Suggestions for a .308?

S

Spats McGee

Administrator
I need some recommendations on a .308 rifle. I’ve read a bunch of the threads on this, and have (I think) narrowed down my requirements, so I want to get some opinions now that I've done that. I’d hate to go out and buy something, only to discover that I overlooked the perfect rifle, or grabbed one that won’t suit my needs. I don’t have a lot of experience with rifles, and will need this one to fit a variety of purposes.

My (negotiable) requirements:

1) Decent accuracy (precision?) out to 200-300 yards. I’d like to try my hand at long(er) range target shooting. There’s a range about an hour from here with an 800-yard rifle range. I’m not sure I could hit a barn at 800 yards, but I’d like to try. I’d also like to become competent out to at least 200, maybe 300, yards. I suspect that most modern rifles are perfectly capable out to that range, if I do my part, but I’d also hate to pick one only to find out that I chose the only one that can’t do its part. I’m also thinking about taking up deer hunting, and while I doubt that there would be many shots out past 100-150 yards in the woody hills of north Arkansas, but there just might be.
2) Durable and reliable. I don’t have the time, money, or inclination to buy something that I’m going to constantly be fixing, or worrying about fixing. Not gonna do it. Wouldn’t be prudent.
3) Relatively simple maintenance. I do not want to have to spend 3 hours watching YouTube videos to figure out how to reassemble the damn thing after cleaning.
4) Bolt action. This is related to #2. As I mentioned, I do not have a lot of experience with rifles, and I have more faith in my ability to clean, lubricate, and otherwise maintain a bolt action than I do a semi-auto.
5) Detachable magazine. This one I’m not all that sure about, but I think it would better suit my needs than one with an integral magazine.
6) Budget – I don’t know exactly what the budget is, because I’m going to have to do a little old-fashioned horse-trading to accomplish this, but I’m going to guess ~$600-800.

Some thoughts on models:
1) Remington 700 – Yes, I’ve seen the reports about them going off without anyone pulling the trigger. I’m not entirely convinced that those are accurate. I suspect that there was something else going on (poor maintenance, modified triggers, who knows).
2) Ruger Gunsite Scout rifle – This one’s fairly new to the market, so I’m not sure how they’ll pan out in the long run. That said, I’ve had very good luck with Rugers over the years. However, my impression is that Rugers are more known for their durability than their accuracy.
3) Others – There may be plenty of other companies that I should consider, and I am willing to. – Savage Winchester, Browning . . . – I’m willing to entertain any suggestions that you might have from other companies.

So, with all of that said, do you guys have any recommendations? Have I missed the perfect rifle? Is it out there? Is it even possible to meet my criteria?
 
Tikka is another brand you may want to look at. Probably the smoothest bolt n trigger you'll find out of the box. Also has debatable mags. However they are plastic, which is bothers some people, not me though. The only mag problem I have is that it cost me $50 for a 5 round'r....
 
I'm not bothered by plastic. I've also looked at the Ruger M77 All-weather models, and I'd be fine with something like that.

Thanks for the tip on Tikkas. Those don't show up around here, so I'm thoroughly unfamiliar with them.
 
If ease of maintenance is very important, look at some of the single shots such as the Ruger #1 or H&R Handi Rifle.

The detachable magazine removes some good choices.

My own choice was/is a Winchester Model 70.
 
308 Choice

All the rifles you mentioned would prrobably serve you well but what is really important is what feels the best to you when you bring it up to your shoulder or however you plan to shoot. A rifle that does not come up naturally or feels clumsy will be harder to manage than one that "feels right". I have never had a problem with any remington rifle going off accidently except for a .22 40X with a 2 oz trigger that some idiot had tried to adjust down below 2 oz. All the rifles I have owned or shot from the major manufactures have been pretty accurate (2 MOA or less ) except for Ruger. For some reason my Rugers have been 2 MOA or greater. All the Remingtons I have had would shoot 1 MOA or better. The last rifle I bought was a Remington 700 stainless in 7-08 caliber with a 24 in barrel. That rifle shoots 0.5 MOA with numerousl different loads. I would definitely get the 24 in barrel because the extra length gets you pushing 30-06 velocities without the extra recoil. As a side note you might consider the 7-08 for its better ballistics unless you are going after really large game.
 
