Inarguably one of the most popular hunting calibers in recent history is the .308. It is a versatile, utility, and comfortable caliber to shoot with a dedicated group of devotees confident in its proven track record. However, finding the best .308 rifle for less than $1,000 is no easy task and choosing between the variety of rifles available can be difficult.
Summary: Top 5 Highest-Rated .308 Rifles
| Image | Name | Pros | Cons | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Tikka T3 | -Ergonomics -Scope Accommodation -Weight -Appearance | -Low Cartridge Capacity | 4.9 |
 | Ruger American Rifle | -Low cost -Adjustability -Accurate | -22-inch barrel -More recoil from light stock | 4.8 |
 | Savage 10/110 Trophy Hunter | -3-Position Safety -Adjustable Trigger -Scope Included | -Weight | 4.8 |
 | Remington 700 SPS | -Comfort -Longer barrel -Proven Remington action | -Possibly too heavy | 5.0 |
 | DPMS Panther Arms .308 Oracle | -Large capacity magazine -Semi-Auto action -Tactical Barrel Length | -Heavy -Non-Traditional Hunting Rifle -Long Distance Accuracy | 4.9 |
Historic Use of .308 Guns
Historically speaking the .308 reaches back to the time period directly following the Second World War. Militaries around the world had been dealing with 30 caliber rifles for decades but were unhappy with the overall characteristics of the cartridges they were using. One popular 30-caliber cartridge the US military used extensively in WWII was the 30-06. Although the 30-06 was a great round in terms of performance and hitting power, it had a few disadvantages military leaders wanted dealt with.
For starters, the 30-06 arrived on target with plenty of penetrating power, but the excessive recoil made it difficult to fire with automatic or even semi-automatic firing rates. Secondly, 30-06 rounds are big and their size caused problems. The large rounds meant a man could carry less firepower with him. It also meant less could be loaded in a rifle, in a box, in a truck, in a semi, and in a plane. When you start analyzing the logistics when moving billions of cartridges around the world you begin to see how this inefficacy would cause some serious problems.
After some experimentation following the war, the US military eventually settled on the 7.62×51 NATO cartridge, otherwise known as the .308 Winchester in common nomenclature. Using the .308 addressed the beef military leaders had with the 30-06 including transportation and efficiency. Not only that but the new round still hit hard upon arrival and with less recoil than aforementioned 30-06.
Military Use Today
Today the .308 is widely used by both military and public police force personnel. It has proven to be one of the most reliable calibers for distance shooting, especially at distances of less than 800 yards. This track record has made the .308 the go-to round for snipers of both foreign and domestic servicemen. In fact perhaps the most famous sniper of recent time, or any time for that matter, Chris Kyle was a big fan of the .308. His favorite rifle after his time in the service was a .308 he had custom made. Another reason it is so widely acclaimed in sharpshooting circles is the versatility it offers in terms of ammunition selection. You can find ammunition for a .308 rifle in a wide variety of grain options.
Hunting Uses
While the .308 may have gotten its start as a military cartridge, it didn’t take sportsmen long to realize the benefits it offered as a hunting rifle. Due to the versatility of the ammunition available, some consider it to be a one size fits all caliber for nearly every big game animal you can hunt. Year in and year out hunters around North America successfully harvest animals from light skinned whitetail deer to heavier skinned game such as elk, and an even dangerous game like a grizzly bear. As long as a hunter competently pairs their ammunition selection with the game they are pursuing there is no reason a .308 can’t get the job on any critter you will hunt in North America.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing
If you are considering purchasing a .308 rifle for hunting or sports shooting, there are a few things you may want to consider before pulling the trigger. For starters are you looking for an exclusively big game hunting rifle or do you need a rifle for predator hunting as well? Although a .308 rifle is a superb rifle for hunting big game, it is a bit overkill for predators such as coyotes, fox, and bobcat. Sure you can kill them, but anyone shooting a furbearer like these may as well kiss their fur check goodbye. You’ll end up punching holes through these critters so big it will look like a cannon wound. If you are the type who hunts mostly deer and furbearers for cash you may be better off looking into a .243 or .270 caliber rifle.
Secondly, you’ll want to determine how far you would like your maximum effective range to be. As mentioned earlier most sharpshooting experts agree on the maximum effective range of a .308 lies somewhere in the 800-yard range. If your competition, hunting, or personal shooting requires shots past the 800-yard range you’d be better off looking into a .338 or 300 Win Mag. These calibers are more proven at really long range shooting. Although this will apply to a small number of talented shooters out there it is worth noting the majority of people will never outshoot their rifle at these ranges.
Last but not least you probably have budget concerns in mind when purchasing your new rifle. As with most things these days, new rifles aren’t getting any cheaper and plopping down the hard earned cash for one can put a lump in your throat. Like most folks, I personally can’t afford a private arsenal in my basement full of specialty rifles. Due to that fact, choosing a good rifle at a fair price is important to me. There are a number of .308 rifles currently on the market you can get into for less than $1000 that should last a lifetime.
Top 5 Best .308 Rifles Reviewed
If a .308 sounds like a caliber that would meet your needs and would get you out to the distance you need, you may be able to find one within your price range. That being said, here are the best .308 rifles for less than $1,000 in ascending price.
Editor’s Choice: Tikka T3
At an 6.1 pounds the Tikka T3 falls into a comfortable weight range with a walnut stock to absorb excess recoil. One strike against the Tikka T3 Hunter is its cartridge capacity. It is 3 + 1 capacity gun which limits the insurance ammunition you pack with you. Despite the cartridge capacity drawback, we consider this to be the best rifle for the money.
- Pros: Ergonomics, Scope Accommodation, Weight, Appearance
- Cons: Low Cartridge Capacity
Ruger American Rifle
- Pros: Low cost, Adjustability, Accurate.
- Cons: 22-inch barrel, More recoil from light stock.
Savage 10/110 Trophy Hunter
- Pros: 3-Position Safety, Adjustable Trigger, Scope Included,
- Cons: Weight
Remington 700 SPS Tactical
- Pros: Comfort, Longer barrel, Proven Remington action
- Cons: Possibly too heavy.
DPMS Panther Arms .308 Oracle
- Pros: Large capacity magazine, Semi-Auto action, Tactical Barrel Length
- Cons: Heavy, Non-Traditional Hunting Rifle, Long Distance Accuracy
Roundup
At the end of the day finding a rifle that fits your needs isn’t a one size fits all equation. Deciding upon rifle caliber, let alone rifle features has far too many variables for any one person to make too many definitive arguments. From my analysis, however, the Tikka T3 appears to be a great all around rifle. Not only does it have all the attributes of every .308 rifle, Its comfortable size, 22-inch barrel, and Tikka’s reputation would make it a great addition to anyone’s gun safe.
By understanding the history of the .308, general agreements of its strengths and weaknesses, and its ability, you can browse a few specific rifles to make the best choice. If you are looking of the best .308 for less than $1,000 the five aforementioned rifles might serve as a good starting point for your search. Not only do they offer a wide variety within the caliber, but they each chamber the renowned .308 utility cartridge.
Images Source: brownells.com.
More guides: