.308 All around rifle

[Carcajou]

My buddy wants a .308 bolt for an all around gun. By all around I mean hunting, precision shooting, one he can walk around with and not feel like he's dragging around a log on his shoulder. I think he will be willing to spend around 1Kish on the rifle (with no glass).

I was going to recommend he get the Rem 700, maybe a fluted barrel as he does want it light weight but with the new revelations with the Rem 700 problems I don't know how best to help him.

What would your suggestions be? (let me know if I didn't include enough info for your to give me informed advice.)

[dbrowne1]

..........

[MechEng]

Remington 700 5R.
24" Barrel that is heavy but not as heavy as the 700P.

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=20792

[austinN4]

I was going to recommend he get the Rem 700, maybe a fluted barrel as he does want it light weight but with the new revelations with the Rem 700 problems I don't know how best to help him.

I believe the newer R700P and R700P LTR are shipping with either the X-Mark or 40X FCGs so that should not be a problem.

[Alpha Sierra]

but with the new revelations with the Rem 700 problems I don't know how best to help him.

Remington triggers are not a problem.

People who adjust them without knowing how and then don't fess up when the rifle goes off by itself are.

[steven58]

Here is my version of the ultimate all around light weight rifle:

New Ultra Light Arms model 20 in .308 Win 22" bbl.

Nightforce 2.5-10 X 32 scope with M-Velocity reticle

Talley one piece Al. ringmounts

Holland's bubble level.

Total weight is about 6.5 lbs.

With ammo it likes I can keep 6 shots in .75" at 100 yds. and 10" at 600 yds.

[fn1889m]

If you want to use a heavy barreled rifle as a walk-around hunting rifle, you need to make some compromises, as you noted. A 20" fluted barrel will cut some weight. I have a 26" Remington tactical rifle and a 20" FN patrol rifle with tapered weight fluted barrel, both in .308. I switched out the Hogue rubbery stock for a Winchester laminate sporter stock on the FN.

The FN is much more portable, and not any less accurate at 3-400 yards. No comparison. It is still heavy, but is at least portable. You don't want to go hunting with a 26 inch heavy barreled rifle unless you are going to camp out in one spot.

The FN patrol rifle was available from CDNN, as were the Winchester stocks. But several other makers put out a similar "patrol rifle", including Remington. It is becoming my favorite rifle. I have tried both a 10x and a 6x scope. I like the 6x scope better for general shooting.

I would not worry about the current Remington trigger. But read up on it before you adjust it. Don't start messing with it until you have a plan. Personally, I like the FN/Winchester trigger a little better.

[NC Buckeye]

If I hadn't been given a M1A Scout, mine would be a Remington 700. Still might one day.

[SHIVAN]

Both of my recommendations are covered here.

The FN 20" and/or the Remington LTR. Both are still kind of heavy, but way less heavy than a 24" or 26" version.

These are certainly not mountain rifles to be humped from 4000' to 10000' while chasing a big goat or ram, but they are portable enough.

[austinN4]

I am going through the same considerations and research for a bolt gun. My specs are a 20" 308 and a DBM is desirable as is 1:10 twist, but I could make do with a HFP and 1:12 if I had to. I will most likely swap the stock on whatever I buy anyway so that is not a consideration but total money is. Here is what I am considering as box stock rifles:

FN PBR XP DBM 1:12 fluted
Savage 10PC DBM 1:10
Savage 10PC DBM 1:11.25 5R fluted & threaded
Remington 700 SPS Tactical HFP 1:12
Remington 700 SPS AAC-SD HFP 1:10 threaded
Remington 700P LTR HFP 1:12 fluted

The most bang (no pun intended) for the buck appears to me to be the Savage 10PC DBM 1:11.25 5R threaded, followed closely by the regular Savage 10PC DBM 1:10, then the Remington 700 SPS AAC-SD HFP 1:10 threaded.