Looking for a 308

[XxWINxX94]

Hi all, I've decided to look into a 308 rifle. I want a really cheap one that I can customize and work on. My price range is no more than $350. I know that they can be found. I've looked at Remington 700's and those are great, I just need the price a little lower. Semi-auto's are good, preferably a wood stock, but composite would be fine. Used rifles are perfect, but not to the point where I wouldn't be able to shoot it. I also have a scope I would like to put on this rifle at a later date. It's primary use would be for long distance target shooting, and possibly hunting.

Recomondations please!!!
Thanks.

 

[browningguy]

I can't think of any semi auto .308 for that price, and except for a Savage or Stevens nothing else is going to be cheap to work on.

You could buy a new Stevens for example, bed the factory stock, later add a trigger, then maybe a barrel and have a decent rifle you could grow with. The problem with anything else is when you decide it's time for a heavy barrel for exapmple, you need to call in the gunsmith. If you go to the bother of changing a barrel on a Remmy/Winchester/Etc. then you need to go ahead and get the action trued and the lugs lapped. For numerous reasons, including things like a floating bolt head, the Svage/Stevens line doesn't really need this.

 

[SuperNaut]

If I hadn't found a great deal on a FNAR I would have gotten the Weatherby Vanguard. You're gonna hafta cough up another $50 + tax though. In fact, recognizing my gun-buying tendencies I'm sure I'll end up with one at some point anyway...

 

[Mp7]

Mauser in .308
Ishapore 2a

 

[Grey Morel]

You generally wont get a semi-auto anything in any 30 caliber cartridge for less than $900; Not even a Saiga or SVT-40. Occasionally you may stumble onto a deal, but thats the norm.

The only exceptions to this are a few hunting rifles like the Remington 7400 and Browning BAR. But those will still run you $700 new for the browning and about $600 for the Remington. M1 carbine is also in play for the price range.

 

[malix]

You generally wont get a semi-auto anything in any 30 caliber cartridge for less than $900; Not even a Saiga or SVT-40.

.308 Saigas are in the $500-600 range everywhere i have seen them lately.

 

[kmcintosh78]

I bought my NIB Saiga 308 for $496 locally. Just got to look for it.
I love that rifle.

 

[MCgunner]

About 20 years ago, these converted 1916 Spanish Mausers were hitting the market in .308 for about 100 bucks. Might find one of those, but it's probably gone up in price. I got one in original 7x57 and put a scope on it, used it a while, sold it. That one was 60 bucks.

 

[trigga]

my cousin just bought a used cetme in good condition for mid $200. works great. look around and you might find a good deal. check my thread for details.

 

[dodge]

Marlin XL7, Although I don't own one but what I have heard and read these are very accurate rifles. Can be had brand new for about $300. There is a store close to me that is running a special right now for $279 + tax.

 

[GunTech]

About 20 years ago, these converted 1916 Spanish Mausers were hitting the market in .308 for about 100 bucks.

FR-8 rifle. Very cool, with a flash hider and everything. I see them occasionally for around $300.

http://www.gunsworld.com/spain/cetmefr8_us.html

 

[NCsmitty]

Here's a fairly nice Remington 742 up for bids. They are accurate and reliable if kept clean. They often shoot as well or better than a budget bolt action.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=138824790

Here's a NIB 7400 in 308. It's the newer version of the 742.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=138663978

I have a friend with 308 and 30'06 carbine models of 7400, and they both will shoot 1" 3 shot groups a 100yds with 150gr handloads.


NCsmitty

 

[wyohome]

Find a beat up Rem 788. They were the most accurate bolt rifle of their day in their price range.

 

[cluttonfred]

Semi-auto is going to be tough unless you get lucky on a used gun, though I have seen .308 Saigas down in the $400 range from time to time. You might find a used Remington pump 760/7600 or autoloader 740/7400/750 it that price range as well.

New, you can get a single-shot H&R Handi Rifle in any of several models: wood or synthetic stock (22" barrel), Survivor hollow sythetic stock (20" barrel) or UltraHunter laminated stock (22" bull barrel).

In a bolt gun, there are the Stevens (Savage) 200s with a plain gray or camo synthetic stock and the Marlin and Mossberg bolt guns. The Stevens guns have a good rep, a nice gun for the money, but I know nothing about the latter two.

Good luck and let us know what you end up getting.

 

[Fumbler]

It's primary use would be for long distance target shooting, and possibly hunting.

The only way to go is Savage if you want a long distance gun that you can easily customize.

Get a used Savage tactical if you can find it.

If you cannot find one of the tactical/varmints, then buy the cheapest Savage you can chambered for a 308 sized cartridge.
Once you save up enough you can buy a match grade barrel and nice stock.
you can change the barrel yourself.
If you save enough up, you can have the action trued and do a few other things to make it real accurate.

Nothing beats a Savage for accuracy + the ability to swap parts yourself.

 

[wally]

Since he wants to work on it, the Saiga 308 for about $500 and then doing the conversion work ends up with a nice rifle that is to the AK as the AR10 is to the AR15 for probably under $700 total. But for the $500 he can shoot and enjoy the Saiga 308 until funds allow the conversion.

Only downside is the 20 or 25 Surefire Saiga 308 mags are pricey compared to the Pmags for the AR, but are in line with AR10 or DMPS 308 mags.

I'd have to agree that in a bolt gun the Savage models are really good bang for the buck.

--wally.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

you need to have about twice your asking price for a useable rifle, three to four times that for one with good optics.

 

[Hammerhead6814]

Well about a year ago there was a Saiga .308 for sale for just $369 at a shop in Claycomo. But now, good luck on a semi-auto .308.

I'd say your looking to start with a used bolt-rifle. See if there isn't a plain-jane Savage Arms .308 in your area. If it has the accu-trigger, then you've got something to make a good project rifle out of. DON'T PROJECT A BRAND NEW SAVAGE PLEASE. They're already about as perfect as they can be.

 

[skidooman603]

$495 CMP Garand comes to mind

 

[skidooman603]

Gonna shoot me a swamp donkey with mine this year.

 

[XxWINxX94]

Alright great recomondations everybody. I checked out the Remington 742 and thats a nice rifle. I'm going to call around locally to see if any of my gunshops have new ones, or one on layaway. Thanks everybody, keep the reccomondations coming!

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

This is a job custom made for a Marlin XL-7 or Stevens 200. Perfect for your described uses, and within the price range (at least before tax).

 

[MCgunner]

Swamp donkey?