Trot on down to your local Walstore and pick up a Remington 700 laminated stock for about $525.00 and tax. Add a Redfield or Leupold sight base set with a Burris Fullfield II and you are good to go.
 
2) Ruger Gunsite Scout rifle – This one’s fairly new to the market, so I’m not sure how they’ll pan out in the long run. That said, I’ve had very good luck with Rugers over the years. However, my impression is that Rugers are more known for their durability than their accuracy.
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If I was to have one rifle for all general purposes I'd opt for the Ruger Gunsite Scout.

I have one and find it to be very accurate. Ruger now makes their own barrels if what I have been told is true. I've been very impressed with the accuracy from my Gunsite Scout, GSR for short, and it easily shoots sub MOA with halfway decent ammunition. The Scout will be at the upper range of your price point and maybe a little over it but it's worth it. The versatility of the rifle is very handy.

I've had a forward mounted red dot on mine, open sights, and a traditional scope. All of that is easily done with a screw driver and five minutes of your time. Just be sure to Lok Tite the screws for the Rail and the Iron Sights. BTW the iron sights are pretty darn good on this rifle and the whole platform is well thought out.

I shoot mine out to 500 Yards as the Range I use doesn't go further and being that it's a hunting rifle I won't personally take any shots further out than that. The 5 Round magazine, after market purchase, is a real good addition, as well as a Ching Sling from Andy.

http://andysleather.com/

I doubt you'd go wrong with a GSR. FWIW I only paid $730 for mine by shopping around but being that they are in such high demand now you may be hard pressed to find one for that today. I suggest you shop online or give me a PM. Even the dealer I bought mine from has increased his price a little bit.

To sum it up; Durable, yes. Accurate, yes. Versitle, yes.

Biker
 
Remington, Ruger, Winchester, Savage, take your choice. All those rifles are capable of meeting your criteria.

I've got a Remington 700 and a Savage 11. I recently shot a Winchester 70 featherweight. Either of those are capable of 300 yard targets, and I say that because we were shooting 300 yard targets. Oh! I forgot my son's Ruger. It was on the line too. His is an early Model 77 that shoots like a dream.

I'm a Savage guy, but either of those rifles will serve you well. Another to look at is the Weatherby Vanguard, or the Howa 1500. Great rifles in your price point.
 
I had my Savage 10 FP Law Enforcement Model .308 on the 200 yard range this week and it averaged 0.84 MOA on a hot and somewhat gusty day for 5 shot groups. Best group was 1.42 inches (.71 MOA).

I don't think I was shooting my best and I wasn't letting the barrel cool down between shots so, even with the heavy barrel, there was some heating effect. But for a $700 rifle out of the box without any modifications in front of an old shakey shooter, it was more than acceptable.

I also shot my Remington 700 SPS Varmint in .22-250 to .74 MOA but that rilfe was modified to get a new Bell and Carlson Stock and a new Timney trigger to get to that level.
It was closer to 1 MOA out of the box. Acceptable but not good enough.
It cost $ 450 on sale but the trigger and stock added $350 so the net cost was actually $ 800.

I would go with a Savage if you aren't into doing modifications to a Remington.
 
@ Everyone -- Thank you all for your responses. I am grateful for the tips, and glad to know that I'm not totally on the wrong track, even if I did overlook a few contenders. I'll start some research on those others. I truly hate buyer's remorse. I also got a recomendation from a friend (whose judgement on guns I trust) yesterday on a Savage Model 10. So that one's in the running now, too.

I have a rifle off at the gunsmith (it needed a new firing pin), and I'll have to get that back before I buy anything. (Gotta have some trade bait, you know.) Still, I may head to the fun show this weekend to some some price shopping, and to "try some on," as it were.

@ BoxC -- I am unfamiliar with the 7-08, but I do not plan on going after really large game. Whitetail deer are about as big as I plan on shooting around here. We have a few bears, but very few. I'm more likely to be struck by lightning than to have to deal with a bear. I'm also unsure what the 7-08 supply and ammo costs look like, but I know that .308 is relatively plentiful.

