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308 Win Bolt action Rifle of choice

If you just want a 24-26” 308, then anything you’ve mentioned would be fine. But remember that 100 yards is very close range for the 308 cartridge and any differences in your groups will have more to do with your load and technique than with the rifle that launches the bullets.

Lots of companies make great 308 rifles, but spending $1,000 for the right thing now can save you $2,000 in fixes and upgrades to the wrong thing over the next few years. For instance, I bought a relatively cheap rifle from one of the manufacturers you listed for $600 a few years pre-COVID. Upgrading to a Bell & Carlson stock, glass bedding, shortening the barrel to 22”, and tuning the trigger cost more than the original purchase price. I was willing to pay that because it became exactly the rifle that I wanted.

Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that at least one of the scope mount holes had been drilled crooked at the factory, and I burned up dozens of hours on the range trying to pinpoint the issue. I could have spent that time on marksmanship, but I lost it diagnosing the problem and I’ll never get it back. I also burned up several hundred rounds of handloads and factory ammo plus another couple of hundred bucks at the gunsmith to fix the problem.

That $600 rifle turned out to not be very cheap after all.

You also need to be ultra clear about how you plan to use the rifle before you buy. What type of competition are you considering? There are big differences between rifles for specific disciplines like PRS, Palma, and F-Class. The best way to get into any of them is to attend a match, see what people are shooting, and ask them about their choices. Most of them will talk your ear off, and a lot of them will offer to let you shoot one of their rifles and will offer to sell you rifles they’re not using any more.


Okie John
 
Since Remington bankruptcy and change of hands, prices on older models are higher. And with limited reference data on the interweb, some of the rifles are harder to research. Those date stamps on the barrel are pretty useful.

MilSpec 5R have been good shooters, true Remington LE Police models have been good shooters, Remington laminated varmints have been good shooters, Remington Senderos have been good shooters. Even the Jlock rifles, once you swap the FP assy. I’ve owned at least one of each of these through the years. The older BDL varmint, and the MilSpec are 24”. The others mentioned are usually 26”.

Don’t know about the “new” Remington. I only know a couple of people personally that have them in 308, but they do seem happy with them. 20” barrels though.
 
Since Remington bankruptcy and change of hands, prices on older models are higher. And with limited reference data on the interweb, some of the rifles are harder to research. Those date stamps on the barrel are pretty useful.

MilSpec 5R have been good shooters, true Remington LE Police models have been good shooters, Remington laminated varmints have been good shooters, Remington Senderos have been good shooters. Even the Jlock rifles, once you swap the FP assy. I’ve owned at least one of each of these through the years. The older BDL varmint, and the MilSpec are 24”. The others mentioned are usually 26”.

Don’t know about the “new” Remington. I only know a couple of people personally that have them in 308, but they do seem happy with them. 20” barrels though.
I didn’t want 20” threaded because I wasn’t running a suppressor or brake. I use to run muzzle brakes when I was younger. When I liked loud exhaust and loud music, but I HATE brakes now and removed them off anything I had them on. They were all replaced with flash hiders. Got tired of the concussion in my jaws, especially when shooting next to an object or under an object. Sure 20” is lighter than the 24”, but the 24” is a shooter.
 
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just buy the variation of the HB 700 you like and bed it and have a trigger job done. The Walker (3 lever) trigger conversion will work safely down to 2-4 ounces. I have a Police version in a MagPul stock that will stay under 1/2moa out to 400 yards. That's as far as I have shot it to date.
Don't waste time and money trying to reinvent the wheel as too many here have suggested.
 
^^^
I agree. I bought a nearly unfired 1980's Varmint Special. Put it in a "tacticool" stock so I could have a DBM. Put in a tuned trigger. With 155 Palma and H380 it is fine for 500 yard shooting. It shoots far better than I can given wind, mirage, old eyes and geezerhood.
 
Remington 700 SPS with 24 inch barrel
If the budget won't stretch to a Tikka T3x (and you may want to look at the Euro Optic sale to be sure), then That Rem700 SPS gets my vote. Great starting point out of the box, and about a billion different upgrade paths if/when you get the itch.

I may have missed it, but what is your budget, OP? Prices I'm seeing have the SPS in the same price class as a lot of Tikkas...
 
