We downsized the RV so we can go deeper into the woods. I am looking for an all round sort of rifle like a 308 Scout. No around here carries the Ruger, Savage, or Mossberg Scout rifles so I cant handle them. I would have to order one. Anyone have experience with these?

Does it have to be a bolt rifle?

There are a number of good options for semiauto .308s, which would likely be a better "all around" rifle than a bolt gun.

For example, a quality .308 AR can do everything a .308 Scout rifle does, and more.

Don't know exactly if you are set on scout concept or not, but the Ruger American's are handy. I have the ranch version that takes AR mags in .300 Blackout and I like it a lot. I put a Dead Air brake on it and I keep my Sandman K on it all the time, loaded mag, in the safe ready to go in case I need to thump a coyote out in the pasture in the night.
https://ruger.com/products/ame...fleRanch/models.html

They (Ruger) have a .308 one out now that takes AI style mags and has full length scope rail that looks very interesting for an all around .308

https://ruger.com/products/ame...pecSheets/26926.html

I can speak for myself only.

I have a Remington Model Seven Laminate on the way in .243 for Central Texas Deer. I was the only one to bid on it in Gunbroker and got a deal.

They are available in

.223
.243 Win
.260 Rem
7-08
.308
300 Blackout

They are available in several models.


https://www.wikiarms.com/guns?q=Remington+Model+Seven

I’d want a lower cost rifle too. Rather the $400 rifle go missing, than the $2000 rifle. Of course much depends on location & intentions.

I read an article a while back touting the benefits of a Ruger 10/22 as an all around rifle, fun, survival, defense. I will say, much was agreeable.

Do not discount a used lever action in 30-30 or 35 Rem. They are in your budget.

What is the main purpose/purposes you have in mind? Hunting? Target? Self defense? I’d offer an additional alternative of a nice used Browning BLR .308. Plenty accurate, mag fed, slick action for fast follow up shots. There are bargains out there for the patient shopper.

If you dont need .308 range, you really cant beat a lever gun for a handy all purpose (inexpensive) rifle.

I needed a rifle to go on a hunt with recently and I wanted a Scout. That seemed like a good enough reason to buy one. I bought a Mossberg Scout in .308 with the Vortex scope included. It doesn't seem quite as heavily built as my buddy's Ruger, but it handles and functions wonderfully. After about 100 rounds, I'm very happy with it.

I too vote for a lever gun. With a little tweaking, they are excellent all purpose rifles.

I do not own a Scout Rifle but I have Shot A friends Ruger with a Leupold on it. at the Range it hit where I was aiming at 150 yards,

I have a Ruger Scout but my favorite knock about is a CZ527 in 7.62x39.

I'm not really into the scout rifles, so I'd pick whatever cheap 308 bolt I could find at a local gunshop. As other have pointed out a lever action 30-30 would make a good cheap camper gun. So would an SKS for that matter.

Ruger mini 30 or lever gun. I have a scout and love it but wouldn’t be my first choice.

quote:

Originally posted by gearhounds:
What is the main purpose/purposes you have in mind? Hunting? Target? Self defense?....

Without this question answered we are just pissing in the dark.

Also, do you have any intentions of going into Canada? We bought a 12 gauge pump action shotgun for this very reason...

I have a Mossberg MVP patrol rifle in 5.56. It uses the AR-15 magazines. It is a fun bolt action, small enough for a truck gun. Happy with it.

Unless your dead set on a bolt action, why not a AR-10 or lever action (Marlin 1894?)

With no intended purpose stated I have to assume your looking for a all around long gun.
If I could only have one long gun, it would be a 12 gauge shotgun.
Easy to change ammo to serve many different roles.

One advantage to mag fed as opposed to fixed mag or lever action tube mag. Depending on where you travel some states do not allow a loaded long gun in a vehicle- with a detachable mag you can load it when parked and easily unload prior to movement. If a sudden need arises for the rifle going from unloaded to loaded is much easier with a detachable magazine gun.
Again just in case you inadvertently cross into “ enemy territory “ California New York etc, a manually operated gun halls you avoid all the vague unconstitutional laws common in those areas

quote:

Originally posted by dusty3030:
Don't know exactly if you are set on scout concept or not, but the Ruger American's are handy. I have the ranch version that takes AR mags in .300 Blackout and I like it a lot. I put a Dead Air brake on it and I keep my Sandman K on it all the time, loaded mag, in the safe ready to go in case I need to thump a coyote out in the pasture in the night.
https://ruger.com/products/ame...fleRanch/models.html

They (Ruger) have a .308 one out now that takes AI style mags and has full length scope rail that looks very interesting for an all around .308

https://ruger.com/products/ame...pecSheets/26926.html

The addition of an AI mag fed Ruger American is very appealing to me. Thanks for posting.