Lightweight .308 instead of AR?

R

ronin308

New member
Alright fellas lemme tell you about my AR troubles: I'm just plain dissatisfied with my ARs, I won't get into any details because the function/reliablity of ARs is another thread entirely. I was going to go for an M1A or a FAL but for some reason I have this crazy idea in my head that I should just get a nice lightweight .308 bolt action with a good scope on it. In a SHTF situation I don't think that I could duke it out head to head with a battle rifle. They would surely have the advantage in a firefight because of numbers. So I'm thinking more of a shoot n' scoot thing and I think that a good lightweight .308 bolt would be perfect. I'm not talking about a PSS or an SSG or anything but more like your run-of-the-mill walnut stocked model Seven, Ruger M77, Sig 970, etc. This way I have a great hunting rifle and if SHTF I could shoot n' scoot with it. Tell me what you guys all think! Am I going crazy? I'm just really disillusioned with semi-autos lately. I'm not trying to spark a bolt vs. semi debate here but really what you all think of a bolt as a general survival, hunting, target, SHTF rifle. Thanks in advance for the replies!

Dan

P.S. I saw that Remington LTR...nearly perfect!
 
I vote for the Remington 700 ADL Synthetic Youth .308 Win..
I got one for my son and put williams peep sights on it. It is reliable and accurate right out of the box, and does better with good handloads. Its also ALOT lighter than my M1A. I'd say, inside 300 yards the Remington shines. Only past 300 yds does the advantage of the M1A come in to play. But you can buy three 700 ADL SY's for the price of one M1A, tough choice. Which is why we bought both........good luck.:)


The impression I got from the 700 ADL SY, was, its the poormans Scout Rifle!
 
Survival is about avoiding combat. Escape and evasion. A good bolt action .308 is perfect for that, as well as putting meat on the table. As you say, shoot and scoot. In a so-called SHTF scenario, if you're going up against an armed force by yourself (government troops, organized terrorists), you're pretty much screwed, no matter what you're carrying. If you're talking nuclear devastation, complete breakdown of society, or cannibal zombies (one is as likely as the others), you're back in survival mode again. If it's one-on-one and you can hit the other guy with your first shot, it doesn't matter what he's carrying. I think the .308 is a great idea. That's what my next rifle is going to be.
 
I have a C&R mindset, so I opted for the Spanish FR-8. Designed for the NATO loads, but does great with handmade's. Have one in original condition, and will pick up another for Scout Rifle project. Just my 2 cents worth!

spsteel_cetmeton_1.jpg
 
same idea here
SS M77, a tub of Singapore 308s and a decent scope and practice x ?..sounds good. Folding AK for CQB.ya stupid AK..goodlooking FR8-
 
Okay and the flame will fly I am sure. I will start off saying that I know of a guy selling an LTR ready to go with awesome optic's for a darn good price. If you want info email me.
Okay....now supposed SHTF stuff.....Hide, Hide and Hide and remember to be PREPARED. Take two and a side arm
I would say a great bolt gun in .308 such as the Savage 10FP, Howa 1500 varminter, Winchester model 70, the Remington LTR and from there you go up past $1000.00.
I would also grab a AR with a heavy barrel for just in case you needed CBQ. I would say or dare say a Bushmaster Dissapator would be great.
So with a side arm you should have everything covered...


Karsten
 
For serious light weight, the new Remington titanium-actioned 700 in .308 weighs about 5-1/4 pounds. With a lightweight scope--e.g., a Weaver V3 weighs 9 oz.--you can come out with an easy-carry critter.

:), Art
 
I think you hit the nail square on the head, ronin308. My take to the hills rifles are a Remington bolt action (in .270 cal) and a Ruger 10/22. Survival is about avoiding confrontations and about procurring water, shelter and food.

AJ
 
GOOD IDEA WHO'S TIME HAS COME

I've had my eye on a WWII rifle that "should have been," the new Gibbs Quest II carbine in .308. If they've really fixed that wandering zero problem it should be a great rifle. The price is right.

http://www.gibbsrifle.com/
 
You just have to decide whether you want a dedicated fighting rifle, or a GP rifle. If you want GP, you fall squarely into the "scout" concept.

My "Scout" is a 12 gauge. Dedicated fighting rifles either offer a relatively high volume of fire, or extreme accuracy, in my opinion.
 
Thanks for all the replies everyone! I was afraid this was going to be a dreaded "dead thread". I like everyone's ideas!!! I love the variety of the suggestions- from C&R to Ti to Striker! :D I was thinking about the Ti but its too darn shiny and too darn plastic! :) But let me reveal to you the EXACT rifle I was thinking of:

Ruger M77 w/ walnut stock, Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40mm scope in the stock Ruger rings, recoil pad like KickEez or Pachmyer, Timney trigger and maybe one of those Hick's accurizers... I think that would suit my personal style of shooting perfectly. Also it would please me aesthetically. I think that most of the fears about wood stocks are too hyped up. The reason for the recoil pad isn't because .308 even has any amount of recoil to think about, but because I imagine with a Kickeez that it would be like shooting a .22 mag. I love a good trigger (as Christopher II would say "A trigger snob") and I have a thing for wood stocks too. I think I'm starting to realize that being a good rifleman isn't about having the latest toys but taking a good reliable and proven rifle and being field accurate with it. By field accurate I don't mean just close shots, I mean that if I make up my mind to shoot at it I'd better hit it square! I've done too much AR horsetrading and I'm sick of it because I'm never satisfied. I'm afraid if I get an M1A, FAL, or even a Garand that I wouldn't be satisfied either. I'm ready to settle down here and I wanna get one rifle that I can really be satisfied with. The novelty of high capacity semi autos is wearing off with me.

Dan
 
I seriously doubt that you would be dissatisfied with an M1A.
I had my doubts about mine before I bought it. Every trip to the range with it impresses me more than the last trip.:D
 
I've had the same thoughts recently regarding ARs. Today I looked at a Remington 700 Tactical Lightweight 308. 20" fluted barrel, the forearm is a bit shorter than the 26" gun, but it's noticeably lighter- read: easier to hump. I think I'm going to trade in one of my ARs on this rifle, anyone have any experience with one?
 
I've been considering making a similar change also. I'm leaning more toward a lever action though. Sounds like there could be an AR market surplus soon.
 
Atticus- My winter project is to turn my Marlin 336 into a scout type rifle. I'm going to throw on the AO mount, AO ghost rings, and the Leupold IER.

Dan
 
Ronin, I see nothing wrong with your choice of bolt and .308.

Though I am partial to the FAL, weight ok and good for heads at 400 yards with military peep. If that weren't in my hoose I could be happy with nearly any bolt gun..03A3...Ishapore Enfield or whatever as long as it was in the NATO caliber. Gotta like that free ammo that will be there for the taking if your stalking skills are adequate. Poop n snoop without getting caught is what is going to keep you alive and mobile. Otherwise hide in a mine shaft and hope your grub lasts.

Sam
 
FWIW, We've had good luck with Remingtons 700 ADL Synthetic Youth, .308, (the poor mans scout rifle). We put Williams FP peep sights on it and my 14 yr old used it last year to bring home an elk, so its paid for itself. No forward mounted scope though and no mounts. Maybe the addition of a new match barrel with integral ring mounts ala Ruger. And a new front sight to match the rear peep in case the scope ever takes a dive.
 
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