If you had to choose an inexpensive , rugged, bolt action .308....

[Rebeldon]

CZ 550 would be an excellent choice.

 

[Little Loudmouth]

Ruger M77. Rugged, accurate, .308, around $250.

 

[No4Mk1]

TechBrute,

I think Savage discontinued the 10FCM, which was the "Savage Scout". The 11FC is very similar.

Here is a link:

http://www.savagearms.com/11fc.htm

HTH

 

[Biff]

Don't forget to check out a Remington 788 if one comes up on the used market. They will outshoot many higher priced rifles!

 

[Wildalaska]

Sell ya a short action 700 ADL blue synthetic with sights, 99%, $479 plus $15 freight

WildwhatawhoreiamAlaska

 

[tango3065]

Don't know what is in your expensies, but I would vote for the ruger mk2 all weather. I got one last year for deer and I must of got lucky becase it is one of the most accurate guns I have, with a nice factory trigger.

 

[bernie]

I have seen several that like the savage and the savage scout in particular. I had one of the Savage Scout rifles and the bolt head retaining pin broke and bound the son of a gun up like you would not believe! It took a lot of time and fooling with to get it to open back up. I have a buddy with a Ruger Model 77 Mk II that is blued and in a magnum rifle caliber, and I am extremely impressed with it. I have been thinking about a Stainless with synthetic stock Ruger in .308 for a hunting/walking around rifle.

 

[JNewell]

Buy a used Remington 788. Accurate, rugged, very affordable.

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

You can pick up a new Tikka T3 Lightweight (blue, synthetic) at WalMart for $408. You'll likely have to order it because most stores don't stock it, but they can get it in 2-4 weeks. Order now and you'll have it before deer season.

 

[Warhawk]

Howdy Toolmaker, It's going to be hard to beat the Savage for an inexpensive, accurate bolt gun.

I've killed deer at 400+ yards, with a specialized rifle, a tuned Remington Sendero in 7 STW. It's a tough thing to do, and even tougher with a .308. Certainly possible but I think you would need a laser rangefinder and a detailed ballistics chart, not to mention a LOT of range time with that rifle.

A few others to consider.

The Rem 700 ADL or Win M70 "ADL" version, both are CHEAP at Wal Mart.

A Howa 1500 is another sleeper, same action as a Weatherby Vanguard and the old Smith & Wesson bolt rifles.

 

[Sawdust]

Rem 700 ADL comes in only 270 Win and 30-06.

Sawdust

 

[Jim K]

The question involved "an inexpensive , rugged, bolt action .308".

Maybe you folks are in a different income bracket, but $2500 doesn't sound "inexpensive" to me. The Savage rifles are decent for the price but are not especially rugged. Some of the other rifles sound good, but spare parts are scarce, and repairs would require a skilled gunsmith. (Anyone want to replace a Remington 700 extractor in the field?)

So, I'll go with those who opted for a "sporterized" Mauser 98. Nothing but rugged, plenty accurate, and with spare parts up the yingyang, in the unlikely event any were ever needed. VZ-24 amd K.98 rifles and actions are all over, still in the $100 or less range. Every gunsmith who isn't ashamed to hang a shingle can work on them and they are made to be taken down by the soldier in the field.

Plenty of scope mounts, stocks of every kind and material, certainly able to take a deer at 400 yards if the shooter can do it. Rugged and simple are certainly two words that define the 98 Mauser.

Jim

 

[greg531mi]

I have an Isplmore Enfield in 308 and two Israeli Mausers in 308, bought for less than $100 each and shoot great, if you can find a used commerial 308, they are around $250 on up....
I have my best luck for bargains at auctions where there are a lot of guns, make sure you check the bores and the actions, and don't get in a bidding war....
Most gun dealers in my area, tend to be very high in their used guns. That's where they make their money, like at a new car dealer, the money is in used.