I want to buy a cheap .308. What are my options?

[Bryan H]

I suppose you could just get a nagant. You could purchase a nagant, a UTG dovetail-to-weaver adapter, and a "for now" cheap scout scope or pistol scope for about $200 and ammo is dirt, dirt cheap. Ballistically, the 7.62x54r cartridge falls somewhere between a .308 and a .30/06. By the way, the rear sight is removeable from the nagant and it reveals a dovetail to mount your adapter to. You can get a cheap long eye releif scope for $60-70, the adapter for around $20, and the rifle for about $100 at a gun show. It would make a great project as well, there are some great videos on youtube of people getting creative with the nagant. Whatever you get, i promise it won't be your last...

 

[TruthTellers]

Hitting a 2'x2' plate at 400y requires about a 6MOA rifle. That's literally almost anything with a functional lockup and a bore within a few thousandths of the nominal diameter.

If that is REALLY what your requirements are, I would scan the pawnshops for any .308 bolt or single shot from a major manufacturer that doesn't have too many rounds through it and has a feasible base/ring system available (or ideally already on it) and call it good. It just doesn't matter what you buy if that's what you want to do.

If you have more stringent requirements, you'd have to articulate them before we could make better suggestions.

One of the SWFA SS classic scopes will give you an appropriate and frankly pretty darn nice fixed power optic for as little as $250 on sale. Their 3-15 variable is nice too.

More "stringent requirements" would be the rifle must weigh as less as possible and be as small as possible and able to consistently hit a 1'x1' plate @ 500 yards.

I suppose you could just get a nagant. You could purchase a nagant, a UTG dovetail-to-weaver adapter, and a "for now" cheap scout scope or pistol scope for about $200 and ammo is dirt, dirt cheap. Ballistically, the 7.62x54r cartridge falls somewhere between a .308 and a .30/06. By the way, the rear sight is removeable from the nagant and it reveals a dovetail to mount your adapter to. You can get a cheap long eye releif scope for $60-70, the adapter for around $20, and the rifle for about $100 at a gun show. It would make a great project as well, there are some great videos on youtube of people getting creative with the nagant. Whatever you get, i promise it won't be your last...

Not interested in any other cartridge besides .308

 

[The Big D]

More "stringent requirements" would be the rifle must weigh as less as possible and be as small as possible and able to consistently hit a 1'x1' plate @ 500 yards.

That level of accuracy probably requires shooting from bags or a bipod, but other than that a wide range of bolt rifles will get the job done. A Ruger American compact in .308 weighs 6 lbs, is about 37" long, comes with scope bases (saving you $$$), and costs about $400 shipped to your FFL. Pair it with the previously mentioned SWFA fixed power scope (10x would be good for 500y) and some 30mm rings, and you should be good to go.

 

[Sean Edmunds]

Take a good look at the Ruger American Predator. Love mine.

 

[greyling22]

I quit on the the handi rifle because the break open action got really old off a sandbag or rest.

 

[red rick]

For a high quality lower price bolt gun look at the T/C Venture. 5R rifling with a 1 MOA guarantee. If I'm not mistaken, now until December there is a $75 rebate on the Venture.

http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/bolt-action-rifles/venture/venture-blued

+1 with medic15al

 

[Gtscotty]

Yep, there are a lot of good deals out there on Ventures. On GB I see a .308 for $380, -$75 rebate would put you right at $305 before shipping. Also, if the OP wasn't stuck on .308 he could get a 30-06 for $329 - $349 before the rebate, and 22-250 even cheaper.

 

[rromeo]

A used Savage Axis in .308 would run around that, and they are generally accurate guns...

Heck, I think a new Axis should be less than that. I see used model 11s for $400-450.

 

[LongbowShooter]

2 videos of Mosin's shooting at 800 and 944 yards open sights...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a-CTa2lMGN0
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zmnYV2Z7EGU

What I see with people are poor marksmanship fundamentals as well as cheap ammo hinder accuracy more than equipment. Whatever you get, buy some snap caps and practice the fundamentals: steady firing position, sight picture, breathing and trigger pull. You can find videos online.

Finally, an off the shelf Savage .22 at 400 yards
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sykplMjpUTM


Good luck!

 

[goon]

I'd look for a used Savage with accutrigger if you can find it or a used Weatherby Vanguard. A new Vanguard is just about $500. I like the NEF single shots, but they're not always 100 % reliable extracting a rimless round in my limited experience. They're great as shotguns or firing rimmed rounds like 30-30 though.

 

[Onward Allusion]

+1 on the Axis

 

[TruthTellers]

I just thought of another brand for break action rifles: Baikal.

What are thoughts on a Baikal single shot in .308?

 

[ROAshooter]

I would not give the Baikal a moments thought...

 

[mgmorden]

Rossi is a perfectly workable choice. My .308 is actually a Rossi. Truth be told I don't shoot mine much, but my brother has one in .270 that is his main hunting rifle. He's already gotten 1 deer this year with it and had 4 or 5 last year.

IF you could swing a few extra dollars though I think a cheap bolt action like a Savage, Marlin, or Ruger American are all better choices.

 

[TruthTellers]

Rossi is a perfectly workable choice. My .308 is actually a Rossi. Truth be told I don't shoot mine much, but my brother has one in .270 that is his main hunting rifle. He's already gotten 1 deer this year with it and had 4 or 5 last year.

IF you could swing a few extra dollars though I think a cheap bolt action like a Savage, Marlin, or Ruger American are all better choices.

I can pay the extra for one of those bolt guns you listed, but I just prefer a break action in .308 Win.

I'll be keeping my eye out for the H&R or Rossi, but if come Black Friday I find nothing and one of the big box retailers are selling Ruger American's at a good sale price, I won't think twice about getting it.

 

[Glockula]

I have seen Walmart run sales on Remington 700's less than 400 dollars. I would stalk my local gun shops and be ready to pounce when the opportunity presents itself.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Both the Ruger and Mossberg models will be fine and are likely 1 MOA or better. It isn't that hard anymore to get a rifle using modern mfg techniques to 1 MOA. Honestly, go handle the two and I'd buy on what looks and feels better to you.