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Old October 20, 2012, 06:04 AM   #1
PatientWolf
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.308 build?

I was thinking of building a .308 or having one built since I don't see what I am looking for out there as my dream package. I am not looking to spend a fortune (want to be as far below 1k as possible) but want some specific features...

Necessary features:
.308 Win caliber
Bolt action
20"-22" barrel with threaded muzzle
Adjustable trigger
Accurate and smooth action (ideally at least .5 moa)
Detachable 10-rd box (preferably something affordable like a p-mag)

Possible considerations:
Iron sights + tapped for scope (option to use either normal or LER)
Laminated stock
Fluted barrel
Savage action? (They just seem to be reliable)

Thoughts?
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Old October 20, 2012, 11:47 AM   #2
DASHZNT
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Dude... just get a Remington 700 R5 MilSpec and youll be very happy with the performance. If you need to make upgrades to it from there it wont cost you tons because you already have a fantastic platform.

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Old October 20, 2012, 11:28 PM   #3
20thru45
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You will drop $400 on glass and mounts so a used 700 ADL or BDL, which already has iron sights and a good trigger is where I'd start. 700s can be fitted with a multitude of accessories including detachable box magazines. The threaded muzzle and all sounds higher than $1K, but not much
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Old October 21, 2012, 04:30 AM   #4
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I'd look at the savage hog hunter, Has the majority of your requirements. as for 10 round detachable mags the majority of 308 bolt guns with detachable mags either use the proprietary 4 rounders from whatever maker your using, or the AI mags which as widely used as they are, still cost an awful lot. Sharpshootersupply also makes a 10 round short action magazine for savage DBM guns but its also pretty expensive.
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Old October 22, 2012, 07:11 AM   #5
LSnSC
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I doubt you can have a rifle built for less than 1K. That doens include glass and mounts.
The Savage Model 10 Precision Carbine is very close to what you want.
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Old October 22, 2012, 07:35 AM   #6
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Savage 10 Precision Carbine is as close to factory as you're going to get with that wish list. No sights and a 5rnd det mag though. Shoots like a dream, I love mine.
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Old October 22, 2012, 05:27 PM   #7
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"Build", "dream package", "under $1k" are kinda mutally exclusive when it comes to rifles. Just sayin'....
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Old October 22, 2012, 08:54 PM   #8
PatientWolf
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Thanks

I appreciate the feedback. The Savage 10 would sound perfect except I kind of had my heart set on stainless. I may have to give up on that.

If I go to a 22" and give up on the threaded muzzle, of course, there are probably several options.

I may also have to look into used. I saw a used Howa for about 600 I may need to research a little farther.
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Old October 27, 2012, 11:18 AM   #9
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You could also look into the Ruger Gunsite Scout rifle
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Old October 29, 2012, 08:25 PM   #10
PatientWolf
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I really wish the M77 Scout or the 700 SPS AAC-SD came in stainless both are close to what I'd like to find.
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Old October 30, 2012, 12:41 PM   #11
stubbicatt
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CZ550 FS in 308 will accept 10 round detachable box magazine. Or you could do the 550 Varmint and cut back the barrel to the length you desire.
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Old November 1, 2012, 11:14 AM   #12
Bart B.
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Patient Wolf's Necessary features:

.308 Win caliber

Good choice

Bolt action
Good choice

20"-22" barrel with threaded muzzle
If you want to have better accuracy at the longer ranges, a 24" to 26 inch barrel's better, especially for iron sights.

Adjustable trigger
Good choice, if one can be had that's repeatable in pull weight and let off feel.

Accurate and smooth action (ideally at least .5 moa)
If you'll use bullets heavier than 160 grains. actions with flat sides and bottom tend to be more accurate.

Detachable 10-rd box (preferably something affordable like a p-mag)
Detachable magazines oft times need a different zero as they typically don't all fit the receiver the same way. M14 rifles used in competition were nororious for this and the two magazines used for rapid fire matches (2 rounds in the first one then 8 in the second one) had to be paired that enabled the rifle to shoot both with the same zero. Bolt guns are no different.


Possible considerations:
Iron sights + tapped for scope (option to use either normal or LER)

Sounds good.

Laminated stock
OK, but not needed unless you want a wood one.

Fluted barrel
Not an improvement in any accuracy issue and usually a waste of one's money unless the stiffest barrel for a given weight's most important.

Savage action? (They just seem to be reliable)
Winchester Model 70 actions have the best track record for reliability. But Savage ones are pretty good.
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Old November 1, 2012, 08:52 PM   #13
PatientWolf
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Thanks Bart.

The idea behind the 20" - 22" barrel was that I also hunt wooded areas, so for those areas a shorter barrel would be easier.

I didn't follow your comment about the flat sides and bottom on the action. I'm not sure what that means.

