Looking for a new toy in .308

[NAVY SEABEE 303]

Okay so we did a refi on the house and I have some extra cash for a new toy in the $700 range without glass. First let me tell you I will be killing mostly paper and the occasional zombie . So my OTB desires are MOA or better and I do want to be able to shoot 500 yrds. That will NOT be a regular occurrence, my closest range is an hour away and a max of 300 yrds. So figure 100-300 regular shooting so I am set on a heavy barrel. It will spend some time in the field but won't see much if any hunting. I will not have much for up grades so I am looking my best out of the box option. My short list is rather varied and I will explain why.


1) Remington 700 SPS Tactical
I love the feel of this rifle but have some concerns on Q/C out of Remington lately, any out of the box accuracy and reliably feed back please.

2) Savage 10-FP or 10 FCP
I have not had my hands on either of these but So far word of mouth is it is hard to beat out of the box with a Savage.

3) Ruger M77 Tactical
I have always been a fan of Rugers, love the USA made love the durability but concerned about out of the box to 300-500 yards, Gunblast did rate this rifle very high but looking for the average persons feed back please.

Now the one's I am torn on.

4) Ruger Scout
When I pick this thing up I instantly get a great sight picture and it feels just right, I love the iron sights because I am old school that way they probably won't fail you if you trip and fall or some other act of GOD. I am torn because I love the iron sights and love a scope but not in love with the scout scope mounting location. I wish I could use both like I can on my AR with my A2 carry handle upper.

5) Savage Scout
Basically all the same reasons as the Ruger.

Please help one rather confused person.

 

[jmr40]

I like the Ruger's better as a hunting rifle, but for pure accuracy I think you have the best chance of getting a Remington or Savage to shoot better. Despite the claims of Remington "issues", I've always found the Remingtons to shoot better for me.

 

[NAVY SEABEE 303]

jmr40,

I have always loved anything Ruger but I have seen range reports that are not as inspiring as I would like. However Gunblast did rate the M77 Tactical as the best shooting Ruger made, I have never had a Savage but the word is they are almost impossible to beet for value and accuracy, and the Remington's have a history of being the best but lately the word is Q/C issues have been an issue so I don't know.

 

[jmr40]

With guns you never know till you shoot them. I've seen some Rugers that shot better than some Remingtons and some Savages. Ruger may be giving their tactical rifles a little extra attention and they may well be able to shoot as well as the other brands. Most have been more than acceptable for hunting purposes, but as a rule, not quite up to the accuracy of other brands. If you like the Ruger consder the FN patrol rifle. That is the route I went for a tactical type 308.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_582/products_id/411538545



If you listen to a lot of the internet chatter you would believe that buying a Savage will guarantee you the most accurate rifle. That has not been my experience. Overall Savage builds an accurate rifle. I've never shot a bad Savage, but have also never shot one that was as accurate as some other rifles I own.

I'd agree that you would be more likely to get a lemon with a Remington or other brand and would be less likely to get a lemon with a Savage. They tend to be consistently accurate. But in my experience as long as you don't get a bad rifle, (and most are not) a Remington or many other guns would be at least as accurate, if not more so.

 

[MCMXI]

I'd agree that you would be more likely to get a lemon with a Remington or other brand and would be less likely to get a lemon with a Savage.

I had the opposite experience. Three Remington 700s without a single issue and one Savage with a messed up receiver. Savage CS told me that the top of the receivers on all Weather Warriors are level, and yet both my Weather Warrior chambered in 7mm-08 Rem and my neighbors chambered in .30-06 Springfield don't have level receivers. The front of my receiver is 1/8" lower than the rear. My neighbors is off by 3/32". I decided to order a custom base from Ken Farrel rather than deal with Savage since they wouldn't pay to ship the rifle back to them.

 

[hawkeye10]

Try looking at a CZ. They are very accurate right out of the box. I tried looking at Buds but they didn't have a regular rifle in 308 in stock. They did have your dream rifle in 308 so I will post it. Better set down cause your going to love it. Don



http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/23034

 

[GriNgOboNeZ]

I can't speak for the rest of the guns you have mentioned, but I picked up the Ruger Scout a few months ago and have had a BlaSt with it. I am ringing the bell 180 yrds, iron sites, behind my house and would be confident further. I have used it with 3x9 traditional scope for chucks mounted with the supplied 1in scope rings and have a Leupold scout scope on order. It shoots better than I can, quarter sized 100yd groups with 168gr federal match, any errant shots definently my fault. It shoots 150 and 180 grain well also, I have tried 6 different brands and loads, shooting all acceptable. I bought this for deer, coyote and woodchucks and am psyched for the upcoming season. For your price range, out of the box I think you would be pleased. Now its time to reload and really tune this piece in. Have fun with whatever you pick, I must say I'm glad I can shoot this out my back door daily and not have to drive. I wouldn't live anywhere I couldn't have fires, shoot gunz, or piss off my porch.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Savage 10, I don't own one but I know a half dozen guys that do and they swear by them. They are shooting 800-1k yd steels and doing very well.

 

[Sav .250]

All you mentioned are good. Will do the trick but I`m partical to the Savage.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I'd take a walk on the classic side and shop for a Remington 700 BDL Varmint Special. Remington hasn't made them in nearly 20 years, so it will take some time to find one in the caliber you want, but to me the hunt is part of the fun.

