.308, What do you think is the best?

**BlazeLeeDragon** · Posted On: 10/28/2012 10:26am

So my brother is about to get a .308, that's the caliber he wants. He asked me if I had any thoughts but I've not done any research on the .308s so I was researching a bit online.

He was being picky at first and said it HAD to be American made, not a top loader but magazine fed. He's fine with bolt action but if it's semi-auto even better.

We went through a few rifles but I figured I'd ask opinions. What do you all consider to be the best .308 and why?

If his only requirement is mag fed and not a top loader what would you suggest?

**dflanmod** · Posted On: 10/28/2012 10:28am

What is the rifles intended purpose/use?

**TEA** · Posted On: 10/28/2012 10:34am

Originally Posted by BlazeLeeDragon

not a top loader but magazine fed. He's fine with bolt action but if it's semi-auto even better.

If his only requirement is mag fed and not a top loader what would you suggest?

Do you mean with a detachable box magazine as opposed to an internal magazine?

As dflanmod inquired, what is the intended purpose of the rifle? Hunting, and if so, what kind of game? SHTF? Combination of the two?

If you want a combination of the two (i.e. general purpose rifle) in semi-auto with a detachable box magazine, it is hard to beat an M14/M1A. For a general purpose bolt action rifle with a detachable box magazine, the Ruger Scout Rifle looks interesting.

DISCLAIMER - I have the former (see this thread) but have no experience with the latter.

**BlazeLeeDragon** · Posted On: 10/28/2012 10:58am

Originally Posted by TEA

Do you mean with a detachable box magazine as opposed to an internal magazine?

As dflanmod inquired, what is the intended purpose of the rifle? Hunting, and if so, what kind of game? SHTF? Combination of the two?

If you want a combination of the two (i.e. general purpose rifle) in semi-auto with a detachable box magazine, it is hard to beat an M14/M1A. For a general purpose bolt action rifle with a detachable box magazine, the Ruger Scout Rifle looks interesting.

DISCLAIMER - I have the former (see this thread) but have no experience with the latter.

Yeah I suppose intended purpose makes a HUGE difference :) He wants a hunting rifle, however he also wants it as an all around SHTF kinda rifle. As far as game he didn't mention, I know he wants to be able to take down a deer with it.

He has his eye on the Scout Gunsite rifle, I think he's looked at the M1A but didn't like the price. I tried suggesting the American Rifle by ruger as well. he's still trying to narrow it down. so I figured get some insite.

**dflanmod** · Posted On: 10/28/2012 11:23am

U

Originally Posted by BlazeLeeDragon

Yeah I suppose intended purpose makes a HUGE difference :) He wants a hunting rifle, however he also wants it as an all around SHTF kinda rifle. As far as game he didn't mention, I know he wants to be able to take down a deer with it.

He has his eye on the Scout Gunsite rifle, I think he's looked at the M1A but didn't like the price. I tried suggesting the American Rifle by ruger as well. he's still trying to narrow it down. so I figured get some insite.

The M1A would be ideal for the stated purpose. Hard to find a rifle as versatile as that at a low price point.

For straight hunting I might suggest the Tikka T3 Stainless.
My brother has one.
Benefits.
Light weight, great for carrying. Around 6lbs I think.
Shoots 3 rounds under an inch at 100 yards with factory ammo straight out of the box.
Adjustable trigger down to 2.5 lbs.
Detachable box magazine.
Cost around 600 dollars.
Stainless steel barrel and synthetic stock good for field use.

Cons.
Not made in US.
Light weight, kicks like a mule with heavy loads.180 grain loads suck.
Small ejection port makes single loading at the bench impractical.
Plastic stick though functional feels like ****.
No sights.
Low mag capacity.

I have the same rifle in .223 and Iove it. Use for busting coyotes and ground squirrels. Great to hunt with, not so much for shtf situation though.

**TexJohn** · Posted On: 10/28/2012 12:05pm

There is nothing wrong with a Remington 700. Shoots straight right out of the box. They are making the 700 with detachable mags. The deal is, you need an above average (not WalMart) piece of glass on top to really get the full potential. I have an OLD 700 that cost me $375 at a pawn shop. I have a $700 Nikon mounted and it drives tacks at great distances. I also have an M1A mounted with a ridiculously priced Nightforce and it shoots even better. You truly get what you pay for.

Personally, if I were to go out and buy another .308 rifle, I would save up for an AR-10 framed weapon.

**TEA** · Posted On: 10/28/2012 12:50pm

Another advantage of a bolt action, aside from price, is that most are a lot lighter than an M14. The main advantage of the M14 is that one can engage multiple targets more quickly than with a bolt action. One can also use the M14 in service rifle competitions, if that is a factor to consider.