OK guy's need a recommendation for a .308 that won't break the bank. I'm not a hunter, just exercising my right to bear arms.

 

First of all. . . I guess we need to know how much 'bank' there is before it gets broken.

Here's a list of what "I" would consider good to great .308 rifles, in no particular order.

Remington 700 BDL
Remington 798 (This rifle [barreled action] is built overseas and is mated to wood furniture and trigger group, here. It is built on a Mauser type action, and gets very good reviews!)
Savage 110 (Probably the most 'bang for the buck'.)
AR-10 or equivalent. ($1,000.00+)
M14 platform rifle (M1A, etc.) Also, $1,000.00+.
Thompson/Center Arms "Encore". This is a single shot rifle, that can be changed to many, many different caliber rifles or handguns, with just the swap of the barrel.

Well, there's my short list.

 

Some of the guys around here I have talked to have mentioned Walmart $400 to so and so's gun store for $1100 so I guess in between those figure is fair? I just don't know honestly about all the makes and what is good vs great. I would like better than average

 

Exactly what are you looking for?

Bolt action?
Semi-auto?
Single shot?

For hunting?
For target?
For defense of you and your loved ones?

Basically, asking which one is 'the best' vs. which 'can I get by with'. . .
you're not giving me much to go on.

Now, for a bolt action rifle, the Savage 110 is one heck of a rifle.
If you want a semi-auto, the Remington 742/7400 series are good. I don't have any experience with them, but, they've been around a lonnnnnnng time. (You can also get larger capacity magazines [10 rounders] if you want to use it for a SHTF type rifle.)
Semi-autos run from my beloved M14 platform (M1A, M14S) to the M1 Garand in .308, to FAL, etc.

It really helps knowing exactly what your intended purpose is, for this rifle.

If it's just to 'have' the rifle. . . get a Remington 798 or Savage 110. (Bolt Action.) FWIW, Bass Pro Shops had this very rifle for $399.20 last month. I bought it's 'baby brother', the Remington 799, in .223 Remington for $399.20 and then a $30.00 rebate on top of that.
The Remington 798 has a claw type extractor and the action is extremely strong.
The Remington 798 will last a lifetime and beyond.
The Savage has a good reputation for strength and accuracy.

Others may disagree with this comment.
The Wally World $400 rifle is no different than the 'Mom and Pop' gunshop rifle for $1,000, except for this -
Wally World MAY buy a boxcar load of a particular rifle, where the 'Mom and Pop' shop buys one or two rifles.
Discounts for quantities, basically.
(Granted, sometimes a store chain WILL commission a manufacturer to build "X" number of firearms with certain 'bells and whistles' missing or added, compared to other rifles available elsewhere.)

 

It will be used as protect me and mine given the current and or future state of affairs. Something with a magazine and multiple shots sounds pretty good.

 

Here are some of my picks: (From least expensive to most expensive.)

Remington 742 (semi-auto) then buy larger magazines from another vendor.
Remington 760 (pump) then buy larger magazines from another vendor.
(With each of these, they are actually 'hunting' rifles used in a "SD" role.)

Springfield Armory, Inc. (SAI) M1A. Here, you are looking at $1,000+.
I own a 'standard length' M1A that has been accurized quite a bit. (Correction. . a LOT!) If I were buying my 'first' M1A, I'd go for the 'Scout/Squad'. It has an 18" barrel vs. 22" barrel on the 'Standard' and is better balanced, to me.
Now, you MIGHT find a Polytech or Norinco M14S for less than $900.00 or so. If you do. . . BUY IT!
Then, have a USGI bolt fitted to it. You will have one fine rifle!
DPMS Panther Arms AR10 - Also, around $1,000.00 +.


Now, why the .308???
If you are a qualifying individual, you could get an M1 Garand for around $600.
Granted, they are .30-'06, but, the magnificient '06 or "ought-six" ammo is less expensive than .308/7.62x51mm NATO ammo is, currently.
If you must, the M1 Garand can be rebarreled to .308 if you really wanted to.

It's difficult to tell you to 'buy this' or 'buy that', because there is sooooooo many choices out there. (But, there may not be. . . soon.)

Don't discount a lever-action. .30-30,.45-70, etc.
For defensive purposes, you could get a lever action rifle such as the Marlin 1894 in .44 magnum and spend a LOT less $$.

