good $600 dollar or less longrange .308 rifles.
- Thread starter BAD_KARMA
- Start date
Bad Karma as for rifles there are a couple around the 600 mark and one under it that I would recommend. The Remington 700VS and the Winchester Stealth are right around the $600 mark. Both are good rifles but I only have personal expierience with the 700VS which I've owned since 1993. I have done some work to it so it's not really a 700VS any longer but I'll tell you about it when it was. It shot about .5-.75" groups from the box. The stock was a nice light weight HS Precision that is almost like the McMillan HTG stock,minus the cheek rise, as far as being light wieght and easy to handle. It's a great rifle and I would recommend it highly. Another good part is that Remington actions are good for building very accurate rifles in the future and they are the easiest to buy aftermarket tactical goodies for.
The rifle that is well below the mark is the Savage Tactical. On a budget it's a good rifle. They are accurate but the triggers, heavy and not easily adjusted like the Remingtons, and stocks, very flimsy plastic, aren't the best and most people replace them. And if you add up that cost on top of the rifle it runs about the same as the Remington or the Stealth.
As far as scopes, I would say save your money. You are not going to get a very good scope for under $200. You will get functional scopes but you will end up replacing them in the future. Take it from the mouth of expierience. But basicly most scopes ythat are under $200 are all about the same quality. I would say stay away from Leaper, BSA or any russian. Tasco makes ok scopes and Simmons or Bushnell will work also. Check out www.swfa.com or www.bearbasin.com I'm not sure about the bear basin site so you might have to do a search for it. Hope this info helps and drop anymore questions if you have them. What ranges will you be shooting?
The rifle that is well below the mark is the Savage Tactical. On a budget it's a good rifle. They are accurate but the triggers, heavy and not easily adjusted like the Remingtons, and stocks, very flimsy plastic, aren't the best and most people replace them. And if you add up that cost on top of the rifle it runs about the same as the Remington or the Stealth.
As far as scopes, I would say save your money. You are not going to get a very good scope for under $200. You will get functional scopes but you will end up replacing them in the future. Take it from the mouth of expierience. But basicly most scopes ythat are under $200 are all about the same quality. I would say stay away from Leaper, BSA or any russian. Tasco makes ok scopes and Simmons or Bushnell will work also. Check out www.swfa.com or www.bearbasin.com I'm not sure about the bear basin site so you might have to do a search for it. Hope this info helps and drop anymore questions if you have them. What ranges will you be shooting?
thanks Rob. that is kind of where I was leaning. This question was really posted for a friend of mine. He has a 800 dollar budget. I figured that 600 should buy a decent rifle and that 200 should get a good starter scope. By the time he is good enough to need a better scope he should have the money saved to upgrade. main use is 300 or less yards with occasional 500-600 yard use.
thinking about it the Saveage and a better scope might not be a bad option. Upgrade the rifle as experaince and money increase.
given the 800 dollar limit he is open to suggestions.
thinking about it the Saveage and a better scope might not be a bad option. Upgrade the rifle as experaince and money increase.
given the 800 dollar limit he is open to suggestions.
I would have to go with a Remington 700 and a very very cheap scope to cover the $800 initial cost knowing that you will upgrade the scope in the near future to a better scope like leupold.
Remember, a rifle without sites (like a Remington 700) is no better than the scope mounted on top.
Remember, a rifle without sites (like a Remington 700) is no better than the scope mounted on top.
Legionnaire
New member
Ditto on the Rem 700, but not on the cheap scope. Look at one of the auction sites for a used, fixed power Leupold or Burris. I think you'd do better buying a quality used scope than a new lower quality scope. Should be able to find a 4x or 6x in your price range. For example:
http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?ItemNum=1454916
. . . but don't forget you'll also need bases and rings.
http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?ItemNum=1454916
. . . but don't forget you'll also need bases and rings.
WalterGAII
Moderator
Leggionaire's advice is right on the mark. I recently bought a Burris Signature 8-32X44mm varmint scope from a guy at the local range for $250. (That's about half price) He'd screwed up the Posi-lok adjustment, so I sent it back to Burris. They fixed the scope at no charge and shipped it back to me freight-paid.
