Which .308 Bolt Action Rifle??

[PowderBurn14]

I am still looking for a .308 Win bolt gun for targets and deer hunting. I have read alot about different brands and am still undecided. I like the Rem 700, always have, but my gun guy says the Howa 1500 is more accurate/better. I was thinking about the Weatherby Vanguard but that is also a Howa action and barrel. I recently read reviews on the Ruger American and Marlin XL7 and they did really well in the accuracy dept. I plan to shoot small targets at 200 yrds so it has to be more accurate than your average deer rifle. My budget is about $700 - $800 bucks. Who is making good rifles these days? I would prefer new but may consider used. I reload so that would give me an edge too. Does anyone have the skinny on good current production bolt rifles that won't break the bank? Help! Thanks

[grousemaster]

Get the 700. Nuff said

[FJ540]

If you can eek out another hundred, you'd be able to buy a gently used Cooper Model 21.

[crbutler]

Since you are talking more target shooting, get the Remington.

More accessories, easily modified, and as accurate as any entry level rifle.

I used to be a big Savage fan, but too many of their parts are plastic and they tend to not hold up long term as well if you shoot much.

My only caveat would be if you plan on doing a lot of bear or mountain lion hunting, in which case a controlled round feed gun is a bit better for dependability after the first shot on the average.

[dtapper2]

You owe yourself to get your hands on a Tikka before you make your decision. The Remington is also a good option, however.

[farmerj]

I used to be a Remington 788 guy. I had a .243 and a .308 that would shoot incredible once I glass and pillar bedded the actions. I was getting sub-moa out of a gun I picked up for $275 each and also put a $30 acra-glas kit into.

Since then, I have totally switched over to Savage/Stevens. Easier to change a barrel yourself without having to do any machining. Turn it on, set the headspace, tighten the lock collar, verify the headspace, install in a stock.

I put a new stock onto the Model 10, It's showing nice results yet I still need to bed it. It will tighten up nicely. My stevens 200 I have in .30-06, I am looking to put a .280 Rem barrel in it and do the same thing.

If I were to do the .243 Model 10, I'd have gotten the Stevens 200 SA as well and done the same thing. I can get the different barrels for the caliber I want and have a lot more choices to have.

[yuppiejr]

I am a fan of the Remington 700 as well as the Browning A-Bolt for around the same price... out of the box I'd give the nod to the Browning, if you like to tweak-upgrade the 700 is hard to beat.

[mc762x54R]

You owe yourself to get your hands on a Tikka before you make your decision. The Remington is also a good option, however.

ditto that...Tikka makes a bull barrel .308 too. my non bull barrel Tikka T3 30.06 shoots cheap Federal ammo at 0.90 moa with me behind it. Trigger is magical...bolt insanely smooth

[rugersol]

Winchester #70 ... or a Tikka!

[rockcreek]

The Howa is a very good rifle, and the Hogue stocks on them are much better than anything you are going to find on a 700 in the same price range. If you plan on doing upgrades, the 700 is hard to beat, but if you want an out of the box shooter, there are better options.

[farmerj]

the Howa 1500 and the Weatherby Vanguard are the same rifle last I knew.

[engnerdan]

Get a savage, I am very happy with mine. Here is a target from last weekend. Both these rifles are new, less then 100 rounds through either. You can pick up a savage 10 with accu-trigger for less then $700.


5 shots at 100 yards, 0.458 group size. Savage 10 22"

I adjusted the scope per my ballistics calculator for 400 yards and pulled this off

This is a 4.5" plastic disc.


Here is the target from the 223 0.108" 5 shot group size. Savage 12 with 26" barrel.

[LePetomane]

Have you looked at the CZ rifles?

[45Badger]

Remington 700 all day, all night. Really. This seller has great prices on the sps tactical (perfect gun for whacking Bambi and punching holes )-

http://www.armslist.com/posts/668182/mi ... eat-price-

I bought both my LTRs in .308 for $700 or less. Quality used ones show up on Snipers Hide every couple weeks.

[PowderBurn14]

Thanks for all the info guys. I will be looking hard at the Tikka and Rem 700. Not a huge Savage fan, personal preferance. Thanks again.