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Looking for 308 for deer hunting
#3195291
04/30/12 11:54 PM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 36
mktt12
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 36 |
Looking to purchase a new 308 and looking for some input. This is actually for a friends kid, he is 11. Already decided on 308 so no need to debate the caliber. He is trying to keep the cost under $500. Would be interested in input including pros and cons on the ones you have personal experience with. He has been considering the following: Howa ranchland ($499), Savage model 111 ($399), marlin xs7 ($325), and remington 700 ($400). Some of these have combo's and I know the scopes aren't great but remember its for a kid with his first rifle and a scope could be upgraded later or buy without combo and put a nikon prostaff on it, good scope and not too expensive....... Thoughts?
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: mktt12]
#3195318
05/01/12 12:08 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,297
ju993rnaut
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,297 |
Academy has weatherby vanguards and rem 700's for sub $400 before tax. Im a rem 700 fan, if that means anything to you.
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: mktt12]
#3195325
05/01/12 12:11 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,224
Grizz
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,224 |
.308 is a great round for deer, I shoot one myself. Out of the guns listed, I would personally lean toward the Savage or Remington for nothing more than availability of accessories, aftermarket stocks, etc. They are both good rifles, so it's really just personal preference, and my preference would be the Remington. Remington stocks are a dime a dozen, so you could cut it down if needed and easily buy a new one later as he grows into it.
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: ju993rnaut]
#3195334
05/01/12 12:16 AM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 36
mktt12
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 36 |
I have the following now: Savage 111 270 - Accutrigger is great and not at all sensitive to ammo shoot small group with all ammo and all hand loads I have put in it. Been very hard to optimize loads because all 130 SST's with 4350 powder ranging from 47 to 54 gr have same small group, out shoots any gun I own or have shot.
Howa ranchland 308 - good trigger not great, great stock and awesome length and feel. Shoots good once I optimized the bullet loads.
Winchester model 70 270- just ok, not even close to the savage or howa in my view.
no experience with the vangaurd, remington 700 or marlin
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: Grizz]
#3195338
05/01/12 12:18 AM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 36
mktt12
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 36 |
nice input on stocks. Agree bought my 10 year old a new stock for his 7-08 savage and had to buy a new youth wood stock from savage. not many options
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: mktt12]
#3195368
05/01/12 12:30 AM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,765
jskin
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,765 |
Get a Weatherby Vanguard S2, guarantee sub moa from box and under $500
"While we are postponing, life speeds by"
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: Grizz]
#3195375
05/01/12 12:33 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35
45-70
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35 |
I'm a fan of both however I prefer the Remington over the Savage in this case because it comes in a short action. I don't know if Savage made any changes on their 111 model, but typically they only have long actions converted for use with the short cartridge. The .308 is meant for short actions. It just makes for a handier and lighter rifle.
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: 45-70]
#3195475
05/01/12 01:12 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 23,645
Payne
Cat Herder
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Cat Herder
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 23,645 |
I'd buy the 700 without the combo scope. Then a stock or cut the factory stock and install a recoil pad. Top it with a Burris Fullfield II scope.
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: Payne]
#3196447
05/01/12 02:44 PM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 36
mktt12
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 36 |
On the savage I misstated. The model 11 is the short action the 111 is the long action. They do make the model 12 short action 308. Looks like the Remington is getting most of the love.
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: mktt12]
#3196627
05/01/12 03:57 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,212
Korean Redneck
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,212 |
I will vote for savage. I've had better luck in general with stock Savage rifles than I have with Remingtons. I'm just not a fan of the Remington trigger.
if you notice, one of the biggest agruments for Remington is all the aftermarket and mod possibilities. I think Savage is better accuracy out of the box than Remington when it comes to that budget price point as long as it has an Accutrigger.
That said, both Remington and Savage are fine rifles that you can't go wrong with at any price point. I just don't general purchase some of the other manufacturers, but I'm sure they're good too.
Last edited by Korean Redneck; 05/01/12 04:03 PM.
I'm a dude who likes long barrels!
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: Korean Redneck]
#3196634
05/01/12 04:00 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,203
Koenig
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,203 |
Marlin bolts are the best value in my opinion.
never trust a man that rents pigs....
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: Koenig]
#3198108
05/02/12 03:15 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,175
texaspatriot.308
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,175 |
Stevens 200, around $300 and a $200 Redfield. one helluva tack drving rifle with a quality scope. I know, I own both, got lots of other high dollar rifles, but my Stevens goes with me a lot.
TexasPatriot.308
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: texaspatriot.308]
#3198120
05/02/12 03:21 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,753
Nathan Nelson
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,753 |
I would vote for a Tikka, best gun you can buy at about that price point. TC Venture is also a good option.