@ BikerRN -- Thanks for the report on the GSR. I like the features on those. Being so new on the market, there just isn't that much out there about them. I'll go hit Gunblast and see what they've said. I also kind of wish it came in a synthetic stock, primarily because I don't know much about laminate stocks. Everything I've got is either wood or synthetic.
 
.308 rifle

I've recently started shooting a Re. SPS 700 stainless with synthetic stock with the new recoil pad. Haven't tried 300 yards but a 100-200 with green box Rem. ammo had 1-3 inch groups at 100-200 distance. More than needed for deer or hogs. Nice looking rig topped with leoupld 3x9 vxll in stainless satin finish.
 
"Shootability" comes from a proper fit of the rifle to your body. Length of pull is easily adjusted, but such things as the drop at the comb are important.

Mount the rifle to your shoulder with your eyes closed as though you were going to shoot at something. Good cheek weld and all that. When you open your eyes you should be looking right through the sights or scope without moving your head. If no sights or scope, then right down the centerline of the barrel and "sight height" above it.

The 7mm08 is a factory cartridge; the .308 necked down to 7mm. For all practical purposes it's a .308 with ten grains less bullet weight in the most common loadings for both. Plenty good for deer or black bear.

Type of magazine in the field is generally a matter of indifference to me, so long as any box-type does not protrude. I like to carry a rifle at its balance point, sometimes. Blind magazine or opening-floor-plate? Doesn't matter, although I sorta prefer the latter for ease of unloading.
 
7mm-08 is a great round for deer. Probably my favorite right now.

Your budget would put you into an unscoped Savage 10 Precision Carbine. I purchased mine new for $715.00. Its a heavy barreled compact tack driving, tough looking, maneuverable rifle with an outstanding trigger.
 
I love my Savage.

This is the 10FCP in .308 with Choate Tactical Stock.

Got this at my local Cabelas for $689.00. Scope, Rings, and Base not included.
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Tikka T3 or Browning X-Bolt

I have both in .308. Both are accurate (less than one inch at 100 yards). Both have smooth bolts. The T3 came with synthetic stock and the X-bolt in wood. I prefer the X-bolt as far as how it feels. The triggers are excellent for both. Price wise the T3 cost less. Can't go wrong with either one.:cool:
 
Well, I spent my lunch hour at my local fun shop. I didn't have time to handle everything they had, or everything that I wanted. They were a little thin on trade-ins, and the guy told me that he doesn't like to take stuff on trade-in this time of year, because those guns just sit in the rack until closer to deer season. But that's beside the point. . . . They didn't have any Ruger GSRs in stock (having trouble getting them), but they did have a Savage Model 10 Precision Carbine that I got to handle. They wanted $739 for it, and I liked it a lot. They also had a wide variety of Rem 700s and some Browning X-bolt. I'll go back soon to look at those.

precision_shooter -- That is one very, very good-looking rifle! :cool:
 
I picked up a T/C Icon in 308 last year and it's a tack driver. I'm not a sharpshooter but I've managed 1" and better with my handloads...as long as I'm doing my part correctly. It's the easiest of my bolt actions to disassemble, the mag is detachable but I use mine w/ a single-shot adaptor. I found mine for under $800, a couple of folks here have one and seem to like it as much as I do. They have less expensive models that seem to perform as good.
 
Progress report: I went to a gun show this weekend, and was finally able to handle one of the Ruger GSRs. Those do seem very nice. Being the semi-voracious researcher that I can be, I came home and did some further looking online. I ran across one Savage model that nobody has mentioned: The Model 10 FCM Scout. It can be found here: http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/10FCM SCOUT

.308, bolt action, detachable box mag, Accutrigger and Accustock, coming in at 6.65 pounds, as opposed to 7.0 lbs for either the Ruger GSR or the Savage Precision Carbine. (This ol' fat boy would not mind shaving a half a pound off of the load, all other things being equal.) Anybody got any experience with this rifle? It seems like a pretty good option.

Also, I read an article (Shooting Times?) on a "budget rifle shootout," with the Savage Axis (no Accutrigger), the Mossberg 100 ATR (I think), and a Thompson/Center (Venture?). All of those listed for under $500 MSRP. I don't know that any of them will be enough of a value to beat out the higher priced models listed above, but if you have good information on them, I'd love to hear it.

Again, thanks to all of you for your input.
 
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