My first REAL rifle...

[ID_shooting]

I will try to find it, but there was a company doing mag-fed conversions for Remington 700 rifles. IIRC the did em form .243 to 300 WM. I remember seeing it in a Cabelas catalog once.

Why buy milsurp if you don't have to?

 

[ID_shooting]

here you go

http://vbullprecision.com/

http://www.e-gunparts.com/DisplayAd.asp?chrProductSKU=&chrSuperSKU=954880

 

[30Cal]

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.

It shouldn't be too hard to find a match grade M1A for $1400. Heck, the Chicom M14's don't ever sell for more than $800.

 

[waterhouse]

It cetainly isn't a cheap add on, but you can buy any .308 remington 700 BDL and use one of these:

http://www.hsprecision.com/new_floor_plate.htm

10 round mags are available (also pricey) but you'll end up at well under $1400

ETA: sorry, just saw ID's post, same concept, and I just went to remington's site and I can't find anything with sights. . .oh well, sorry

 

[Leif]

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.

Granted, recoil is a 'perceived' thing, but I don't find the recoil of my No. 5 to be anything that I can't handle - certainly no worse than the single shot 12 gauge I used to have. Really, the only thing I don't like about it is the lack of .303 in my area (yet another reason to take up reloading).

I think what you want sounds like a nice rifle, but unless you want to pay for custom work, a very expensive rifle, or a lot of add-ons, you probably will have to make a comprimise somewhere along the line. Good luck!

PS - I saw you looked at the BDL. Look for the blued model of the Remington Model 7 - .308 and iron sights. Just a 4+1 capacity. Other bolts in .308 with iron sights - Ruger 77II International and CZ-550FS. Also, lots of older models of current production rifles had iron sights, Winchester 70 for example. Again, everything but the capacity.

 

[mrmeval]

Ishapoor feeding

I found two problems. The metal was bent out of shape by use and/or age. Carefully bending it back in shape helped the feed problem.

The second is that arsenal paint they slathered over everything. I removed it from the rifle. It had flaked into everything. The remaining paint in the receiver and on the magazine interfered with function. After removal it works flawlessly. I did disassemble the magazine and strip out the gunk in it as well.

I'm not sure about heat treating it but there are ones available from gunparts that I want to test first.

I have an extra original one that I can experiment on wrt heat treating but they are getting scarce and the gunparts one is less expensive and should be properly formed and heat treated.

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.

 

[trueblue1776]

Have you considered an SKS?

a nice example can be had for well under $300, even in Cali. Not a bolt action and not .308 NATO (7.62X51), but up to 500 yards 7.62X39 is just as good as a .308. You get a decent hunting/target rifle that has proven battle experience usually go for around $180 to $250 depending on country of origin and quality.

 

[Mr.V.]

First... I'd like to thank everyone for your responses...

I have thought about an SKS. You can't beat the price. But if I'm going semi-auto I think I'd get a garand before an SKS. Also, I'm leery about buying a gun that requires a lot of modifications. I live in an apartment which leaves me little room and tools for mechanical overhauls.

For instance, a cheap garand will probably need a new barrel for $210 + Gunsmith installation charges ... or the SKS needs work to fix the slam-firing problem (or so I've heard) and needs to be de-gooed. My wife wouldn't be terribly thrilled if I de-goo it in our kitchen and (living in LA) the Million Mom March will show up at my door if I do it outside...

This is why a new gun appeals to me and refurbishing milsurps is a hobby for when I own a home in say Kansas. (Of course...If I do move to a gun-friendly state...the point may be moot as I could buy a FAL...) The FAL being my most favoritist gun ever...

Also I didn't mean to imply that my budget was $1400. If it were $1400 I'd buy an M1A in a heartbeat. Sadly it's quite below that. I think ~$500-600 tops.

The damn problem with guns is that they're just like cars and computers...for a few hundred more you can always get something better...then pretty soon you're paying way more than you can afford. The other problem is that you buy one and pretty soon you simply CAN'T live with less than 17...They're just all so damn shiny....

The Remington 700 starts at around $550-600 then add the $200 detachable magazine adaptor and $90 for two magazines. A decent garand starts at $400 but it seems to be at least $250 for a new barrel + Gunsmith installation (~$100???). So I'm close to $800 again assuming that's all I'd need for it...
$800-$900 is this weird no man's land...I'll feel that if I saved my pennies and dimes I could hold out for an M1A for $1400. If I just spend $500-600 then I'm no where close to being able to afford a gun twice as expensive.

Apparently you cannot buy the $800 chinese made M14 in California...

I guess I'm leaning towards the Savage 11F still... I'd get the remington 700 except the only one with ironsights doesn't come in .308. Does anyone know if you can add a william's peep sight to a savage 11F?

 

[Mr.V.]

.