That was good information about the magazines. I hadn't thought of that, but I can understand why that would be.

The idea behind the laminate stock was if I went with wood rather than composite,the laminate would be more durable.

The fluted barrel, I admit was mostly a cosmetic wish, but to be honest I just can't seem to forget my brother's Kimber that had a fluted barrel and I shot .25 MOA with.
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Old November 1, 2012, 09:17 PM   #14
Jim Watson
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Check your game laws, a lot of places do not allow more than a 5 shot magazine for hunting.
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Old November 1, 2012, 09:23 PM   #15
PatientWolf
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Thanks Jim. I will be sure to do that. I expect I can find compatible normal capacity mags that would fit the receiver. Hunting I have never fired more than one shot so far.
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Old November 1, 2012, 09:30 PM   #16
Eppie
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You mean something like this.


Savage 10FCP-K, XLR Chassis, AI 308-10 mag, Swarovski Z6 5-30x50.
For about $900 you can get the rifle only and then add the scope and later the chassis with the mag. That's how I did it.

I had a Rem 700, but after a friend let me try his Savage there was no turning back. It's a whole different world. The accutrigger is something very special. I've tried many rifles and I never felt anything better.
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Old November 2, 2012, 01:32 AM   #17
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That's a beautiful rifle, Eppie.... Does it shoot as good as it looks??
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Old November 2, 2012, 07:47 AM   #18
Eppie
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The irony is that since I got the new chassis I have been able to shoot it only once. I stepped on a nail and got my foot infected. Winded up in the hospital had foot surgery was on high potency antibiotics. Now I'm just sitting around waiting for my foot to heal so I can get back to normal.

Here's the target that I used while zeroing it.

The 2nd group is actually 2 groups of 2 shots. The target is at 115 yards. You can see the holes tightening up with each progression. I need to finish zeroing because it's still not there. I used Federal GMM 168gr BTHP ammo.



FYI, I don't consider myself a particularly good shooter. When I was in Basic I scored as a "Sharpshooter" which is the middle of the 3 grades. Clearly the rifle is more capable than I am, but I'm planning on developing my skills now that I have more time.

When my foot heals I'm planning on taking it to the 1,000 yard range at my club.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Savage target redux 02.jpg (185.9 KB, 130 views)
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Old November 2, 2012, 08:56 AM   #19
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My Remington 700 also shoots pretty "lights out" with FGMM. For factory ammo... It's dang hard to beat

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Old November 2, 2012, 10:18 AM   #20
emcon5
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Quote:
Detachable 10-rd box (preferably something affordable like a p-mag)
I never really understood why so many people seem to lay such importance on this.

For what it's worth, I have been on several extended, many-hundred-rounds-fired varmint hunts, and never once did I think "If only this rifle held another 5 rounds" or "If only this rifle had a detachable magazine"

I would put the $300-$500 you would spend on that toward a better stock, or better optics.
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Old November 2, 2012, 12:07 PM   #21
PatientWolf
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Realistically, to me the "detachable" is more important than the 10 rounds, but I was kind of like the idea of the "universal" design for the magazine rather than proprietary, and I figured my best likelihood to have a universal is to go to a 10 round because they are more likely to have compatible alternatives. Probably not great logic, but there it is.
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Old November 2, 2012, 12:44 PM   #22
Eppie
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Emcon5,
For me a detachable magazine is simply a convenience. I'm comfortable with it and prefer it. There is nothing convenient about having to load rounds through an open bolt. Also not having to get up from a prone position and reload after every four rounds is a convenience thing.

I tried a conventional stock and magazine and I didn't like it. Of course my first rifle was an M-16. It's a lot like a manual versus automatic transmission. I can use either, but I prefer the automatic.

Patientwolf,
regarding the compatability thing. It's a not there yet. Even my AI mag took two tries to get the right one. Both from AI, both 308, both 10 rounds. First one didn't fit. I didn't have them at same time to compare for differences.
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Old November 2, 2012, 05:07 PM   #23
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Quote:
Emcon5,
For me a detachable magazine is simply a convenience. I'm comfortable with it and prefer it. There is nothing convenient about having to load rounds through an open bolt. Also not having to get up from a prone position and reload after every four rounds is a convenience thing.
Why would you have to get up from prone to reload? Put your ammo where you can reach it and you can reload without taking your eye out of the scope.

It ain't rocket science.
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Old November 2, 2012, 05:41 PM   #24
Eppie
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Emcon5,
Thank you for being so understanding and respectful of different opinions
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Old November 2, 2012, 06:36 PM   #25
emcon5
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What different opinion? If it was required to get up from prone to reload a bolt rifle from the top, I would agree with you that it is not convenient.

But it it's not. I am sorry, but I can't imagine why it would be. Even if you don't put the ammo where you could reach it, you still shouldn't have to get up, unless you keep your spare ammo back in the truck.
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