I would like to buy .308 but...

RichardK

RichardK

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I would like to buy .308 but I havent done much shooting with my .22 and have been reading (thru google searches) that this probably isnt a very good idea.
I guess my question is why not?
I would like to do some long range target shooting and assumed that this would be the best way to learn.
 
.308 is a good calibre and will shoot well out to 900yards. Brass and bullets are readily available and it can be easily handloaded for greater accuracy.Most companies still make .308 and there are lots of good used ones on the market.
 
RichardK said:
I would like to buy .308 but I havent done much shooting with my .22 and have been reading (thru google searches) that this probably isnt a very good idea.
I guess my question is why not?
I would like to do some long range target shooting and assumed that this would be the best way to learn.
Click to expand...

Ya got me - Why not a 308?

Most guns tend to shoot well with most ammo and the components and ammo are readily available. Might cost a little more to shoot than 223 especially if you buy factory ammo.

Depending on what sort of gun you are looking for they are easy to find in many models and you could hunt big game with it if its not a 15lb bench gun. (I've carried a 12lb one once or twice though).

What are you reading that makes you think its not a good way to go?
 
vagrantviking said:
Ya got me - Why not a 308?

Most guns tend to shoot well with most ammo and the components and ammo are readily available. Might cost a little more to shoot than 223 especially if you buy factory ammo.

Depending on what sort of gun you are looking for they are easy to find in many models and you could hunt big game with it if its not a 15lb bench gun. (I've carried a 12lb one once or twice though).

What are you reading that makes you think its not a good way to go?
Click to expand...

eg,
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/archive/index.php/t-2055204586.html
 
In relation to my other topic

I am looking for a long range rifle that will also hunt big game when the need be.
I have been thinking a .308 but been told they are rather expensive.
what would you recommend that is inexpensive yet extremely dependable.
I'll also add that I am left handed and would like either a lefty bolt or a right handed semi.(as left handed semi autos are much more expensive and harder to find) I dont mind cocking a right handed semi once between magazines.
 
If you are looking to shoot 600m+ accurately, shot after shot, then you will most likely be looking for a heavy barreled rifle. This is not conducive to running around the bush, stalking a deer with.

Hunting guns are built for hunting and target guns are built for targets.

There have been quite a few threads in this forum regarding this same idea that one wants to build a gun they can use as a bench gun on Saturday and hit the trails with it on Sunday to hunt game. Unfortunately one will suffer consequences to the other.

Hunting = Light (Thin barrel, light stock)
Target = Heavy (Heavy Barrel, heavy stock)

Build one or the other, don't try to build a Top Fuel winning Honda Civic.
 
.308 and .22 are my favourite two calibers.

Look up the 5R milspec. Feed it off the shelf Gold federal .308 match for target shooting and enjoy. If you were inclined to take it hunting (possible depending on the type of hunting you do) 165 grain Fusion hunting ammo seemed to work well in mine. 3/4 moa at 100 yards, and only one click off the target ammo in terms of sighting in.

Now when I say hunting, I mean driving around the trails in a 4x4, jumping out and checking the slash areas. I don't mean hauling it all day by foot.
 
"...why not?..." The felt recoil of a bolt action .308 while not excessive can cause you to develope a flinch. Mind you, my first centre fire was a .303. Had it before I bought a .22. Bought the .22 because it's cheaper to shoot. Ok, it was a semi-auto and I bought it because it was cheaper to rip through magazines like a lunatic. That phase didn't last long.
In any case, the techniques of shooting a .308 or a .22 are the same. Breathing, sight picture, trigger control, etc. You reloading or buying factory?
"...cocking a right handed semi once between magazines..." No cocking involved between mags. The rifle will already be cocked. You just close the action and shoot.
 
Start your long range target shooting by getting really good at your short range shooting. A factory gun that shoots 1" at 100 yards is going to group a minimum of 10" at 1000, providing all else is equal.

Chances are, at this stage of the game, inconsistencies in your loading, a factory barrel/throat and a neophyte approach to condition reading (even WITH perfect technique) will produce groups far larger than that.

Even Formula-1 drivers learned to drive on their mother's Renault or Fiat... A 308 is not my first choice for a newer long-distance shooter, but at least you didn't ask for a gun to hunt gophers, moose with AND shoot long distance with.

I'd get a 223 and learn to make that little cartridge work for you. It WILL shoot well beyond 1000M accurately, but it is a schitty Moose gun at 1000 meters.
 
My advice would be to head to your local range, to see, and hopefully to try, what the guys in your area are shooting.
A little range time beats a lot of "google" time in my experience.
I love my .308, for range and some hunting.
Expensive is certainly a relative term used loosely on line.
 
I do all my target shooting with my .308.. I agree with Ron.. Expensive is a relative term.

.308 is a little more versatile of a round than .223, especially if you want to take your rifle hunting.

.223 is definitely cheaper and will carry pretty much the same rewards for target shooting if you only plan to use it with that..

You aren't going to get the same reach though as the .308 with it if you want to stretch out to longer ranges.

But if you just want to work up your target shooting and practice, .223 is cheaper if $ is an issue.
 
My first rifle (and the only one I still have) is a 308. Recoil is no problem, but I still blink 99% of the time when I shoot.

Factory target ammo ain't cheap - Federal Gold Medal @46.99+tx/20rds
 
RichardK said:
I am looking for a long range rifle that will also hunt big game when the need be.
I have been thinking a .308 but been told they are rather expensive.
what would you recommend that is inexpensive yet extremely dependable.
I'll also add that I am left handed and would like either a lefty bolt or a right handed semi.(as left handed semi autos are much more expensive and harder to find) I dont mind cocking a right handed semi once between magazines.
Click to expand...

Left-handed semi-auto rifles essentially don't exist in a south-paw variant. The only current, non-limited edition semi-auto non-restricted is the Beretta CX-4 Storm (and ONLY if you find a re-barreled version), as the design is truly ambidextrous. A few variants exist in the restricted variety (all revolving around the AR platform), leaving only a rather poor selection of leftie "bolts" and "pumps". Your best selection will be with Savage, although choices exist with both Remington and Browning as well (amongst others).
 
A good .22RF and a good .308 is an excellent basic battery. If you want a rifle for both target and big game you can't go too much lighter than .308. Yes. 6.5 X 55, 260, 7-08 and .270 will all do but, other than the .270, the ammo is not as easy to find as .308.

Regarding cost, you won't be shooting 100 rnds at a time like you probably do with your .22. What I suggest is that you start a shooting session with .22 for a warm up then switch to your centerfire rifle and fire 20 well aimed shots. That won't break the bank. Save your brass for when you start to reload!

Given your stated purposes, your desire for moderate recoil and ammo availablity/cost, I think .308 is your best choice and .270 would be your next best. In my opinion .308 is one of the best all around calibers, I think I have about 6 at the moment.

A Savage is probably your most available left hand bolt gun.
 
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