Quality bolt action in .308 on a budget

[yunghotshot]

Recently I've been looking into buying a bolt action rifle in .308 as my first bolt action. Since this is my first i don't want to spend too much money on it. Probably $700 max budget. Enough to leave room for a good scope, mounts, and a bi-pod. Really interested in the Remington 700 SPS Tactical or the Weatherby Vanguard Series 2. Definitely has to be synthetic stock. Thoughts? Suggestions?

[ar15barrels]

What do you want to do with it?
Target shooting or hunting?

[yunghotshot]

What do you want to do with it?
Target shooting or hunting?

Mostly target shooting but i'd like the capability for boar or wild pig

[ar15barrels]

If the primary use is target shooting, get a long/heavy barrel model like a 700 SPS varmint.
You can still hunt with it, but you won't want to after the first day of carrying it in the field.

One day of target shooting with a hunting gun will make you want to put the hunting gun away too though...

[yunghotshot]

Thanks! I'll take that into consideration. Much appreciated.

[TMB 1]

Mostly target shooting but i'd like the capability for boar or wild pig

Savage Hog Hunter

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/78093

[kelvin232]

Ruger American.
YouTube reviews.

And I know there's a nice one in the classified section here on calguns :-)

[ar15barrels]

The next thing to consider is if you want to customize it in the future or will you just leave it as it came out of the box.
Remington 700 wins for customizing.
For an out-of the box gun, you would want to spend some extra money over the cost of a baseline 700 to get a better stock that won't need upgrading.
The cheaper 700's will need a better stock before they become really accurate.

[yunghotshot]

Minimal modification. Probably a budget of $600 budget in optics and modifications

[Divernhunter]

The Vanguard is a good choice. It is not a heavy kicker in 308win.
You can target shoot and hunt with it.

[NorCalFocus]

Thats my 700 SPS Varmint in .308. Here's a break down of the cost I have into it, as I did mine on a budget too.

Rifle $600
Scope $300 (got mine on sale so figure a bit more for a scope)
Base and Rings $100
Boyds Stock $100 (again on sale lol, but they're still only like $130)
Harris Bi-pod $90
Badger Bolt Knob $35
Magazine Extension $20

[JMP]

You can't get a "good" centerfire bolt in that price range. The best advice is to get an R700, a mediocre to poor rifle, but it can rbe modified to a decent rifle if you want to later. If you want just a hunting rifle, there are more choices in lighter rifles with lower manufacturing tolerances.

[Pauliedad]

"Rem 700, a mediocre to poor rifle"?????

Yikes

[ar15barrels]

"Rem 700, a mediocre to poor rifle"?????

Yikes

When compared to $3000 custom rifles, it's mediocre.
When compared to other $300-$600 rifles, it's very good.

The comparison is very much like comparing a Honda Civic to a Porsche 911.
The Civic is pretty mediocre in that comparison.

[Shankin swine]

Howa,savage,Remington. I'd start there.