Posted on 10/14/2013 7:56:14 AM PDT by Blueflag
Gun FReepers --
I am seeking clarification on a "deer rifle" that can serve as an adequate firearm for someone beginning to hunt game with larger caliber center-fire scoped rifle. More follows below.
p.s, I am a long time pistol / rimfire / AR shooter, and am just now moving up to hunting game with a .308 and lack 1st-hand knowledge.
I am seeking clarification on a "deer rifle" that can serve as an adequate firearm for someone beginning to hunt game with larger caliber center-fire scoped rifle.
The firearm must also be adequate to task should rule 308 need to be applied in less civil circumstances, and *MUST* inter-operate with the corresponding military 7.62 rounds.
I am seeking therefore to spec a .308, scoped rifle in the class of a Remington 700 with a scope.
1. Is a Remington 700 .308 an adequate firearm? (I realize there are better ones, but is the Remington 700 series good enough)
1.1 what length barrel?
1.2 Any particular model? (SPS / SS/ other?)
2. I have little interest in bragging rights with a Leupold scope - is a Nikon good enough?
2.1 What range of magnification, sight, etc is recommended?
3. My intent if to have the .308 civilian and/or military 7.62 option. Is this really practical?
3.1 any special cautions/ warnings?
Thanks as always to the FReeper community.
What’s your budget?
1. Is a Remington 700 .308 an adequate firearm? (I realize there are better ones, but is the Remington 700 series good enough)
Yes. For everything on the NA continent. With the right bullet.
1.1 what length barrel? A hunting rifle usually wears a 22 to 24 inch barrel. That is fine.
1.2 Any particular model? (SPS / SS/ other?) Plain ol M70 308 sporter, ADL/BDL (one has a blind magazine (no floor plate) the other has bottom metal and allows you to dump the round sin the magazine w/o running them through the bolt/chamber)
2. I have little interest in bragging rights with a Leupold scope - is a Nikon good enough? yes, but they are not made in the US if that means anything to you....
2.1 What range of magnification, sight, etc is recommended? 3x9 or 4x12 is good enough for most any applicatipon, from 50 yds to 800 ( about the max effective range of the 308/7.62) at deer sized target ( 9x14 vital zone
3. My intent if to have the .308 civilian and/or military 7.62 option. Is this really practical? Sure. Just realize the 308 win and the 7.62 NATO are not the same round (pressure wise, but in a bolt gun, I would not be concerned.
3.1 any special cautions/ warnings?
Wear eye and ear protection, be sure of your target and beyond, always assume every gun is loaded. Practice. Load your own if you want optimum, accuracy, performance and quality.
Best;
A Remington 700 in .308 will be just fine.
Look into something with .308 Winchester stamped on the barrel for caliber information, it should also take 7.62x51 Nato w/ no issues. It’s still debated on the interwebs as to whether the two rounds are truly interchangeable, the big issue being the shoulder angles on the cartridge cases themselves. Regarding SAAMI specs regarding pressure, .308 is higher, and desirable. I’ve run South African surplus .308 through a converted Garand with no issues.
In the event of “less civil” circumstances requiring the use of 7.62 Nato, well, there will be plenty of other options in the event that a .308 rifle has issues feeding 7.62. Just my 2 cents though.
I shoot both 7.62 and .308 through my Rem 700. A .308 can carry you up to Elk. I have known those that have taken Moose with a .308.
I own a 700 in .308,26” heavy barrel.Absolutely the most accurate rifle out of the box that I’ve ever shot.Using Federal Gold Medal ammo you can expect to shoot 1.125 inch groups at 200 yards.(Or better,that’s the best that I can do.)I have a Leopold scope mounted on it,but there are a bunch of good scopes out there.The rifle will shoot M80 ball ammo well too,if that’s what’s available.
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Best, most concise information you’ve ever given.
My budget is what it takes, suitable for purpose.
Don’t intend to go high end, as I will never use this firearm as much as my pistols, .22s, & AR.
I don’t seek good looks, stainless steel, composite/checkered expenses, etc. Function rules.
I just want lead downrange on-target in the 300+ yd range.
7.62 is lower pressure than .308, so no pressure problems switching from .308 to 7.62 NATO. Remington 700 is civie version of the military M24, which is still the basic sniper rifle for the Marine Corp. So if it’s good enough for the Marines, ought to be fine in a less civil situation.
Thanks! AND LOL on the last line (general firearm performance and safety rules)
!
Consider also a Savage Model 10.
Thanks! And per your point about options ... I am ready to apply rule 223/556 as needed.
Thanks. Good to get the scoop from a 700 shooter/owner.
The .308 was derived from the 30-06, which was too long to cycle well in full-automatic weapons. The .308 is a shorter version of the 30-06, but ballistically similar, the .308 having slight less powder capacity and thus slightly lower muzzle velocity than the 30-06. I have had a lot easier time finding 30-06 ammo on the shelves. Don't see much .308. Just saying.
will check it out. Thanks!
Savage 110 is a good choice too, and costs a bit less.
.308 win is a very good all around cartridge.
.30-06 is just as good of course the love afair of .308 win/7.62 nato is a bit odd at times. The need for a .mil cal in a hunting rifle is not all that great unless you want to have a all the same cal for muti uses.
like this combo.
M1A
M700 / savage 110
AR with 7.62 upper
FN-FAL
G-3 (or clone)
and maybe a Scout rifle like a Ruger Gunsite model.
Other options should always include “what will the other side be equipped with”.
Looking through the scope, what is your preference for the reticle / sight?
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