Budget .308 bolt action recommendations

[Bux_N_Beards]

Just a suggestion, but increasing your budget $100 might get you into a Tikka T3X Lite. They typically run a rebate, although I think the recent one ended in October. Integrated mounting system built into the receiver and you’d be way ahead of many of the options listed, though the Howa would also be a good choice, just beefier stock and heavy in my experience, but they do shoot well.

 

[Southern Elk]

I would personally look for a used Browning x bolt, Tikka, or something similar. I picked up a used x bolt for $400 about 5 years ago.

 

[Rack Daniels]

FWIW I bought a mossburg patriot, used for $300 like 10 years ago. I’ve taken a lot of animals with it. Over the years it started really being “minute of pie plate”. Funny description, because that’s exactly how I described it, at 200 yards, to my buddy. I’d put a new scope on it and adjusted the two screws on the bottom of the stock and it’s shooting a 50 cent piece group at 200 yards now.

Not a 1000 yard shooter but for a BUDGET .308, I think it was worth the money all them years ago.

 

[TX Trophy Hunter]

FWIW I bought a mossburg patriot, used for $300 like 10 years ago. I’ve taken a lot of animals with it. Over the years it started really being “minute of pie plate”. Funny description, because that’s exactly how I described it, at 200 yards, to my buddy. I’d put a new scope on it and adjusted the two screws on the bottom of the stock and it’s shooting a 50 cent piece group at 200 yards now.

Not a 1000 yard shooter but for a BUDGET .308, I think it was worth the money all them years ago.

That’s the thing about this thread. For a backup gun on inside 100 yards deer hunting, anything that goes bang every time and hits a pie plate at 100 yards will work.

 

[seeth07]

I'll toss in another vote for the Weatherby Vanguard. Price is right there at $500 at times, especially if you find a used one

 

[Sheltowee]

50% more than your budget but I'd vote strongly for saving another $250 and buying an entry level Tikka.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Savage 10, ruger american, howa 1500 or superlite, or used tikka/bergera

Even if its 100 yard gun - its nice to have a gun with aftermarket support down the road.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

50% more than your budget but I'd vote strongly for saving another $250 and buying an entry level Tikka.

Quite a bit less than 50%. And thing is, you cant really find used ones cheaper which is a good indication of value IMO.


$630 -

https://www.eurooptic.com/jrtxe316-tikka-tikka-t3x-lite-308-win-syn-224--barrel-mpn-jr

$650 - with an adjustable stock for youth

https://www.eurooptic.com/jrtxe316c-tikka-tikka-t3x-lite-compact-308-win-syn-200--barr

$700 with a wood stock, handy short threaded barrel.

https://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3x-hunter-308-win-16-1-10-bbl-walnut-blued-rifle-w-1-3rd-mag-jrtxa316sb

 

[BenimusPrime]

UPDATE

Well, I had thought this was gonna be a shopping search into the new year, and I am thankful for the advice and opinions I got so quickly (I'll keep them in mind if it turns out I made a bad call lol), but Fleet Farm made my choice. Notification went off on my phone this morning that they put the Stevens 334 with the walnut stock on clearance. Got the last one at my location under $350 after loyalty discount. No transfer/FFL stuff to mess with either. Being able to put my hands on the model before purchase and getting the wood stock on a model I was already looking at under 400 is just a slam dunk for me.

I'll let the board know how it goes as I sight in and put it through the paces.

 

[Bowmannate2000]

UPDATE

Well, I had thought this was gonna be a shopping search into the new year, and I am thankful for the advice and opinions I got so quickly (I'll keep them in mind if it turns out I made a bad call lol), but Fleet Farm made my choice. Notification went off on my phone this morning that they put the Stevens 334 with the walnut stock on clearance. Got the last one at my location under $350 after loyalty discount. No transfer/FFL stuff to mess with either. Being able to put my hands on the model before purchase and getting the wood stock on a model I was already looking at under 400 is just a slam dunk for me.

I'll let the board know how it goes as I sight in and put it through the paces.

Hope it's a good shooter for you!

 

[SFC B]

Love me some Fleet Farm!! Hope it treats you well, let us know.