What .308 BA would you buy if you had a $2000 budget for gun and optic?

[ANATION]

Looking to possibly spend up to $2000 on a .308 BA rifle with optic. I am looking for a hunting rifle that's accurate and fun to shoot off the bench. I hand load and already have the dies and some .308 brass. Owned .308s in the past and already own .223, 6.5 Creed, 30-30, and .264 Win Mag. Gun can be threaded as I have a .30 cal can that I use on my Creed. Figured I'd ask the hive. Always like to get others opinions. Not married to a brand and looking at various makers for both scope and optic. (I do have an old Simmons 4x12 scope but I dont want to throw that on the rifle.).

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Probably a Tikka T3X and a mid-level Nightforce, Vortex, or Meopta.

Buy Tikka T3x Lite Roughtech 308 Winchester762 NATO Bolt Action Rifle Online

T3X Lite Roughtech Tan 308 Win

www.budsgunshop.com

Buds has this one for $1100, leaving a good chunk for decent glass.

 

[Hokkmike]

Forgive my ignorance - what is a BA rifle?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Bolt Action

 

[ANATION]

Probably a Tikka T3X and a mid-level Nightforce, Vortex, or Meopta.

Buy Tikka T3x Lite Roughtech 308 Winchester762 NATO Bolt Action Rifle Online

T3X Lite Roughtech Tan 308 Win

www.budsgunshop.com

Buds has this one for $1100, leaving a good chunk for decent glass.

Tikka. They have a reputation for accuracy dont they?

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Tikka is a great option.

If you wanted to spend less on the rifle to free up more $$ for the glass I would look at the new Ruger American II or something from the Savage line.

As you know, good glass gets $$ pretty quick.

 

[courtgreene]

When I was in your position I got a Winchester 70 featherweight and put a leupold on it. I wish it had a faster twist rate but that’s just because I know it should. Basically, it shoots fine but in the back of my mind I have that nagging, “ I wonder how much better it would be as a 1:10,” thought going on.
It feels like an extension of me, I love it and have no actual regrets, just that one theoretical regret.

 

[Art30/30]

I’ll say Browning XBolt. I have 2 and they both shoot 46 grains of Varget under a 165 grain Sierra and flatten deer. For the scope I run leuplold CDS-zero lock.

 

[courtgreene]

Oh, my other .308 is a savage 110. It shoots lights out and is an amazing gun. I’d recommend those too were it not for the detachable box magazines they have now. If you like those then savage is always a great choice.

 

[Russ57]

I bought this for three of our BA .308's. It used to be a little cheaper but I still think it is a great deal.

Trijicon Tenmile 6-24x50 SFP w/ Red LED Dot, MRAD Ranging, 30mm, Matte Black Riflescope 3000005

FREE SHIPPING on Trijicon Tenmile 6-24x50 SFP w/ Red LED Dot, MRAD Ranging, 30mm, Matte Black Riflescope 3000005

www.eurooptic.com

Tikka and Bergara are popular names to recommend for rifles. Lately the Sako has been on closeout and I'd consider it a better choice.

Best of luck with your choice.

 

[gotboostvr]

Probably either a Tikka or Bergara of some sort around $800 I'd think.

Another $100 for good rings...

Plenty of decent pieces of glass for $1100

 

[MarshallDodge]

Tikka or build something on an Aero Solus action exactly the way I want. With the prefit barrels available, you could put it together at home.

 

[ANATION]

Probably either a Tikka or Bergara of some sort around $800 I'd think.

Another $100 for good rings...

Plenty of decent pieces of glass for $1100

I owned a Bergara .223 barrel years ago for a Thompson Center that I had but I really know nothing about the brand other than they are, what, Spanish manufacturing? Not that I'm against that. The only .308 I ever owned was a SPS Tactical years ago but I like variety so I will check out the Bergara.

 

[Stevenvalleyky]

Ill go different than others and say get a 1st gen ruger american or savage axis and spend more on glass. The cheapest bolt guns now are more accurate than most high dollar custom guns from 30 years ago because of the aluminum V blocks that eliminate the need to bed the actions. I have reinforced the factory American stocks on those but like a cheap boyds stock and a $20 Mcarbo trigger kit on an axis. Both of those will likely be just as accurate as all the other suggestions given and leave you enough to buy a Vortex Viper PST plus leave you money for some ammo to practice.

