loads worked up, a lot of range-time, using both a chronograph and trajectory charts (information) for the given bullet, the rifleman will learn proper hold at certain distances to place the bullet exactly where intended.
This does not all come overnight and many times, it literally requires a lifetime of learning and wanting to learn just what is necessary to shoot accurately.
Anything that is worth doing, is worth doing WELL! -- whether it be mastering a musical instrument, building a high performance car engine from parts, building a super-fast computer from parts, etc., us humans have been created in a unique way -- allowing us to have a goal and achieving that goal that we have set before ourselves!
With a bit of ingenuity, knowledge of how a gun is transformed into a tack-driver, and the tools to make it happen, I am convinced that anyone who is good at working with their hands and good at figuring things out (one who sees just how things work - how things go-together) and who can envision just how the completed-shooter will look and function after it is finally completed, in my opinion, can be done by just about anyone!
Once the rifle is complete, then the accurate loads worked up, a lot of range-time, using both a chronograph and trajectory charts (information) for the given bullet, the rifleman will learn proper hold at certain distances to place the bullet exactly where intended.
This does not all come overnight and many times, it literally requires a lifetime of learning and wanting to learn just what is necessary to shoot accurately.
Anything that is worth doing, is worth doing WELL! -- whether it be mastering a musical instrument, building a high performance car engine from parts, building a super-fast computer from parts, etc., us humans have been created in a unique way -- allowing us to have a goal and achieving that goal that we have set before ourselves!
Get the Stevens, you can make a tack driver out of it. I have one that I replaced the trigger with a timney and bedded the recoil lug and an inch above the lug, make sure the action mates to the pillars, some of the stevens stocks need to be cleaned up around the pillar posts. You can usually sand that area to get the good contact. Some rifles have good contact without having to sand away any stock material, mine wasn't one of those. You can do these mods yourself. The rifle has a bushnell elite 3x9 power scope. It will shoot sub MOA with handloads. I can't say what it will do with factory rounds because I never shoot any. It's nice lightweight package thats not gonna break the bank.
H2oPumper
Member
Jake, another one to maybe consider would be a Marlin XL7 or XS7 series. I picked up a 30-06 for 275 since I already had a .270 in a Ruger The store had both 30-06 and .270 that they were closing out because Marlin will be focusing their sales at gun stores, rather than big box stores. The one I found was in southern Minnesota. Nice groupings and a great trigger, I'm hoping the good reviews hold true to this model. My local gun shop is selling XS for 319 for the 308, 7mm-o8, and 243 in the blued barrel and black synthetic stock, I would suspect the XL in the 30-06, .270, and 25-06 would be the same. I ended up putting on a Nikon ProStaff BDC 3-9x40 scope for 169. The 270 is a very flat shooting rifle, but cartridge selection is limited. The 308 and 30-06 have a good variety of cartridges, although once you sight in and are satisfied with one manufacturer and weight, you'll probably stick to it, so cartridge variety may not be as big of an issue.
Zak Smith
Member
I recommend against the Howa/Axiom
article | The Howa Axiom Rifle
Accuracy was terrible in both guns, and they knew these were going to be reviewed.
article | The Howa Axiom Rifle
Accuracy was terrible in both guns, and they knew these were going to be reviewed.
SSgt0313
Member
Howa from Legacy arms is a good place to start for less expensive but I would bet that you have found out that you also need a good scope and that alone is your budget. I have found that Howa for about 600 will get you a nice start with scope. http://www.howa1500.com/item/55814_Howa_Rifles_Shotguns_Howa_HWR66304+_Hogue_Bolt.aspx I have done some research and this is your best start on the low end out of the box, might consider the Remington 700 or the Browning X or A bolt as well.
USMC Wounded Warrior
Semper Fi
USMC Wounded Warrior
Semper Fi
jpwilly
Member
Get the Stevens 200 its a good rifle for only $300 and upgradeable down the road with Savage drop in barrels and triggers and stocks etc.
I have found what looks great for only $389 at budsgunshop.com. It is a Howa HWR93202+ 1500 varmint with 24" heavy barrel in .308. I have been told that a heavy barrel is what you need to shoot accurate long range 500 to 800 yards. Does this sound like a good deal?
