My first REAL rifle...

[Mr.V.]

Does anyone know of a bolt action rifle in .308 with a 10 round magazine and iron-sights? The only one that came to mind is an Enfield jungle carbine but I'd like something a bit longer and more capable of the round...

The other option would be something like a savage 11F in .308 that has a 4 round magazine but does come with ironsights. Are there extensions or aftermarket magazines you can buy for those rifles? I know that hunting laws limit the magazine capacity to 3-4 rounds, but I'm not much into hunting.

I also know that the M40 is based on the Remington 700. The M40 has a 5 round magazine, but on remington's sight, the only gun in .308 is the 700 SPS which has a 4 round mag. The 700 BDL doesn't come in .308 but annoyingly is the only one with ironsights...the SPS doesn't.

I also don't suppose anyone makes a bolt action .308 fed by stripper clip anymore?

Thanks for your help!
Right now all I've got is a 10/22...

 

[Deer Hunter]

Are you limiting your search strickly to bolt-action rifles? If not, then there's an entire niche of semi-automatic .308 "battle" rifles out there that you might want to check out.

 

[Mr.V.]

I would like a bolt action...the problem with the .308 semi auto battle rifles is that I live in california which basically means buying an M1A or a modified FN-FAL. Neither of which can be realistically obtained for less than $1400. Everything else is classified as an assault weapon

 

[Preacherman]

If you look at the Remington 7400 series (semi-auto) or 7600 series (pump-action), they're available in .308, and you can get 10-round magazines for them from Eagle and Millett.

 

[boofus]

The Accuracy International guns have 10-round detachable magazines. The Steyr Scout has an adapter that will let it take 10-rounders but I've never actually seen any place that sells the mags.

 

[hobbeeman]

Are you looking at Milsurps? I think that their are a variety that will have a 10 capacity mag in a Mauser configuration. The FR8 comes to mind...I think that it has the 10 cap mag. I think it also has stripper clips.

 

[Mr.V.]

What do you guys think of this?
http://www.mitchellsales.com/rifles/m63 tanker/index.htm
it comes in .308...

Hobeeman...where is a good site to look at milsurps?

 

[Dionysusigma]

Mr.V.: I would like a bolt action. The problem with the .308 semi auto battle rifles is that I live in California, which basically means buying an M1A or a modified FN-FAL, neither of which can be realistically obtained for less than $1400. Everything else is classified as an assault weapon...

boofus: The Accuracy International guns have 10-round detachable magazines. The Steyr Scout has an adapter that will let it take 10-rounders but I've never actually seen any place that sells the mags.

AI and Steyr for under $1400?!?! Who's your arms dealer?

Preacherman: If you look at the Remington 7400 series (semi-auto) or 7600 series (pump-action), they're available in .308, and you can get 10-round magazines for them from Eagle and Millett.

I wouldn't recommend the 7400, based on a horrible time I'm having with my dad's old 742 Woodsmaster in .243. The 7600 might work, but it's really not much better than a modified, over-priced 870.

Before somebody mentions TriStar, and the wonderful M10 or No.4 Mk.4, let me remind them that there are none to be had, as the manufacturer's in Australia and nobody wants to import them.

Sorry, dude... I've looked for an affordable, iron-sighted, bolt-action, 10-round .308 before. They do not exist.

 

[Roudy]

Mr. V......You might want to look at the Ishapore Enfield. These rifles were made in India based on the SMLE mark I action but with more modern materials. They are chambered for the 7.62 NATO round and have a detachable 10 round magazine.

You will probably not find one in new or as new condition, but it can be made presentable. I got one some time ago, cleaned up the metal, replaced the stock with a synthetic, removed the rear sight and added a Williams receiver sight. It could use a re-bluing job, but does shoot well and the action is smooth as butter like all SMLE's.

 

[hobbeeman]

"Hobeeman...where is a good site to look at milsurps?"

southernohiogun.com
aimsurplus.com
auctionarms.com
gunbroker.com
surplusrifle.com

Just to name a few. The best (worst) thing about these sites is that you will see something different each time you go to them.

 

[mrmeval]

http://www.courter.org/guns/rifles/enf2a1.html
http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-345.html
http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976537393.htm

Ishapore Enfield 2A1, bolt action 12 round magazine, clip or manual fed.

