.308 Suggestions: What Model Rifle To Go With?

J

Johnny Got His Gun.1

New member
I read the other post on what weight in .308 to go with for several-hundred yard shooting and noticed the average (so far) seemed between 165 and 168 gr BTHP. I also noticed several posters mentioned their 700s and was curious.

Is this the most popular model gun for the .308 crowd? The reason I'm asking is I'm a laughable novice when it comes to long-range rifle shooting, and I'm writing something with a character who will be shooting a .308 from between 500 yds to 800 yds. The preliminary research I've done has been interesting, but I want TFLers' opinions on this one; you are the most educating group of shooters. Eventually (soon, I hope), I want to do some long-range shooting of my own in order to flesh out the details for this idea and make the writing both technical and personal--experience being a great teacher and all.

Thanks in advance for advice and tips.
 
The Remington 700 has a fine reputation, and comes in several flavors. Now, keep in mind that YMMV, and that there are ALWAYS anecdotal incidents that contradict these few rules of thumb. The 700PSS (now discontinued to civilians, sorta) was the big-ticket best of the factory breed. It features a matte finish, a composite stock with aluminum bedding block, and a wide forend (for sandbags/rest) and 2 forward sling swivels, one for the sling, one for a bipod. Then came the 700VS (Varmint Synthetic), with nearly identical barrel and bedding, but with a composite stock w/o 2 swivels, and w/o the wide forend. Finally, there's the 700VLS, with similar barrel and finish, but with a laminated wood stock, sans aluminum bedding. Recently, Remington has juggled the lineup w/ the LTR (light tactical rifle) and 700 Police (somewhat restricted availability)

I like my VS in .308. I think it's the best compromise of price, performance, weight, and availability.

Both Ruger and Savage make tactical/varmint configuration bolt-guns that have merit, but with the caveats I started with above, the Remingtons seem to be the hot ticket. Leupold is the fashionable scope (same disclaimer).
 
I'll probably draw a barage here, but having handled both the 700 and my Browning A-Bolt II, gimme the Browning anyday. I love the extremely firm action on the Browning, and NO busted knuckles because the throw is several degrees less than the Remington. Don't get me wrong, the 700 is an absolutely remarkable weapon, but for my money its the Browning.

DOC

------------------
Happiness is a smoking gun, and a dead criminal!

.308 Holes, make invisible souls!
 
Getting away from the 700 itself for a moment: The purpose of a heavy barrel is to absorb and then radiate heat during the firing of lengthy strings of shots. Less distortion of the barrel is the concept, here, allowing tight 10-shot groups. Since a target rifle isn't generally carried for miles during hunting in the boonies, weight is not a detriment.

Most manufacturers in today's world turn out quality barrels of whatever weight.

The next issue is the material of the stock and the bedding of the barreled action into it. Remington generally does a good job, here.

The Remington trigger is easily adjusted, and the final break is clean even on the ADL. I have an ADL which still needs a bit of adjusting in its sear-engagement; it's still too "creepy" to suit me. But that's me. The Ruger 77 Mk II has a lousy trigger; it's not adjustable without using a stone and trimming the spring. Most replace it with a Timney--I did on my .223--but otherwise the Ruger is an accurate rifle.

I have no personal experience with the Model 70 or the Brownings; those who have like them.

Probably, for the money, at the present time the high-end Remington 700s are as good as it gets for your stated interest.

FWIW, Art
 
The Marine Corps snipers went to the Model 700 in .308 (aka 7.62 NATO) in the late 60's or early 70's, having previously used the Winchester Model 70 in .30-06. I would wager that more agencies use the Remington in one form or another than any other single brand. Most manufacturers have some form of "sniper" rifle, including many European arms makers. There are also a ton of varmint models, with heavy barrels and stocks. So some of it will come down to who your character is.
 
One has to know the background of the character.

Sako
Winchester
H&K
Remington
Steyr

to name a few, all make weapons that would qualify in a variety of calibers: .25-06, .243, 6.5x55MM, 7x57MM, 7MM Mag, .308, .30-06, .300 WM, and .338, to name some calibers accurate to the distances you describe. Or, you could do what I did, and create a believable fictional weapon out of a common, highly customized weapons platform (FN-FAL).
 
Based on personal experience with the Remington 40X Rangmaster and the Model 70 Winchester Standard Target, both in 308 win caliber, I would opt for the Winchester.

The 40X that I have was, out of the box, a very accurate rifle. I simply felt that the winchester hwas handier.
 
Winchester Model 70? Hadn't considered that one. I'll go do some more digging. I found a lot of information on the 700 earlier today after posting this topic--couldn't gets some ideas out of my head. Came across an article about the Baer Magnum's. If I don't watch out, I'll end up in debt over guns for a story.

Maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing, though . . .
 
alot of people seem to leave out the savage 110fp. i picked one up off a fellow TFL member and yes some work was done to it by him, but it is one of the nicest shooting rifles (in bolt action) i own. and using quality ammo can drop them almost on top of each other @100+ yds! of course one day i will actually learn how to shoot correctly then watch out....
 
I've always been partial to Steyrs. They have a superior trigger and a very slick action. The Mannlicher does anyway. SBSs seem a bit stiff initially. Accuracy is superior and they have magazines which work. For a precision .308, the SSG PII is one you should look at. Just stay away from the European fetish for double-set triggers.
 
Dave. What's wrong with double set triggers?
Granted, they take a bit of getting used to, but after that, they are great. I had them on two Mannlicher-Schoennaurs, and they never ever gave me a problem. I never had one go off prematurely like some people complain about. I think it all depends on what weight you adjust them to. JMHO.
Paul B.
 
My rig (for which I paid a TOTAL of $650):

Savage 10FP in .308 Win. (24" heavy barrel, bedded)
Tasco World Class 3-9x50 scope
Harrid bi-pod

I shoot PMC catridges topped with Sierra Matchking 168-gr HPBT bullets, as I have found them to give the best results thus far. I intend to get into handloading once I have relocated to Colorado in October.

I can shoot groups at or under 1/2" at 100 yards with that setup. The trigger is a little heavier than most would like it (about 4 pounds), and I had a gunsmith friend of mine stone it a little to clean it up. Most people opt to drop in a Timney trigger, but I decided that 4 pounds wasn't so much that I would pull off target, but enough so that I wouldn't accidentally touch it off. I have been proven correct thus far.

I'm not going to say anything negative about the other guns mentioned, because they are all excellent weapons. But I know I can do just as good with a rifle that costs have as much as most of them, and for less than the cost of just the rifle in almost every case above you can have the same entire rig I do.

If cost is at all a factor, I suggest the Savage. If it isn't a factor, I STILL suggest the Savage, based on my experience.
 
Already, I've gotten more information than I expected from everyone who's posted a reply. These are some interesting reviews you all are providing.

And I feel that I'm well on my way towards saving my pennies for a .308. Another gun couldn't hurt the collection, right? Plus, I can always tell my wife that it's for the sake of crafting a more detailed, accurate story. ;)
 
My problem is specific with Steyr's double-set trigger. My PII had them and I quickly developed a dislike for them. They were plenty light (boy, were they light...), BUT...it's trigger placement. The front trigger is the primary trigger and it's way too far forward for proper hand placement. Using it without the set function required you to adjust your grip on the stock. It's annoying and unnecessary. Steyr's have very good single triggers capable of adjustment down to under 2lbs. The 14oz pull of the set trigger isn't worth the hassles brought on by it's poor placement.
 
Buy the Steyr SSG if you can afford it or the Steyr SBS tatical. If money is no object I highly reccomend the Blaser. It is without a doubt the best rifle made at the current time. The gun is so accurate and the trigger pull is a good as it gets. Mine is 2 pounds with zero creep.
 
Lets not forget the M1A.

Years ago I set about writing a novel (never finished it) that involved a civilian team of ex vets extracting a family member from a military compound in a third world country.

My snipers rifle used a pre 1964 Winchester Mod. 70 receiver with a Douglas barrel, caliber was a 30/338. The 30/338 was picked due to the fact that it can send a heavier bullet down range than a 308 and retain more velocity. The 30 cal. has a wider range of bullets (target) than other magnums.

Keep up your writing. I reget I didn't continue mine.

Turk
 
If you are writing for a charater give him a m-14., .308{7.62x51} plus a 20 rd. mag for some firepower. Mil dot scope, for some 800 yarders. He'll even be able to pick up ammo from the bad guys using fn/fals. Gotta love fiction.hehehe
 
I sort of went through the same thing that JGHG is going through and opted (in part because I wanted this rifle in a lefty version) for the 700 VS topped with an older Leupold Vari X III scope. This rifle, for a little over $600, seems just fine out of the box. The Savage (my #2 choice) just seemed too rough and I felt I'd spend more by the time I was done with it.

However, I have yet to put the new Remington through its paces and have NO idea how it will ultimately shoot. Trigger feels pretty good as is.
 
Don't discount the Savages - I've got a 110FP in .308 that'll shoot in the half-inch area consistently... Some Savage triggers are better than others - I had to replace the one on my .22-250, but the others have worked great -

What I'd do:

Savage 12BVSS-S in .308 (laminated stock, single shot solid bottom receiver) - $500

Sharpshooter Supply trigger - $100

Weaver bases, Leupold QRW rings - $75

B&L 6-24 scope - $400

Barrel wrench and vise - $100

Extra 6mm/284 barrel, by Shilen, $400
Extra 6mm/284 barrel, by Sharpshooter Supply (Douglas), $300
 
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