Which .308 rifle am I looking for?

[whatever]

I'm looking at getting into a larger caliber bolt action rifle. The main purpose will be for range shooting out to 600 yards. I don't have the skill to shoot that distance yet, but that's my goal. It may also be used for hunting, but that is a secondary use.

I've decided I'd like a .308 in a bolt action platform. Additionally, I'd like it to be magazine fed. Aftermarket accessories would be a plus. I'd also like to see what my options are around the $600 mark. That $600 does NOT include $ for scope, rings, etc.

What rifles would you suggest that meet the above criteria?

 

[billymarr]

this one
Howa 1500 Hogue Targetmaster package

 

[DefiantDad]

Look at Savage for that budget range.

 

[Snag]

I had the same thought as DefiantDad.

Looking around Savage's web site the 16/116 FCSS is around the price your looking for. Gallery of guns gives me quotes from 575 to 650.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Ruger American Rifle. Already bedded.

 

[MCgunner]

On a target gun, you're going to want a good trigger. According to Ruger, the American is adjustable to 3 lbs which I like on my hunting rifles, but for precision shooting at paper is a might heavy for most.

Just a thought. You might eventually want a Timney or similar custom trigger group on the gun and I think they make 'em for the Savage. The Ruger is quite new. For target shooting, i'd also think heavy barrel.

 

[cuda64]

Go down to Walmart and they can order in a Remington 700 bull barrel for around $550 its not the best stock on there but like you say a lot of aftermarket stuff out there and thats brand new too

 

[jmr40]

Tikka T-3 if you want detachable mags and pure accuracy for that price.

 

[HPP]

Go down to Walmart and they can order in a Remington 700 bull barrel for around $550 its not the best stock on there but like you say a lot of aftermarket stuff out there and thats brand new too

This or get a savage.

 

[Kachok]

Out of the box nothing beats the Tikka for accuracy with a wide variety of ammo, mine shoots remarkable one hole groups at 100yd bone stock, for aftermarket the Savage is awesome, and unlike the Remington and Howa you don't need a gunsmith to change barrel/stock/caliber or adjust the trigger. One of those is your best bet if accuracy or accessorys are your prime goal.

 

[Joshua M. Smith]

Hello,

Call me nuts, but I'd look at a good Finnish Mosin.

The more I look at the Mosin, the more I appreciate them.

An M27, M28, or M39 will fit your needs perfectly. They are far and away much more than any Russian Mosin, and the M28/76 continues to win medals to this day.

Any M39 had to be capable of 1.3MOA precision to even be issued! I think that says a lot.

I've been making Finnish modifications to my M91/30 and have been seeing all the work that went into making them shoot for riflemen rather than conscripts.

The M39 was designed FOR riflemen, hand-fitted, and costs less than many of these MIM rifles they turn out these days.

A lot of the Finnish Mosins took a slightly modified 7.62x54R round, dubbed the 7.62x53r, and a lot of them use o.308" bullets. There are markings to look for on the barrel that show the dimensions.

The Finnish Mosin-Nagant rifles were probably the only ones (save for maybe the 1903 Springfield) better made than the German Mauser.

Just some thoughts on the subject.

Regards,

 

[Kachok]

Mr Smith 1.3 MOA is hardly a tight shooter by modern standards, I would not consider anything less then a 1/2 MOA shooter to be exceptionally tight shooter. I have never shot a Mosin that grouped any tighter then 2" but to be totally fair I don't handload 7.62x54R like I do my Savages and my Tikka so that is not a completely level playing field.
The Mosin is fun and a great value but hardly a precision rifle for 600yd shooting.

 

[Centurian22]

My vote is either Rem 700 (LOTS of aftermarket) or a savage. I have the low end savage (Axis) in .308 and love it. But I've heard many gear things about the Accu-trigger and Accu-stock of the savages in your price range.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Joshua M. Smith]

Mr Smith 1.3 MOA is hardly a tight shooter by modern standards, I would not consider anything less then a 1/2 MOA shooter to be exceptionally tight shooter. I have never shot a Mosin that grouped any tighter then 2" but to be totally fair I don't handload 7.62x54R like I do my Savages and my Tikka so that is not a completely level playing field.
The Mosin is fun and a great value but hardly a precision rifle for 600yd shooting.

He didn't say anything about competing. I figure if he's plinking for fun it he might enjoy a WWII rifle.

I mean, heck, a Remington 700 with tactical mil-dot 'scope, improved trigger, magnafluxed match bull barrel, tac stock or varmint stock, etc would be the thing to get if he's doing serious shooting at that range.

