'm looking for advise/suggestions on a 308 rifle. I was reading about Weatherby Vanguard 2, marlin and savage. Looking for feedback or suggestions on manufactures and models.
Also, looking for advice on a scope around/under $200.
Have a look at the new FN Winchester M70's, Remington M700's, and Savage's.
I have a remington 700 VSSF and a Savage BVSS both in .308. They are very accurate with handloads. With factory stuff both were shooting a 1.5"-4" groups.
I use Winchester brass, CCI benchrest primers, and nosler ballistic tips for hunting.
When shooting paper, I use Sierra Matchking HPBT 168 grain bullets, Winchester brass, Federal Large Rifle Match primers (GM210M).
With 42.5 grains of Hodgdon Varget the heavy barrel savage gets about .5" groups at 200 meters.
The Remington 700 VSSF likes 150 grain Nosler ballistic tip bullets and Varget powder.
With the bullets seated farther out (it won't fit in the magazine, only one by one) it shoots 5 shots touching each other at 100 meters.
At 350 meters I can get around 2" groups from a solid rest. (It has a fixed 6x scope).
If you want a cheap scope then consider Nikon, Weaver, Redfield, etc...
I have variable scopes on other rifles, but I keep them set on 4x or 6x power. I haven't changed them to higher power, no time for that when hunting.
To me a fixed 6x scope seems about ideal. For hunting 50 yards out to 300 yards it does well.