inexpensive .308

[Franco2shoot]

Couple questions here. First any good links for used Win 308's (7.62x51 )
People seem to hold on to the low end models like they were gold, and I want to pick up a second 308 for my kid - more of a toy than fine piece if you know what I mean. MilSplus is ok. Could also use a good link for scopes.

Second question has to do with a response I got with respect to scopes. The advice was make it into a "Scout Rifle" and go with a compact scope. Problem is I don't know what a "Scout Rifle" is or for that matter other terminology... ATR, mountain rifle... there's prolly terms along these lines, at least, more that I've heard, so a few words of wisdom greatly appreciated.

Thanks
KKKKFL

 

[strat81]

The rifle may be cheap, but the ammo isn't! Depending on the age of your kid and the application of the rifle, .223 might be better. A friend bought a new AR-10 clone (.308) this year and barely shoots it because even his reloads are 50 cents a pop.

ETA: Enfield carbine in 7.62NATO http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Enfield_2A_.308_NATO_Carbine.html $230.

 

[browningguy]

You can buy a new Stevens for under $300, or probably a Mossberg. Savages are around $400 or less for a basic model, not sure how much cheaper than that you could go.

 

[skinewmexico]

+1 on the Stevens.

 

[Browning]

They look like these.





Jeff Cooper and the Scout Concept.
http://www.remtek.com/arms/steyr/scout/scout.htm

History of Steyr Scout.
http://www.steyrscout.org/scouthis.htm

Leopold Scout Scope.
http://www.steyrscout.org/leupold.htm

Cheap Scout Rifle.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2005/mosinscoutrifle/index.asp

Savage Scout Rifle.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_2001_Annual/ai_63922918

Article On The Scout Rifle On Sniper Country.
http://www.snipercountry.com/InReviews/ScoutConcept.asp

 

[RevolvingCylinder]

When people say "scout rifle", they're often referring to a forward-mounted scope even though there are more criteria for a scout rifle that aren't met.

 

[cmidkiff]

It's going to be hard to beat those Enfield 2A's for the price.

The Savage or Stevens is going to come closest.

No matter what you spend on the rifle, if you shoot it, you'll spend more on ammo.

You might think about a CMP Garand and a case or two of their 30-06 surplus. $600 for a service grade rifle, and $200 per case for Greek 30-06.

 

[mpmarty]

Reload the 7.62X51 and shoot it all you want. If you go with a bolt action and not a semi auto you can even cast your own bullets to make ammo even cheaper and the cast bullets are a lot of fun to make and shoot. I load my jacketed bullet rounds for around ten cents a shot, that's $100 for a thousand rounds. Cast bullet loads probably around thirty-five dollars a thousand. I buy bulk powder, pulled cleaned surplus jacketed bullets, and wheel weights are free at the local tire store. Don't let high ammo costs discourage you from shooting a fine cartridge.

 

[Franco2shoot]

Wow! Thanks for those links they really answered the question. I'm not sure I want to muck up a beautiful Model 7 remington See: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=313108
by trying to move the scope forward. The Bushnell 3x9 32 Sportsman scope could probably be replaced with a scope that extends the eye relief beyond 3 inches and I would be a happy camper. Now that I understand more on the subject I'll start intelligent shopping. The goal is to get an inexpensive Mossberg, give my son the Bushnell and Dad buys a Higher end scope.
Thanks again
KKKKFL

 

[Titan6]

If you want a semi-auto you should have no trouble finding a Remington 742 for about $300. They seem to be everywhere.

 

[Franco2shoot]

I'll start the search
Thanks
KKKKFL

 

[baz]

I found this article informative (but it's wikipedia, and some are raising questions about it).

I just received one of the last $99 Ishy 308 Enfields from Aimsurplus. I've ordered a scout-type mount and a long eye relief scope to put on it, not specifically to turn it into a "scout" rifle, but because this will allow me to shoot right handed with my left eye (I'm left eye dominant).

 

[TimboKhan]

If your interested in an auto, the Saiga .308 is pretty nice, and not super expensive.

 

[BAT1]

# 3 on the Stevens, I have on in .308 and it gets one inch groups with Serbian ammo. 319.00

 

[Smitty in CT]

Mossberg 100ATR with a Walnut stock & scope for $315.17...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4665475

$296 without the scope:

http://www.rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=G26010

 

[TexasRifleman]

A friend bought a new AR-10 clone (.308) this year and barely shoots it because even his reloads are 50 cents a pop.

Then he is doing something VERY wrong. I'm estimating my costs, minus brass, at about 28 cents a round. With brass, sure it's 50 cents, but you gotta amortize that out. If I estimate that I get 10 reloads out of brass, which is VERY conservative, I still come up with 34-36 cents a round.

Unfortunately that's still EXTREMELY expensive for .308.

 

[George Hill]

A real good option is the Remington SPS.