See, I have a .22 squirrel rifle that will print the same elongated hole all day long with subsonic CCI. I don't even have to use match. I call it my squirrel rifle because I use it for head shots when the leaves are off and they can see a long ways. It has a 20MOA mount on it, too, and I've shot it to something like 120 yards with around 3/4" groups. I disremember for certain what they were, but that thing is a tackdriver.

Got so I started using bulk ammo to handicap myself. I'm still sitting at 1.06MOA with CCI Blazer at 100 yards.

But inside that range, there's no challenge. The equipment has taken the fun out of it after a few rounds.

It's way fun to bust clays with open sights at 25 or 50 yards, or soda crackers, or whatever. That's when the old single shot comes out, or the 1911, or whatever.

When I posted that, I wasn't thinking competition. I wasn't thinking hunting, or anything but plinking. There are a few different rifles I would recommend for those, McMillan and M28/76 (competition) and such. Custom Remington, or my favorite, a push-feed M70. (I'm a fan of rear cartridge support.)

Those last two especially can be had used for under $600 around here.

I just wasn't thinking along those lines. I was thinking more fun than challenge at this point. Upgrade later after he learns to shoot that far and use the precision inherent in those newer rifles.

That's just me though. I grew up on 'scopes and am only now finding the fun in iron sights! Heck, my dad is an engineer, or was before retiring. He found a way to mount a 'scope on my Daisy BB gun!

Sorry for the long-winded post. I tend to get like that after being up all night.

Regards,

Josh

 

[Kachok]

I mean, heck, a Remington 700 with tactical mil-dot 'scope, improved trigger, magnafluxed match bull barrel, tac stock or varmint stock, etc would be the thing to get if he's doing serious shooting at that range.



Josh

LOL HECK NO! Rem 700s are near bottom of the barrel now, I won't be wasting another penny on one, "worst iin the buisness" QC. None of my 700s were worthy to share space in the safe with my T3 that is a superior rife.

 

[adelbridge]

Find a used Remington 700. Inspect the lugs/raceway/bolt face and buy low miles gun only. Every gun show I go to is littered with them. A bore light is your best friend. Remington 700 is the platform the military uses. If you want a new barrel, trigger, stock etc 700 is the defacto for upgrades. New gun best bang for the buck is a Weatherby Vanguard S2 with a sub MOA guarantee and $425 at most retailers. Barrel is metric on this gun so it is harder to upgrade if you plan on tricking it out.

 

[valnar]

Tikka

 

[gunnutter]

Savage 16 FCSS or Tikka T3 are both good choices in the budget price range. $535 - $635 range. I like the Savage trigger better personally.

 

[MrDig]

If the 308 version preforms anything like my .243 version check out a Mossberg 4x4 I am amazed at the gun I got for the money I had to spend, and they are in you neighborhood for price.

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

I have a Remington SPS Tactical, it is shooting 5/8" groups at 100 yards off of a bipod and rear bag. The truth is you can get a good or bad in any brand. Find the rifle that has the most features for you and go from there. Some people will say Remingtons are junk or Savages are junk, the fact is it is personal opinion and preferance. I love my Remingtons, but have a couple Savages that are great shooters too. I wanted a higher rate of twist and a shorter barrel(20"), that is why the SPS fit my bill.

 

[Naterater]

I'm for a remington 700 SPS Varmint. You can upgrade stocks and triggers and much more later.

Mine will shoot SUB-MOA and since i'm an amateur shooter, I'm pretty sure it outshoots me. Plus it's only $500some dollars. Then you can upgrade however you please.

 

[billymarr]

Why I chose the Howa
Adjustable trigger - yep
Good stock - yep Hogue
Scope - yep 4X16 44 target turrets lit reitcle if you want to turn it on Nikko Sterling

oh with first load tried after barrel break in. Well just fired ammo for brass.

What it will do and will probably do better once I tune the load more. All for 750 out the door at Cabela's

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

a few weeks ago I was lucky enough to find a Remington Model 788 (discontinued in '86), if it shoots as well as some other 788s I got, it should be my favorite .308 in my safe. still paid twice as much for it as when it was brand new, tells you what kind of rifle they are.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Mr Smith 1.3 MOA is hardly a tight shooter by modern standards, I would not consider anything less then a 1/2 MOA shooter to be exceptionally tight shooter. I have never shot a Mosin that grouped any tighter then 2" but to be totally fair I don't handload 7.62x54R like I do my Savages and my Tikka so that is not a completely level playing field.
The Mosin is fun and a great value but hardly a precision rifle for 600yd shooting.

Russian snipers might have disagreed.

 

[razorback2003]

Savage makes a good rifle for a good price.

I have heard good things about the Howas too and looked at them at the store. They have a really smooth bolt.