Help me find the right 308 . . .

[AKMtnRunner]

All input is appreciated.

I'm tired and getting somewhat frustration by how difficult it is to find the right 308 for what I need. Sometimes, I can find almost all of the characteristics I'm looking for, but never in the same one.

Must have's:
-Lefty friendly
-18-22" stainless barrel. Sufficient length to achieve decent velocity but still handy. I just have thing against long barrels.
-back up iron sights and ability to keep them on with a scope
-lightweight (under 8 lbs)
-good accuracy (1 MOA or better)
-under $1,000 before optics

It doesn't sound too difficult to find all of these together on one rifle, but somehow I can not. The closest one I can find is the Browning BLR (but expensive) or Ruger GSR (too short barrel and not stainless). I like the Savages and Tikka 3's but frustratingly, they won't put those configurations together on one rifle.

Are there better alternatives out there without going custom?

Thank you for your input, I appreciate it.

 

[dubya450]

I think the hardest thing besides getting a lefty model will be getting a 308 with iron sights. Most bolt rifle in 308 I've seen don't have them, I think in bolts the irons are usually reserved for dangerous game rifles. That being said, I suggest looking into the winchester m70 extreme weather if you can live without irons. I'm pretty sure, but not positive they come in LH. I know the older ones did just not sure about the new FN made m70's. I love my extreme weather in 308 so much that last week I picked up another one in 338 wm! They're about $949 + tax and all four of my model 70's (all FN made ) shoot better than any other rifle I've shot and much better than I could ever wish I could shoot. But in the end I think the Browning blr has everything you're looking for except maybe a left hand model. The Brownings are very nice and very good shooter's from what I hear, but the made in Japan barrel stamp bugs the heck out of me for some reason! Enough of my rambling, just wanted to say you should look into the extreme weather. Good luck!

 

[dubya450]

I just looked at a few gun companies websites and it does look like the Browning BLR lightweight pistol grip stainless laminated is the closest rifle I could find that fit what you want besides it having a right side ejection. The msrp is $1249 but I'm sure the actual is more like $900. The BAR I bought msrp was like $1350 and I picked it up for $919 brand new. I hate to say it but you might have to compromise a few of the options you want ....

 

[Haxby]

Somebody should make that gun, but I don't think anybody does. Seems like Ruger and Savage used to make stainless bolt actions with sights.

You could buy a left-handed bolt action, and have a gunsmith add sights and cut the barrel to any length you want.

You could mount your scope with quick-disconnect rings, and keep a little red dot scope around.

 

[dubya450]

What haxby said about getting a lefty bolt action and bringing it to a gunsmith might be the best option to get a rifle with all the "must-haves" you're looking for.

 

[LoonWulf]

I honestly think your best bet is to buy the rifle you want, and have sights installed.
your probably going to spend 200 bucks or so on the sight installed, so that should be factored into total cost. But look at it this way, you can pick EXACTLY the sights you want on your rifle.

 

[Jeff F]

I don't know when they got away from open sights but in the 60's 70's and 80's they were standard equipment. My Mossburg 800 in .308 has open sights.

 

[jmr40]

I don't know of anyone who offers everything you want in the same package. I think somewhere you will have to compromise something. Not many options with iron sights, but it is not that difficult or expensive to have them added to some other rifle that comes close to meeting your needs.

I wouldn't suggest a barrel under 20" and prefer 22" personally. You just don't get that much more velocity by going longer. 20" is still good, but I've not found a 22" barrel to be too much.

I'd buy either the Savage, or Tikka in blue. I'd have the metal coated with one of the metal finishes for weather resistance and have a gunsmith install iron sights. You will end up with better iron sights than you'd get from the factory and still be under you $1,000 budget. You could also get the barrel cut to the perfect length for your purposes before the metal is coated and the sights installed.

 

[jogar80]

Why don't you try a Shaw Mk VII? Just saw them in a magazine. It's like a semi-custom rifle and they are built on Savage actions. You get to pick and choose just about every feature from a list they have and they just assemble it to your liking. I think you might be able to get just what you want and come in just under a grand.

 

[AKMtnRunner]

Thanks Everyone,

I like the method of picking the right rifle then having a little gunsmith work done. And I will check out the Shaw Mk VII too!

Have a good one