Entry level 308

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Entry level 308

Post by Milesy » 08 Oct 2018, 7:27 pm

Hey All,
Internet weary on search for 308Win
Not a serious hunter but would like a larger cal firearm for the safe which will be the first over 224 cal in centrefire.
Having said that not wanting to go over $1000, so far Ruger American which I have in 223 Rem which I really like for a inexpensive gun but the Howa 1500 is similar in $$$ And from what I have searched these seem to be the two to pick from.
Also I have a red dot that I would really like to try on this 308 so obviously I’m not shooting great distances initially.
More close range scrub gun!
I can probably image nearly all of you have a 308 so looking forward to answers.
Thank you.
Ruger American 223 Stainless
WW Greener Martini Action 12g
Ruger American 22lr Blued
Savage Mk11 BV 22lr
SHS STP 12g
Tikka T3X 308 Win SS Lite
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by bladeracer » 08 Oct 2018, 7:40 pm

Milesy wrote:Hey All,
Internet weary on search for 308Win
Not a serious hunter but would like a larger cal firearm for the safe which will be the first over 224 cal in centrefire.
Having said that not wanting to go over $1000, so far Ruger American which I have in 223 Rem which I really like for a inexpensive gun but the Howa 1500 is similar in $$$ And from what I have searched these seem to be the two to pick from.
Also I have a red dot that I would really like to try on this 308 so obviously I’m not shooting great distances initially.
More close range scrub gun!
I can probably image nearly all of you have a 308 so looking forward to answers.
Thank you.


I would go Ruger American Predator.
I would also go with 7mm-08 over .308, but 7mm-08 is not available in the Predator.
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by Sergeant Hartman » 08 Oct 2018, 8:01 pm

If going howa make sure you get a better stock then the standard one. But either are good
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by siddeeky » 08 Oct 2018, 8:15 pm

I've got 2 x Howa's - a .223 and a .308. They're great. The 308 is lightweight with the standard hogue stock and sporter barrel as I use it predominantly walking and on a bike. Easy to carry.
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by ClaytonT88 » 08 Oct 2018, 8:29 pm

Rem783? A friend of mine got one a few months ago and loves it. They were doing packages for around $820 a while back.
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by JimTom » 08 Oct 2018, 8:54 pm

I have a CZ 557 in .308
Shoots 3 shots at 1/2” over 100m.
5 shots will bring it out to almost an inch at 100m.
They are just under $1,000.00 new and apart from the inadequate button you need to depress to remove the bolt, I rate it.
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by duncan61 » 08 Oct 2018, 8:55 pm

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Howa is good choice I have one in .243 with the standard plastic stock it was $700.308 is a good choice when I was looking to sell my centrefire rifles the first dealer I spoke to was only interested if they were 308 as they are popular here and 7mm Rem does not resell well
.22 winchester .22hornet .222 .243 7mm rem mag cbc 12g
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by bigrich » 08 Oct 2018, 9:04 pm

scrub gun ? multi purpose ? accurate ? i got a second hand ruger gunsite scout with the 18" barrel, and it's a great bit of gear :thumbsup:
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by SHV » 08 Oct 2018, 9:24 pm

I would go the Ruger American Predator with AI mag

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Re: Entry level 308

Post by AZZA'S HJ47 » 08 Oct 2018, 9:52 pm

I like my howa alot, great gun top feed affordable and a great accurate rifle. I have a red dot on my 45-70 works really well for close up scrub work but out past 200 its not ideal. I have a 4-12 Leopold great on 4x for scrub and x12 when you need the mag to dial in the longer shots. Thats a package that I would recomend for you. Unless you intend to soley use it for scrub and scub alone. Just my 2c also have a look at the tikka T3X 308 super lite very well put together rifles.

Once again have a look at a tikka they are a great bit of gear and if you can afford it would also be a purchase you wouldn't regret.

Both the howa and ruger rifles are great well put together rifles and personally dont think you could go wrong with either.
Sako Varmint 243,Marlin 917, Lithgow La101 .22 , 1917 BSA 303 (ted), Finnish Vkt 1944 M39,T3X Super Varmint 223, Marlin 1895 SBL 45-70 Howa 1500 308, BSA CF2 222, 1911 9mm, Adler 12G, Sako 7mm rem Mag,Ruger m77 mk1 22-250AI, Rem 700 17 Rem, BSA No 5 303
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by Rod_outbak » 08 Oct 2018, 10:06 pm

We bought a Howa 1500 in .223 last month, and the overseer gets rather gushy when he talks about it.

