Help me pick a budget .308

[Cowboy T]

@Target_Shot:

Nothing wrong with a Savage 10/110 series AT ALL. That should be a good choice. That 10 FCP looks like it comes with either an HS Precision or a McMillian stock. Wow...that oughta do it!

Another good choice would be, if you can wait a little bit, a Black Friday sale when Remington 700 ADL Varmint packages get heavily discounted. Typically they're $400 to $450 in recent years; this is before DROS, etc. The barrel is of the heavy Varmint type, 26" long, and they come in chamberings from .223 Rem all the way to .308 Win (mine is the .308 chambering). It also comes with a scope and rings. The scope is a cheap made-in-China model. The rings and mounts look like Leupold Rifleman-type, and I have found that they're just fine for .308 loads.

For glass...how far do you plan on shooting?

[target_shot]

I'm guessing you'll be pretty happy with the rifle.

Now you just need to go way over budget on a scope.

When is this ever not the case?

The problem with the entry level guns that are used for target shooting will generally cost less than an entry level scope that will give you what you want. There are some nowadays that you can get for about $800ish, but you definitely won't want to go much lower than that. Most of the people in the market for this type of entry level target shooting are usually going to want a variable power first focal plane scope. Anything less than $700 or $800 is not going to have reliable mechanics. Just earmark at least $1,000 and get a scope that you can count on and and actually use. Just remember that a scope isn't a sunk cost, if you get something worthwhile, it will retain most of its value. If you get a Chinese or third-world manufactured scope, it will retain no value. Don't worry that much about the mount, you don't need some $400 mount that many people will suggest. With a mount/rings all that matters is that they do not move so you generally start with the $50 sets and work up according to how heavy your scope it. It's usually the weight of the scope, more so than the recoil that will stress the scope.

Then, I'd also encourage you to get a muzzle brake for a 308. At 308, unless it is for hunting, you'll want a brake as it'll generally have enough lift where you want the brake to keep your scope on target so you can see your hit. That's also why you want a scope that has a wide field of view. Realistically, you want a scope that can go down to at least 6x at a maximum. To save money on a scope, you can get one with just a 4x zoom multiple so you'll find that 4-16x, 5-20x, and 6-24x are quite common and give you enough on both ends. Larger zoom multiples are better, but they'll generall come at a cost.

Great - now I just need to find a cheap 6-24x

Personally I really like the Axis series, I have had several of them. With the larger calibers ( 30-06, .270 win, etc...) what I learned was if you fill the stock with some foam sealant it makes it feel a little better, in my opinion.

Hmmm - fill where?

@Target_Shot:

Nothing wrong with a Savage 10/110 series AT ALL. That should be a good choice. That 10 FCP looks like it comes with either an HS Precision or a McMillian stock. Wow...that oughta do it!

Another good choice would be, if you can wait a little bit, a Black Friday sale when Remington 700 ADL Varmint packages get heavily discounted. Typically they're $400 to $450 in recent years; this is before DROS, etc. The barrel is of the heavy Varmint type, 26" long, and they come in chamberings from .223 Rem all the way to .308 Win (mine is the .308 chambering). It also comes with a scope and rings. The scope is a cheap made-in-China model. The rings and mounts look like Leupold Rifleman-type, and I have found that they're just fine for .308 loads.

For glass...how far do you plan on shooting?

My club's range is only 100yds (though there is talk of a long range part being built), so a 3-9 should be sufficient, though I would like to get a higher magnification

[target_shot]

How about a Barska 6-20 x 50mm?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/388488/barska-tactical-rifle-scope-6-20x-50mm-side-focus-first-focal-illuminated-mil-dot-reticle-matte

[Pthfndr]

How about a Barska 6-20 x 50mm?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/388...-reticle-matte

No! Run away from Barska scopes. Not worth the shipping charges much less the purchase price.

[target_shot]

No! Run away from Barska scopes. Not worth the shipping charges much less the purchase price.

Okaydoky.....anyone know of anything in the VX-1 price range but with the features of a VX-6?

[JMP]

How about a Barska 6-20 x 50mm?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/388...-reticle-matte

In entry level scopes, folks usually pick Vortex PST, Burris, SWFA, Bushnell, Sightron, etc....those are the ones I know of. You don't want 3rd world manufacturing in scopes as they are worthless and don't track correctly.

[EvolvedRaven]

primary arms has a few good scopes. i just bought one for my budget rifle to try out just to see how it does. they have a few different reticles as well. they dont zoom all the way to 20 though. 4-14x44 and a new 4-16x44. i havent shot through it yet but feels like a decent piece for the price. it is also a first focal plane scope. my set up right now is a rem 700 .308 sps tactical on a one piece weaver base and some cheap scope rings (will see how that holds...lol), with the PA 4-14x44 with acss reticle. my scope sits too high right now, i need a high cheek pad. i am currently waiting on magpul's hunter 700 stock and throw on a high cheek pad on there. will take it out to the range sometime next week and zero in the rifle if everything holds fine.

[Tere_Hanges]

I just took out my brand new Budget .308 set up.
$500, Remington 700 SPS Tactical
$45, EGW rail
$20, Burris Zee Rings
$165, Vortex Crossfire II, 4-12x44
Heres how I did. Keep in mind I am not a very steady shooter so it is really hard for me to eliminate the flyers.

The big hole on the left is 3 shots.

[ar15barrels]

Okaydoky.....anyone know of anything in the VX-1 price range but with the features of a VX-6?

In that price range, here is your best option:

http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Tactical-Mil-Dot-Riflescope-5-15x40mm/dp/B004OEI4EC

[FIGHTER-PILOT7]

ruger American compact 308. cheap quality, light as a feather

[E92335i]

I just took out my brand new Budget .308 set up.
$500, Remington 700 SPS Tactical
$45, EGW rail
$20, Burris Zee Rings
$165, Vortex Crossfire II, 4-12x44
Heres how I did. Keep in mind I am not a very steady shooter so it is really hard for me to eliminate the flyers.

The big hole on the left is 3 shots.

what ammo?

[wsmc27]

Problem solved. I am going out of my budget for a Savage 10FCP (in .308). Its $610 OTD; used, but NIB condition. Thick barrel, thick stock, seems like it would work well for target. Thoughts?

I still need glass however...

Nice, did you get it yet?

Appreciate the informed responses as I was having some similar interest in a bolt rifle as OP.

In that price range, here is your best option:
http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Tacti.../dp/B004OEI4EC

Gonna get one of these...

ruger American compact 308. cheap quality, light as a feather

...to put on a 270 22" one o' these I found on sale at $249, otd incl. fees/taxes at 295. I'll get a budget 308 another time, this budget 270 should be good fun. Son in law has invited me to do some coyote clearing seemed like too much a good deal to pass up.

[Cowboy T]

$295 OTD? That's good. That's very good.

Given how well Ruger Americans in both .30-06 and .308 shoot, I'd expect that .270 to serve you with aplomb.

If you handload, you may wish to consider MidwayUSA's frequent sales of several brands of bullets. Last I checked, they did have several fine options in 0.277 caliber on clearance (Berger, Sierra, etc.).

[riftol]

I would add Howa to that list

I'd add the Weatherby Vanguard that is similar to the Howa.

[ar15barrels]

I'd add the Weatherby Vanguard that is similar to the Howa.

The engraving is completely different on the Weatherby...