 

[joab]

For instance, a cheap garand will probably need a new barrel for $210 + Gunsmith installation charges ... or the SKS needs work to fix the slam-firing problem (or so I've heard) and needs to be de-gooed. My wife wouldn't be terribly thrilled if I de-goo it in our kitchen and (living in LA) the Million Mom March will show up at my door if I do it outside...

That only applies to the unissued guns and they are harder to find now.

The CMP $395 M1s are Winchester recievers with a hodge podge of other parts. I don't think there is going to be much collector value.
There are higher grades of M1s available for around the $900 range that might suit your purposes

Get a Swede mauser or a Russian sniper rifle

Check out AIM
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Rifles.html

 

[lee n. field]

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 real Enfield jungle carbine is a .303. What you want is an Ishapore 2A or 2A1, which is full length and 7.62x51.

 

[rangerruck]

saiga makes a 10 round detachable 308 in short black synth, and huntign wood sprter style, witha longer bbl.

 

[Skipper]

Big +1 for the M1 Garand. Go to www.odcmp.com to find the one that will meet your needs AND your budget. Also,you'll find out how to order.
You will wind up with a genuine battle rifle while staying within your bidget.
Just my two cents.

SKIP

 

[hksw]

Steyr SSG 69 PI

Ten round mags are pretty rare and expensive, though.

 

[waterhouse]

Another thing . . . wait a month and check again. Some company might release something at SHOT that fits your needs.

 

[trueblue1776]

You could always buy a consumer used SKS that has been gone through and cleaned and has been fired already, so you know it's in good order. Or you could have a good gunsmith go through it, many guys getting into shooting sports do so with an SKS, and almost everybody I know that has one, likes it. Just a thought, You have suggested some great guns, I personally like the Yugo SKS because it's cheap, accurate, and nearly indestructable.

 

[joab]

wait a month and check again. Some company might release something at SHOT that fits your needs.

Inside information?

 

[waterhouse]

Joab, no inside info. I don't know anything more than the next guy, but I figure if he has looked long and hard and not found anything a couple weeks can't hurt, and there is always a chance someone like Remington brings out a BDL in .308.

 

[joab]

I'm hearing things from buddies on a C&R forum about M1 Carbines coming in.
I was hoping

 

[trueblue1776]

M1 Carbines are good bang for the buck

 

[joab]

Yes but if true the bucks will be much much less
They're predicting between $200 and $250

 

[Mr.V.]

at the risk of sounding like a total noob...what's "SHOT"?

Also...trueblue- what's the usual price for fixing the slam firing problem on the SKS? and are most SKS barrels well worn? Do they need replacing after a thousand rounds? And if so how much does that usually cost?

 

[MatthewVanitas]

@ joab: are these carbines coming in through CMP, or just going right to the importers?

I was under the impression that we can't re-import Lend/Lease, but if someone found a loophole, more power to them.

This isn't one of those deals where they send back the carbines with a cut receiver and let the drunken moneys at Century glue them onto a fly-by-night brand receiver, is it?

Not trying to hijack thread, Mr. V might find this an interesting possibility as well, and CA legal.

-MV

 

[joab]

what's the usual price for fixing the slam firing problem on the SKS?

Detailed cleaning of the gun

and are most SKS barrels well worn?

No,

Do they need replacing after a thousand rounds?

NO

And if so how much does that usually cost?

A Yugo barreled action is $49 right now

joab: are these carbines coming in through CMP, or just going right to the importers?

I don't know but I think that that is the rumor (Emphasis on Rumor)

I was under the impression that we can't re-import Lend/Lease, but if someone found a loophole, more power to them.

I also thought that but the current M1 at CMP are Danish returns.

But come to think of it, MrV, Auto Ordnance makes new M1Carbines for around $500

 

[Meplat]

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...

I honestly don't know of ANY bolt gun in .308 with a ten round mag. If you don't HAVE to have a bolt gun (I'm partial to them myself, and understand wanting one) the M1A is a heckofa rifle, and can be had with a 20 round magazine. There are no regulation proscribing hunting with any size mag you want here, the only thing is no rimfire is allowed for deer, so it's not a problem for a deer hunter or general shooter. Accuracy levels from a good shooter can rival that of a bolt gun, so that's not a problem either, and resale value just seems to go up. Can't say that of all rifles.

You MIGHT be able to obtain an old Remington 788 (a 788 in .308 was my first deer rifle) since it has a detachable magazine, and a competent 'smith might be able to modify the feed well to accept M1A mags....hmmm...interesting project. Used to be able to get 788's for a song, but they've appreciated pretty well now too. Don't let the rear locking lugs fool you, they are accurate little rifles, even though the RL setup would make it seem illogical. If I'm not mistaken (and could be - this was many long years ago, and much water has flowed under the bridge I call a "mind") the mag held four rounds, and with one up the pipe, you had a five shooter. They came equiped both with iron sights and without. Please keep us posted, as you have piqued my interest.