new target shooter...need cheap rifle

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kellyj00

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Long time pistol/shotgun, new rifle shooter here!

I've come across quite a pile of never-ending 308 brass, and I've always been interested in target shooting...so here I am.

I need advice. I'm cheap, and broke, and I'm considering what rifle to get as a first timer. I'm a lefty, so originally I was going the route of an ar-15, but I've got all this 308 brass, so ar-10...but wow, that's some $$$! So, i've gone back down to a basic right handed bolt action of either a remington 700 or Savage.

What I'm hoping to find is the best possible rifle that handles .308 and hopefully, has a detachable magazine. If not, then that's OK too. I want something that I can easily find parts for as I plan to shoot this one quite a bit, so something fairly common. Also, I want something that isn't junk.

Another issue is that of a scope. There's a lot of different brands out there, and I'm only really planning on shooting a few hundred yards (at MOST) and most of the time at 100 yds. Also, I'd like to have something that could be used for hunting. Not even sure what reticle is best for benchrest/hunting use, is that preference?

Last thing on my list here.... what is the difference between long action and short action?

Thanks! THR is the best source of experienced opinions on the web.
 
Cheap? Removable magazine? in .308? Good luck with that...

For an inexpensive shooter, get the savage, but it won't have a removable magazine.

A semi-auto 'battle rifle' in .308? AR platform, H&K91 (and clones), FAL, M1a of some sort, or an AK style (Saiga). The Saiga is going to be the only one that may fit your definition of cheap, but the one Saiga that I've shot didn't fit my definition of accurate. I ended up with a PTR91, and I'm very happy with it.

Scope? The Weaver that I purchased fairly cheap, around $250 if I remember right, has so far been a good performer. I've had absolutely miserable luck getting a decent scope for less than that.
 
You will never find a competitive target rifle cheap. You can start with a 700, but it won't be long before you realize you need to start upgrading, a new barrel, trigger, stock, scope, and all the other things it takes to make a good target rifle will add up very quickly. Before you know it you will have $3000 invested and looking for more.
 
If you want a cheap rifle that is fairly accurate get a Remington 740 series in .308. You can find one at most pawn shops or on guns America for less than $300 with a scope attached, maybe $350 if the scope is nice. No point in paying more unless it is almost new.

Mag fed, semi-auto, you can hunt with it and has okay accuracy. Not a target gun but 2-3'' groups at 100 meters is the norm. Makes a good first heavy caliber rifle.

BTW- The rife is not junky at all and parts are found everywhere parts are sold. Good luck.
 
You can get a 700 BDL and then upgrade it with a kwik clip kit. It'll still set you back $600+ but it's a solid rifle in the end. If I was looking for a cheaper scope, with the intent of not going over 200 yards, I'd look at the Nikon Buckmaster, it's not my first choice, but for $200 it aint bad...
 
Savage is starting to make thier left hand law enforcement series with detachible mags.

Or you can do what I am doing,.... well havent worked on it for a while, been refinishing a few stocks...... is convert a savage .308 to take M1A mags, I met a fella that had one and he explained how he did it.
 
shrot action is made for carts like 223 , 308 243, etc. long action is made for long carts like 270 , 30.06, 7mm remmag, etc. the thought here is, the shorter
the action , the stiffer the action, therefore less bbl whip, therefore less stress, therefore more accuracy.
 
Snif around the target rifle clubs. If its anything like Australia, there is always a good cheap rifle or two (or a club gun to use). You won't be ultra competitive, but you aren't anyway because you are just starting. Use the second hand rifle for awhile and then see which way you want to go and can change accordingly. I wouldn't be sinking big bucks into anything straight up, because it mightn't suit you and you will drop a lot of bucks. Good luck.

PS, You'd probably be better selling the brass on ebay and buying a 223.
 
Savage and Remington both make Left Hand bolt actions in 308. Buy a Lh if your Left handed. I finally did almost 30 years ago, You won't be sorry I betcha. I own both brands and prefer the Remington but a Savage is good too.
 
all good advice.
After reading about this, and a post from another member who just happens to be looking for the exact smae thing.... I'm thinking a m1 Garand is the way to go....

Now if I could only find one!
 
I know you're "broke" - trust me, with a wife in nursing school, I know the feeling. I think you need to develop a budget, then determine the need/want. You can get a .308 Saiga for about $300-bucks a Garand, (bare bones shooters grade) will run you significantly more - around here $600-&1700. A Norinco/Polytech M14 can be had for the $650-850.00 range. JLD PTR's are around the same dough. Personally, I'd rob Peter to pay Paul and get yourself an M1A....My catch phrase these days is: "there must be something I can sell"... ;)
 
Mossberg 100ATR in .308 $245.95 at Bud's Gun Shop:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/21580

The only thing you don't get is the deatachable magazine.

I have one in .270 that is increadibly accurate, I mounted an ATI bipod and haven't had a single problem.

thumb_bipod_open.jpg
 
shucks. I was starting to sell myself on a Garand.
Are they a huge collectors Item now? I remember hearing something about folks getting them for free with the CMP, but it's been years...and that was heresay.
 
Most Garands will be 30.06, not .308, unless they have been converted. CMP is out of Garands until at least September. And no, they're not free. Garands run the gamut from pristine collector items to beat up shooters, but even the low end has dramatically risen in price.

A fun shooter in .308 (7.62 x 51, actually) is the CETME. You can often find these in the $500 neighborhood.

You could also sell the brass and put the cash towards something you want. I can always use .308, I have five rifles and a semi-auto belt fed that use it!
 
just looked up the CETME....
Not a bad looking rifle, but I really want to avoid anything that seems...well...foreign. Like the ak47.
 
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