Firearm BS thread

OK boys and girls, I want to bounce an idea off you and get some general opinions on what you'd do.

I'd like to get a .308 bolt action but I'm not entirely sure how I want to do it. Here are some thoughts, examples are from Cabela's but I may not be actually buying from that location, it's just a place to give me comparable prices.

The rifle will be for the following purposes in order of importance: Target enjoyment at 100 yards mostly and probably 400 yards on occasion, hunting dear/elk in CO, shit hits the fan rifle in a common caliber.

Option 1: Ruger Gunsite Scout, with a 3 point sling, and a Burris Scout scope (2-7x). Total price from Cabelas is around $1350 plus rings for the scout and some extra mags. This setup gets me everything I want. Variable uses, many scope/sight options, detachable mags, etc. Cost however is a factor considering that it will spend most of it's time at 100 yards on an indoor range. Bit of overkill.
Option 2: Rem 700 SPS Tactical, standard sling, Burris 3-9x or similar scope. Around $1000 or so depending on scope. Loses the detachable mags and the option for a forward mount optic without modification of chassis, which will take cost over option 1, weight also becomes a factor with a new chassis.
Option 3: Something cheap like a Rem 783 or a Ruger American with the same scopes as option 2. These all have detachable mags which I like, but I'd lose the threaded barrel of the other options and I also lose the forward scope option without serious modification since these platforms don't have drop in chassis options. Total cost for something like this would be sub $600 depending on optic.

Does anyone have any experience with any of these platforms and have an opinion? I'm just torn on spending a grand or more for essentially a target rifle for short range paper, but would be worried that while the cheapy options would function against paper, could they really reach out to 400-500 yards reliably if needed?

 

I'd actually suggest going with (or at least seriously looking at) a Savage, if it were me. They're real tack drivers, can be had with detachable mags, they're very economical, and they're a proven platform that's been in production for a number of years (so gunsmiths are familiar with them, parts are readily available in the aftermarket, you can buy them used at even lower prices, etc)
For punching paper they're not as tacticool as the Gunsight (which I've been drooling over since it debuted, in all honesty), but they're perfectly capable of reaching out to 400-500 yards with a good scope.

$.02

 

1st. I don't think you can really go wrong with any of these options. Usually, depending upon your experience, most guns will out shoot you, until you get better. As this happens, you can upgrade things like the trigger, and barrel so suit your needs. Also, at that point in time, you will want to start reloading your ammo to a custom mix for accuracy.

Honestly, I think you could build a custom rifle, for around the same money. Spend the money on the parts you feel are most important, and then upgrade slowly after that.

A Rem 700 will out shoot you. In the sense that, it is probably plenty of rifle, and is a platform that is easily upgradeable. Also, your optics will play a big part in accuracy as well. I prefer Vortex personally.

I went through the same process you are now, and decided to build a custom rifle. Full float bull barrel, on a wood stock that is currently being built. Havent really gotten much past that, and haven't bought the barrel yet, its a nice slow process.

 

Never owned or used Savage before. They've got a couple interesting models. Do they source someone else's mags or are they Savage proprietary?

 

Proprietary Savage, at least for the 111's

 

I've got direct experience with both the Ruger American (Nikon P rimfire scope) and Savage 93R17TR (Vortex Crossfire) in 17HMR, not in 308, but it's a direct comparison.

I bought the Ruger for 50 yard hunting of small game and the Savage for a bench gun out to 200 yards.

In my experience (and I was quite surprised), the Ruger is more accurate and consistent than the Savage, even out to 200 yds

I'm in the same boat as you with the 308. I've been wanting one for an entry level bench gun out to 400yds. I'm going with the Ruger American Predator (heavier barrel).

 

I have a Ruger American Predator in .308. It has a 18" threaded medium/heavy barrel. Redfield glass on top that was found on clearance from Midway. All in it cost just under $600. I wanted an inexpensive compact common caliber hunting rifle since everywhere in PA is woods and that's exactly what I got.

Most rifles today are around 1 MOA from the factory with the right ammo. From the little testing I've done, mine likes Federal premium loaded with 168gr game kings. Is a Rem 700 AAC going to be more accurate? Probably. Does it bother me? Definitely not.