I paid 150.00 for mine and an ATI stock from Arizona Gun Runners. After stripping the badly flaking arsenal paint + goop from too many nooks and crannies it looks fine. The trigger group had grease, dirt, paint and probably snot embedded in it and after cleaning I have a damn nice trigger.

If I could get more I would. Until more work comes my way I'm on acquisition hold. ;;

Does anyone know of a bolt action rifle in .308 with a 10 round magazine and iron-sights? The only one that came to mind is an Enfield jungle carbine but I'd like something a bit longer and more capable of the round...

...snip...

I also don't suppose anyone makes a bolt action .308 fed by stripper clip anymore?

Thanks for your help!
Right now all I've got is a 10/22...

 

[mrmeval]

Eh 10 rnds. Gunparts has 10 round 2A1 magazines. If it needs to be fixed a gunsmith can do that.

I would like a bolt action...the problem with the .308 semi auto battle rifles is that I live in california which basically means buying an M1A or a modified FN-FAL. Neither of which can be realistically obtained for less than $1400. Everything else is classified as an assault weapon

 

[SMLE]

The Ishapore 2A1s are actually very good rifles. My brother has one and it is the equal of any of my British or Aussie made .303 Enfields. They will use most of the aftermarket Lee Enfield accessories as well. They ues standard NATO stripper clips to reload. Bear in mind that these rifles were set up to be reloaded with stripper clips or individual rounds rather than by swapping magazines like modern semi-auto battle rifles. They're tough, accurate enough for hunting or SHTF shooting and 308 and 7.62 NATO mil-surp are common and cheap.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

I would like a bolt action...the problem with the .308 semi auto battle rifles is that I live in california which basically means buying an M1A or a modified FN-FAL. Neither of which can be realistically obtained for less than $1400. Everything else is classified as an assault weapon

Not trying to dissuade you from a bolt-gun if that's what you really want, but if it's the CA thing that is keeping you from getting a battle rifle, consider a M1 Garand from the CMP. Should be able to pick one up for $390 or so, OTD, shipped right to your door. CMP has a special status, so doesn't have to ship to an FFL. It's 30-06, not .308, but surplus ammo is still out there, and it can be re-barreled to .308 quite easily.

Details at www.odcmp.com

If you pick up a $390 M1 Garand and don't take to it, you will have absolutely no trouble selling it for what you have into it.

Just tossing out yet another possibility,

-MV

 

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

Are you looking at Milsurps? I think that their are a variety that will have a 10 capacity mag in a Mauser configuration. The FR8 comes to mind...I think that it has the 10 cap mag. I think it also has stripper clips.

If there are 10 round mags available for the FR8 (or ANY mauser) I would love to know where to get one. Can you provide any more info about these? Please?! The gods of marksmanship will forever smile upon you if you do, I promise! The stock FR8 has the standard Mauser magazine (5 rounds) but that's its only real shortcoming.



Mr V, I wanted to find/build the same kinda rifle you want, but I'm not sure it's out there. The FR-8 is the closest I got. But if hobbeeman can come through with those 10 round magazines I'll be set.

Enfield jungle carbines are great little rifles with 10 round magazines, but they're chambered in .303 Brit rather than .308 Win. If only they could be rebarreled to 308...

The FR8 mausers are nice .308 rifles, but they don't hold 10 rounds. (C'mon hobbeeman, don't let me down!)

I don't think there are any current production sporting rifles that have stripper clip slots. I'm not sure if a gunsmith can install clip slots, but I'd bet against it. 5 round magazines are the biggest you're going to find on a new sporting rifle.

I heard some rumors about people fitting modified FAL magazines to Savage bolt guns. I bought a Savage Scout rifle with that in mind, but neither myself or my 'smith could get it to work.

Another 'smith promised he could convert a friend's mauser to use detachable FAL mags, but he never delivered on that promise. I don't know whether it was impossible to do, or if the 'smith simply didn't get around to doing the work. I suspect the latter.

I hope this isn't too discouraging. Let me know if you ever find what you're looking for. I'll probably want one too.

