Cheap .308 rifle

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ds92

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Hello folks,
I'm currently in the market for a cheap (less than $500) rifle. Since I have only one .30 cal I figure there's room in the safe for a .308. I'm looking primarily at bolt actions, specifically milsurps. Now I know that 7.62NATO and .308 are not interchangeable but I'd be happy buying either. I'm looking at ishapore enfields, spanish FR 8's, and german mausers. However, my question is, are there any milsurps chambered for .308 winchester, or any cheap-erhmm...inexpensive new .308's like the stevens 200? Thanks, any input is greatly appreciated.
 
Cheap .308...

DS 92--The Israelis ordered a Mauser chambered in .308 Win; some of those are to be had on the used market. I'm sure it'll run less than $500. It was very like a k98K, only chambered and bored differently, IIRC.

Good luck in your hunt.

BTW, if you're not irrevocably married to .308 Win, there are bolt-action milsurp Mausers in all sorts of cartridges of rather similar ballistics to .308 Win, to be had, and many of those would be cheaper even than the Israeli Mauser. If it's gotta be a .308 Win milsurp bolt-action, then, other than a rebored or rebarrelled one, I think your one choice is the Israeli.
 
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Spanish mauser converted to 308 they are out of stock but for 130 they are worth the wait, and you have plenty of dough left for a nice scope and some milsurp 308. Link for 129 dollar 308 mauser.
 
marlin, stevens, or go with the best, Howa! I have two howas, both under $500, one in 22-250, one in 308. The 308 shoots 3 shots into about 3/4" and the 22-250 into about 3/8". I had an xl7 though in 270 and secretly miss it. It was an moa gun easy.
 
or go with the best, Howa!
Click to expand...
I enjoy my Howa Hogue heavy barrel Varminter in 308 (MSRP 550 dollars) I just need to find a load she likes and become more familiar with bolt actions as I have shot semi or pump actions all my life.
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100 yard cluster (not really tight enough to be called a group) with a cheap scope and poor skills/load. The center circle is 2 inches in diameter.
100_0796.jpg
 
Get a new NEF Handi-Rifle in that for two bills & change. Single shot break action but it'll do the job more often than not.

The Spanish 1916 Mausers are dangerous. Stick to light CETME/NATO loads and it's sort of OK. But if you fire too much .308 in them, you'll get a face full of weak steel. Google a bit or check mauser central. A good Spanish 93 in it's original 7x57 is an exquisite rifle & I love mine, but the 1916 rechambered in 7.62 is a worst of all worlds bastard case.

William
 
For you budget I would give four choices.

1) New Marlin with scope, rings, and bi-pod will come in under 500

2) Ishapore Enfield with Williams peep sight

3) Spanish 1916 with front scope mount and long eye relief scope.

4) toughest to find of the four but you could find an Israeli Mauser in .308



wlewisiii: Unfortunately what you said about Spanish 1916 rifles is incorrect. The Cetme round was experimental and not what the rifle was chambered for. While the metallurgy of them is not the best 7.62 Nato is fine and occasional .308 will not hurt it either. Just continue to check it with a go gauge if you feel it's necessary. With all the information and stories on the internet I have never heard of a rifle exploding except for the brothers cousin who new this guy once.
A lot of information found on this forum in their articles as well as the forum.
www.surplusrifleforum.com
 
i saw some steven's packages with scopes at Cabela's last weekend for ~$400. they looked like a pretty good deal to me. i'd stay away from things like the Remmy 770/710. you can probably check gunbroker for a nice used Rem 700 or Savage in .308 well within your price range.

Bobby
 
If you have to have surplus, try to find a Spanish Mauser, they were done up in 308 or one of the converted K98's in 308.
Century International Arms had some of the K98 Mausers in 308, but I do believe they are all gone.

Why not a Mosin-Nagant in 7.62X54R, very similar to our 30-06 ballisticly and cheap.

I would opt for the Savage 200 or Marlin X Series, the cost will be a tad bit more, or not, may be less than a surplus gun depending on where you buy the surplus gun, and the accuracy is going to be there!
And if you have a mechanical, parts are readily available, or better yet, a new firearm has a warranty!
 
If you have a Dick's Sporting Goods, watch there adds. I picked up a new Remington 700ADL Varmint in 308 for $419 after rebates.
 
I've got a Enfield 2A1 in 7.62. Just a tad over $200. It's OK, 7.62x51 only.

I've got a NEF bull-barrel .308. Just a tad over $200. It's a tackdriver.

I've got a Saiga .308. Close to $4-500 now, unconverted. Brand new Russian built AK in .308 for under $500? Damned straight! Buy it now, convert it later.

IMG_0059.gif

NEF "Survivor" 308

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Saiga .308 unconverted

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Saiga 308 fully restored to true AK configuration (add'l $350)

DSCN0023.gif

I like 308's!!
 
.308 and 7.62 Nata are different? It's not like .223 and 5.56 nato the former are the same cartridge.

Also I didn't see anyone metion Savage rifles. If they are more than 500 just look for a used one. It's still newer than a milsurp.
 
I'm surprised nobody has answered with the absolute cheapest way to go for 308 power.

Join the Mosin-Nagant club. Ammo is not as cheap this year as it was last year, but it's still in the 50-80 bucks for 440 rounds.

You can go with the M44 which is more carbine length.. or the 91/30 variety, which once corked, and pre-supposing you find one with good rifle grooves, will easily shoot 1 moa. Mine was picked up for 100 bucks and had been drilled for an ATI mount. I slapped on a Wally-Mart scope and instantly became a "Vasily Zeitsev" sniper. All of this would come in under your budget, and you have in your hands one of the most historically recognizable rifles.

Just be verrry careful. I don't know anyone that has purchased just one! They are infectous.

KKKKFL
 
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