308 Suggestions

O

Old Farmer

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I'm starting to look for a 308 for hunting. Does anyone have suggestions or recommendations for makes and models that are known for excellent accuaracy, handling and reliability. I'm looking in the $400-$700 price range.

I guess any suggestions on what I should stay away from would also be helpful

Any direction would be appreciated.
 
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Well, it won't be long till the Stevens 200 crowd shows up. :rolleyes:

Where are you hunting? What style? Stand,still hunting, driving bush with dogs?

FWIW I've had 6 .308's and they all shot great. 2 pumps and 4 different bolts.
 
Old Farmer said:
Does anyone have suggestions or recommendations for makes and models that are known for excellent accuaracy, handling and reliability. I'm looking in the $400-$700 price range.
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A Remington 7600 in .308 would fit all your requirements to a T, including price range.




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Maybe look at a Tikka T3. I recently picked one up in 308 and while i havent had alot of time to shoot it yet i really like it so far. Its nice and light, very comfortable and one of the smoothest bolts i've seen.
 
Are you an experienced shotgunner? With a pump? if so, the Remington 7600 pump would be a real good choice. Also very accurate right out of the box and has a removable magazine, which many hunters like.

All it would need is a hunting scope, say a 2-7 zoom, mounted as low as possible.

I have a number of 308 hunting rifles. I like to fondle the Browning BLR and admire the quaility fit and finish. But I find it a bit light in the barrel and don't like the way it feels when shooting off hand.

I like hunting with bolt actions because I carry them with the bolt handle up. I feel safer that way. I once slipped on the ice and watched the rifle land in front of me. I was looking down the muzzle. I was not too excited because the bolt was up.

As mentioned above, the Rem 788 bolt gun is available used. The stock is hockey stick ugly and the metal work is not well finished. But the rifles are very accurate with just about the fastest lock time available. I have two and my sons used tham as el-cheapo F Class target rifles. One of them got a new stock and is still in use as a F Class loaner. If you are a bolt gun guy and can enjoy a rifle for its excellence in function rather than fancy looks, then a $250 788 would be a good choice.

But the rifle I prefer to take hunting is the Rem 7600 pump. It is handy, points well for me and is extremly accurate. I have a 308, a 35 Whelan and a 35 rem in Rem pump actions and love them.

The 308 pump is fitted with a pressure strain gauge and has been used to test a few thousand rounds of ammo. No sign of wear or loss of accuracy.

Here are pictures of the 788 that were turned into a F Class rifle and a target rifle. The rear locking lugs can be seen. The receiver is solid with just a loading port on the side and a small opening on the bottom for a single stack magazine. This makes the rifle stiffer and easier to bed.
I heard that remington discontinued the rifle because too many were buying it instead of the 700. My only complaint about the rifle is that if ammo is loaded hot it stretches due to the rear locking lugs.

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I'd vote for a 7600 or the 700 SPS. I own one of each, in .308 win. Couldn't be happier.

Although my 7600 is not scoped and I do not plan for it to be. It's a great rifle as is.
 
x2

manbearpig said:
Ruger M77 Mark II or Hawkeye. near the upper end of your price range but you save $100 on rings and mounts so it works out.
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x2. One of the best hunting rifles on the market IMO. Tough, reliable and the ones I've owned have been very accurate.

Second choice for me would be one of the Rem700 SPS SS.......
 
GANDERITE said:
Are you an experienced shotgunner? With a pump? if so, the Remington 7600 pump would be a real good choice. Also very accurate right out of the box and has a removable magazine, which many hunters like.

All it would need is a hunting scope, say a 2-7 zoom, mounted as low as possible.

I have a number of 308 hunting rifles. I like to fondle the Browning BLR and admire the quaility fit and finish. But I find it a bit light in the barrel and don't like the way it feels when shooting off hand.

I like hunting with bolt actions because I carry them with the bolt handle up. I feel safer that way. I once slipped on the ice and watched the rifle land in front of me. I was looking down the muzzle. I was not too excited because the bolt was up.

As mentioned above, the Rem 788 bolt gun is available used. The stock is hockey stick ugly and the metal work is not well finished. But the rifles are very accurate with just about the fastest lock time available. I have two and my sons used tham as el-cheapo F Class target rifles. One of them got a new stock and is still in use as a F Class loaner. If you are a bolt gun guy and can enjoy a rifle for its excellence in function rather than fancy looks, then a $250 788 would be a good choice.

But the rifle I prefer to take hunting is the Rem 7600 pump. It is handy, points well for me and is extremly accurate. I have a 308, a 35 Whelan and a 35 rem in Rem pump actions and love them.

The 308 pump is fitted with a pressure strain gauge and has been used to test a few thousand rounds of ammo. No sign of wear or loss of accuracy.

Here are pictures of the 788 that were turned into a F Class rifle and a target rifle. The rear locking lugs can be seen. The receiver is solid with just a loading port on the side and a small opening on the bottom for a single stack magazine. This makes the rifle stiffer and easier to bed.
I heard that remington discontinued the rifle because too many were buying it instead of the 700. My only complaint about the rifle is that if ammo is loaded hot it stretches due to the rear locking lugs.

DCP_4734-1.jpg


IMG_0386.jpg
Click to expand...

Why is that young girl wearing a full leather outfit to shoot her pink rifle?
 
Ruger M77 MarkII stainless barrel with synthetic stock ... there is one in the EE ... I wish it was in .223 as I'd buy it ... ;)

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA
 
Tradex has one in a Voere Titan II, and it falls into your price range. Those rifles were $2000 new (20 years ago) and had a 1/2" accuracy guarantee. You have to feel the action to believe how smooth it is, and the trigger is also absolutely top notch. One downside is that they are fairly heavy at ~7 3/4lbs.
 
mylesrom said:
Yeah, get the Ruger with the nice gritty bolt...
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The Rugers I own/ed were definitely not as smooth as my Tikka brand new, but with a little use the Rugers have smoothed out nicely.

IMO, the importance of a silky, plasticy smooth bolt is over blown. At least it is down a ways on my list of features a hunting rifle should have. All within reason of course.....:)
 
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