Thinking of going... "Modern"

[Tower75]

Hi all.

Right, I know this question will be like asking “I want to buy a car, what car should I get?” so I appreciate that this isn’t really something that can be answered with “Well, you should buy a…” but here goes.

Next year I’ll be looking to actually fill the open allowances I have on my FAC. Now I’ve given this a lot of thought and I think I’m looking to break from tradition and actually get something modern.

All of my gear is classic-military, bog-standard rifles, the youngest rifle I own was made in the 1920s, so I’m sort of out of my comfort zone here.

What I’m thinking of getting is the most generic .308 bolt-action rifle with a synthetic stock and a scope, which’ll be further out of my known-zone as I don’t own any scoped-rifles.

So, what would I look for if I wanted to get a relativity-cheap, standard/generic .308 scoped rifle?

Cheers in advance

[Blackstuff]

Welcome to the 21stC! clapclap :lol:

You can't get much more generic than a Remington 700. Drop in a trigger upgrade and Robert is your mothers brother

The choice of scope would be dependent on the type of shooting you're anticipating on using the gun for. Unfortunately with scopes you really do get what you pay for so for most scenarios you're going to be looking at a £800-2000 Leupold, S&B, Nightforce etc

[John25]

One of the problems with moving into the current era is that it is impossible to satisfy all requirements with one gun.

Years ago it was simple, competitions were, in the main T/R or Service based. Two rifles, one for short and one for long (over 600x) would have done.

Now your main discipline, in the main, dictates the type of gun you get.

As Blackstuff says, a 700 will get you started and give sterling service but it isn't the best platform in the world for 1000x shooting.

If you have the opportunity, look around, see what other people are using, get their opinions; most will be all too keen to let you give their gun a try.

Sadly, a compromise will be just that, unless you are a squillionaire, in which case buy a selection and, if you have one left over?

Anyway, good luck with your hunt, and do let us know how you get on

:cheers:

[tackb]

start with a 700 then the worlds your oyster for upgrades?

[dromia]

Have a look at the Savage line up.

How much do you want to spend on the rifle and on the scope?

[kennyc]

Savage are good, Howa are good and the humble 700 can be made good the worlds your oyster clapclap

[ovenpaa]

A Savage would be a very good first and possibly last 'modern' rifle.

[dromia]

Correct, I can heartily recommend the Savage Model 1899, the 300 Savage can give close to 308 ballistics.

[meles meles]

The Howa is worthy of consideration too

http://www.gunmart.net/gun_review/howa_1500/

[phaedra1106]

Another vote for the Howa, buying it as a Weatherby Vanguard mk2 is cheaper even though it's the same rifle.

The latest models have an improved 2 stage trigger (HACT System) which is not bad at all