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

[Charlie98]

My brother just yesterday bought a Ruger American .308 in the Magpul stock, and some cheapo scope on it... had to air it out today. While I'm not very impressed with Ruger revolvers, this is only my second experience with Ruger centerfire rifles... and we both left the range with a positive view. So, the rifle 'package' was $800... and I told my brother the scope was probably junk, but it would get him shooting, which was true enough. He was shooting right at MOA at 100yds with FGMM, and even one good group with my handloads (TAC and the 168grn Nosler CC.) So, now he can spend Good Money on a Good Scope, and be satisfied it will be worth it. He shot my Savage with a Burris Veracity... and he much preferred my Burris... so I told him part of finding what he wants is knowing what he doesn't want.

As far as the OP, besides the Ruger, I'm a big Savage fan... my 10TAC shoots better than I can shoot it... although today I shot my first sub-MOA groups (IMR4064 and the 169grn SMK...) with my handloads... that with a $400 rifle and a used $500 scope.

 

[WisBorn]

The rifle that fits you! Modern manufacturing has made accuracy so close from rifle to rifle. As a hunting rifle I would look harder at things like safety type/design, degrees of bolt throw, action length, and stock construction.

 

[GRIZ22]

Already have it. A Savage Scout in 308 with a 2.75 Burris for a lot less. Could probably get 2.for %2000. My Scout with.that scope consistently shoots abpt .6" at 100.yards and about 3" at 300 with the right load. I don't need any more.accuracy for what I do

 

[Pudge]

Ruger Gunsite Scout. Light, accurate, easy to shoot well, box magazine, threaded barrel, just add the clearest glass in your budget.

 

[ANATION]

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

Threaded barrel for suppressor use. Weight not more than 8 pounds before scope. 22 barrel or less. Stock can be either or. Probably synthetic since I want to shoot for fun as well, although I’m not married to synthetic only. 1/10 twist rate to reload numerous bullets. Ha. Not specific at all.

 

[LoonWulf]

Id probably look hard at the Bergara offerings, and were it my cash id probably go with a B-14 HMR or similar, and a 4-16 (or so) of your choice.
.......but really youd be hard pressed to choose a bad option i think.

 

[BigRed270]

I grew up hunting with Simmons scopes. Not knocking them but if u have 2k to spend you will definitely appreciate an upgrade. If you end up spending less than 1k on the rifle and want a 30mm scope I do like my leupold vx-5hd 3-15. If you splurge on the rifle a little bit more, then a vx-3hd would be my go to. Great glass 1 inch tube and less weight. I have a 2-7 3-10 and 4.5-14 on different bolt guns and I think the magnification just comes down to preference and desired overall weight/handiness of the rifle.

 

[Barnfixer]

I’ve been getting rid of my heavier gun in trade for lighter ones. One I acquired is a Kimber Hunter and I’m very happy with it. So my suggestion is a Kimber Hunter Pro Desolve Blak with a Trijicon Accupoint on top. With rings it should be in the budget.

 

[md7]

Bergara, Savage, and Tikka come to mind as far as rifles. See a lot of happy Ruger American owners, too.

I’ve always liked Leupold for optics, and am well pleased with my 30 year Vari X II and newer VX Freedom Fire Dot.

Good luck to ya!

 

[Turkeytider]

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.

I`m personally considering the Bergara HMR line, probably in 6.5 Creed, for a 1K yard range rifle. That or a Tikka UPR.
Really am enjoying my Savage 110 Storm and Model 12 LRPV in .223 as well. OP might want to take a look at the 110 Storm in .308.

 

[gotboostvr]

I`m personally considering the Bergara HMR line, probably in 6.5 Creed, for a 1K yard range rifle. That or a Tikka UPR.
Really am enjoying my Savage 110 Storm and Model 12 LRPV in .223 as well. OP might want to take a look at the 110 Storm in .308.

I had a HMR in 6.5C, nice rifle, but I traded it towards a Sig Cross. I just prefer lighter rifles, and I've always been a sucker for folding stocks.

 

[Turkeytider]

I had a HMR in 6.5C, nice rifle, but I traded it towards a Sig Cross. I just prefer lighter rifles, and I've always been a sucker for folding stocks.

Yep, not personally paying too much attention to weight since this would be a range only rifle. My Savage Model12 LRPV has got to be 12-13 lbs all up, but then weight`s your friend in bench shooting. Thing is an absolute beast but will flat shoot.

 

[gotboostvr]

Yep, not personally paying too much attention to weight since this would be a range only rifle. My Savage Model12 LRPV has got to be 12-13 lbs all up, but then weight`s your friend in bench shooting. Thing is an absolute beast but will flat shoot.

Oh, it's perfect for that

 

[Charlie98]

Thing is an absolute beast but will flat shoot.

My Savage 10TAC is that way, too... with a 24" heavy barrel, it's quite a boat oar, and I'd prefer not to carry it 1' more than I have to.

 

[Barnfixer]

I had a Ruger Varmint/Target rifle that was a hole cutter but it was 12+ pounds scoped. Great on a bench but got sick of toting it around. I’m at half the weight now and much happier and find myself using the lighter gun far more often.

 

[someguy2800]

I recently got this Lithgow LA102 in 308 and put a Burris 2-10x42 veracity on it with a set of talley ring mounts. I have about $1500 total into it. I would put the remaining budget toward a suppressor.

 

[Mini30SS]

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

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www.eurooptic.com

I appreciate the sentiment, but No, I am not interested in a 2 lb scope on my rifle. I want to keep total weight of scope, optics, sling to 7.5 lbs or less. I don't have access to private land, so walking around for distances is part of the hunt.