Best current production bolt-action .308 under $1200?
- Thread starter philthygeezer
- Start date
Thanks for smart budgeting ideas, and I agree with them if I had asked about gun+scope for $1200 or less. Scope is a separate concern. I promise I won't put a blister pack pawn shop special on it. 
But my point is not to compromise and wind up tinkering with something. I want to know what the best current production bolt gun in .308 is under $1200.
But my point is not to compromise and wind up tinkering with something. I want to know what the best current production bolt gun in .308 is under $1200.
Ooh, a Steyr? Definitely going to have to look that one up.
Best means different things to different people. Is CRF better than Push feed? Some say yes, some say no. Is it BEST or necessary to have CRF in Canada? Don't know. Some prefer 6.5lb rifles, some prefer 8.5lb. Which is best? Don't know.
I think the new Win 70 is good value for the money. If you want wood, get the featherweight. If you want stainless/synthetic, get it.
Good point. I'm specifically asking what current production bolt guns have the best, most consistent workmanship, accuracy and reliability, apart from myriad considerations of mechanical design. One might not like the safety on an Anschutz 54-actioned model 1710, but the workmanship, accuracy and reliability are quite simply top-notch. It is the latter I am most concerned about.
To reiterate the original post: "Workmanship and accuracy are key, with impeccable feeding and handling after that. Soda-straw barrels need not apply. No heavy barrels either."
How would the M70 fare from a pure production quality, accuracy and reliability standpoint?
RangerRick
Regular
- Location
- Marathon, Ontario
I love my mid 80's Ruger M77 International in .308. Balances and carries like a dream.
Rick
Rick
Been looking for a gun same as you and settled on the .308 Remington XCR Compact Tactical at 7.5lbs. It was a tad over the $1200.00 you were looking to spend at $1350.00 but I liked the 40-X trigger and stainless barrelled action. I had a Winchester model 70 and it was nice but I like the Remington better. I do like the Ruger M77 Hawkeye Tactical and almost went with it but it is not near as accurate out of the box.
deadeyes40
CGN Regular
- Location
- nova scotia
why a bolt action?i have a rem 7600 pump that weights in at 7-7.5 pounds without scope and accessories,shoots damn near as good as any bolt i have seen.they sell for 700-750 bucks and you can get faster follow up shots should they be required.
Something very special about a fine bolt gun.
Under 1200 for the gun alone knocks very few from any list and one would have to ask what do you intend to do with it and where.
There's lots of good choices out there.
Personally, I found a couple more bucks and went Sako.
It works for me.
There's lots of good choices out there.
Personally, I found a couple more bucks and went Sako.
It works for me.
I used to love pumps and semi-auto sporters. But then, I was the guy who fixed them when the customers brought them in. Get just ONE overpressure round and your hunt is OVER, my friend: those things are really hard to reload wiuth a case jammed in the chamber and the rim ripped off..... if you didn't completely b*tch the extractor while you were trying to get it to work..... in which case you might have to wait a couple of weeks while you find the parts.
What's wrong with the Remington 798?
Pure Mauser action.
Controlled feed, which is just as useful hunting as it is in a war.
Great big extractor that is hard to bust, easy to replace.... and cheap and instals with no tools.
5-round internal box mag.
Laminated wood stock.
Already drilled and tapped.
Price is the same as the model number: $798
Add in a yard for a scope and 50 bucks for mounts and rings and you are in business and 250 bucks below your stated max.
And they are solid enough you can leave it to your grandson.
Just my opinion, mind you.
What's wrong with the Remington 798?
Pure Mauser action.
Controlled feed, which is just as useful hunting as it is in a war.
Great big extractor that is hard to bust, easy to replace.... and cheap and instals with no tools.
5-round internal box mag.
Laminated wood stock.
Already drilled and tapped.
Price is the same as the model number: $798
Add in a yard for a scope and 50 bucks for mounts and rings and you are in business and 250 bucks below your stated max.
And they are solid enough you can leave it to your grandson.
Just my opinion, mind you.
I have a new Featherweight in .308 Win. A very well made and finished rifle, indeed. Decent/good looking wood, nice weight (although not as light as they were advertising, mine is close to 7 lb) and a very good size for me. I have shot a best group of 3 shots in less than 1" @ 100M with my reloads, but that was after monkeying around with it. It has a decent trigger, though NOWHERE near as nice as they tell you (you can adjust it heavier, but not lighter than about 3.5 lb)
The down side? This rifle came with the roughest bore I have ever seen on a modern rifle, it was on a par with my rusty No.1 MKIII SMLE made ages ago, and mistreated ever since. I can get buckets of copper out of it after only 10 rounds. I am sure it can be worked on to become a very good shooter, I just didn't have enough time to polish the bore a bit more and to come up with better handloads, before hunting season started last year. Maybe this year, if I can just get away from my new AR long enough.
A very decent rifle? Yes. But I wouldn't compare it to my Weatherby MK-V, not even close. But then again, I paid $500 more for my Stainless MK-V and still had to cut the trigger return spring a bit, before it made me smile.
The down side? This rifle came with the roughest bore I have ever seen on a modern rifle, it was on a par with my rusty No.1 MKIII SMLE made ages ago, and mistreated ever since. I can get buckets of copper out of it after only 10 rounds. I am sure it can be worked on to become a very good shooter, I just didn't have enough time to polish the bore a bit more and to come up with better handloads, before hunting season started last year. Maybe this year, if I can just get away from my new AR long enough.
A very decent rifle? Yes. But I wouldn't compare it to my Weatherby MK-V, not even close. But then again, I paid $500 more for my Stainless MK-V and still had to cut the trigger return spring a bit, before it made me smile.
Why doesn't Remington offer a hunting weight 700 in 308? They haven't for years. I would get one instantly. They only do 308 bolts on varmint, tactical and model 7 (which I have never warmed up to). Every other gun maker sees the 308 as a major cartridge. Their loss I guess.
According to Wholesale Sports.com, they offer a 7.25 lb model 700 SPS in 308. or am i missing something?
You are right. I went to the Remington web site and there it was. Thanks!
X2
Having talked to a few people that have picked up the new Model 70, they are all sub MOA performers, the fit and finish is fantastic, the triggers are quite good, and the price is a bargain compared to Remingtons recent, to be frank, crap. It has no production equal in that price range.
The All Weather is just as good of a snag.
I also really like the Sako A7; whine about the stock if you like but the other guys injection moulding is just as bad.
A Featherweight with Talley's and a 2.5-8x36 Leupold would make a smashing setup. Nice and handy, without a pencil barrel, and nice wood to boot.