If you have to get by with the cheaper scope, do so, but know that you'll wind up spending more later.
I've heard lots of good things about Savages. However, if you buy a heavy-barrel Savage, add a trigger and H-S Precision-quality scope, you're right up there with the Rem VS.
If you have to get by with the cheaper scope, do so, but know that you'll wind up spending more later.
I've heard lots of good things about Savages. However, if you buy a heavy-barrel Savage, add a trigger and H-S Precision-quality scope, you're right up there with the Rem VS.
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Currently the 700VS and the Winchester Stealth are neck-and neck, with the Winchester having the edge due to spotty quality control at Remington. If all I had was $800 for both rifle AND optics, I'd buy a Savage 10FP and a Tasco SuperSniper from SWFA. Keep in mind you'll need mounts and rings.
Calif Hunter
New member
I have to go with the Savage since you have a price situation. The Savage Tactical is just about impossible to beat out of the box. As Gun Test Magazine said when they tested it against the Remington and Winchester heavy barreled rifles...take the money you save and buy a better scope. The triggers are NOT hard to adjust. My Savage .223 shoots under a half inch with a whole bunch of different loads and bullet weights, and the trigger adjustment took me less than 10 minutes with a screwdriver (and an allen wrnech for the stock screws.) That is all that I've done to it.
By checking around, you can get good buys on used or close-out scopes.
I have a Remington 700 in .300 Weatherby that I love. But "Pretty is as pretty does," and the Savage does it!
By checking around, you can get good buys on used or close-out scopes.
I have a Remington 700 in .300 Weatherby that I love. But "Pretty is as pretty does," and the Savage does it!
Glockster35
New member
I agree, get the Savage and splurge on a good scope and base setup. Remingtons have their place, but if you put a price limit on yourself, then you have to go Savage to get a good rifle.
I have yet to take mine to the range and check to se ehow good it will shoot, but I will guarantee it will shoot much better than I can get it, so making a sub MOA comparison is out of the question for me.
Good luck
I have yet to take mine to the range and check to se ehow good it will shoot, but I will guarantee it will shoot much better than I can get it, so making a sub MOA comparison is out of the question for me.
Good luck
Either the Remington or Savage qualify as far as probable accuracy goes, with the nod going to Savage for lowest price and crappiest stock. If you choose the Savage, you can later buy a laminated stock from the factory if you wish.
There are lots of places where you can get one of these for around $400. (Wal-Mart comes to mind.) The Savage even comes with a cheapo scope and mount which you can sell at your next yard sale.
Don't bother with trying to find a good 'cheap' or used 'scope. Midway, Midsouth, and a whole lot of other on-line and mail-order dealers will sell you a Leupold Vari-X II, 2x7, for about $240. It's plenty of 'scope. Check ads in the gun rags (it's all they're good for anyway.) The Vari-X II is a 'second line' Leupold, which means it's only about three times as good as any other domestic or Far East import. They mean their guarantee.
Careful shopping will bring you in right around $800 for a rig like the above.
The factory triggers on all new rifles now suck. You must monkey with them and void the warranty (big deal) to get a good shooting rifle. Just one of the things we have to deal with in this litigious age. Check www.snipercountry.com for instructions on how to adjust trigger pulls on these rifles.
I'd advise a .223 for economy, a .308 for the most smash for the cash.
_________________________
The wise man said "This cannot be done." The fool came and did it.
There are lots of places where you can get one of these for around $400. (Wal-Mart comes to mind.) The Savage even comes with a cheapo scope and mount which you can sell at your next yard sale.
Don't bother with trying to find a good 'cheap' or used 'scope. Midway, Midsouth, and a whole lot of other on-line and mail-order dealers will sell you a Leupold Vari-X II, 2x7, for about $240. It's plenty of 'scope. Check ads in the gun rags (it's all they're good for anyway.) The Vari-X II is a 'second line' Leupold, which means it's only about three times as good as any other domestic or Far East import. They mean their guarantee.
Careful shopping will bring you in right around $800 for a rig like the above.
The factory triggers on all new rifles now suck. You must monkey with them and void the warranty (big deal) to get a good shooting rifle. Just one of the things we have to deal with in this litigious age. Check www.snipercountry.com for instructions on how to adjust trigger pulls on these rifles.
