budget .308 rifle build?

3967 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by BUCKrub91, Sep 5, 2012

sr20sean

Discussion Starter · Aug 2, 2012 (Edited)

Looking to build a budget .308 Would you guys recommend the Marlin 308, Savage axis, or Remington 700ADL?

Trying to find something without a ton of bolt play (like how the 770 is and the bolt moves around quite a bit) so I would really like a solid bolt.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

bpipe95

· #2 · Aug 2, 2012

It is a base model entry level offering like the 770. There is nothing to build, unless you consider put a scope and rings on a gun?

they lack aftermarket for a reason.

Though if you want a good base for a long term project pick up a Stevens 200. They can be had cheap and are the same action as a savage 10.

Noodles

· #3 · Aug 2, 2012

I'd start with a Stevens at that point. The bolt can be adjusted for more or less cocking. Plus, at least as far as I've gone, Savages are easier to work on. I'm not really familiar with the Axis, so I can't say for sure on that, but the Savage 10s, 12s, and whichever else are quite simple. Bolts are disassembled with an allen key rather than pulling with your shoestring, barrels are headspaced with a collar instead of needing a lathe to turn the shoulder, and with their rising popularity, there's quite a few available stocks and detachable magazine lower metal kits out there.

sr20sean

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 2, 2012

^ I already have a stevens 200 in .308
I'll have to look to see if they make any aftermarket stocks for it since the factory stock isn't that comfortable for my wrist for repetitive shooting and it can be slightly annoying for longer range shooting. I just want something I could use as an f-class while also having something I could use for hunting this year.

bpipe95

· #5 · Aug 2, 2012

It is the same as the Savage 10, so most stocks from that should fit.

Evild

· #6 · Aug 2, 2012

Spend $100 more and get a savage 111

sr20sean

Discussion Starter · #7 · Aug 2, 2012

Evild said:
Spend $100 more and get a savage 111

how would you compare the 111 to a 700?

Evild

· #8 · Aug 2, 2012 (Edited)

sr20sean said:
how would you compare the 111 to a 700?

Savage > Remington, but that's only my personal opinion, there are others who will say just the opposite. It would actually be the model 11, same as action as 10, 12, stevens 200, I have 111 on my mind cuz I want a 30.06. Stevens doesn't have the accutrigger, if that matters to you.

Noodles

· #9 · Aug 3, 2012

Better yet, rather than buying a $300 rifle, $300 barrel, $200 stock, $150 trigger, and a bunch of other small parts and gunsmithing expenses, wouldn't it be better to save up your money and get something that's been there, done that, and won against custom rifles costing several times more?
Savage F-TR Team - World-Beaters on a Budget « Daily Bulletin

sr20sean

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 3, 2012

^ If I went that route I'd just buy an accuracy international or a 110BA. I like being able to pick things as I go.

DannyDifalco

· #11 · Aug 3, 2012

sr20sean said:
Looking to build a budget .308 Would you guys recommend the Marlin 308, Savage axis, or Remington 700ADL?

Trying to find something without a ton of bolt play (like how the 770 is and the bolt moves around quite a bit) so I would really like a solid bolt.

700 ADL. You can always upgrade to a BDL bottom metal for like $50-60 and get a bell and carlson medalist stock for $200. and get a pretty good Sub MOA rifle. The Marines and Army base their m24 and m40's off the Remington action for a reason! ;]

sr20sean

Discussion Starter · #12 · Aug 3, 2012

DannyDifalco said:
700 ADL. You can always upgrade to a BDL bottom metal for like $50-60 and get a bell and carlson medalist stock for $200. and get a pretty good Sub MOA rifle. The Marines and Army base their m24 and m40's off the Remington action for a reason! ;]

Well I was thinking AICS as the stock since I really like the design.

But thinking about it I need an adjustable trigger. I would really like that Savage Target Accutrigger that goes down to 8oz

cujo

· #13 · Aug 30, 2012

sr20sean said:
Looking to build a budget .308 Would you guys recommend the Marlin 308, Savage axis, or Remington 700ADL?

Trying to find something without a ton of bolt play (like how the 770 is and the bolt moves around quite a bit) so I would really like a solid bolt.

I just bought a new Savage 11 Trophy Hunter XP in 308 with a Nikon 3-9x40 scope for $460 and free shipping from Bud'sGunShop.com after much web research. The Trophy Hunter XP version has the better

Nikon 3-9x40 BDC Reticle

scope and the AccuTrigger, where as the cheaper Hunter XP version comes with the lesser Bushnell scope of the same magnification, but not a BDC Reticle and the standard trigger that folks say are crap.
This is going to be my first center fire rifle and most of what I read always said to stay away from these rifle packages, since they usually put a very cheap scope, that you'll end up replacing in short order. They went onto recommend you just buy the rifle you want and then purchase a decent scope and mounting rings later. This Savage Trophy Hunter XP Package seems to be a different story, since they partnered with Nikon to put a fairly decent scope on this rifle and also included the AccuTrigger adjustable trigger system. They also install the proper mounting rings and bore sight the scope to get the rifle shooting fairly straight straight out of the box. I don't know all that much about scopes and mounting rings and whether the various combinations will work on the rifle I chose, so I liked the idea that someone more knowledgable was doing this for me. That said, I do feel that The other Hunter XP package with the lesser scope ans standard trigger was exactly what the experts were warning us about. That's why I put down the extra $125 or so dollars and bought the better Trophy Hunter XP package.
I can't tell you yet how much I like this setup, since I'm picking it up tomorrow evening if all goes well. Below is a link to the rifle package I purchased:

Savage Arms

Savage 11 TH XP 308 NIKON $472.00 SHIPS FREE

BTW the rifle I bought from Bud's has already gun up $12, since I purchased it 3 days ago!

Jim

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Justin

· #14 · Sep 5, 2012

rrhone01 said:
like somebody else said just save the difference you'd spend and buy something higher end

why

sr20sean

Discussion Starter · #15 · Sep 5, 2012

I'm just going to keep my eye out for a 700ADL

Dieter122

· #16 · Sep 5, 2012

im a big Remy 700 fan... so much available that you can do/mod/accessorize with them, and theyve been around forever.

Savages are nice guns no doubt, not saying they arent but. Id still go with a Remington.

BUCKrub91

· #17 · Sep 5, 2012

Evild said:
Savage > Remington

I agree savage makes the best bolt gun for the money that ive seen

I would start with a savage regardless if I was going for a budget rifle or an "expensive" rifle..

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