 

[Mini30SS]

Probably a Tikka T3X and a mid-level Nightforce, Vortex, or Meopta.

Buy Tikka T3x Lite Roughtech 308 Winchester762 NATO Bolt Action Rifle Online

T3X Lite Roughtech Tan 308 Win

www.budsgunshop.com

Buds has this one for $1100, leaving a good chunk for decent glass.

You nailed it that's exactly what I'd do. In fact, that's what I'm going to do with tax return money. Except I'm going to get the Tikka T3x superlite ( Stainless synthetic) in 7mm-08, which IMHO will give me a little flatter trajectory, with a miniscule reduction in power.

 

[Art30/30]

You nailed it that's exactly what I'd do. In fact, that's what I'm going to do with tax return money. Except I'm going to get the Tikka T3x superlite ( Stainless synthetic) in 7mm-08, which IMHO will give me a little flatter trajectory, with a miniscule reduction in power.

I shot my elk with my 7-08 this year! Worked great.

 

[Nature Boy]

I would say a Win M70 but that’s just my personal bias for CRF claw extractor rifles

 

[Txhillbilly]

There are plenty of good factory rifle's on the market to choose from, take your pick. There are some great deals on some closeout scopes going on. I just picked up a Burris XTR II 5-25x50 for $569, They also have the 3-15x50 version on sale for $499.

Burris XTreme Tactical Closeouts

Designed, machined, and assembled in the United States, the Burris Xtreme Tactical riflescope is a prime example of expert riflescope craftsmanship. While supplies last, enjoy huge savings on select Burris Xtreme Tactical II & III riflescopes

www.eurooptic.com

 

[Ignition Override]

Neither my friend nor I have any formal training with rifles.
But after getting advice from a club's XO on which scope index (the "12") to place on the 500-yard gong for a 5' / 60" drop for the specific Spitzer bullet weight, he hit it twice. It was my furthest target (= in my life), and I hit it once.

The rifle is a near-mint Remington with an 18" barrel, and the scope is a Vortex. The rifle belonged to a deceased coworker; his widow offered it as a Free gift.
No idea which vintage nor model rifle or which series of Vortex scope.

I have no idea about which other British Airways, I mean bolt-action .308 rifles are available 'out there'.
But if this model rifle were still available along with the same scope within the total price limit, they would be my objectives. Not kidding one bit.

 

[Hookeye]

Heck my .308 win is a Ruger #1A.
Not threaded, not synthetic.........darn good looking, shoots well too.
Im not on the quest for smaller and smaller groups.
Deer gun that does an 1nch at 100 yds is fine by me. Heck, Id tolerate a little over that.

 

[gotboostvr]

I owned a Bergara .223 barrel years ago for a Thompson Center that I had but I really know nothing about the brand other than they are, what, Spanish manufacturing? Not that I'm against that. The only .308 I ever owned was a SPS Tactical years ago but I like variety so I will check out the Bergara.

They mostly build an "improved" Remington 700 clone. Better fit and finish better barrels, nice third party triggers and stocks, some other modern touches too.

But you could still swap any part out with a Remington 700 part, either factory or aftermarket.

They're worth a look.

 

[LoonWulf]

What style of stock are you considering, what total weight, and how long?
Any specific features, like CRF, locking bolt, etc?

 

[igotta40]

I’ll be the odd guy and suggest a Franchi Momentum Elite with Athlon scope. I have a varmint model in 223 Remington and it’s a tack driver. Not bad to look at, either. You’ll have a few bucks left over for some ammo.

 

[Ignition Override]

The older Remington 660 (18” barrel) is what we used to hit the 500-yard gong!
He didn’t tell me which Vortex scope it has. The Nice Trigger’s “12” index on the middle of that distant gong allowed the (12x5”/ equals 5’ Feet) drop, as labeled on the Federal Gold ammo’s box?….

This beautiful rifle is practically mint condition; my friend’s older coworker (Fedex MD-11 jet mechanic) died, and the friend received it as a nice gift from the widow.

Does Remington produce New .308 rifles with this quality?

 

[d2wing]

I would buy another Tikka.