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Rifle advice in budget 308

Posted on 12/28/23 at 6:32 pm
Posted by secondandshort
Member since Jan 2014
1034 posts
Posted on 12/28/23 at 6:32 pm
I am a beginning hunter and trying to get into deer hunting a little more. Deer hunting will be the main use here in LA but may want to go out west and hunt a little bigger deer. I have a 6.5 Creedmoor and I like it but looking to get a 308 with more ammo availability and variety of bullets. I know these are budget guns but wanted opinions about these. Ruger American, Savage 110 Hunter and Winchester XPR Sporter. All of these seem to be in the $400-550 range.
Posted by Slickback
Deer Stand
Member since Mar 2008
27735 posts
Posted on 12/28/23 at 6:40 pm to
I have a Ruger American 308. I like it a lot.

Also have a 7mm-08 Ruger American that id trade for a pack of cigarettes.

And a Ruger American 22 Mag that I have suppressed. I’m a fan.
Posted by biglego
Ask your mom where I been
Member since Nov 2007
77827 posts
Posted on 12/28/23 at 6:44 pm to
You didn’t list it but I love my Mossberg Patriot. It’s in that same level as the ones you listed— $400 with a scope. Feels solid, has a fluted barrel, and 100% reliable with any brand of ammo.
This post was edited on 12/28/23 at 7:46 pm
Posted by Ol boy
Member since Oct 2018
3127 posts
Posted on 12/28/23 at 6:45 pm to
Not trying to be a dick but if you already have a budget 6.5 then you are covered for deer in the SE exp as a beginner if your not shooting 973yards.
Save up and buy a lil higher end gun (tikka/begara) in a 300wm so that then you have all your bases covered. IMHO a budget 308 is right in line with what you already have.
Posted by Loup
Ferriday
Member since Apr 2019
12497 posts
Posted on 12/28/23 at 7:16 pm to
Ruger American is always highly reccomended when this comes up.
Posted by Mahootney
Lovin' My German Footprint
Member since Sep 2008
11924 posts
Posted on 12/28/23 at 7:19 pm to
You really can't go wrong with any of the 308 options you listed.

For versatility, you can consider 7mag, 300 win mag, and maybe even a 300 wby.
7mag is my favorite caliber.
Posted by FightinTigersDammit
Louisiana North
Member since Mar 2006
36456 posts
Posted on 12/28/23 at 7:20 pm to
My old Daddy always said 'Son, Savage don't make no trash".
That's all I got.
Posted by TrueTiger
Chicken's most valuable
Member since Sep 2004
71262 posts
Posted on 12/28/23 at 7:41 pm to
quote:

Ruger American


I don't have one but a good friend does and loves it.

quote:

Savage 110 Hunter


I don't have one but a good friend does and loves it.


I do own a Howa 1500 in .308 and love it.


You live in a good timeline where solid affordable bolt guns are all around you.



Posted by Kashmir
Member since Dec 2014
7990 posts
Posted on 12/28/23 at 7:54 pm to
I love my ruger .308 since I replaced the POS factory stock and put a magpul stock on it. Tackdriver!
Posted by 257WBY
Member since Feb 2014
5955 posts
Posted on 12/28/23 at 7:54 pm to
Stick with the cripplemore and use the extra money for binoculars.
Posted by RED DAWN REDUX
Member since Aug 2021
69 posts
Posted on 12/28/23 at 8:06 pm to
Tikka in .308 no matter the model are great guns and the accuracy for a production rifle is amazing.

Also a Bergara barrel is tops but not “budget”.
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
25652 posts
Posted on 12/28/23 at 8:26 pm to
I’m with several others that are saying to get a bigger caliber. 6.5 will do anything you need.

You can kill an elk with it if needed just like a .308 but if I’m hunting an elk, I’m picking a .300 win mag.

Also, I own several guns in both calibers.
Posted by secondandshort
Member since Jan 2014
1034 posts
Posted on 12/28/23 at 9:30 pm to
Appreciate y’all sharing some advice and opinions with a noob. I’m reading and learning from your posts.
Posted by DownSouthJukin
Coaching Changes Board
Member since Jan 2014
28416 posts
Posted on 12/28/23 at 10:00 pm to
Buy a .308. It’s a nearly perfect all around North American caliber except for grizzly bears. Look at the Bergaras and Tikas, too. They get high marks for accuracy and their finishing beats the ones you listed (at least from the ones I’ve held).

If you want to go out west to shoot elk, get another gun and scope, though a .308 will work at the right ranges, with the right bullets, with the right placement. Though I’d opt for a 300 WM or 338 WM.
This post was edited on 12/29/23 at 8:36 am
Posted by TutHillTiger
Mississippi Alabama
Member since Sep 2010
43700 posts
Posted on 12/28/23 at 11:13 pm to
I would look for a used Ruger American
Posted by LEASTBAY
Member since Aug 2007
14906 posts
Posted on 12/29/23 at 10:47 am to
Howa
Posted by Bama Shadow
Member since Jan 2009
593 posts
Posted on 12/29/23 at 7:44 pm to
New release from Savage the 110 Trail Hunter. Closed action similar to their target action, Hogue overmold stock, Accutrigger, threaded medium profile bbl for under 500

LINK
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