I need help picking out a .308 rifle....

[MadAngler1]

I want a bolt action .308 rifle so I can learn how to shoot at distances > 300 yards. I'm guessing that .308 is a good starting point for such purposes, due to the wide availability of ammo and because I don't reload. I would use the gun at Gunsite or Accuracy 1st courses for instance. If I did go hunting, I would use the gun for something like Pronghorn or Mule Deer out west (west of Indiana that is ). Regardless, I want a gun with the following features:

1. The ability to accept either 5 or 10 round magazines. 5 for hunting (or lower capacity), 10 for everything else.

2. Picatinny rail on top so I can use a Larue or Spuhr mount.

3. A threaded barrel with a flash hider for some sort of suppressor (thinking Surefire right now, as I'm going to order one for my SCAR-H).

4. Weight < 10 lbs (minus scope and ammo). This may be unrealistic.

I know most custom guns out there will achieve 1 MOA or better. As Larry Vickers pointed out on his recent episode of TacTV, that's more than good enough in the real world. Regardless, I was looking at a GA Precision rifle vs. Steyr Elite vs. some other make. If a ban on ARs goes through, a bolt gun may be safe from the bullshit. I think I waited to long for a Larue OBR. Thoughts?

[Firefox]

From another member also looking into a .308 bolt rifle, look into the Remington 700 AAC-SD. It has a 4 round internal magazine with one in the chamber, and can take AICS 5 and 10 round magazines by buying a detachable box magazine like those made by Badger or select stocks like some of what manners has to offer.

As far as a picatinny rail goes you will have to buy a scope base but that will be the case with most bolt rifles. A seekins 20 MOA base is what I'm looking at right now. About $95 MSRP.

The AAC-SD comes from the factory with a 20" threaded barrel. Perfect for a brake or whatever you would like to throw on there.

Going off Remington's website, the advertised weight is 7.3lbs without scope, rings, or ammunition.

[TehLlama]

Any 5R is going to be a good starting point, especially since you sound realistic about budget and expectations for it. The AAC-SD is good if you're planning on ditching the stock and are happy with that barrel length, but unless you want to start stock shopping right away I'm not sold on those.

[MadAngler1]

Any 5R is going to be a good starting point, especially since you sound realistic about budget and expectations for it. The AAC-SD is good if you're planning on ditching the stock and are happy with that barrel length, but unless you want to start stock shopping right away I'm not sold on those.

I have no problem dropping $3k on a .308 bolt rifle assuming it's done right. Considering the costs of a good optic ($2-3.5k), it's an expensive investment no matter what you do.

I've held and shot a HS Precision rifle before, but I have yet to sit behind a Manners Composite stock. What do you guys think of HS Precision's rifles? This model can be had with a 20-22" barrel which should be good enough for shooting out to 800 yards or so. This rifle would meet my requirements minus the Picatinny rail on top. Again, this would be for a long range class:

https://www.hsprecision.com/shop2/ri...les-1/str.html

I like their stocks, and the adjustability. However, I see they want $125 for 10 round .308 magazines . Good grief. I hear talk about there being two different types of Accuracy International system magazines, and those go for $80 a pop.

Someone earlier talked about GA Precision's thunder ranch rifle, and it looks like a good starting point: http://www.gaprecision.net/ga-precis...nch-rifle.html .

What do you guys think about suppressors? I guess since I'll never know what state I'll be in with the thing, it's probably best to mount some sort of flash hider or muzzle brake and use a QD suppressor. However, I guess I can always thread it off when I'm not using it and put a thread protector or Vortex FH on. I hate muzzle brakes, and I don't find them necessary on anything equal to or less than 30-06 bolt rifles. Thunder Beast, Surefire and Suppressed Armament Systems all seem to be good. What do you guys think?

[SRT-M4]

Check out the FN SPR A5 TBM.

I just bought one right before Christmas and for the price its pretty damm close in accuracy to the GAP rifles and other high end bolt guns.

Ive shot 1/2 groups at 100 yards and 5'' groups out to 800 yards with Black Hill 168 OTMs. With more time behind the gun I should get even better.

Im using the 20'' barrel. I have the mcmillan stock shipped out right now for ATACS-Foliage Green hydrodipping. Should be back in a couple of weeks.

[Kissel]

I am also considering the Steyr Elite in .308 with the 10-round magazine. I have read everything I can find and it looks like a very accurate, nice rifle. Some might consider the aluminum receiver on a .308 bolt gun to be a downside. Next step is to actually find one to handle, but I think I'm gonna like.

[montanadave]

Don't know if you've seen this thread (http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=118635), but Lost River's Tikka T3 looks like a hell of a nice rifle.

[MadAngler1]

Don't know if you've seen this thread (http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=118635), but Lost River's Tikka T3 looks like a hell of a nice rifle.

Yeah, Tikka (Sako) makes great rifles, but they only take 5 round magazines. I want something for a class that has ten round mags.

Kissel: Why would an aluminum receiver on a .308 bolt gun be a bad thing? Aluminum receivers work fine on the SCAR-H and Larue OBR, which arguably endure much greater stresses than any .308 bolt gun will endure. I keep hearing that statement over and over again that a bolt receiver should be strictly steel.

SRT-M4: I came very darn close 6 years ago to buying a FN rifle that was on sale. The Winchester action is sweet, and they prove that chrome lined barrels can be very accurate. My only gripe is the McMillan stock. Is the action bedded only in fiberglass or is there an aluminum bedding at all? 11lbs is fairly heavy for a bolt action rifle with a 20" barrel; even the A1a model is nearly 12 lbs unloaded. I was hoping to keep it under 10 lbs without the bipod and scope. Oh, are you having any magazine issues? Some people complain about certain bolt action ten round mags being painful to load, so I was curious. $57 per 10 round mag is far cheaper than paying $80-120 a mag for Accuracy Int or HS Precision.

[steyrman13]

+1 for the Steyr. Between the 3 or 4 I've shot. Whether SSG04, SSg08 or elite, I can shoot a cluster of five smaller than a quarter center to center at 200 yards and a 6" plate at 500 yards. With a cheap bushnell elite 10x scope off a wobbly table no sandbags or anything. I'm sure I could hold tighter off a bagged/prone setup.

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

3k is a great budget, whats your time frame? Whats your budget for optics? I would love to offer my advice.