choose a semi-auto .308

ddsmith

ddsmith

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Interested in qualified opinions regarding choice of medium level semi-auto, .308, with stainless barrel and wooden stock, for deer at 75 to 150 yards.
 
My vote is for the BAR shortrac. Don't think they're stainless bbl's though.

I've had them all, old BARS, remington 740 &750, Benelli R1, H&K 940, Winchester SXR, Longtrac.
 
"...with stainless barrel..." Hi. Regular, commercial, semi-auto, hunting rifles, don't come with SS barrels.
A Loaded M1A is one of the very few, non-restricted, semi-auto's that do. Wolverine Supplies wants $ 2,515.00 for one with a walnut stocked, SS barreled rifle. Not exactly 'medium level'.
 
My vote is for an M-14B. 450$ gets you one of the best actions in the work. You can replace the fiberglass stock with a wood one, and you can get a stainless barrel if you really want one (WHY?!). You'll still be spending less than an expensive hunting rifle, and it has one of the most accurate semi-auto actions around, which fires every time (in snow, rain, sleet, -30C, +40C, clean or dirty), and is elegant in it's simplicity.
 
308 rifles

... thanks for the input.

Essentially then, a Browning or a Springfield is recommended thus far.

How about the Remington, or Sako?
 
By specifying stainless, you've eliminated just about every company in the market. Except for a couple of exotic military pattern guns and the not-deer legal Stainless Mini 14, you aren't going to find many.

A smarter objective, instead of trying to find the mythical wondergun, would be to buy something that is close to your needs (and the other 99% of the gun buyers) and learn to shoot well. A Remington 74 series gas-auto is a very good place to start. The 740, 742, 74, 7400 etc are good and reliable, have lots of aftermarket parts and are plentiful.

Have I sounded convincing enough?
 
I'll echo the sentiments above ... the 74 series Rem's are plentiful, good value and shoot as well as the person behind them - I have a model 742 Rem in .308 that I will never part with as it has been rediculously good to me out to 250 yards.

jf
 
Very hard to go wrong with a Browning BAR.

Remington semi-autos are more finicky, and there are some out there that are just plain finished, but they can be good reliable rifles if you know how to take care of them.

I've handled and read a fair bit about the Winchester SXR (??) semi and I've got to say I'm pretty impressed for not having shot it. They can sometimes be had for $300-$400 less than a new BAR, and are extremely similar. I'd bite on one of them if I was looking at a new semi.
 
If you have to have a semi, get an M14 if you like heavy military rifles, or a Benelli R1 if you want a nice light civvy rifle. I think your best bet is a benelli. No, they're not synthetic, I don't know if they're available in 308, but they're very reliable, handle and feel fantastic. Don't buy a POS 74- jammo-matic. They wear out very quickly and no amount of cleaning will make them reliable after that.
 
I'm looking at picking up a Win SXR in 300WSM off the EE. Its been on & off a few times, Just wondering if theres something to know about these "new" rifles.
I read what Chuck Hawks had to say and I take that with a grain of salt...or should I?
Any advice is greatly appreciated :)
Happy Holidays All,

Huntsman
 
Huntsman said:
I'm looking at picking up a Win SXR in 300WSM off the EE. Its been on & off a few times, Just wondering if theres something to know about these "new" rifles.
Huntsman
Click to expand...

One of the hunters at my camp bought one when they first came out, and had nothing but problems with it. So bad infact he went back to his 742 carbine:eek:.

I am not sure if he just got a lemmon, as this is the only thing I've ever seen/heard about the SXR.
 
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