So I'm thinking of adding a .308 bolt action rifle, 18 to 22 inch barrel, to my collection. And I'm on a tight budget. I'm thinking about either a Remington 700, Remington 783, Savage Arms Axis II XP, or Ruger American. Your thoughts, the good, the bad, and the ugly?
Bolt Action .308 Buying Advice
- Thread starter PF Flyer
- Start date
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My Ruger American Predator shoots 1-1.5" groups with most hunting ammo. The stock feels like crap but the trigger and action are nice.
I wish I had bought a longer barrel version so that the velocity was greater for longer distance shots.
I wish I had bought a longer barrel version so that the velocity was greater for longer distance shots.
Not to derail, but that would have been a winchester 70.
BigRick
Hooligan #15
steves1911
Ultimate Member
Rem 700....huge aftermarket support when you inevitably want to tinker and change the stock, trigger, barell etc.
alucard0822
For great Justice
Much will depend on what you intend to shoot, and how you intend to shoot it. If you are just popping paper at a slow-fire <300yd range, probably better off with better rifle in a less expensive caliber. Hunting usually benefits from a light weight rifle with absolute precision not being as critical, longer ranges, suppressor use, or any number of other things might benefit from one model over another. There are things a Ruger Precision rifle topped with a 6-24X can do that a lightweight Rem 700 topped with a 1-6X can't and vice versa.
Pale Ryder
Ultimate Member
Tight budget will mostly keep you out of the PR. I'm not convinced the modern Remington's are a good choice. Back in the day, yes.
Thompson Center Compass gets some good reviews about their 5R rifling comes threaded and can be found on sale around $250-$300.
Thompson Center Compass gets some good reviews about their 5R rifling comes threaded and can be found on sale around $250-$300.
- Feb 4, 2013
- 28,175
Savage are known for accuracy out of the box.
Remington 700 is the AR or 10/22 of bolt action rifles. Everyone makes everything for them. Heck, you can actually build a custom one without a single Remington part, as there are aftermarket receivers.
Remington 700 is the AR or 10/22 of bolt action rifles. Everyone makes everything for them. Heck, you can actually build a custom one without a single Remington part, as there are aftermarket receivers.
- Nov 5, 2018
- 291
Yep......
TheOriginalMexicanBob
Ultimate Member
While I would always prefer an American made product, don't overlook something from CZ. Dollar for dollar they're hard to beat.
bigdv
Ultimate Member
I am a fan of my Ruger Gunsite Scout. It is a 16 barrel which is super handy deer hunting. Anything 300 yards and closer is a simple shot for me. Never shot it any further than 300. I love the stock, action and trigger. I've got a leupold 3-9 on it.
RangerWillrett
Active Member
I have the Ruger American and I upgraded to the Magpul stock. I highly recommend it and wouldn't hesitate to buy it in another caliber. I also have some experience with Savage and if I don't buy another Ruger I would buy a Savage.
It's hard to go wrong with any of your choices in 308. Howa, Remington, Savage, Ruger, Tikka, etc. all make very respectable bolt guns in 308. 700 has the best after-market, but also tends to be the most costly of the bunch (excluding maybe Tikka).
That said, when you're playing at the low end, the cost of your rifle is often the least expensive part of the full system. Optics, bipod, improved chassis/stock will often cost much more than the actual rifle does. The suggestion to go to 223 if you're not shooting past 600 is a good one, but the choices become a little more interesting in that caliber.
That said, when you're playing at the low end, the cost of your rifle is often the least expensive part of the full system. Optics, bipod, improved chassis/stock will often cost much more than the actual rifle does. The suggestion to go to 223 if you're not shooting past 600 is a good one, but the choices become a little more interesting in that caliber.
holesonpaper
Active Member
Out of that short list - I'd go Remy 700... With the 700 - if you don't like something, you can change it. Plug and play.
Silverlax
Active Member
photoracer
Competition Shooter
With all the news about Remington maybe going under from those lawsuits I am glad I decided to go the Howa 1500 route a few years ago. Started with the 1500 Heavy Varmint in .308 and went from there.
terp91
Active Member
Ruger M77 - CDNN has them for pretty cheap. Longer barrel than you wanted but try it and cut down later if the extra length bothers you. It's a robust design that works well, just not a ton of aftermarket support if you are looking for something to tinker with a lot.
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