New 308 build. Looking for advice

[Jeff H]

Looking to build a 308 for 600 yard and shorter shooting. Right now, trying to get some ideas as to what action might be best to start with.

I'm considering a Rem 700, Savage model 11, or a 308 AR build, but I'm open to any possibility. Only a couple of requirements: If it is a bolt gun, it needs to be left handed. Also, I want a removable magazine preferably with 5+ shot capacity since I want to be able to bring it to our highpower shooting league at the gun club, I need enough ammo capacity for the rapid strings.

Next would be a barrel. I'm assuming Krieger is the way to go. What is the best length for 308? 26" is what I was leading towards. Twist?

 

[jonbearman]

I know I am gonna catch you know what but the savage is easiest to build period.You could get a mcgowan or criterion barrel and get going.Then you need a trigger,the rifle basix sav-2 would be my choice.For a stock I would get the hs precision as it is affordable. I would try to get a 1in11 barrel if possible. Then order bottom metal from PTG and it is on sale I believe and it uses accuracy international mags.

 

[Dshooter]

There are many great choices. Savage or remington= ford or chevy....both can be great customs. IMHO slightly less work and money in savage. Go model 10, 12, or 16 for savage. Barrel wise....I'd say 1:11 or 1:12. You definately don't NEED 26" to shoot 600 and under. 22-24 is fine unless your trying to compete in F, f/tr, or benchrest. My pick would be 24" 1:12 ( barrel makers are all relatively equal) and shoot 155-175 gr.

 

[jmd]

I would personally favor Savage myself. If you go with an accutrigger don't assume it's going to be good. I've come across some bad ones that couldn't be adjusted low enough for my liking because they lack the ability to adjust sear engagement. You can screw around trying to hone surfaces but the Timney is the better option. I personally find Savage's a little more budget friendly on a build. There's obviously nothing wrong with a Rem 700 either. I'm not partial to them, but everything is available for Rem 700's. Good luck. I hope it comes out better than you expected.

 

[Road_Clam]

You said "build" if your looking to strip the OEM chassis off and get into some mods,I went with the Rem 700 SPS Varmint. Reasons being is Rem has a $75 rebate on the SPS's. The stocks on the SPS's are literally throw away POS's. I purchased my SPS from a local Bass Pro for $639- $75 = $564 net . Pretty good deal I thought. I added a Bell & Carelson Medalist Tatical stock, a Sightron SIII 8-36x56 scope, and a Kahntrol muzzle brake and i'm good to go for out to 1K yds. Absolutely LOVE the rifle. If your just looking to open up the box, and start shooting as is, and keep it that way then the Savage might be a better choice. Here's a pic of my simple meat and potatoes shooter:

 

[JamesnTN]

Heck I'll sell you a turn key setup all you have to do is load ammo and shoot, guarantee it's a sub 1/2" shooter also.

 

[JamesnTN]

These were shot last weekend using the BIB 187 grn bullets. At 100 yards they punch one hole these test groups were at 500 yards and freaking wind blowing all over the place. Groups four and five I'll have retest as wind blew them to a size of 4-5" but these four groups here shows the potential of the rifle and of course the bullets and loads.

 

[Shynloco]

Jeff,
Personally, I have both a Savage (Model 12 Target is the better action) and a Remington 700 (SA). If I were to build today, I'd go with the Remington 700 as they are easy to get parts for in terms of more sources to buy from. Now you did mention a barrel length and I'd say this...you can always have a barrel shortened, but can't add any once you've chopped. If I were shooting 600 yds, I'd want at least a 26" barrel for starters and then gauge for how often I shoot the shorter distances to decide if I needed to shorten the barrel. 1:11 - 1:12 would work for me.

Alex

 

[jsthntn247]

No sense in buying a Savage F/tr if you are planning on doing a barrel change right off. For the same money you can build one.
Northland shooter target action, barrel nut, and lug for 600
Criterion 30" bull contour barrel for 350
SSS stock, Stockade prarie dog tactical or Bell and Carlson A5 (like the one pictured above) 450

 

[hogpatrol]

My .02, Remington 700 action because of the availability of more stock, trigger and other aftermarket accessories.

 

[ARshuter]

Why not just buy the Savage FCP model 10. It's already in a HSP stock. They used to and my still make a model 10 in a McMillian stock also. I prefer the 10 twist with 168 grains 42.5 grs of RE-15 and sierra 168 = one hole

 

[GerryM]

I like the Remington PSS Very good value for the $$$$

 

[408s10]

If I had to choose I would build a .308 around a Defiance Deviant Action. They are fairly easy to find. One great website for this will be (http://bugholes.com/). He usually has them in stock and get's shipments regularly. I would pair that with either a Krieger Barrel or Bartlien Barrel (26in). For a stock I would choose (http://shop.mcreesprecision.net/) Mcreee Precision Stocks. Manner's and Mcmillian are great also but the wait is just crazy. 16-20 weeks for a manner's. And Mcmillian is on a 12 month wait. You get this stock in 10 or so days. Then to finish it all up put a Jewell trigger on it ! This would be my choice !

