cheap 308 bolt action/scope combo that works

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checkmyswag

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I'd like iron sights.

I'm fine with a blued finish or whatever cheap flat black finishes are offered.

308, bolt action, with a scope.

Go.

How much am I looking to spend? As little as possible, but still end up with a quality "weapon system".
 
Find a savage in 308 in a Pawn shop, most will have a scope and don't look back.

PS 30-06 will work fine also.
 
Weapon system??

1. Get a Savage 110,
2. Choate Stock off of Ebay
3, Bushnell 10X40 mil-dot

hunt rifle:
any of the savage/stevens combo packages
 
Assuming you want a hunting rifle:

If you can skip the iron sights requirement Savage is offering the 11/111 Trophy Hunter Package (11 TH XP for short actions, or 111 TH XP for long actions), and 11/111 Hunter Package (11 XP / 111 XP).

The Hunter package has a standard trigger and a Bushnell 3-9x40 scope; while the Trophy Hunter Package has the Accu-Trigger and a Nikon (looks to be a ProStaff) 3-9x40 scope with BDC reticle.

At just under $450 from online discount retailers, the Trophy Hunter package runs about $100 more than the Hunter Package, but the Nikon scope ProStaff BDC runs about $100 than the Bushnell Banner just about every where. The Banner is a serviceable scope, but the ProStaff is one of the best scopes you can buy for under $200. You're basically getting the Accu-Trigger for free when you step up to the nicer scope.

Both of those packages include a rifle that's better (IMO) than entry level competitors like the Mossberg ATR, Marlin XL7/XS7, Remington 770, and even Savage's own Axis. YMMV, and all the other disclaimers.
 
Weapon system...just threw that in there for fun. I heard a pistol called a weapon system the other day. It is funny to me. When I think weapon system I think of patriot missiles or some crew served weapon. I think weapon system is almost up there with the use of "tactical". Now back to my tactical weapon system...

That savage combo sounds good. I'm not against buying used either.
 
I picked up a Mossberg ATR scope combo in 308 last year. Think I paid around $300 for it. Don't really care for Mossberg but thought I'd try one out. I was pleasantly surprised. Very light, short barrel, synthetic stock. Shoots straight. Actually kinda fun. Can't beat the price. Great woods gun, great caliber.
 
Stevens model 200. Cheaper than the savage and made by the same company. I think it has the same action as the 110.
 
Stevens model 200. Cheaper than the savage and made by the same company. I think it has the same action as the 110.
Click to expand...
It's true that the Stevens 200 rifles are made by Savage on the same actions used for the 10/110 and 11/111 rifles. Unfortunately, unlike a few years ago, the non scoped Stevens 200 is now only $40-$50 less expensive than the Bushnell scope packaged 11/111 Hunter. I know the packaged Bushnell scope is far from a great optic, but even if you change it out you've still got the rings & bases already there. You also get a detachable box magazine vs. a blind magazine when you go to the 11 Hunter package over the Stevens 200. I wish the Stevens 200 was still significantly less money than its Savage brothers like it used to be.
 
Marlin XL7, offered in three stock options, adjustable trigger, Simmons 44mag scope, (won Field&Streams $100.- scope field trial, at Natchez for $89.99). I have this setup with the laminate stock, in 30-06, it shoots 3" groups at 500 yards.
 
Savage Apex in .308 or 30.06, comes with a fair scope but not the Accu Trigger for under $500 out the door.
 
You should be able to pull a stevens 200 for 350 or less nib. An inexpensive scope like bushnell trophy xlt.. and you're good to go for a little bit. Should put you out a 450 if you are good at finding deals.. with a better action to upgrade later if you want to.
 
I will second the Marlin X7 guns I have one in .243 and it shoots 1.5" groups at 300 yards and from what I read on the Marlin owners site I frequent the 308's are just as good and there are 2 main versions to go with then fine tune from there either the regular X7 or the X7VH which is the bull barrel version. Compared to the savage line the Marlins IMO are leaps and bounds above the savage/Stevens rifles. The Marlins bolt is much much better and "tight" compared to the savage Stevens rifles in the same category/price range. The Savage bolts flop around in the receiver and are very loose and sag when opened. They both are shooters though My nephews savage edge/axis loves the cheap silver bear ammo and shoots a ragged hole at 100yds and slightly larger at 200 never shot paper on his past that but we both have made some ground hogs go poof at 300+. Either Marlin will run you under 4 bills with a scope and the Savage/Stevens are cheaper yet but flimsy and ugly I think.
 
Local big box store has the Savage Axis and the Remington 770 on sale for $300 on a regular basis. Both come with a scope, the Savage gets good marks in all of the internet reviews I have seen.
 
WOW...lots of sub-moa budget rifles on here.
I'd stay away from the Rem 770, have seen and shot them, never was impressed with the gun or it's performance. You can't go wrong with the Savage's or the Ruger American, both should shoot just over 1" at 100yds with the right ammo and shooter.
 
Buy any of the budget rifles mentioned above (except the Rem 770). Then spend the rest of your budget on glass. It is amazing how well the entry level rifles perform these days, but most of the package guns come with a crappy Bushnell, or Tasco scope not worth the $40 they cost. You can get a Nikon Prostaff, Redfield, or Leupold rifleman for well under $200, and will have a scope that will last a lifetime.
 
Ruger American .308 = sub $400 OTD. Nikon Prostaff 2-7x from wal-mart for @$130. Very reliable, and accurate for the $$$.
 
I actually went through this recently.

I bought a Stevens 200, Weaver Classic V 2-10x38, Boyds laminate stock and Timney trigger. Well under $1000 and it will be a great hunting rifle. I'll also likely have the stock bedded, action timed and bolt jeweled.
 
Mossberg ATR. Buy one with the scope already there, it will be around $325. Then spend some money on a better scope if you don't like it.

I don't shoot very far, so the factory scope that came with mine works just fine.
 
Let me toss some brand crap in here...

There is mention of bolt slop on the savages. True, there is. In a rifle that you want to shoot accurately.. it matters absolutely nothing. The only thing that matters with bolt action accuracy is how stiff the action is and how tight the lockup is. There are several better feeling guns when it comes to how loose the gun is with the bolt open.. but hey.. its purely ascthetics. I've yet to run into another rifle as inexpensive, as accurate, and as upgradeable a the savage line is. The rem 700 is just as upgradeable, just as accurate, 1.5x the cost. The marlin is just as inexpensive, and just as accurate out the box.. but not as upgradeable (I can take a stevens 200, bare bottom of the stack, and turn it into a true 1000y cometition rifle with nothing but bolt on upgrades, a barrel wrench, and a bench vise... no other rifle can claim that).
 
Savage or Ruger.

Sports Authority has the Axis with a scope for $299.99 in today's paper. I'd look at it and the new Ruger American.
 
I own 9 Rugers , but all my bolt guns are Savages, that should say something by it's self, as for scopes I'm a fan of Nikons , however one of saveges has a Simmons 3-9X40 I think I paid $45.00 for it , and it has droped lots of deer, :cool:
 
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