 

[NAVY SEABEE 303]

Thank you for all the feed back, right now it looks like Savage is leading the pack. I am still reading mixed reviews on the newer Remingtons so Ruger is moving up fast. The FN Patrol Rifle jmr40 talked about is a fine looking rifle the only problem is I cannot put my hands on one locally to see how it fits, same goes for the CZ. :banghead: I am having a hard time finding an unbiased range report on the Ruger tactical, most of the ones I have read are kind heavy on the Remingtons.

 

[NYH1]

I love my Remington model 700's. However I've been hearing a lot of good things about the new FN built Winchester model 70's. I'd like to get a M70 Stainless Featherweight 308 Win. some day. YMMV!

 

[TwoWheelFiend]

I just picked up one of those Gunsite scout rifles and i am in love with it. So my vote goes there

 

[rehorne]

For the money, check out the Marlin X7VH in 308. I hear every one knocking them but the one I have is great!! Rifle, rings and Primary Arms 4X16 mil-Dot scope under $500. Attached is pics of rig and 200 yard zero target

 

[rehorne]

Add pic of rig

 

[splithoof]

I have been doing load research for a Ruger GSR and found that it really likes 168 BTHPM loads, most going into three-quarter inch or less at 100 yds for five shot groups. 180 grain hunting bullets are close behind. This using the Leupold Scout scope fired over sand bags. Magazines used are made by Alpha; they are quite a bit shorter, hold ten rounds, and are some of the best quality mags I have EVER seen. Switching to a Harris bipod allows 300 yard hits on 8" round plates with practice for field conditions, as long as I can find the target in the 2.5X optic. The stock trigger is very crisp, with no creep. For close range snap shooting, this rig is fast, and will make an excellent hog hunting tool for when the hogs move into the brush quickly just before dark.

 

[Kachok]

AVOID THE REMINGTON AT ALL COSTS, very poor QC and they are more expensive then some vastly superior rifles. The Savage is a solid choice especaly their heavy barrel 10 and 12 models. Chuck Hawks reported that the 12 his team shot was the most accurate rifle they have ever tested recording a 1/4 MOA @100 right out of the box! I have personaly owned a Savage that would shoot even tighter then that with zero tweeks, and of the 5 I have owned now not one has been a dud at the range. Tikka makes a heavy barrel version of the T3 which is also a super tack driver.

 

[Panzercat]

However Gunblast did rate the M77 Tactical as the best shooting Ruger made, I have never had a Savage but the word is they are almost impossible to beet for value and accuracy, and the Remington's have a history of being the best but lately the word is Q/C issues have been an issue so I don't know.

Much as I like gunblast, I'm beginning to take their reviews with a grain of salt... What have they reviewed that they really didn't like? Its tough to find a truly critical review that details a hard list of flaws that you know every gun has, or maybe I just have yet to see that review.

There. I said it and it feels good to finally get that off my chest.

 

[NAVY SEABEE 303]

Pnazercat,

I agree with you in general about gunblast, I have seen some less then glowing reviews but not as many. Even if he is kinder then most in his review he did make it clear this was the absolute BEST Ruger he has ever fired, and I have seen some reviews in some of the sniper forums rating as "good". From what I would consider fair and honest reviews it seems to be about a .75 to 1.25 MOA rifle out of the box. Great for hunting and someone not looking to compete in a long range shoot. The advantage I see with the M77 is it comes with scope rings and a Harris 6-9 bi-pod. A very nice package.

I am leaning more and more towards the Savage 10FP and if I can find one at the right price a Savage 10 FCP-K, I am sure both will out shoot my skill level, I am still hung up on the 700 SPS Tactical, unlike the Ruger reviews that are just vague the reviews on this one are either "Best rifle ever built" to "I trust nothing coming out of Remington these days." At least all the Savage reviews and range reports are consistent.

Thank you all for ringing in, all feed back is helpful.

 

[Mr.Blue]

The Ruger Scout also comes with rings and hardware so that you can mount a regular scope, if you don't like the scout scope set up.

 

[1simpson1]

Here is my experience. I believe that a Remington of some sort is your best choice. I have heard great things about both Remington and Savage. I have shot both and have a pretty good feel for the rifles. Simply put the Savage to me does not have the quality of the Remington. Time and time again Remington has been successful at putting consistent accuracy at an affordable price. Savage on the other hand i believe makes more of the dream rifle. One of ten Savages will shoot lights out half or quarter MOA. I just dont feel Savage is as consistently quality and accuracy compared to the Remington. You should shot both first. Its really a matter of opinion.

 

[BLACK-N-TAN]

I 2nd the FN... all your choices will get it done tho

Here's my 24" PBR wearing a Loopy VX3 Long Range 6.5X20X50....

 

[NAVY SEABEE 303]

1simpson1,

Thank you for your feed back but I have to tell you that you are the first person to tell me the Savage is not a consistent rifle.
"I just dont feel Savage is as consistently quality and accuracy compared to the Remington"

With the swing and a miss the 770's have been and from what other Remington loyalist have been telling me I just don't know. I love the Remingtons obviously since it is on my short list but the Savage 10 FP or FCP-K is at the top but so is the Remington 700 SPS Tactical and 700P.

Black-N-Tan

I agree the FN is an awesome rifle but a bit more then I can afford right now.