I'd advise a .223 for economy, a .308 for the most smash for the cash.
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The wise man said "This cannot be done." The fool came and did it.
My rig cost me right at $550. Here's what I got:
Savage 10FP in .308, Tasco World Class 3-9 x 50mm scope (w/ rings and bases), and a Harris bipod
I haven't shot this rifle beyond 200 yards yet, but at 100 it consistently gives me three touching holes.
If you like, spend $75 on a replacement trigger (I had mine stoned, and it's just fine). You'll still come out right at $600 total.
Savage 10FP in .308, Tasco World Class 3-9 x 50mm scope (w/ rings and bases), and a Harris bipod
I haven't shot this rifle beyond 200 yards yet, but at 100 it consistently gives me three touching holes.
If you like, spend $75 on a replacement trigger (I had mine stoned, and it's just fine). You'll still come out right at $600 total.
Glockster35
New member
My rig cost me right at $824, here's what I got:
Savage 10FP in .308, Bushnell ScopeChief 6x20x40mm scope (w/ Leupold rings and bases), and a Harris swivel bipod.
I have shot this rifle beyond 200 yards but not with this scope mounted. Accuracy at 100 yards is excellent, well under 1 MOA with a 3x9 scope.
$455 for the rifle, $199 for the scope, $50 for the rings and bases and another $90 for the bi-pods. I also added the Pachmyr de-cellerator pad ($30) for the synthetic stock, and it makes a world of difference. Total is $824. I could have done much better cost wise, but when you live in Cali, well everything is more expensive.
Savage 10FP in .308, Bushnell ScopeChief 6x20x40mm scope (w/ Leupold rings and bases), and a Harris swivel bipod.
I have shot this rifle beyond 200 yards but not with this scope mounted. Accuracy at 100 yards is excellent, well under 1 MOA with a 3x9 scope.
$455 for the rifle, $199 for the scope, $50 for the rings and bases and another $90 for the bi-pods. I also added the Pachmyr de-cellerator pad ($30) for the synthetic stock, and it makes a world of difference. Total is $824. I could have done much better cost wise, but when you live in Cali, well everything is more expensive.
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Bad Karma,
Check out www.gunbroker.com and search for Item # 1488845 This is a Wincherster Model 70 and it is a tack driver. I owned this rifle and sold it back to the guy I bought it from This is one VERY FINE rifle. I put the BiPod on it and and Butler creek covers if you wanted the scope with it. Here is a ready to go to the range and shoot .50 groups all day long if you are good enough, I wasn't
Felt recoil is about that of a .22
Karsten
PS, if you don't want to bid I can get ahold of the guy for you and he can just pull the auction.
Check out www.gunbroker.com and search for Item # 1488845 This is a Wincherster Model 70 and it is a tack driver. I owned this rifle and sold it back to the guy I bought it from This is one VERY FINE rifle. I put the BiPod on it and and Butler creek covers if you wanted the scope with it. Here is a ready to go to the range and shoot .50 groups all day long if you are good enough, I wasn't
Felt recoil is about that of a .22Karsten
PS, if you don't want to bid I can get ahold of the guy for you and he can just pull the auction.
Bad Karma,
You might want to look at the fn police special from --fulton armory I believe.....it is a very nice rifle and I think its selling for $795...........I only suggest this because Ive seen the results that were obtained with this rifle......it's in 308, comes with a claw extractor, a magazine, and surprisingly has a chrome lined bore and achieves outstanding accuracy.......my shooting bud who has one put 9 rounds in one hole at 100yds off of the bench, he blew the 10th round thinking about it......its definitely on my to own list.....fubsy.
You might want to look at the fn police special from --fulton armory I believe.....it is a very nice rifle and I think its selling for $795...........I only suggest this because Ive seen the results that were obtained with this rifle......it's in 308, comes with a claw extractor, a magazine, and surprisingly has a chrome lined bore and achieves outstanding accuracy.......my shooting bud who has one put 9 rounds in one hole at 100yds off of the bench, he blew the 10th round thinking about it......its definitely on my to own list.....fubsy.