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: Nathan Nelson]
#3198122
05/02/12 03:25 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,682
cmorsch
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,682 |
I would go with any of them but the remington 700. I just dont trust their mechanical safety, as its been known to cause alot of accidental discharges. And I cant see them wanting to change out the trigger group right away. But thats just my opinion.
Last edited by cmorsch; 05/02/12 03:26 AM.
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: cmorsch]
#3198127
05/02/12 03:30 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,384
blancobuster
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,384 |
I shoot a weatherby vangaurd a lot and I love it. Check out the new vangaurd I want one bad
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: blancobuster]
#3198156
05/02/12 03:45 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,870
Ryan81
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,870 |
I have the Marlin XS7 and it's pretty nice I guess. It's the only bolt action I've owned so I can't relate it to anything else. I love the trigger though. I believe it's called the accu trigger if I recall correctly. I haven't put many rounds through it but when I was sighting it in it was a little under 1 MOA.
One thing to look at though is the magazine spring. The first 2 times I shot it I just put one cartridge at a time so I didnt realize this until after I had it a few months. But the spring in the internal magazine was bad so it wouldn't feed properly causing it to jam almost every round. That's the only problem I've had and the place I bought it from replaced it for free. I paid 370 for it with a cheap scope that came with it last August.
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: Ryan81]
#3198567
05/02/12 02:28 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,006
JThoele
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,006 |
Savage/Stevens > Remington 700 adl (unless you buy an older 700).
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: JThoele]
#3199060
05/02/12 06:06 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,811
TxAg
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,811 |
Marlin XS7. Reasonably priced, great triggers, fantastic accuracy. And American made.
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: TxAg]
#3199074
05/02/12 06:12 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
Navasot
Hollywood
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Hollywood
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032 |
Marlin XS7. Reasonably priced, great triggers, fantastic accuracy. And American made. ^this is a sweet gun for the money. I use to have both as guns for clients in 30-06 and 308...they are lighter so i wouldnt recomend for kids. To tell the truth i would have rather had them in .270 Also the howas there stock is sweet and both of them are priced good.
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: jskin]
#3199717
05/02/12 10:35 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 135
Will Lee
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 135 |
Get a Weatherby Vanguard S2, guarantee sub moa from box and under $500 Absolutely a wonderful shooting gun and the "guarantee sub moa" is real. Friend bought same gun in 270 that I reload for him and we got it shooting 1/2 MOA @ 100 yards. Will
Always Remember the "6P' Principal Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: Will Lee]
#3200263
05/03/12 03:10 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,344
Ag Hunter 78
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,344 |
Might want to consider the new Ruger American. Lots of good reviews but I have no real experience with them.
No prayer in school....What's next, no thinking in church? It's not just about pie in the sky when you die. It's also about steak on your plate while you wait!
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: Ag Hunter 78]
#3201467
05/03/12 06:48 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,941
gtrich94
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,941 |
+1 on the Weatherby Vanguard S2. I have one in 308 and it's very nice. You could also do the Vanguard S2 Youth model. It comes in 308 and has spacers that makes the stock adjustable from I think 11.5 to 12.5. The last I saw, the youth S2's were mid 400's.
Thanks, Rich
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: gtrich94]
#3201517
05/03/12 07:09 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,564
JCB
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,564 |
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: JCB]
#3202086
05/04/12 12:17 AM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 126
FlTxHunter
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 126 |
Just got a Ruger American rifle in 308; paid $318 including tax. Had to wait 3 weeks for it to come in as it is a new model for Ruger and apparently they are way behind in production.
Comparing it to my Thompson Center Icon, also a 308, it is a lot lighter; a plus for a small framed person as in your case. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet but I'm looking forward to it.
308 Win is a tremendous round and it'll be a good one for a youth to grow into as well as be able to enjoy it immediately. The recoil is a non-issue and it is comparable to shooting a 243.
Whatever brand you decide on, I'm sure the young man receiving it will enjoy it for many years to come.
Last edited by FlTxHunter; 05/04/12 12:18 AM. Reason: left out something
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Re: Looking for 308 for deer hunting
[Re: FlTxHunter]
#3202202
05/04/12 01:17 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 172
BaffinBoy
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 172 |
I bought the 308 rem Mdl 700 sps varmint from Dicks. Its got the 26" bull barrel and a really hardy, neat looking stock in real tree pattern. It shoots great, had it at inch and a half groups within 10 shots. With the heavy stock and barrel, it kicks like a 223, would be great great for a kid his age. Was used to getting pounded at the range by my 3006 rem 700. This 308 shoots better, kicks way less, and drops deer exactly the same as the 06. Total cost with scope was 600.00 with a 50.00 mail in rebate which I did get back about 3 months later.
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