New 308 bolt action

[Shootermick]

I’m keen to get myself a new 308, not wanting to spend a fortune and will be after a synthetic stocked rifle. I’m thinking about either the Mauser M 18 or a Winchester XPR. Anyone got any experience with either of these? Or any other suggestions for under a grand.?

[bladeracer]

Ruger American Predator or Ranch Rifle.

[Gun-nut]

Any particular use for this rifle? Plenty of good budget .308s for under a grand, and most of them are very good quality especially for the price. Like what was mentioned above, the ruger american series might be a suitable option.

[Shootermick]

I have an American in 22 mag, and do agree that they are quite good lower cost rifles. What are the differences between the American and the Ranch?

[Blr243]

When I rang up to order a particular rifle some rowdy loudmouth talked me out of it and suggested a sauer100 .....I’m very glad he did. It’s my most accurate rifle , well made , excellent trigger $975

[Shootermick]

Any particular use for this rifle? Plenty of good budget .308s for under a grand, and most of them are very good quality especially for the price. Like what was mentioned above, the ruger american series might be a suitable option.

I’d just like something a bit bigger than my 223, which l do love. Just another toy really, the biggest animal it would be used for at the moment would be roos, but it would be there for a deer or some pigs if I go down that path in the future.

[Shootermick]

some rowdy loudmouth talked me out of it and suggested a sauer100

The Sauer was another one on my radar, I’d be keen on the cerakote barrel model. Thanks for the tip.

[Bill]

Yeah a Sauer 100 in 308 would be a good pick, nothing wrong with the Mauser M18, I have 1 in swede.

[in2anity]

As an owner and regular operator of a Ruger; if you can stretch your budget a bit further than a Ruger, I'd be reaching for something a bit more "mid-range". Yu get what yu pay for.

[bladeracer]

I have an American in 22 mag, and do agree that they are quite good lower cost rifles. What are the differences between the American and the Ranch?

Main difference is 16" barrel, the Predator has an 18" or 22" barrel. But I forgot the Ranch doesn't come in .308. The Predator is the better rifle in my opinion though - I have them in .204, .223, and .243 and the Standard model in 7mm-08, which I consider a more versatile cartridge than .308.

https://www.ruger.com/products/americanRiflePredator/models.html

[gunnnie]

A Howa in either standard or a varmint weight barrel. Cost well under a grand & performs way beyond expectations.

[Diamond Jim]

I don't own one but based on my brother's experience I have to agree that Howa is very good value for money. Most of my rifles are CZ but in all honesty I'd be hard pressed to justify the extra expense by claiming increased accuracy or improved function. I just like what I like and that is subjective. If you are budget conscious then have a look at what Howa has to offer before you spend your dollars. If you even think about carrying it in the field avoid a varmint profile barrel in the Howa - they are heavy!

[tophet1]

+1 on a Howa. Add a B&C stock and your just over the $1K. You can get them in light, med or heavy barrel iterations. For the game you suggest a .243 will work fine and is a natural progression from..223.
But who doesn't love a.308W. So versatile.
Some recent loads with my heavy barrel .308W Howa.

https://imgur.com/a/jBMJg5D

[Kelsey Cooter]

A Howa in either standard or a varmint weight barrel. Cost well under a grand & performs way beyond expectations.

Yep go the howa you won't be disappointed

[TassieTiger]

I’ll second the sauer...or howa...or 2nd hand / run out tikka. I was keen on M18 but plastic trigger worried me.
Def no! to a steyr pro hunter...long story but Winchester couldn’t back their accuracy guarantee with light weight pro hunter.

[Shootermick]

No love for the Winchester xpr by the sounds of it then. I’m leaning towards the Mauser, but as was mentioned above, not real keen on a plastic trigger.

[Kelsey Cooter]

No love for the Winchester xpr by the sounds of it then. I’m leaning towards the Mauser, but as was mentioned above, not real keen on a plastic trigger.

Any reason your not so keen on a howa?

[Bill]

I’ll second the sauer...or howa...or 2nd hand / run out tikka. I was keen on M18 but plastic trigger worried me.
Def no! to a steyr pro hunter...long story but Winchester couldn’t back their accuracy guarantee with light weight pro hunter.

Have you previously had a plastic trigger fail ? Plenty of pistols been running plastic triggers without issues.

[Shootermick]

No love for the Winchester xpr by the sounds of it then. I’m leaning towards the Mauser, but as was mentioned above, not real keen on a plastic trigger.

Any reason your not so keen on a howa?

No reason, I know a couple of blokes with them in 223 and they’re good rifles. Definitely one to consider especially with the different combinations and stock choices etc.

[TassieTiger]

Haven’t had a plastic “trigger” fail, but plastic is plastic and I don’t feel that a trigger tang is a place to save some $. Just my opinion.

[Shootermick]

My H&R 410 does actually have a plastic trigger, but for a cheap fun gun it’s never worried me, plus I don’t shoot it all that much, but when I do I guess it feels ok and it still goes bang.

[sungazer]

The Howa's are a very good cheap gun real value for money I have a couple. I did swap the trigger springs out so I could adjust the weight to my liking. Really accurate guns for the price point, in fact I think you would have to go to Sako level to better the accuracy consistently or a custom top range barrel. I am going to modify the trigger a little further though a very personal thing but I think it is a little wide in the blade just doesn't fit the finger exactly.

[Tank]

+1 Tikka T3.
It’s just better.

[Dagda]

Another Sauer vote, great gun I also own a Howa or 2 great value, great shooting gun, but for me the Sauer is better,
Tikkas aren’t bad but if wanting to spend bigger money would just spend more on the higher Sauer range

[flashman]

Are the barrels screwed in or pressed ??????

[bladeracer]

Are the barrels screwed in or pressed ??????

On which rifles?

[Vicko]

No mention of the Lithgow LA102?

[Bill]

Haven’t had a plastic “trigger” fail, but plastic is plastic and I don’t feel that a trigger tang is a place to save some $. Just my opinion.

So you just have a vibe then TT ??

I've sold products in the surgical industry for over 24 years and some of the ' plastic's ' I sell need to be autoclavable (134 C, 5000 plus cycles) and exhibit self lubricating properties. In fact I have a bar of Acetal (Delrin) that if you strike with a ball peen hammer it wont mark at all, do the same with a piece of stainless, mild steel or titanium and it will leave a permanent dent.

[SCJ429]

Another Sauer vote, great gun I also own a Howa or 2 great value, great shooting gun, but for me the Sauer is better,
Tikkas aren’t bad but if wanting to spend bigger money would just spend more on the higher Sauer range

Will a Sauer shoot better than a Tikka? My Tikka in 223 has shot a best group of 0.181 and can shoot aggs in the mid .2s. If you want things like a steel mag and top feeding you can upgrade to a Sako. My vote is to build something using a Defiance Deviant action. Build it to what you wanted and you won't have to modify your factory rifle.

[Bill]

sub $1k budget SCJ429, I'd go Howa followed by a Mauser M18, no brainer for me, both offer exceptional accuracy for value