Or a pump action shotgun, like the incredible Remington 870. (Less than $500.00.)

 

The 308 is based soley on recommendations really, I have 2 pistols at the house (.45 and .40 ) and the home defense shotgun is on the list but I must pay the tax man first. Not a hunter, not saying I won't give it a try in the future, hell it may be the only way to feed myself in the not so far off future. Bottom line is I can handle weapons I spent 24yrs in the Army, I'm just not "smart" on what brand, model, etc. From reading the post from you guy's...you, old93, and iggy to name a few I figure I would get great recommendations. Thanks for what you have given so far by the way

 

It is my pleasure!

I know that I'm gonna get 'challenged' on this comment, by some, but. . .
At least you didn't ask about the 7.62x39mm!
AK-47. . . blech!


O.K. everyone. Give me 10 seconds to put on my flame suit!

 

Thats OK Keith, You know my AKs are only used for holding off rioting hordes of old spray paint cans and 2 liter bottles of lousy diet soda!

As for the .308, Although I have some difference of opinion with their upper management, you cant go wrong with a Ruger 77 in any caliber. A real good bolt rifle in any of its variants, and .308 is a GREAT all around caliber. In an auto, I go with 00blue. Springfield armory M1A!

 

Ha!

I KNEW you'd respond, Dave!

As for the Ruger 77, I'd completely forgotten about it.
(Time for my 'memory' meds.)

 

If your not hunting(and even if you are). DONT count out the SKS. I don't know if others would agree with me on this but in its major variants (Chinese,Russian, Yugoslavian) The SKS is tough as nails, the ammo is cheap, the guns are cheap (I think its still under $250 for a Yugo). The SKS is considered by some to be more reliable than the AK(damn reliable, Mikhail Klashnikov said he wanted a rifle that you could throw a handfull of sand in the action and keep shootin!). If you needed to stay domestic and a little less "sinister" in the eyes of your liberal neighbors, Remington makes an excellent pump action that can be had in either .308 or .223(model 7615). The later has the advantage of using readily available(and inexpensive) AR-15 magazines that are available in 5,10,20,30,40 round magazines or drums that hold up to 90! I think it's priced around $400 maybe $500.

 

Hey Scott i have been having this debate with myself quite a bit lately! My plan is a trifecta.... shotgun, which i have decided on an 870 remington when i finally jump, they have an 18 inch barrel, marine something that has struck my fancy. Then i will end up with an m14, back in the old days when my squad drew weapons i always grabbed a 14, unless my squad leader felt he needed my big **** to hump a 60. The 14 really couldd reach out and touch someone, and it put them down. Then i have decided on a springfield xd series, cant decide between 45 or 40, again a thing of confidence.... knowing that the big hole leaves em down. call it paranoia whatever, but my thought process is following yours! They come through my door the shotgun is the deal, they force from my home and i am on the run, i need the rifle, and anytime i'm not able to have the shotgun with me, time for my little hand held companion! Is our world really starting to feel that way, or are we fringe lunatics? Dan

 

Definitely, dont count out the SKS, incredibly tough, cheap ammo, accurate as H**L. A poor mans M1A! makes sense if you already own a AK-47 as they share ammo. Though they do not compare to 00blues targets, I have made some very respectable targets at 200yds with my SKS.

 

Sounds more like a job for a shotgun or a pistol.......Unless you can see 'em coming from a mile away and want to start thinning the herd from a long ways out.......

 

I had the Yugo version with the milled reciever, it was built like a tank! kinda heavy for its caliber but recovery times were quick and yes they are surprisingly accurate. Given the choice of an SKS and a Mini 30 I'd take the SKS without pause. If I had the money though I think the Mini 6.8 would make a great fighting rifle if an AR wasn't an option, although I think its priced similarly with base model ARs. If your price point allows you up to $700 I would seriously consider an AR. Some might argue its flaws but in non-combat situations its not likely to fail you, and given the right ammo choice the .223 is the least likely of all common centerfire rounds to overpenetrate an urban environment. Off the shelf 55gr. softpoints would break up pretty quickly in light resistance. If you can't afford the AR the Remington 7615 I mentioned earlier shares those same benefits albiet at the cost of cylcling the action yourself.