I've watched numerous videos/read posts of rifles that claim to be 1MOA from the factory not perform as such. Most of the time it's because the pre-installed rail isn't tightened down well enough.

 

Check out the mossberg MVP @WillT

 

Thanks for all the suggestions, while it makes my search harder (more options) it's giving me other avenues to keep my wallet in better shape while getting what I'm looking for.

 

Typically, I personally like Ruger products. Good prices, great quality, and they make good looking stuff.

Need to pick up a Vaquero....in .357
and a 10/22
and a SR9 for the wife
and a SR1911 for the fun of it...

 

It all comes down to wants vs needs really.

Would it be cool to have eleventybillion different stock options like you'd have with a Rem 700? Sure. But I take my rifle for walks in the woods a couple days out of the year so the factory stock is fine for the rifles purposes. And I have better things to spend money on than a replacement stock that really has no functional advantage to me over the factory stock.

 

Don't let your experiences with the Savage 93 bleed over too much into the 308 selection. The 93 is a tube gun built from the ground up to be a cost-effective rimfire. When you get into centerfire, the Savage bolt action is a very common FT-R competition rifle because of the floating bolt head, user-serviceable barrel and nice trigger. There is a lot of inherent accuracy in a Savage.

That being said, I have multiple Rem 700s because I like the look and feel of the rifle.

 

Fair!

I should have elaborated more. When I was researching a target 17hmr....the vast majority of reviews, feedback, forum chatter, etc. pointed to the Savage.

My experience was not the same.

Like some mentioned...any 308 from a reputable manufacturer in the $400-$600 range should suite the OP's needs perfect.

 

If I'm not mistaken, the Savage Rimfires changed where they were being made after Savage bought another company and started using that facility for rimfire production. They really fell off at that point. I got a very nice Savage Cub, but I think it came before this. I've also got a CZ-455 Trainer for a recent rimfire rifle (NRA instructor discounts are a wonderful thing). My 30 year old Marlin Model 60 still makes regular appearances at the range with my boys

But...as mentioned, the centerfire side has always had good quality and everyone has learned things that make 1MOA or better the norm, even on a $300-$400 rifle.

 

Agreed. I have a 700 w/laminated stock in 7mm Rem Mag and it's an absolute joy to shoot. The fit & finish are awesome, and the way it 'feels' in my hands is just....right.



But it's long and heavy because of the lam stock and 7mm barrel, so my Savage 111 in '06 is my go-to for anything other than sitting in the stand all day looking out over a cornfield or an afternoon of target shooting. It's shorter and lighter (poly stock) and because it's a $300 gun I don't feel bad about bushwhacking and dinging up the stock or scratching/scuffing the bluing. It'll never be the high-dollar classic in my gun safe, the fit and finish aren't as good but the bolt works smoothly and it'll put a full magazine into a quarter at 100 yards every time (if I do my part, of course)
I actually was carrying it when I took a doe on the run at 40 yards or so this fall, and my buddy got his about an hour earlier, also on the run, with the exact same model. Both of ours just have cheap Simmons 3-9's on them, too.

Honestly, these days even the budget guns can shoot MOA if you do your part and put a decent optic on them, so really if you find one that fits your criteria (and your shoulder) you'll probably have a winner no matter what brand you pick.

 

Good info....I've recently sold that Savage and use the Ruger American for all my 17hmr rimfire needs.

Im 99% sure I'm going with the Ruger American Predator in 308....still waffling on optics. Don't need anything high end, so considering Nikon p-308 or m-308.

 

In that price range, it's really hard to beat the Leupold 3-9x40 Mark AR mod 1- http://swfa.com/Leupold-3-9x40-Mark-AR-MOD-1-Riflescope-P60891.aspx

My wife runs one on her Howa .308 budget rifle. She frequently out shoots me with my custom rem 700...

 

I suggest vortex optics over Nikon personally.

 

I have a soft spot for vortex. Awesome warranty, great military discount, customer service is top notch, and their products are always top notch in my experience

 

I got the Ruger LC380 for the wife and it's actually pretty fun. Have to say I like it a lot.