Entry level 308?

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Gleevo

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Looking to do some black bear and moose hunting. I'm thinking a .308 is a good calibre for said task, problem is I'm a pistol guy. Only ever shot one bolt action, everything else is pistols, ars, sks, shotguns so I have no idea what to buy. I was looking at a savage axis, package with a scope but I'll make the assumption that scope is not so good and I'll be purchasing another. What do you recommend? It is a first rifle so I don't want to spend $1000 on it or anything but I realize I'll be in for a few hundred for sure.

Thanks
 
I would go for a Ruger American. Very decently made, shootable rifle for the money.

You will need to add glass. Leave some budget for that.
 
I have used a Savage model 16 in .308 and it has worked well for me, love the accutrigger. I didn't care for the feel/trigger of the axis rifles, but they still shot well.
 
You really have to handle and shoot the Axis. The triggers are terrible. This may or may not matter to you. I own two. The first I replaced the trigger on and the second I left. Personally I love mine, but many do not. I bought mine on sale and were a great deal. At regular price I would tend to look at the new Savage Trophy hunter with the Accutrigger or one of the many other offerings that have a better trigger. When looking at entry level firearms there are a lot of great choices. I just shot my buddies Rem 700 SPS on the weekend and was very impressed.

Other models to look at
TC Venture
Weatherby Vanguard S2
Mosberg 4x4
Marlin

Go to a gun shop and start handling them and it will soon become apparent what you prefer.

George
 
A great value, budget rifle would be the Savage 11/111 International Trophy Hunter. They can be had in left / right hand in many calibres, including 308.
Comes with the well known accutrigger, and a mounted Weaver 3-9 scope with ballistic reticle. Synthetic stock is a cheapo, but it works.

You can get the package with scope for $509.00 at Wholesale Sports - a lot for the money.
 
Don't cheap out on glass. Buy a good scope as it will serve you well. When you sell the rifle down the road to upgrade, keep the scope.

I like Leupolds. A VXII in 3x9 or 2x7 will well for any and all BG hunting in Canada.
 
"...don't want to spend $1000..." Look into a used scoped rifle. This isn't the best time of year to be shopping for one(depends on where you are. No Spring bear hunting in Ontario thanks to Harris knuckling under to the tree huggers.), but you really have to work to damage a modern commercial hunting rifle. Your SKS, if you've found good hunting ammo for it will do nicely for black bear. Not Bullwinkle though.
If you insist on new, any of the Savage rifles will be dandy. The package scopes are indeed low end, but they're serviceable. You can replace it when you get around to it or don't bother.
"...triggers are terrible..." All commercial hunting rifle(and any other firearm) triggers are bad due to frivolous U.S. law suits. Every commercially made firearm, except Pythons, needs a trigger job.
 
You have lots of options but I would avoid a package deal as the scopes are usually poor quality. I like Remingtons but a savage would also be a good buy and most rave about the accutrigger. Another possibilty is the Zatsava from Tradex ( a site sponsor) , I've not shot one but they seem to have a good reputation. As for scopes buy the best you can afford since if you decided to upgrade the rifle you can keep the scope. I like Leupolds but I lean towards fixed powers on my hunting rifles , check out the EE many good buys can be had on used scopes.
 
Here's the list of economy bolt rifles recommended by Chuck Hawks, favoured models with an asterik:

CZ 557 Sporter
Howa Lightning and Lightning Stainless*
Remington Model 700 SPS
Ruger American
Savage Model 11/111 Hunter series
Savage Model 40 Varmint Hunter
Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 Synthetic*

I personally wasn't impressed with the feel of the Weatherby or the Remington 700 SPS Tactical (heavy barrel, too much weight too far away). Haven't handled the others, though.
 
Entry level for me would be Stevens 200, Savage 11, Marlin XL7.

I found the Axis rifles to have horrible stocks, and way too long. If a fellow had a great deal on an Axis youth in .308 then maybe consider that, as it doesn't have the stupid long stock like the regular Axis rifles.
 
Vanguard series 2 are excellent rifles for the money. Pick up a synthetic (stainless if you can afford it) and throw a leupold vx-I or II on it and you're set!
 
I typically recommend Savage Axis, Ruger American, or T/C Venture. All good rifles, the Savage and Ruger guns feel a bit cheaper to me than the Venture. Excited to try out a Remington 783 at some point as well, hopefully they discontinue the 770's.

The scopes are junk (if you buy one with an bundled scope), don't expect anything fancy. I would actually pull it first and Lock-Tite and re-torque the base and ring screws and bore sight it properly, done that for just about everyone I've sent off to the store "just to be sure".

If you buy separate glass, Nikon Buckmasters, Burris Fullfield II, Leupold VX-1 are all okay entry level stuff. You could put a Monarch on an Axis though and still be well under $1000.
 
When talking new rifles, "a few hundred" wont get much at all. Budget at least $500 before taxes for the rifle by it self.

Stay as far away from the Remington 770 or 710 as you can. Remington 700 is fine.

I happen to think Savage Axis feels like a toy, so im not in favour of them. But they're cheap.

