Help me pick a budget .308

[Merc1138]

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.

You sure you aren't thinking of the 710/770? Because those were definitely junk. I can't seen much in the way of complaints about the 783.

target_shot, unless you intend to leave it as a budget hunting rifle, take CSACANNONEER's suggestion and find a used 700. You'll be able to hunt with it, and won't have an issue finding anything later on if you decide to start upgrading something here and there. The same cannot be said about some of the factory new budget guns out there.

[ar15barrels]

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.

I bet you are confusing the 783 with the 770 or 710.
The 770/710 were crap.
The 783 is a MUCH different rifle, being more like a cross between a savage and a ruger american.
I bought a 783 to play with and it's a really interesting and strong design.
It's a more rigid receiver than a 700.

[Tere_Hanges]

Remington 700 SPS tactical for $499, is my budget gun.
The LGS also has Tikka T3 stainless for $499.

[ar15barrels]

The LGS also has Tikka T3 stainless for $499.

The non-target/varmint Tikka T3's are all hunting weight barrels.

I would prefer a weapon with a target barrel

[CSACANNONEER]

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

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Remin...iantId=3490983

$220+$20 (or more) shipping +tax + FFL fees + DROS + Rings + Optics. Yea, Last year I bought a used, very clean, LH, 700BDL with rings and optics for $400 + tax + $25 DROS. So, I'm sure about my statement. A PPT would have cost me $10 more for DROS but would have saved me over $30 in taxes.

[LynnJr]

Why not put a $25 bolt head on it and swap the barrel?
Is the Axis like the other Savages were a barrel change can be done on the kitchen table? If it is just keep buying barrels in whatever cartridge you want.

[ar15barrels]

Is the Axis like the other Savages were a barrel change can be done on the kitchen table?

If you bolt a barrel vise to your kitchen table, then yes, you could change Axis barrels.
They just take a different barrel nut wrench without any grooves.

[Tere_Hanges]

Guy i saw at the range had an axis he dropped into a boyds walnut stock that was really nice looking. Was getting sub MOA at 100 yds. It was a good looking rig.

The factory stock looks like hell though.

[LynnJr]

Randall
So the Axis is the same as a Remington ?

[ar15barrels]

So the Axis is the same as a Remington ?

Which Remington?
There are two different types of Savage barrel nut:

[target_shot]

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...

[ErnstHatAngst]

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

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

[JMP]

I still need glass however...

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.

[dirtracer27x]

I just went thru the same thing,purchased a coupe year old new discontinued savage 111 hunter xp from big 5.$390 out the door including dros.went with it because there was so much aftermarket support and great reviews.i did just purchase a Boyd's stock and a rifle basix sav-2 trigger though.so that bumps me up to about $650,and still stuck with the glass that came with the gun.should be a good shooter when I'm done though.next time I might just spend the extra dough.

[CaliforniaSon]

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.