 

[BCoates]

I'm a lefty too, so I know where you are coming from. If you want to buy a rifle and possibly change the trigger and stock, I would go with a Savage. I have one of the Model 10 Predator Hunters in 6.5 Creedmoor that is a good shooter and it comes with an Accustock. I recently had a .308 Win built, and I went with a left handed Remington 700 action, Bartlein barrel, and Manners stock. If you build, I would pick a 1-11" twist in the barrel contour of your choosing, 22-26". PTG bottom metal is the way to go for detachable mags.

I would stay away from muzzle breaks because some competitions don't allow them.

 

[mauser284]

I would get a barrel in the 1:8 to 1:11.4 ball park from someone like Douglas, Shilen, Brux, Krieger, Lothar Walther etc... I think 1:11-ish is the best overall compromise for 308 Win! I would either go with a Savage or Remington action or a Rem Clone if you want easy aftermarket support. I would go with a very heavy profile and I would keep it on the short side no longer than 24 inches no less than 20 inches and threaded muzzle.

If you even think you might be tempted latter to do a cartridge in 6.5mm with ELD bullets and such then get a standard length action not a short action. The Army was smart enough to go with a long action even though they decided to cripple their snipers with the 7.62 NATO cartridge. The Marine Corp though really limited their options in the future when they went with a short action.

Stocks have all kinds of options almost inifite if you go with Remington or Savage or a Rem Footprint action. I am not a fan of Manners stocks. Why? Because a stock should look as good as it fits and Manners stocks look like someone took a really nice stock carved it from cheese then put it int he oven until it started to melt. For the price they charge they should not be as ugly and characterless as they are. Rifles are not plastic food storage containers or plastic trash cans they should have some aesthetics!

Muzzle breaks and suppressors twist off rather easily. So I would not stay away from them. I would plan on wanting one at some point and have the barrel threaded for one while you having it fit to the action and be done with it. Any sanctioning body that allows them see's everyone running one. If you have to spot your own shots they are a life saver.

You do not need a detachable magazine to shoot fast strings. In fact detachable magazines just mean you have more to go wrong on competition day and when shooting prone or from a bench they are not so hot. They also limit how you can purchase the rifle when shooting. Just saying they create as many problems as they solve.

 

[rsmithsr50]

are you awake when you post ?
this is a six year old post ???

I would get a barrel in the 1:8 to 1:11.4 ball park from someone like Douglas, Shilen, Brux, Krieger, Lothar Walther etc... I think 1:11-ish is the best overall compromise for 308 Win! I would either go with a Savage or Remington action or a Rem Clone if you want easy aftermarket support. I would go with a very heavy profile and I would keep it on the short side no longer than 24 inches no less than 20 inches and threaded muzzle.

If you even think you might be tempted latter to do a cartridge in 6.5mm with ELD bullets and such then get a standard length action not a short action. The Army was smart enough to go with a long action even though they decided to cripple their snipers with the 7.62 NATO cartridge. The Marine Corp though really limited their options in the future when they went with a short action.

Stocks have all kinds of options almost inifite if you go with Remington or Savage or a Rem Footprint action. I am not a fan of Manners stocks. Why? Because a stock should look as good as it fits and Manners stocks look like someone took a really nice stock carved it from cheese then put it int he oven until it started to melt. For the price they charge they should not be as ugly and characterless as they are. Rifles are not plastic food storage containers or plastic trash cans they should have some aesthetics!

Muzzle breaks and suppressors twist off rather easily. So I would not stay away from them. I would plan on wanting one at some point and have the barrel threaded for one while you having it fit to the action and be done with it. Any sanctioning body that allows them see's everyone running one. If you have to spot your own shots they are a life saver.

You do not need a detachable magazine to shoot fast strings. In fact detachable magazines just mean you have more to go wrong on competition day and when shooting prone or from a bench they are not so hot. They also limit how you can purchase the rifle when shooting. Just saying they create as many problems as they solve.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Management asks us to search for old stuff that has been discussed before.
Started 7 years ago and
the one post wonder is still waiting

 

[Nature Boy]

OP probably went to Cabela's Mountain and let pimple faced kid behind the counter talk him into a "creed"