Ive handled the Marlin Xl7s and Ruger Americans, and while they still dont feel all that great, I'd buy one if the right deal came up.

Myself, I'd scour the EE, go to gunshops, and check out gunshows and trya nd find a used gun. If its been looked after, you'll save a load of dough, and get a much better rifle then anything in the economy range for new guns.
 
Thanks for the opinions, going to look online more. A local retailer actually has the axis for $299, thought it would be much more expensive. But they don't have many of the other rifles you guys listed. I have a friend with a axis in .223 so I'll get a loan of his for the range. I plan on buying the scope used, probably on the EE and plan on buying something quality that I can transfer to another rifle years down the road, not against buying the rifle used but we know how EE prices can be sometimes...Also I realize a few hundred was pretty vague, I should have said $750ish total.

Aside from the triggers (can be modified) and the general cheap feeling of an axis how are they for reliability and accuracy?
 
Gleevo said:
Thanks for the opinions, going to look online more. A local retailer actually has the axis for $299, thought it would be much more expensive. But they don't have many of the other rifles you guys listed. I have a friend with a axis in .223 so I'll get a loan of his for the range. I plan on buying the scope used, probably on the EE and plan on buying something quality that I can transfer to another rifle years down the road, not against buying the rifle used but we know how EE prices can be sometimes...Also I realize a few hundred was pretty vague, I should have said $750ish total.

Aside from the triggers (can be modified) and the general cheap feeling of an axis how are they for reliability and accuracy?
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I had one in .223 for a while before i sold it and upgraded. It was VERY accurate for the price of the rifle and went bang every time. Bolt actions don't have much in the way of reliability problems.
Another small gripe is that all axis rifles are long action with a block in the mag, so the bolt had a very long travel for .223.
 
Rifle Basix makes a trigger for the axis for like $110 shipped that is adjustable from 14 oz to 3lbs. With a trigger and a little luck it's not rare for these rifles to shoot clover leafs with hand loads.
 
The Rem 700 SPS is rust waiting to happen. The 700 is a great platform, but I have seen an SPS rust just thinking about rain.

I have not handled the Ruger American or Savage Axis but I have heard great things about both. The Ruger actually has some bedding blocks in the stock!

I own a Savage, and they are reliable and accurate rifles. I also currently own a TC Venture and have recently shot my best group ever with it! VERY accurate rifle, but the trigger is terrible, TOO much creep.

I have heard better things about the Weatherby Vanguard S2 than all the rest, but it has to be the newer S2, not the first one.

Keep in mind these are all entry level rifles, so they will feel like cheap plastic...If I was buying and entry level rifle today, I would be looking to handle the Weatherby and the Ruger (leaning toward the Weatherby based on reviews). Pick the one that feels best. No package rifles, as others have mentioned buy a decent scope regardless of which rifle you plan to buy.

Good luck
 
labrador76 said:
The Rem 700 SPS is rust waiting to happen. The 700 is a great platform, but I have seen an SPS rust just thinking about rain.

I have not handled the Ruger American or Savage Axis but I have heard great things about both. The Ruger actually has some bedding blocks in the stock!

I own a Savage, and they are reliable and accurate rifles. I also currently own a TC Venture and have recently shot my best group ever with it! VERY accurate rifle, but the trigger is terrible, TOO much creep.

I have heard better things about the Weatherby Vanguard S2 than all the rest, but it has to be the newer S2, not the first one.

Keep in mind these are all entry level rifles, so they will feel like cheap plastic...If I was buying and entry level rifle today, I would be looking to handle the Weatherby and the Ruger (leaning toward the Weatherby based on reviews). Pick the one that feels best. No package rifles, as others have mentioned buy a decent scope regardless of which rifle you plan to buy.

Good luck
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x2

In all fairness though - you cannot expect a top notch finish from an economy rifle. Having said that I have a Rem SPS Tactical in 308 as my 'go-to' rifle. Because it was so cheap, I could afford a nice Swarovski scope for it AND a Shilen air gauged match barrel. It is an excellent starter rifle because you can swap off the parts for aftermarket upgrades and grow with the rifle as funds permit. I don't really worry about cosmetic rust damage myself. I would rather see my Rem drowned out in snow and rain and burned up on targets at the range than a high end sporting gun with beautiful wood and finishing. I have devolved from being a gun collector to a mere user. My only real gripe with mine is the two position safety - I prefer the mauser type safeties on bolt guns. With the help of a good smith this gun can offer you light sniper capabilities in a package that is dimensionally on par with a 30-30...only a little heavier. I would recommend the SPS based on all those reasons although many will disagree based on those same reasons...
 
Ruger American, Marlin X7, Remington 700? I recently got the 700 SPS Tac AAC SD and it's on the hefty side. Ruger American weighs 6.38lbs and from all the reviews I've been reading is that it's pretty accurate right out of the box. The downfall is the flexible stock that can flex and make contact with the barrel and throw off the accuracy if you shoot off a rest or bipod. The Hogue stock on my 700 SPS suffers the same unless I "load" up the bipod when I shoot.
 
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