 

[Niner]

MrV, the Jungle carbine you mention in .308 is a construct that never saw any military use. And the Mitchell Mausers that you link are the same kind of thing..... and way over priced.

The only "real" Enfield bolt action that you are likely to come in contact with are the mentioned 2A1's. They are the real thing...but now more hard to come by and getting somewhat pricey over the less than $100 a few years ago.

There is a Spanish Mauser model 1916 that had been convered to .308 that is sold by Samco and SOG and others for a realitively cheap price. This weapon is small ring, and although there has been some controversy on the long term safety of it because of its original 7mm design, I've shot mine and think as much of it as the 2A1 that I also have. I wouldn't shoot any high pressure .308 in it though. And... this was a Spanish govenment conversion and not some import conversion, which gives some slight safety assurance.

 

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

The Ishapore 2A1s are actually very good rifles. My brother has one and it is the equal of any of my British or Aussie made .303 Enfields. They will use most of the aftermarket Lee Enfield accessories as well. They ues standard NATO stripper clips to reload. Bear in mind that these rifles were set up to be reloaded with stripper clips or individual rounds rather than by swapping magazines like modern semi-auto battle rifles. They're tough, accurate enough for hunting or SHTF shooting and 308 and 7.62 NATO mil-surp are common and cheap.

Do you know if there is any way to mount a ghost ring rear sight to the .308 Ishies?

 

[mrmeval]

Actually there are 20 round fixed trench magazines for Mauser actions. They run around $90.00 or so. They are supposed to work in the FR8, YMMV.

If there are 10 round mags available for the FR8 (or ANY mauser) I would love to know where to get one. Can you provide any more info about these? Please?! The gods of marksmanship will forever smile upon you if you do, I promise! The stock FR8 has the standard Mauser magazine (5 rounds) but that's its only real shortcoming.

...snip...

I hope this isn't too discouraging. Let me know if you ever find what you're looking for. I'll probably want one too.

 

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

Actually there are 20 round fixed trench magazines for Mauser actions. They run around $90.00 or so. They are supposed to work in the FR8, YMMV.

Yeah, I looked at those. It looks like it would be tough to get into a good prone position with a 20 or 25 round fixed magazine sticking out the bottom of your rifle.

I'm holding out for the fixed 10 round magazine. That would be ideal.

 

[mrmeval]

Shows that they have one for the SMLE, might ask them.
http://xssights.com/store/catalog.pdf

Do you know if there is any way to mount a ghost ring rear sight to the .308 Ishies?

 

[SMLE]

Do you know if there is any way to mount a ghost ring rear sight to the .308 Ishies?

They will accept any aftermarket target sight that the #1 MkIII will. There are several models of Parker Hale target sights around.

 

[Sunray]

"...Enfield jungle carbine..." That'd be in .303 Brit, not .308 Win. If it's chambered in .308 it isn't a No. 5. The .303 Brit will do everything a .308 will do though. It'll take every game animal in North America including big bears. The downside of a No. 5, in any calibre, is the felt recoil. The narrow butt stock and that 'India rubber' (think lacrosse ball or hockey puck) recoil pad causes it.
If you're not married to the .308/7.62, think CMP Garand. There's no rifle quite like an M-1. http://www.odcmp.com/

 

[Mr.V.]

Matthew--

how easy and/or pricey is it to rebarrel and chamber the M1 garand to 308? Because that is definitely something I'd look into.

To be fair, I do want a bolt gun but I suppose if I HAD to settle for a garand I could somehow manage

 

[boofus]

AI and Steyr for under $1400?!?! Who's your arms dealer?

Doh, I didn't read down far enough to see his budget limit.

I saw an Accuracy International in .338 Lapua at the big Houston Gun Collector show last week. It was a cool $5200 and didn't even come with optics!!!

You can probably get a Steyr Scout in .308 for less than $1400. It will just be the barebones rifle however. It won't be the Jeff Cooper kit with scout scope etc...

 

[MartinS]

I like that short Mauser. Looks tough. Are there not some issues with the Ishy 308? Feeding?
Don't forget the Winchester and Marlin saddle guns you can pick up at Wally's Chinese Trade Corp. Not 308, but very handy and very time tested.
Let us know what you get. And there will have to be a range report. Get busy.