Time to get the .308 help me decide

[Ryan044]

Ok, its been a long time coming and its finally time to bite the bullet. I am in the market for a .308 in a synthetic stocked bolt gun. I am liking the idea of a removable mag. Also I would prefer a medium weight barrel. this will primaraly be a mid range target gun (under 500yds) and the occasional hunt. I have a Savage Model 12 in .223 and love it. I looked at a wetherby vanguard today and was not impressed.

so here is what I would like.

suggestions on affordable bolt rifles in the .308 caliber, as you can probably tell my budget is not unlimited. I would like to spend around $700-$900 on both gun and scope. Probably a Redfield or Nikon to sit on top.
let me know what you think

Ryan

[CapeCodShooter]

Ryan, the Savage 10GXP is a package with an okay scope with an MSRP of $712. The model 16FXP3 is also a package that MSRPs for $782. Both have the Accutrigger. The model 12 FVSS with Accutrigger lists for $865 without scope. All these models have internal box magazines. If you like your Savage, check the rest of the Savage line. Owners claim that they all shoot well in .308 right out of the box.

I have a 10GXP coming in January.

[Dave R]

Agreed. My .308 synth stock boltgun is a Remington 700 ADL, and I have been very pleased with it. Its a viable option for you. But I have heard only good about the Savage.

[Redbullitt]

I would look at the savage 10 FCP with either the mcm or HS stock. I shot the HS stocked one for a while and it was great. Retail is usually around 800-900 that I have seen.

Trigger is great, stock fit me well though the palm swell on the HS stocks is a bit large for my liking. Accuracy and consistency was very very good. With handloads it shot clovers and a little larger at 100 without match prep. My model came with a 10 twist, which can allow you to shoot heavier bullets (i mostly used 175 SMK) and subsonic rounds well too (180 RN worked well) It also comes with a DBM that works just fine.

The rem SPS is also worth a look, but I do favor the savage for an out of the box shooter here. I did not care for the Xmark trigger on the rem (no experience with newest model) or the flimsy stock that would SMASH into the barrel off a bipod. Shooting wise, it did ok, but not great.

Again, definite nod to the savage 10.

[DiscoRacing]

Howa

[popeyespappy]

If you like your model 12 then look at the Savage Model 10 Precision Carbine for $649. It has a the accustock and detachable mag you want. It has a 20” 1:10 twist barrel.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...ducts_id/57406

If you want a longer barrel try the Savage Model 10 FCP-K for $735. It has everything the carbine has with a 24” fluted barrel with a muzzle brake.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...ducts_id/57408

My problem with these Savage rifles is that higher capacity magazines aren’t readily available. There is one shop that I’m aware of that makes a higher capacity assembly for the Savage but they are pricey.

There’s always the Remington 700 SPS Tactical for $570. It has a 20” barrel with a 1:12 twist but you’ll probably want to upgrade the stock eventually and have to add a detachable magazine after the fact. Unlike the Savage rifles there are multiple options available for the detachable mag and once you’ve done all the upgrades you will have spent more than for the factory Savage.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/42070

[sc928porsche]

FN Mauser model M03. Extremely accurate, very high quality craftmanship. Many options available including extra barrels and bolt heads for cartridge change. Check out their website.

[5RWill]

I agree with everyone on adding another savage they're good rifles. I picked up a Remington 700 5R for 1000$ price has probably dropped by now. And well scope is a personal preference. I've seen great reviews on Vortex Vipers and by great I mean D@mn good reviews. For instance a 400$ scope being compared to 1000$ scopes. But like i said it comes down to personal preference. You can find a good scope in your budget by looking at brands such as Sightron, vortex, nikon, and leupold. If i understood you correctly your wanting to spend 700-900 on rifle and then 700-900 on scope? Or is it rifle and scope together? Regardless this is a pretty good scope for the price, also on sale right now for 299$ I have it on my .243 and i like it alot, can't ask for much more for the price range.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=123107

[pichon]

There is a Remington 700 SPS DM line, DM standing for detachable mag, but I don't think the come in .308. They do come in 7mm-08 which uses the same size mag as a .308 I believe. Probably wouldn't be hard to do a conversion on a Rem 700 SPS .308 with 7mm-08 mag parts.

The Remington SPS Tactical 308 Black Hogue Stock 20" Heavy Barrel can be had at Impact for $562.99

[5RWill]

Had forgotten to mention the SPS series of remington, while i'm not wild about the varminter stocks they do have special versions with good stocks on them. Those would suit your need as well.

[Qtiphky]

I have a Tikka T3 which I love. Real accurate and light with a stainless barrel. Put the scope of your choice on it and you're good to go. Don't know the prices anymore as I have had this for awhile.

Recently bought a Howa M1500 with the Hogue stock in 22-250. Came with a cheap scope on it, shoots moa, out the door under $500 at Scheels. They had 308's as well for only $75 more. The Hogue stock is a little heavy and it is rubber, but I like it so far.

[Rimfire5]

I got a Law Enforcement model 10 FC in August with a heavy barrel and extended bolt handle. The accu-trigger was set at 2 lbs 11 oz from the factory. What a great rifle for the money.
I started with factory ammo to see what it liked and found it loved 168 grain match bullets. I tried all kinds of brands and weights and it stll averaged under 1 inch with 40 different groups.

Then I started hand loading and it has averaged 0.751 inches for 317 groups but it really loves 168 Sierra Match Kings at 2600 to 2675 fps with C.O.L = 2.805 inches. With those loads, it has averaged under 0.55 inches.

The heavy barrel is a bit heavy for hunting but for range shooting it is just right.

This rifle was so impressive that my buddy went out and bought one too - He got an even better bargain at Dick's since his also came with a scope. His trigger was set at 2 lbs 9 oz from the factory. He has had similar results with all averages under 1 MOA also. He found his likes 2600 to 2650 at 2.800.

They both were great shooters right out of the box.

[UpstateGlocker]

Browning X-bolt

Beautiful looking, great balance, accurate shooter, well built.

[Bamashooter]

im thinking remington sps or the vtr with 5r rifling. supposedly the vtr with 5r rifling is more accurate than the standard vtr.

[ethan95]

R700 sps, i have the R700 sps tactical and i love it.

[5RWill]

All in all it will come down to personal preference, and every rifle a member has listed in this thread will work, from tikka to savage they're all good rifles. I would say go to a local gun store hold a couple and see first hand which one you like better. Odds are 9 times out of 10 your going to get a good shooting rifle. There are just lemons every now and then with every company.

[dgvette]

I love my 308 Tikka T-3 stainless. Very accurite and nice to look at with the nikon stainless scope.

[thesheepdog]

Have you ever shot 500 yards before?

[Ryan044]

yes a few times. (my neighbor has a 700yd range at his hunting camp) I currently have my home range out to 300yds. This is where I spend most of my time with the .223 I would like to move out a little bit more and all I have to do is a little land work to make a 500yd range with only about 8' of slope overall.

I really don't like Remingtons website. I will investigate more into the savage line only beacause I am very pleased with the one I have. But a couple of suggestions like the tikka are interesting.
I will keep you posted.