Looking for advice on .308 Bolt Action

[tdiesel]

Been researching to purchase my first rifle for awhile now. Narrowed down to .308 and leaning towards the TC Venture Weather Shield??? Also wanting some advice on optics. Been leaning towards the Konus Pro 7259. Advice/Options welcome and needed to ensure I'm happy with my choice. Thanks to all.

 

[Newtosavage]

The TC is a nice rifle. I'm sure you'll be happy with it. You can do much better than the Konus scope IMO.

After buying one, and then two Savage rifles, I have become a real fan of Savage. So predictably accurate, and very versatile.

For scopes, my "big three" are Leupold, Nikon and Weaver. My rifles currently wear a Leupold 2-7x33 (best buy for the $ IMO), a K4 and a K6 Weaver. I have nothing but good things to say about all of them.

 

[Water-Man]

In order to give advice to you, it would help to know such things like how much you are willing to spend, what you are will do with said rifle, etc..

 

[tdiesel]

Looking at the 500 range on .308 but can bend a bit one way or the other. Was think 200 or so on optics. Plan on hunting whitetail/hog in south mostly but hoping to have opportunity at slightly larger game in future so wanting to get something to cover that option also. Hope this helps.

 

[VoodooMountain]

Ruger 77, savage 11, or howa 1500/ weatherby would be where I would start. See which one fits you.

No personal experience with the TC so I can't comment on that.

I will say if you want 1 rifle for everything skip the entry levels such as the Axis or 783.

For optics i ike leupold and the Bushnell elite series but I know quite a lot if people who love their Nikon scopes. Spend $200-$300 on glass with any reputable manufacturer and you should be fine. I will say the leupold warranty is top notch.

 

[tdiesel]

Any thoughts on the Vortex Crossfire II V-Brite my friends?

 

[ontarget]

TC Venture is a very nice rifle. Very accurate and well made. My son has one in 300WM and loves it.

 

[Panzerschwein]

The FN (Fabrique National de Herstel Belgium) SPR (Special Purpose Rifle) is the one to get.

Fantastic reviews, good price point. A great all around .308 bolt rifle. Excellent stopping power and accuracy.

 

[stubbicatt]

I've been happy with my CZ550. Well built, high quality, more accurate than I am, and has detachable magazines.

I've had really good luck and been happy with IOR Valdada scopes.

Good luck in your choice and success in shooting.

 

[jmr40]

In the $500 range the TC is one of several good options. Savage 10, or 11 series as well as the Ruger American are others. You might be able to find a Tikka just over $500, and there are good used options.

Good $200 optics are a little more limited. The Burris FF-II in a 3-9X40 gets my vote as the best $200 scope. Others to consider are the Redfield Revolution and Leupold VX-1.

 

[Fla_dogman]

I have both the Savage and Weatherby Vanguard and both are TAC drivers. The Savage is lighter and shorter than the Weatherby which makes it my first choice.

 

[farmerboy78]

I have a savage model 10 precision carbine that is sporting a 20" medium to heavy contour barrel, and was wearing a swfa 10x scope until I finally upgraded to an ior... my furthest hunting shot with it was 420 yds and I regularly shoot it to 810yds. That rifle new is $750 and the scope new is $300. If you can find the swfa scopes used on ebay for less and they have a rock solid warranty, even used. Can't beat that combination!

 

[tdiesel]

After researching all the comments everyone made and trying out the various guns at the store, I went with the Tikka T3 Lite and will be purchasing the Nikon Prostaff 4-12x40 BDC to accompany it. Thanks to everyone who took the time to comment. Really helped a lot to ensure I made the right decision.

 

[justin22885]

as much as i like savages, i really like the mossberg MVP for a .308, you can change calibers and swap barrels just as easy because the MVP uses the same barrel nut type of system the savage uses, but the mossbergs can take M14/M1A mags

 

[Newtosavage]

For that budget, what I chose was a Savage 11 ($500) and a Leupold 2-7x33 VX1 scope ($200).

I am very happy with both purchases and have no plans to upgrade either item.