I didnt expect it to be as nice a rifle as it has turned out. I found the fit & finish to be excellent, the bolt travel to be smooth, and the rifle shoots really well.
It's the stainless hunter action, with the hogue synthetic stock.
Wouldnt be surprised if we swap the stock at some stage, and we have a Lucky 13 10-shot magazine & floorplate etc coming for it, but the rifle itself looks to be a success.
From what I'm reading, you have at least 4 or 5 rifles all around a very similar price point. It probably comes down to what personal preferences you might have for a rifle. For instance, the Ruger above does have a threaded barrel, so the option is there to dial the recoil down a bit with a brake of some sort. Also, the CZ557 mentioned above looks a nice rifle.
All I can say is I havent seen anything to regret if you choose going with the Howa 1500.
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by zobster » 10 Oct 2018, 2:34 am

I have the howa in 308 stainless sporter barrel. No complains. I've only topped it with a cheap bushnell scope which does the job just fine. One thing I found is that it gets copper fouled much easier than my 223 which is also a howa. If I were given the opportunity, I would get the howa in varmint barrel and have it blued instead of stainless.
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by SCJ429 » 10 Oct 2018, 9:44 pm

I saw a Tikka Supervarmint in 308 brand new at Magnum Sports, I think. It was under $1200. The add was on abused guns. That would be my pick if I were after a 308, a 300 WSM would be far more interesting however.
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by Milesy » 11 Oct 2018, 8:45 pm

Thank you for the feed back Gents.
I did a complete back flip and just brought home a Tikka T3X 308 SS Special Edition that had some pretty cool upgrades.
Muzzle brake, Extra Mag, Oversized Bolt Knob,
A bit more cash but I did always want a Tikka
Looking forward to trigger time.
Ruger American 223 Stainless
WW Greener Martini Action 12g
Ruger American 22lr Blued
Savage Mk11 BV 22lr
SHS STP 12g
Tikka T3X 308 Win SS Lite
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by DeadPool » 11 Oct 2018, 9:23 pm

Woah. Decent upgrade from entry level.
I considered that option myself but didn't think the extras made up the $$ in value so just went the T3X 308 SS lite. Sighted her in 2 days ago with Federal Power Shok and loved it, as I'm sure you will.
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by Milesy » 11 Oct 2018, 9:35 pm

Hey Deadpool
Bare gun was $1180 at most Sydney stores but got the Special Edition for $1395
Thought it worth the extra.
Ruger American 223 Stainless
WW Greener Martini Action 12g
Ruger American 22lr Blued
Savage Mk11 BV 22lr
SHS STP 12g
Tikka T3X 308 Win SS Lite
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by AZZA'S HJ47 » 11 Oct 2018, 10:04 pm

Get yourself a trigger kit off gunbloke (ebay) and you will be in with a winner.

What scope did you get with the rifle?
Sako Varmint 243,Marlin 917, Lithgow La101 .22 , 1917 BSA 303 (ted), Finnish Vkt 1944 M39,T3X Super Varmint 223, Marlin 1895 SBL 45-70 Howa 1500 308, BSA CF2 222, 1911 9mm, Adler 12G, Sako 7mm rem Mag,Ruger m77 mk1 22-250AI, Rem 700 17 Rem, BSA No 5 303
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by JimTom » 12 Oct 2018, 7:03 am

Mate you will not be disappointed with the Tikka. They are great value for money in my opinion.
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by JSS » 12 Oct 2018, 7:26 am

Nice choice mate, congrats, i almost bought a T3x ctr in 308 yesterday while spending too much time in my local gun shop, it was just begging me to take it home.
I've got a 270 T3x lite ss and love it, you wont be disappointed Tikka make a great bit of kit.

The boys at the range will love that muzzle brake too :lol: :drinks:
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by JimTom » 12 Oct 2018, 8:16 am

;-) ;-) ;-)

Yep you get to sit up the end of the range with the rest of the special muzzle break shooters with a barrier between you and the normal people.
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by pete1 » 12 Oct 2018, 10:40 am

I have 2 howa's love the rifles
one in 223 one in 308
easy to get parts, mods, ect.

mate has ruger and dont like bolt, just not smooth and occasional jamming. could be one off though others speak highly.

Browning A Bolt may be worth considering.
New MAUSER M18 RIFLE may be worth looking at i know nothing about it but know there about they are like 950
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by albat » 13 Oct 2018, 8:45 am

good choice milsey , with the tikka if you ever want to sell it they hold their value so down the track its a more economical option
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by Milesy » 13 Oct 2018, 8:50 am

No scope yet
I have a bushnell red dot to throw on for some short range fun
Need to find some cheap plinking rounds though
Ruger American 223 Stainless
WW Greener Martini Action 12g
Ruger American 22lr Blued
Savage Mk11 BV 22lr
SHS STP 12g
Tikka T3X 308 Win SS Lite
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by pete1 » 13 Oct 2018, 12:39 pm

Milesy wrote:No scope yet
I have a bushnell red dot to throw on for some short range fun
Need to find some cheap plinking rounds though


PPU pretty cheap got them $22 a box couple of times. but get what you pay for, few more $$ and you'll be shooting alot closer groups
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by solarpak » 14 Oct 2018, 8:06 pm

Want a decent factory soft point that wont break the bank - the Federal Power Shoks 150 gr (blue box) or the Buffalo River 135 gr HP seem to shoot great in any gun i have tested then in.....

CK
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by Midwestman » 16 Oct 2018, 11:36 am

if your not going too shoot over any great distances,have you thought about the legendary good ol 30/30 lever action great rifle or carbine and will take anything out too 150m maybe 200m.
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Re: Entry level 308

Post by Milesy » 18 Oct 2018, 7:34 pm

MWM
A centrefire lever is definitely on my wish list and from what I have been told and read it’s the guts!
Ruger American 223 Stainless
WW Greener Martini Action 12g
Ruger American 22lr Blued
Savage Mk11 BV 22lr
SHS STP 12g
Tikka T3X 308 Win SS Lite
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