I am going to sound narrow minded here, but personally I dont like the feel or price of the Tikka's. I know everyone likes them but I have held them and cycled them, just not impressed with them. I can say that Tikka/Sako are proud of their rifles. Some have stated what I am leaning towards is the Remington 700/783 series or Ruger American's and then upgrade as needed. Currently I shoot indoor range being it is cold but when it is warm enough I go outside range. I been working on finding that nail on 223 cartridge load to shoot and I am enjoying it alot. Learning alot. (something that others tend to not like). So I am looking at going towards the 308 or 6.5CM on my next jump in caliber size and then onto 30-06. I own a Remington 783 in 40-06 Springfield and I enjoy it, cycles well, accurate out at 100-200 yards with my vortex glass. I have a LR-308 semi so that is why i tend to lean towards the 308 caliber but have been looking more and doing the math of the 6.5CM.

Everyone on here is great as well as the other 4 forums I am on and I enjoy their opinion very much. I know that Tikka came out even though I didnt state it as a contender. Smiles. The one concern i have is LOP on all rifles and i will have to make chassis changes due to my wingspan. I mearsure my LOP at 16 inches from inside elbow to pad of trigger finger. Being that I stand 6'-9" tall and weight in a Sasquashed 305lbs. fitting a rifle is a challenge, like buy a car, i have to wear it to be comfortable. So buying a Remington or Ruger and dropping it into a Boyd, KRG, or MDT chassis with extended LOP is gonig to be my direction I believe.
 
So I have been looking at purchasing a 308 Bolt action Rifle. I want to use it to fire my own loads and at distance of 100 plus yards and towards if I wish to shoot in competition (maybe). I am on a budget kinda of so not wanting to go over the top. Looking at barrel length longer than 20 inches like in 24inches or longer.



So I have prepared a spreadsheet with my likes and these are my likes but not sure which...I own the Ruger American Standard GEN2 in 223 and enjoy shooting it.



Ruger American Predator GEN2 with the 22 inch barrel

Ruger M77 Hawkeye Long Range Target with 26 inch barrel



Remington 700 ADL with 24 inch barrel

Remington 700 SPS with 24 inch barrel



Savage 110 Tactical with 24 inch barrel

Savage 110 Predator with 24 inch barrel



I like the M77 but not ever shot one or nor no anyone that has one, so looking for input on it as well as the others. Tikka's are out of my range as well as Sako's too. I tend to lean towards the Ruger since I already have a Ruger in 223 and it shoots nicely at 100 yards plus. But also the Remington 700 with their R5 barrels are standing there in their own and are looking great.



Looking for input....

Thank you
Savage 10, with Tactical etched on the bolt. Looks goofy, flimsy cheap stock, guaranteed to turn your shoulder blue. Shoots like a house 'afire. It has the early pre accutrigger. Flat receiver top. 20-25 years ago my buddy and I pooled our money, bought a Weaver T10 and the Savage in 308. We shot Fed Gold Medal, 168 gr. mostly way under .4, .35 was easy, .25 and .22 groups, too. With a good stock, I think it would be fantastic. We were shooting w a law enforcement guy several benches down, no one else there that day. He had a high dollar FN bolt rifle. We tried to talk to him about his rifle, what he was shooting etc. He couldn't wait to get away from us. I have told this story many times on this site, people are polite and don't make fun of me. look on GB or Gunsinternational, you can buy one for 6-700 if you are patient, and maybe less. Or buy a beat to heck Tikka t3 and put a 308 heavy barrel on it. Long term, like others have said, this is a great idea. tell us what you do!
 
So I have experience with both a recent Tikka in 308, as well as two of the new RemArms generation Rem 700's.

The particular Rem 700 I had recently picked up was a 700 ADL in 308 with a 26" heavy barrel (threaded and with 5R rifling). I put it into a Magpul Pro chassis as the stock is cheap Tupperware. It came with a Timney trigger that is decent but not amazing and breaks around 3.5 lbs, and is non adjustable. It does shoot reasonably well and I would say my average group size is in the 0.75 MOA range for five shot groups. Given the $$$ I haven't been disappointed. It is quite heavy though.

I also have a Tikka T3X Hunter in 308 with a 16" threaded barrel. The fit and finish of this is much better. It also shoots quite well especially considering it's light profile barrel.

