If you want to shoot long range then you should be looking for one of these best budget 308 bolt action rifles. The bolt action design is one of the most accurate action types ever invented. It’s withstood the test of time, and it continues to provide outstanding accuracy on a budget. In this article I’m going to cover some great budget bolt action rifles, chambered in 308.
As the title implies this article is going to cover bolt action rifles in 7.62x51mm or 308 NATO. If you’re more interested in semi-auto 308s, then you should check out this article. Otherwise, you can see the full list of these best budget 308 rifles below.
5 Best Budget 308 Bolt Action Rifles
- Ruger American Hunter 20in 308 Magpul Rifle
- Savage Axis II Precision Rifle
- Winchester XPR Stealth Suppressor Ready 308 Rifle
- Browning X-Bolt Long Range SR 308 Rifle
- Remington SPS Varmint 308
If you want long range accuracy there is no substitute for a great bolt gun. For the purposes of this article I’ve limited the rifles price range to less than $1000. In fact, a few of the choices on the list are closer to the $500 mark. Before we get to the specifics of each gun we need to cover some of the key considerations when choosing your best budget 308 rifle. That’s exactly what we’ll do in the next section.
Key Features for Bolt Action Rifles
For a budget bolt-action rifle, it’s best to stick with an action that has been around for a while. While there are all kinds of super slick rifles, with innovative bolt action designs, they aren’t cheap. It’s much easier to find an old Browning X-Bolt, or Remington 700 action, because they’ve been produced for decades.
Secondly, I think it’s important to think about your intended use for the rifle. If you want some long range fun, and don’t plan on carrying the rifle around all day, then a heavier chassis style gun would be a great choice. If you’re going to be hiking through the mountains, then a lighter hunting rifle is best.
The last big consideration is barrel length. The 308 rifle cartridge has been around forever, but it isn’t the fastest shooting round available. To get around this with a 308, you’ll find that a longer barrel can give you more velocity, and subsequently, better effects at long range.
That doesn’t mean you need to shoot a 26 inch bolt action rifle, if you want to shoot at long distances, it just means that you should stay away from the shorter offerings on this list. Now that we’ve covered the key considerations for any good bolt action 308 rifle, let’s get to the guns.
5 Best Budget 308 Bolt Action Rifles: Tactical / Hunting
In this list I’ve linked to specific versions of these guns, from a variety of manufacturers. As you might imagine, there are variants of many of these rifles. You can find different stocks, chassis systems, calibers, and colors for most of the guns on this list.
I recommend following the links to the specific rifle, to see if there are better options for your needs. Before we get to our first rifle, don’t forget to join the email list below. We send out the latests articles about tactical training, fitness, and gear as soon as they’re released.
Ruger American Hunter 20 Inch Magpul Rifle
The Ruger American Hunter 20in 308 Magpul Rifle is a great do it all 308 rifle. The folks at Ruger have put this rifle together to really cover nearly any use case. One of the best features of the American Hunter is the great Magpul stock. This stock allows you to mount accessories on the fore end, and most importantly, it has a wide range of adjustment in the buttstock.
You can adjust for length of pull, and comb height. This is very important as it allows you to find the most comfortable shooting position with your optic of choice. Check out the review below for more details.
This rifle ships with one Magpul 5 round detachable box magazine, bringing the total capacity to 5+1. The American Hunter has a heavy profile barrel, with a Ruger Precision Hybrid muzzle brake.
Most reviewers report this rifle has a very smooth action, with good accuracy, around 1 MOA. Currently you can purchase it for right around $750. I think this is the best option for those that don’t want to bother with upgrading a rifle down the road. Slap a scope and a bipod on this rifle and you’re good. Next we’ll cover a really neat rifle from Savage.
Savage Axis II Precision Rifle
The Savage Axis II Precision Rifle is an affordable long gun, with a great looking chassis system, and modern features. The Axis II has been around for a few years, and as such, it’s been throughly tested. Keep in mind we’ll be reviewing the 308 version, but this gun is produced in a wide variety of calibers.
Out of the box it comes with an MDT chassis, and pistol grip. The stock is adjustable for comb height, and length of pull. It also has several MLOK slots to mount accessories on the forend. Check out this video for more info.
