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Old June 9, 2011, 06:33 PM   #1
Mrgunsngear
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Best 308 For Under $500

Here are my criteria:

Under $500
308
Able to mount optics
At least 4 round capacity
Reliable/Durable
I don't want to give a minimum MOA, but let's shoot for 2.5 or less. Obviously, lower is more desirable.


I own an AK and an M&P15 but I'm looking for something in .308 in order to be able to reach out a little farther. "Tacti-cool" is a plus, but not necessary. Thanks for the help.
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Old June 9, 2011, 06:46 PM   #2
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Lots of bolt-actions fit that bill. Stevens 200 will be the cheapest, followed by the Marlin XS7. Weatherby Vangard would also fit well within that price range but most of those I've seen were in long actions (30-06, 270, etc.) If you are willing to try slightly used, there are tons of the plain-jane Savage models that can be had for $400 or less. Every single one of these is MOA or better accuracy.
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Old June 9, 2011, 06:46 PM   #3
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My choice would be a T/C Venture. It has a great trigger, 5R rifling, and a 1moa guarentee. You can get them here in my area for just over $400.
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Old June 9, 2011, 07:02 PM   #4
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Just stay away from Savage Axis/Edge and Remington 770

I would look at....
Stevens 200 (cheapest, very basic, but good accuracy/reliablity, easy to upgrade)
Savage 11
Weatherby Vanguard
Howa 1500
Remington 700 SPS
Marlin XS7
Tikka T3
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Old June 9, 2011, 07:02 PM   #5
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I would buy a 7.62/.308 upper for your AR but thats significantly more than your budget.

Within your budget I would look at above used or Savage new.
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Old June 9, 2011, 07:08 PM   #6
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Another vote for the Howa 1500. My heavy barrel Howa is a tack driver for less than $400 at CDNN.
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Old June 9, 2011, 07:45 PM   #7
LukeA
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Any good condition used bolt gun.
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Old June 9, 2011, 07:54 PM   #8
Doyle
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The Howa 1500 and Weatherby Vanguard are essentially the same thing.
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Old June 9, 2011, 08:13 PM   #9
Mrgunsngear
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I'm reading reviews of your recommendations fellas. Thanks. Some nice looking rifles...
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Old June 9, 2011, 08:18 PM   #10
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TC Venture
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Old June 9, 2011, 08:29 PM   #11
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T/C Venture gives you a pretty good rifle for the money shoots good looks good & has 1'' moa guarantee & a pretty good trigger
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Old June 9, 2011, 10:39 PM   #12
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2.5 moa? That is not asking for much.

I would be very dissapointed in a .308 that didn't shoot at least 1 moa. There are several good choices but I would recommend a Savage 10, a Remington 700, or a CZ 550. I am not sure of the current prices on those though. Another good option is the Stephens 200 which is basically a pre-accutrigger Savage. For the price they can be bought for, you could easily add an aftermarket trigger. I have a Timney in mine (pre accutrigger 110) and absolutely love it.

Last edited by SRH78; June 10, 2011 at 07:55 AM.
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Old June 9, 2011, 11:01 PM   #13
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http://www.impactguns.com/stevens-20...356177483.aspx
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Old June 9, 2011, 11:19 PM   #14
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Savage 11 FCXP3, synthetic stock, comes with a 3-9x40mm scope (mine was a Bushnell), detachable box magazine, MSRP is $525 I picked mine for about $450 at Sportsman's Warehouse.

Also they have the 111 FCXP3 which comes in 30-06, 7mm Rem Mag, and 300 Win Mag if you're not dead set on .308, all the same price as the 11.
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Old June 10, 2011, 06:33 AM   #15
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I would be searching the used rifle racks, you get a lot more bang for your buck buying used.
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Old June 10, 2011, 07:02 AM   #16
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.308 rifle

The Remington 700 SPS I just sighted in shoots a honest inch with Green box corlocks.
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Old June 10, 2011, 09:28 AM   #17
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You could actually get a Remington 7400 for less than $500 if all you want is 2.5 moa that would be a semi-automatic.
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Old June 10, 2011, 01:50 PM   #18
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What about a Saiga .308? I have no players in this game but I have sometimes wondered, why not get a Saiga .308 and try to make it a M1A SOCOM clone?

It could work right? I could put a Midwest Industries Quad-rail on the Saiga in 308, put a Aimpoint Micro or perhaps a Trijicon Reflex, and with that hard hitting .308 round it would be a nifty CQB big-bore weapon no>?
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Old June 10, 2011, 02:09 PM   #19
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Just stay away from Savage Axis/Edge and Remington 770

Why is that?. I had the Edge and it would out shoot most guns 3 times its cost. Very accurate rifles and very nice price on them also.
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Last edited by 4runnerman; June 10, 2011 at 02:59 PM.
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Old June 10, 2011, 02:13 PM   #20
Rob96
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Quote:
I would buy a 7.62/.308 upper for your AR but thats significantly more than your budget.
Not compatible.
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Old June 10, 2011, 02:15 PM   #21
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In November of '09 I bought a Rmeington 700ADL Varmint at Dick's for $419 after the two rebates. This rifle in stock form shoots sub-moa.
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Old June 10, 2011, 02:15 PM   #22
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The best .308 thats under $500 will be used!
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Old June 10, 2011, 02:28 PM   #23
HunterGuy
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Quote:
My choice would be a T/C Venture. It has a great trigger, 5R rifling, and a 1moa guarentee. You can get them here in my area for just over $400.
I 2nd this. T/C has been putting out some nice center fire rifles. I'm still curious on how they aren't getting the publicity that they should be getting.
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Old June 10, 2011, 05:01 PM   #24
Marco Califo
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Quote:
Just stay away from Savage Axis/Edge and Remington 770

Why is that?. I had the Edge and it would out shoot most guns 3 times its cost. Very accurate rifles and very nice price on them also.
I have a Savage Edge 223 and an 10 FP-SR in 308. I like both. The Edge/Axis does not have the AccuTrigger, but the factory trigger is not bad. The grip is noticeably thin-skinny. But it shoots great and is light enough to carry around (hunting). With the scope package they are well under $400 on sale.

I would rather that it did have the Accutrigger, but have no plan to replace the stock trigger.
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Old June 10, 2011, 05:33 PM   #25
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The biggest complaint people have with the Edge/Axis is that the recoil lug is a part of the stock and not a part of the receiver. That really limits what you can do with it as far as customization.
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