Help me pick a budget .308

[riftol]

I am currently considering

-Savage Axis XP
-Marlin XY7
-Mossburg Patriot Super Bantam
-Remington 783

Pros/cons? I have an Axis XP II in .223, and I do have to admit that I like it, but the stock seems too light for a .308. Advice/opinions appreciated.

Check out the Ruger American, Howa, and Weatherby Vanguard.

[Sir Toast]

Look at the Savage 10-FCP, 24" threaded and fluted barrel, accustock, accutrigger, picatinny rail installed. $700'ish.

[CaliDoc]

Since you are looking at a Savage, I would suggest a Stevens 200. Same action as the 10 and 110 Savage models. They have quite an after market following. They are also sub 400 if you look. Check out the savageshooters forum.

[toby]

Always get the best you can unless you already have it.

[Glockrocks]

Howa with the Nikko Stirling scope would be my pick for a budget 308.

[bellwilliam]

op said budget, and lists 4 sub-$350 rifle.

then you guys starts recommending $1,000 rifle.......sigh...

[vliberatore]

op said budget, and lists 4 sub-$350 rifle.

then you guys starts recommending $1,000 rifle.......sigh...

So you're saying that a Sako TRG22 is what he should get?

[CSACANNONEER]

You can find a used 700BDL for about the same price as a new 783 and end up with a lot better gun with more aftermarket options and support. In fact, I prefer buying used to new, specially when it comes to a hunting rifle. Hunting rifles generally don't get shot a lot so, their barrels and actions are almost new even though their stocks may be beat up and finish worn. But, that's what I want for a hunting rifle. I don't want something new that I'll get upset if it get's a little ding or a huge scratch. Besides, many times you can find a used hunting rifle with decent optics for about the same price as the same used rifle without optics. For a true budget gun, look for a Handi Rifle in .308.

[bellwilliam]

You can find a used 700BDL for about the same price as a new 783 and end up with a lot better gun with more aftermarket options and support.

you sure about that ?
brand new 783 for $220 after rebate.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Remington-Model-Bolt-Action-Rifles/1702427.uts?productVariantId=3490983

[North86]

I started with an Axis 308 heavy barrel. Did the trigger spring, and added 3-9x40 Nikon. Working on technique right now. Boyd's stock is next. Buddy has a 700 SPS. His shoots more nicely (better stock, timney trigger), but isn't much more accurate. YMMV

Good luck.

[target_shot]

Thank you all, very much, for your responses. All advice (and other weapon suggestions) appreciated.

I'd also suggest you add Ruger's American Rifle to your list of choices. I picked up mine (in .308 Win) for $297 on a Black Friday sale at Wal-Mart. CA prices will likely be a little higher, but still pretty close to that.

Here's what it can do if the shooter does his part. The distance is 900 yards. The rifle is on the middle far-right of the picture. The ammo is Hornady Match A-Max 168gr. The barrel is 22".

The only "modifications" to the rifle were the addition of the bipod and riflescope. No sanding out of the barrel channel, none of that. Bone-stock.

Full range report on this rifle here.

And yes, also do consider the used market. You can find some very good deals in the used rack.

I ended up going to a couple gun stores today, and did have a chance to finger an American. Seems like a very strong action, and the stock didn't feel too cheap. Mark me impressed - I have no problem buying used, btw. I will keep my eye out.

target_shot,

If you're planning on hunting with your proposed new rifle, and a .308 Win will kill everything in North America as long as you put bullets where they need to go, my advice is to keep saving your money until you can afford a Tikka. Then put a Leupold VX-3 2.8x8 on it. This is merely one way to go. The point is when you buy a rifle for hunting, go with the best quality you can afford.

No hunting for me. I have no license, no one to show me the correct way, neither the ability nor connections to dress & dispose of the meat; that, coupled with low interest......well, you get the picture

Nope, target shooting for me. As such, I would prefer a weapon with a target barrel, but that almost automatically puts anything out of my price range.

I would add Howa to that list

Noted, thank you

Can get the Patriot in a wood stock for only $25 more.

I wasn't able to see one - is it something aviable? I found it on gun genie, just not in person.

+1 on the Howa. You lookin to add your own scope or are you gonna rely on what's packaged with the rifle?

Ideally what's packaged, but I have a VX-II that I can replace the package scope with.

I paid less than $600 for my Tikka. Thats in budget range IMHO.

I like the Tikka T3(?), but they seem expensive. If I can find one used...different story

have you considered the Ruger Precision?

The Ruger Precision Rifle?

Its a $1400 price tag, and allocated on Davidson's, so I probably couldn't get it even if I could afford it.

Check out the Ruger American, Howa, and Weatherby Vanguard.

I was not a fan of the Vanguard. Just seemed....meh...

Look at the Savage 10-FCP, 24" threaded and fluted barrel, accustock, accutrigger, picatinny rail installed. $700'ish.

A bit expensive, especially without glass....

So you're saying that a Sako TRG22 is what he should get?

Let me just go ahead and sell my soul......oh wait, I already did that

Can I do a double....or triple....morgage on my soul to buy black shiny guns that I don't really need, but really want

[Guardian Mode]

Turner's ad for tomorrow has the Remington 783 for $290 after a $40 rebate. Comes with a scope, so you could hold off on that.
A normal remington sporter barrel is a little fatter than a basic Savage Axis. 783 has a "magnum" sporter that even fatter than that near the receiver.
Couple options for the future is a Boyds or am MDT LSS.

With that said, I always suggest folks get the 308 setup I went with....a savage hog hunter and a primary arms 4-14x FFP scope.
And then I follow up with an even better suggestion....

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/mobile/product/71414/savage_16fcss_65_creed_acs_dbm

Savage 16 FCSS in 6.5 creedmoor for $700.
Stainless plus a aluminum bedded accustock out of the box style and sturdiness and a better caliber than 308.

[JMP]

Your preference seems to be target shooting. My advice for that is to get the longest, heaviest barrel you can get. The problem with the cheap guns is that they generally have short pencil barrels on them. These are for hunting. They heat up too fast in order to maintain sustained accuracy over a string of shots.

[sigstroker]

That Remington 783 is a real piece of crap iirc. I saw a guy in a shop where the bolt is held together by a cheap rivet and something broke in it. Couldn't fix the bolt, needed a complete new one.

As others have said, used 700's are all over the place. BTW I had a Vanguard. I thought it was solid and smooth and seemed like a much more expensive rifle than it cost.

[Swampcrip]

I am currently considering

-Savage Axis XP
-Marlin XY7
-Mossburg Patriot Super Bantam
-Remington 783

Pros/cons? I have an Axis XP II in .223, and I do have to admit that I like it, but the stock seems too light for a .308. Advice/opinions appreciated.

Have you considered getting a Howa 1500?