Looking for an enjoyable 308...

[wes.crockett]

Hey all,

I have a conundrum... I have ~$700 (I can swing a bit higher for taxes and fees and such) to spend on a rifle. I will be getting it in a 308... those are the two set in stone pieces. Looking for something fun to shoot but that is also viable at about 250 yards on deer and wild boar.

My options:
1) A local is selling a nice Ruger GunSite Scout. It s the 6803 model Alloy/Matte Black finish and Black Laminate stock. He is selling it for $700 but I will offer $600-650. I love scout style rifles, although I would have to mount my scope in the more conventional fashion as it doesn't have good enough eye relief (Nikon ProStaff 3-9x40mm.)


2) The Century Arm C308 Sporter. This looks like a really fun semi-automatic rifle. I have talked to the manufacturer and they say it is a 1 to 2 MOA rifle which means it will do for hunting at medium distance... not the greatest choice for hunting, but it'll work. I know Century has has many reliability issues, but I have also talked to several people who currently or used to own century rifles and have had no issues... (let this not be a debate about their past, please... I've read up on it and decided to not let that alone be the reason not to get it.) It retails for $679.


So what do you guys thing? Which will be a more enjoyable rifle to own? I don't hunt often, and I don't go to the range too often either, so I want something that will be enjoyable for the fey times I do get to go out.

[deltadelta]

I don't own a C308, so I can't say much on it.

But I do own the GunSite and love it. It's a great gun and super fun to shoot, probably exactly what you are looking for. But it's also a great hunting gun, .308 is great for boar, I personally have hunted with mine.

If I were you I would get the GunSite. It can reach the 250 distance easy and with a good scope you could shoot far beyond that point. It is a perfect all around rifle, and for hunting applications it is far superior than any semi-auto rifle.
In simple terms I say get the GunSite.

[Stanze]

I know your OP said budget was limited; However I'd spend the $220.00 more and get this PTR 91 which is in stock at Atlantic Firearms. That Century is showing OOS (You posted a pic from Atlantic Firearms website).

https://www.atlanticfirearms.com/component/virtuemart/shipping-rifles/ptr-91-a3s-308-rifle-detail.html?Itemid=0

I like the HK style sights (might actually be HK OEM) on the PTR Vs. what's on the Century C308. Also comes with a match grade G3 profile barrel.

I have a PTR 51P PDW and it's a nice piece of kit.

[safety-1st]

To save money for glass or other add ons have you considered the mossberg? Seems pretty much identical to the ruger. Both setups below are bolt. Both run at $550 and perhaps for $499 if you can find on sale. Both setups are cheaper than the ruger. I doubt the ruger does anything extraordinarily much better than the mossberg. Lots of great reviews by users here on the mossberg. If you go used you can probably find it for 400-450.

Predator

Patrol




Both ruger and mossberg look like awesome products. I am just trying to save you money for optics / add ons.

***UPDATE***
I notice you plan on adding that Nikon PROSTAFF scope. Unless that scope has a massive eye relief or made as a scout optic then it won't work well on the ruger. The scope rail is too far up. You will need a scout scope with lots of eye relief.

[NapalmCheese]

When you say viable for hunting, do you mean:
A) "I want a gun I can hunt with in case I'm ever asked by my buddies if I want to go hunting but I don't actually hunt and never really intend to so I want a gun that's really cool that I can tell people is my hunting gun but won't actually be my hunting gun because I don't actually intend to ever hunt but I like to shoot at the range and tell people that if I ever were to go hunting this is the gun I would bring".

B) "I like to shoot targets. I like to hunt. Is there any way I can do both with a single gun and be happy with it's performance at either thing?"

If B, the answer is no. Get a fun gun or a hunting gun, or get one of both. The GSR is a 'viable' hunting gun, but not optimal. Flush mags and a conventional scope make it a better hunting gun, but at that point, why have a scout rifle? The other one, welp, if it's light enough and shoots well enough then go for it. Ergonomically it seems wanting in the hunting area (that is, a rifle that is carried much and shot little). Of course, true to the scout rifle concept, if you're only ever going to have this one rifle, then I would choose the GSR.

If A, pick whichever strikes your fancy. Though I would say, if you're going to get a scout rifle, mount a scout scope. Otherwise, just get a conventional rifle. Scout scopes are for more than just looks.

[ElvenSoul]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=889398

I would suggest a Howa Ranchland or this model as well

http://legacysports.com/hogue-kryptek-heavy-barrel-full-dip-package

[crufflers]

I was looking at the Mossberg MVP Varmint in .308 last year to go with an M1A but got sidetracked by another M1A instead. Those are really nice rifles for the money (MVP's). I will have the varmint someday.

I'd go with the bolt gun, but look at MVP's too. That sounds like a great deal on the Ruger.

[wes.crockett]

Thank you all for the suggestions. What I decided to do was the following:

1) Offer the seller of the Ruger $600. If he takes it, that is the choice, if not:
2) Get the CA C308.

He accepted the $600 offer.

I looked into the Mossbergs and they are quite a nice gun as well, but at the end of the day, $600 for the Ruger was a pretty sweet deal. I realize I could get a NEW Mossberg for around that, but then you add taxes and what not to the price and it would be a bit more.

Thank you,
Wes

[ElvenSoul]

Hell no take and love that Ruger for $600!

[bombadillo]

Good choice OP. As a huge Mossberg lover, I would have told you to go the MVP 7.62 route as well, and maybe do something with an MDT chassis down the road to get the best of both worlds with target and hunting options. Maybe that will be your next gun though!

[safety-1st]

Good choice! $600 is a great deal.

[beardog308]

I took the Ruger Scout to the range yesterday. I wasn't sure but the Scout eats Tula steel in 7.62.

[postal]

I have a century sporter I bought because of the 2000 ban.

Never had issues with mine. It's fun, but it doesnt get out much. It also tears up brass... if you can find it..... since it launches it about 40 feet to the right....

A bolt action is a lot more useful.

[Spyder]

I love my Mossberg MVP patrol .308. It's a blast, and we'll below your price requirements.

[iluvmycolt]

Thank you all for the suggestions. What I decided to do was the following:

1) Offer the seller of the Ruger $600. If he takes it, that is the choice, if not:
2) Get the CA C308.

He accepted the $600 offer.

I looked into the Mossbergs and they are quite a nice gun as well, but at the end of the day, $600 for the Ruger was a pretty sweet deal. I realize I could get a NEW Mossberg for around that, but then you add taxes and what not to the price and it would be a bit more.

Thank you,
Wes

$600 is a good deal, OP. Congrats.