Please Help Me Spend My Money

[Skofnung]

I have $600 to spend. I need a .308 rifle. I think I need a bolt gun, but I would go for a semi-auto if it is a good one.

So what would you get for an all around .308 gun in the $600 range?

I am thinking Savage, but I would like some other ideas.

Thanks

 

[spacemanspiff]

okay i'll help you spend some money.
send me $300.

thanks! you're really super cool!

 

[elkhunter]

Definately go with the savage. Unfortanetly I don't own one personally, but I almost bought this one 10-FPLE1A
until I found a good deal on a Remington model 700. The choate stock is very comfortable, and I did fondle it a lot in the gunshop. Also available in a 28" barrel.

But then it all depends on what you want to use the rifle for. If It's for deer hunting I imagine you want something lighter, and Savage is offering their entire line of rifles with the accutrigger, so you can't really go wrong.

 

[WYO]

When you ask about bolt guns, the question is whether you are talking about $600 for the gun or $600 for the gun and scope.

You often can find bolt rifle/scope combo packages in Remington 700, Winchester 70 and Savage brands in the $400 range. The scopes aren’t that good, but they’ll get you started. With the extra $200, buy a Leupold VX-I scope. If you can manage to sell the scope off the package rifle for a few bucks and come up with a few extra dollars to make $279, buy one of the new 2004 Leupold VX-II scopes instead. They are the equivalent of the recently phased out Vari-X III scopes that used to sell for around $440.

I don’t know how the Accutrigger affects the pricing on Savages, but I suspect it costs more than the standard trigger.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

I've seen some very good deals on GunsAmerica.com on NIB older model Savages without the accu-trigger.

So...if you have the bucks, an accutrigger is great, but if on a budget a pre-accutrigger model might be the way to go. Shoot it some and have a trigger job done if need be.

At the other end of the spectrum, you might want to check out the new Saiga 308 imported by Izhmash based on the AK action. Very inexpensive.

If hunting, the Savage or a Remington, Tikka, Ruger or Winchester. If plinking and self-defense, possible the Saiga.

 

[Mulliga]

Yeah, if you end up with a bolt gun, you'll need good glass, like WYO said. Try the "Build the best rifle for $XXX - spend all the money!" threads.

You could go for a CETME or a G3, but be prepared to tinker with the sucker.

For $600, you can't go wrong with a Savage and a 200-300 dollar scope. The Leupolds are fine; also take a gander at the Burris FullField II and the Bushnell Elite 3200.

 

[Uncle Alvah]

Real simple. CZ 550

 

[Skofnung]

What'cha gonna spend that $300 on Mr. Spiff?

This $600 is going for the gun only, the scope budget will be 2-300 bucks. The Savage would save me some green, and I hear they are very nice right out of the box. But, I want to keep my mind open to other rifles, just to make sure I get the most for my money.

Uncle Alvah, please elaborate on the CZ 550. I have thought about this one, but I have heard very little about it.

Thanks again.

 

[Preacherman]

The Savage is an excellent rifle, made more so by the new Accu-trigger. I have two, one in .308 and one in .270, and am very happy with both. The CZ 550 is also a very good rifle, and I've got one of their Mannlicher-stocked short-barrel .308's on my "wish list".

However, if you have $600 to spare, I'd strongly suggest looking at the Tikka range. They're made by Sako, with all the quality associated with that name, but are a lower-cost version. IMHO, they're the best value for money in a higher-end hunting rifle at the moment. You should be able to find a T3 in .308 for between $500 and $600 without too much trouble.

 

[Uncle Alvah]

Sko, for a lot of years I was a Remington fan, tried and true. I became kind of disillusioned with some of the models and the quality control and pretty much gave up on them. My last Remington was a 280 Mountain Rifle DM. I sold it and now hunt with a 444 Outfitter. I was looking to buy a 45 Auto and the research into that put in touch with the CZ line of firearms. I ended up buying a CZ 97b and just love it. Next its on to their rifles. Once I find some work(I'm a handyman, real slow here this time of year) I'll be buying a 550V in 308. The workmanship is excellent on their guns, great barrels that seem to shoot well right out of the box. Plus, the centerfires come fromthe factory with a set trigger installed! Sweet! Clip fed, walnut stocks, and they come in two patterns, Euro and American. Check out the whole like at www.czusa.com
There is also a large "fan" site at www.czforum.com
Simply put, in my opinion, CZ is what Ruger and Remington USED to be......

If work picked up a WHOLE lot........