This version of the Axis comes with a 22 inch barrel (1:10 twist), and a 10 round magazine. It’s important to point out that this budget rifle is heavy, weighing in at 9.9 pounds without accessories.
The nice thing about this Axis II is that it features an adjustable trigger, with a range between 2.5 – 6 lbs. If you’re interested in shooting long-range precision competitions, like PRS, then this would be a great choice. As of this writing you can pick the Axis II up for a little over $850. Next we’ll cover a great suppressor ready .308 rifle from Winchester.
Winchester XPR Stealth Suppressor Ready .308 Rifle
The Winchester XPR Stealth Suppressor Ready 308 Rifle is a great option for hunters that plan on using a suppressor, in a short barreled package. It also happens to be one of the most affordable rifles on the list, coming in around $590. From the factory this rifle comes with a standard non adjustable synthetic stock and an included picatinny rail. Check this quick video out for more info on the Winchester rifle.
As you saw in the video, this gun has a short barrel. The XPR Stealth has a 16.5 inch barrel with 5/8 x 24 threads that fit most 7.62 suppressors. Several reviewers have found this gun to be sub MOA accurate, with a nice trigger.
The XPR weighs 6.8 pounds, which means that you’re probably carrying 10 pounds around with a bipod, optic, and suppressor, depending on your choices with those accessories. If you need a great compact rifle that can accept a thread on suppressor, then this is a great choice, at this price point. Next we’re going to cover a nice Browning X-Bolt rifle.
Browning X-Bolt Long Range SR .308 Rifle
The Browning X-Bolt Long Range SR 308 Rifle is the best rifle on this list for long range hunting. The version I’ve linked to here has a 22 inch barrel and is suppressor ready. The version in the video is the longer 26 inch gun, with a compensator. Both feature short action designs.
One of the best features for long range hunters is the great adjustable, flat bottomed stock. It allows you to raise the comb height for whichever optic you choose. Check this video out for a great review.
Even though this rifle is a little longer than some of the other options on this list, it weighs in at 7 pounds 14 ounces, which is very respectable considering the package. Like several of the other bolt guns here, the X-Bolt trigger is adjustable and the accuracy is well within 1 MOA.
As of this writing you can purchase this X-Bolt for around $780, making it one of the best variants for most long range hunters, especially at this price. Now let’s get to our last rifle on the list. You know we couldn’t have a list of the 5 best budget 308 rifles, without including a Remington 700!
Remington SPS Varmint .308 Rifle
The Remington SPS Varmint 308 is the longest barreled rifle on this list. It features a 26 inch heavy barrel, with a 1:10 twist, which is sufficient to stabilize heavier bullets. This Remington 700 is clearly designed for highly accurate shooting, from a distance.
While there isn’t a sub-MOA accuracy guarantee, most reviewers produced accuracy results around .6 MOA. This makes the Remington Model 700 one of the most accurate rifles on this list. Check out this excellent review, with several different match ammo options covered.
The 700 is clearly aimed at varmint hunters, however, it works well for larger game, given that it’s chambered in 308. Even with the full length heavy barrel it comes in around 8.5 pounds, which is something you could carry around when needed.
As of this writing you can purchase the SPS Varmint for around $720. Now let’s cover some of my final thoughts on these best budget 308 rifles.
Final Thoughts
We covered a lot of different rifles on this list, so let’s review a few key points. First, you need to keep in mind your intended use. If you want the most long range accuracy you can find, then you should stick to the longer barreled options. I think the Browning X-Bolt is one of the best rifles for those that need to shoot at distance, without lugging around a lot of weight.
If you want to have some great long range fun, and weight isn’t an issue, then the Axis II would be a great choice. Most chassis system factory rifles have a little more modularity, and can be customized more easily.
I also want to point out that many long range shooters obsess over MOA accuracy numbers. All of these rifles are likely more accurate than you or I are. In fact, if you read this article I wrote a few years ago you’ll remember that doubling the mechanical accuracy of a long range rifle only increased the actual hit probability by 4%.
That doesn’t mean that accuracy doesn’t matter, it just means that your skill behind the rifle is the most important factor. Take a look at these rifles and pick up the one that seems best for your needs. Now get out there and get shooting, and don’t forget to join the email list below.
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