Budget .308

Also..if going 308...the RAP is going to last you 4-5K rounds ( any 308 for that matter) but especially in terms of RAP a even better value of a rifle if you just toss it after its used up. The barrel system on the RAP is not overly difficult to overcome and as inexpensive as good 308 barrels are I would not have an issue rebarreling it when it got shot out...and since I enjoy "polishing" turds sometimes...the RAP makes for a fun rifle to upgrade over the years. Now that said I am mapping out my next rifle and this is going to attempt to replace the weird affair I am having with my Ruger Precision Rifle with 3 barrels to play with....that thing is just silly fun to shoot and I know mine very well....but that's for a different post
 
I have a Remington 788 in 308, 6mm, & 222. All are tack drivers. Very plain simple rifles that you can pick up at a gunshow for $450-500 for a decent one. And also I would not hesitate to purchase a Howa 1500 in 308. I have one with a 20 inch bull barrel is very accurate as well. Also budget priced.
 
I also recommend the Ruger, had one in .243 and one in .223, both very accurate. The stock is a bit ugly but rigid and the trigger can be adjusted to a lighter pull if desired. Sent you a PM, I'm originally from Glenwood.
 
I read all the comments here, and have spent hours reading reviews online, and I'm really leaning toward the Ruger American that takes the AI mags at this point. Thank you for all of your advice!
 
My T/C Venture is a 30-06 but it has an excellent barrel and trigger and easily shoots under moa. I went with the Venture because it has a 24" barrel which I think 30-06's should have and the 5R barrel. The trigger was a pleasant surprise and the stock is better than the Ruger American stock.
 
IIRC
The Mossberg action is sort of a revamp of the long gone "RAPTOR" action which was a melded knock off combination of Rem 700, Savage 110, and maybe a bit of Mauser. Coarsely finished and a little crude seems to be a fitting beginning for a Mossberg.
 
I went through the same decision process a couple of years ago. I sprang for putting $500 into a Weatherby Vanguard S-2 in .308.

The box mag and hinged floor plate alone are worth the extra money. Plus it has a 1MOA accuracy guarantee. It is sub-MOA with cast loads for hunting and range fun.
 
Always find out what the condition for MOA are, whose ammo, number of shots.

Reloads don't qualify
 
How set are you on the 308 Win?

For range giggles - defense - and cheap prep, i'd say look into either the 223, 300 blackout, 7.62x39 & 6.5 Grendel. The lower recoil will make it more fun for extended range sessions.

Ruger American in either the 223 or 300 blk. Both use AR style magazines.

Howa 1500 Mini comes in the 7.62x39 & 6.5 Grendel & both have detachable magazines.

I own a Howa Mini in 7.62x39 & really like it, shoots steel cased ammo easily & there are brass ammo out there if you want better accuracy. But the steel ammo is really cheap to shoot & have fun with while your learning. Hornady even makes SST steel ammo for it.

The Ruger American in 300 blk would be a fun toy since you can buy sub sonic ammo at a decent price & still buy ammo for self defense pretty cheap as well. It also comes threaded in case you ever buy a suppressor.
 
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I whole heartedly offer another vote for the RAP. I have two, and I love them. I'm thinking about selling some other guns and getting a few more RAPs... one for the truck, one for the in-laws' farm, one for the other truck, one for the tree house... you get the drift. These guns are affordable and eerily accurate for the price. They are, of course, utility/casual rifles. They aren't show pieces, but they are fun and practical!
 
Have you looked at the Howa 1500? They are very reasonably priced and, in my very unprofessional opinion, a great buy for the money. I would put mine up against most factory Rem 700's any day.
 
I bought a Savage Axis II in .308. Love the gun. I was dead on out of box. It came with a scope. The scope died after a while, I contacted the scope company and they sent me a new one. If I was in the market for a budget rifle I would look hard at Savage.
 
"Have you looked at the Howa 1500? They are very reasonably priced and, in my very unprofessional opinion, a great buy for the money. I would put mine up against most factory Rem 700's any day."

AGREE, for looks and performance the HOWA is hard to beat. Why buy a rifle that looks like a 10 year old whittled it out of a 2x4?
 
Cheap & accurate .308Win?

Ruger American Rifle or Compact American Rifle plus a Boyd's laminated stock is your ticket.

The Ruger American is the best of the budget rifle bunch and once you trash the factory stock and replace it with something rigid, it is super consistent.
 
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