Zak Smith
Member
A quality barrel is more important than a heavy barrel.
I have seen a Marlin X7 varmint 24" heavy barrel for $332 at thegunsource.com. I now have so many choices if all these are good deals I just need to look for the best rifle for the money.
How can you tell if it is a quality barrel from the online description? Thanks for all the info.
Zak Smith
Member
Indeed.
Serious answer: maker, description, guarantee.
Serious answer: maker, description, guarantee.
Zak Smith
Member
"Building your way up" or incrementally changing the rifle configuration has two big disadvantages: 1 it usually costs more in the long run than simply buying something better off the bat, and 2 every time you change the rifle setup you have to re-validate/check a bunch of things on your LR rifle, which wastes time and ammo you could be using for actual practice.
If you need to go real cheap, your best bet is to buy some rifle (yes, with a moderate to heavy barrel), find some ammo that it'll shoot 1 MOA. Chances are good this will work. If you can't get it to shoot 1 MOA by changing ammo, sell it off and try something better.
If you need to go real cheap, your best bet is to buy some rifle (yes, with a moderate to heavy barrel), find some ammo that it'll shoot 1 MOA. Chances are good this will work. If you can't get it to shoot 1 MOA by changing ammo, sell it off and try something better.
Averageman
Member
Zak I would say you could be right, except...
In the $300 price range he could get a very good used rifle in a private sale.
I recently purchased a Savage Model 10 in .308 used for $200. Other than the dust in the barrel it is in pristine condition.
Now add a Decent scope. I reccomend a Burris 3X9 Balistic plex thats another $200
a very nice steel base, $90
Rings,..Arms Q.D. Rings, a gift from a friend.
Glass bedding kit. $25
Auminium Pillars $11
Thats a hair over $500 and the education along the way is priceless.
When I shoot that sporter barrel out I can take that stock back out to the shop and work that wood and drop a high price "Tacticool" barrel in.
In the $300 price range he could get a very good used rifle in a private sale.
I recently purchased a Savage Model 10 in .308 used for $200. Other than the dust in the barrel it is in pristine condition.
Now add a Decent scope. I reccomend a Burris 3X9 Balistic plex thats another $200
a very nice steel base, $90
Rings,..Arms Q.D. Rings, a gift from a friend.
Glass bedding kit. $25
Auminium Pillars $11
Thats a hair over $500 and the education along the way is priceless.
When I shoot that sporter barrel out I can take that stock back out to the shop and work that wood and drop a high price "Tacticool" barrel in.
Zak Smith
Member
I didn't say "more expensive" off the bat, I said "better" off the bat. Certainly a used Remington PSS/SPS or Savage would be a great idea if one could be found.
Averageman
Member
I find some great deals in estate sales and off the beaten track pawn shops. I do enjoy looking for deals almost as much as building the gun up afterwards.
xfyrfiter
Member
I have the Howa 1500 tactical, with the 20" barrel and a lower end 6-24x50 scope, and this rifle will, with the right trigger puller, shoot with anything other than the customs, and this is with factory ammo.
That sounds good. I was kind of leaning towards the Howa HWR93202+ 1500 varmint with 24" heavy barrel that I saw online. A nice 6-24X50 scope from ebay would go nicely. I got a 6-24X40 Tasco for my 30-30 and it works good.
2x on the Savage 110 with Accu Trigger. I have mine outfitted with Leaupold rings and base and a simmons 6.5x20x50 scope and can make hits at 500 yards all day long.
The Savage 110 is a GREAT gun for the $$$$..$325 for gun,$75 for rings and base and $100 for scope from Midway USA. All told Just a Tad over $500 for a Great shooting rifle I don't mind beating up.
Dave
The Savage 110 is a GREAT gun for the $$$$..$325 for gun,$75 for rings and base and $100 for scope from Midway USA. All told Just a Tad over $500 for a Great shooting rifle I don't mind beating up.
Dave
kmcintosh78
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Stevens is your friend.
Had a used Stevens in 224 and loved it and it shot wonderfully.
Had a used Stevens in 224 and loved it and it shot wonderfully.
That would be great if I could get it all together, money wise, but where can I get a Savage 110 for $325. I have checked online and they seem to go for around $550.
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