Lastly I had also picked up a Rem 700 SPS in a 22" heavy threaded barrel in 6.5 Creed. This one has not shot as well the 308, and the barrel tends to copper much more too.

I think Tikka's quality is better and more consistent. RemArms is a bit more "hit or miss" in terms of barrel quality.

That being said it is very easy to rebarrel a Rem 700. I also recently barreled a bare Rem 700 action I had with a Shilen select match barrel using their Alternut barrel nut system. It was a piece of cake and the rifle shoots amazing!
 
I second Tikka, but....get a borescope and look at the inside of the barrel. I had an awful experience on a brand new Sako 85 .223. They finally refunded me the purchase price. Tikka is owned by Beretta, so is Sako. Makes you wonder what Beretta is doing internally with the manufacturing and quality control. That one look might save you a lot of grief and aggravation.
 
I would buy a Danial Defense Delta 5 Pro bolt action. The 6.5 Creedmoor come in a 24" barrel and the 6mm Creedmoor come with a 26' varmint barrel. The .308 only comes in a 20" barrel. But I have never had a better barrel in the AR platforms. I've really been wanting to try one of their bolt guns. They have an accuracy package in 6.5 Creedmoor with a Nightforce scope an Atlas bipod. It's $3800 but you will be in for that sooner or later.
 
So I have been looking at purchasing a 308 Bolt action Rifle. I want to use it to fire my own loads and at distance of 100 plus yards and towards if I wish to shoot in competition (maybe). I am on a budget kinda of so not wanting to go over the top. Looking at barrel length longer than 20 inches like in 24inches or longer.



So I have prepared a spreadsheet with my likes and these are my likes but not sure which...I own the Ruger American Standard GEN2 in 223 and enjoy shooting it.



Ruger American Predator GEN2 with the 22 inch barrel

Ruger M77 Hawkeye Long Range Target with 26 inch barrel



Remington 700 ADL with 24 inch barrel

Remington 700 SPS with 24 inch barrel



Savage 110 Tactical with 24 inch barrel

Savage 110 Predator with 24 inch barrel



I like the M77 but not ever shot one or nor no anyone that has one, so looking for input on it as well as the others. Tikka's are out of my range as well as Sako's too. I tend to lean towards the Ruger since I already have a Ruger in 223 and it shoots nicely at 100 yards plus. But also the Remington 700 with their R5 barrels are standing there in their own and are looking great.



Looking for input....

Thank you
I had a Savage 110 tactical. I replaced it with a Ruger M77 Hawkeye Long Range Tactical.

The Savage would not group. I worked with that gun for over a year. Finally gave up. It also felt cheap.

The Ruger has been a great gun, highly accurate, and it feels more substantial and of higher quality.
 
FWIW, I’ve noticed Remington 700s and a sprinkling of FN Patrol rifles sell for fair prices on GB recently.

You might consider a Remage barrel. I only have one in 6br, but if one in 308 shot as well as that one I’d surely consider it.
 
Since Remington bankruptcy and change of hands, prices on older models are higher. And with limited reference data on the interweb, some of the rifles are harder to research. Those date stamps on the barrel are pretty useful.

MilSpec 5R have been good shooters, true Remington LE Police models have been good shooters, Remington laminated varmints have been good shooters, Remington Senderos have been good shooters. Even the Jlock rifles, once you swap the FP assy. I’ve owned at least one of each of these through the years. The older BDL varmint, and the MilSpec are 24”. The others mentioned are usually 26”.

Don’t know about the “new” Remington. I only know a couple of people personally that have them in 308, but they do seem happy with them. 20” barrels though.
At a recent Poulin auction, a large number of new or nearly new, from a collection, of Remington 700's, 7's, were sold. I was amazed at the $1100-1500$ pricing they got. Amazing for an action that probably needs 500-600$ of tuning and a barrel that may or may not look like a sewer pipe inside. Buying one at those prices is kinda like signing on to a blind date.
 
Remington 700 5R milspec 24”
Ditto, if you can find one. I bought a 10th Anniversery model as my first good bolt action rifle. It’s a fine shooting gun and I still have it. I bought another in 223 and it’s just as good as its big brother!
I have since put Tikka at the top of my list as the best factory rifles made since Remington quality went south. I have 9 or ten Tikkas and they all shoot very well!
I’ve followed the rule my father taught me. Buy Quality tools!
 

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