The 308 rifle is one of the most popular hunting weapons in the world, and bolt action guns are among the best type. They tend to be more accurate and reliable than other types, which is ideal for precise shooting. In many cases, they are often highly affordable. A shooter can find the best 308 bolt action rifle under 500 dollars and be confident that their weapon will be precise, powerful, and rugged enough for most uses. Every shooter should consider owning one, so we’ve put together a list of the ten best choices based on their performance and value to make the search go faster.
10. Ruger American Rifle
| Manufacturer | Ruger |
| Capacity | 4 |
| Caliber | 308 |
| Barrel Length | 22’’ |
| Weight | 6.1 lbs |
| Price Range | $400-$500 |
The American Rifle stands out for its low weight, light trigger pull, and low recoil. That makes it a great rifle for smaller shooters who struggle with heavy guns. The safety is designed for higher visibility than average. The bolt system offers good ergonomics, so it is fairly easy for novices to handle. It is a reasonably accurate and rugged choice, which is ideal for small or inexperienced shooters. The gun doesn’t have any particular advantages for most outside of those groups.
9. T/C Compass
| Manufacturer | Thomas/Center Arms |
| Capacity | 6 |
| Caliber | 308 |
| Barrel Length | 22’’ |
| Weight | 7.25 lbs |
| Price Range | $400-$500 |
The Compass is a slightly unusual choice, but it does excel in a few areas. It has a threaded barrel, so it is ideal for people who want to attach a suppressor to their rifle. The gun also uses 5R rifling, which encourages accuracy and reduces the risk of barrel fouling for easier maintenance. On the other hand, it suffers from an excessively flexible stock that can hurt accuracy for users who don’t adjust for it. Novices should be cautious with the Compass for that reason, but it’s a fine choice for other shooters. Also, for those that have a better budget, we have a list of the best bolt action rifles under 1000 dollars.
8. Howa Hogue Rifle
| Manufacturer | Legacy Sports International |
| Capacity | 6 |
| Caliber | 308 |
| Barrel Length | 22’’ |
| Weight | 9.35 lbs |
| Price Range | $400-$500 |
The Howa Hogue rifle from LSI is a dedicated hunting weapon. The stock is designed to offer a good grip during bad weather conditions and to hold up to most cleaning solutions, so it’s a great choice for use under adverse conditions. The trigger system is designed to ensure smooth operation, which can help with accuracy. It is somewhat heavier than is ideal for a hunting weapon, but gun’s advantages outweigh that drawback for most hunters. Consider trying it if you hunt in areas that are prone to bad weather, but look for something lighter if you don’t need the durability.
7. Weatherby Vanguard
| Manufacturer | Weatherby |
| Capacity | 5 |
| Caliber | 308 |
| Barrel Length | 20’’ |
| Weight | 6.75 lbs |
| Price Range | $400-$500 |
Weatherby produces the Vanguard, which is on the higher end of the price range. It is easy to find new or used models for less than 500 dollars, but shooters should still expect to pay more than for other guns on this list. The gun is built to standards that match the price, so it is highly accurate and reliable. It also offers extra features, such as an integrated recoil lug, an adjustable stock, and a match-grade, adjustable trigger. It’s ideal for people of every skill level who want to strike a balance between quality and price. If you need a rifle for home defense, you can check out this list with the best home defense rifles out there.
6. Winchester XPR
| Manufacturer | Winchester Repeating Arms |
| Capacity | 3 |
| Caliber | 308 |
| Barrel Length | 22’’ |
| Weight | 6.75 lbs |
| Price Range | $400-$500 |
The Winchester XPR is the best for shooters that love special features. The gun boosts its durability with a Teflon coating on the bolt to protect against corrosion and a recessed target crown to protect the rifling, while textured grips ensure that the gun doesn’t slip. A cocking indicator, bolt release button, and a conventional safety all work to prevent accidental discharges. Those features make the XPR a great generalist gun for shooters who want to minimize maintenance and maximize safety. That’s especially applicable for the newer shooters who need those features the most.
5. Browning AB3
| Manufacturer | Browning |
| Capacity | 5 |
| Caliber | 308 |
| Barrel Length | 22’’ |
| Weight | 6.5625 lbs |
| Price Range | $400-$500 |
The Browning AB3 rifle is another relatively expensive option that is usually available for less than 500 dollars. The gun’s bolt system is excellent since it allows fast cycling without moving the shooter’s cheek from the stock. It also has a nickel plating that helps with smoothness and durability. It is drilled to take a scope, and Browning produces scopes that are designed specifically for this rifle. Browning’s production quality is high, which ensures that this rifle is accurate and reasonably reliable. Most shooters will appreciate it, but it is best for experienced shooters who can take advantage of fast cycling.
4. T/C Venture Compact
| Manufacturer | Thompson/Center Arms |
| Capacity | 3 |
| Caliber | 308 |
| Barrel Length | 20’’ |
| Weight | 6.75 lbs |
| Price Range | $400-$500 |
The Venture Compact rifle from TC is the best for young shooters. The gun is fairly small and offers excellent ergonomics for short shooters, along with traction panels that can help them grip the gun firmly and in the correct places. The stock also includes a fairly thick butt pad to help deal with recoil. The trigger pull is short, light, and adjustable, so they won’t have trouble firing. It is a perfect choice for new shooters, but many of them will outgrow it as they get bigger.
3. Remington 783 Scoped
| Manufacturer | Remington |
| Capacity | 4 |
| Caliber | 308 |
| Barrel Length | 22’’ |
| Weight | 8.5 lbs |
| Price Range | $350-$450 |
The 783 is the best for use in a shooting range, but it can still function well in the field. The gun is accurate because it combines a quality barrel with an adjustable trigger and an unusually rigid synthetic stock. The 783 is slightly heavier than most of the competition, which is why it is better at the range than in the field. It is still manageable for most people. Range enthusiasts of every skill level should try it, but dedicated hunters should investigate alternatives.
2. Savage Arms AXIS
| Manufacturer | Savage Arms |
| Capacity | 4 |
| Caliber | 308 |
| Barrel Length | 22’’ |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs |
| Price Range | $300-$400 |
The AXIS is the best in terms of value. It is usually between 50 and 100 dollars cheaper than the alternatives in this price range, but it offers comparable accuracy and reliability. The bolt’s action and the trigger pull are particularly smooth, which contributes to the gun’s accuracy. It is also drilled and tapped for a scope, so it can perform well at long ranges. The AXIS does attract some criticism for its appearance, but it is still an excellent rifle for any new or experienced shooter who puts performance ahead of aesthetics.
1. Mossberg Patriot
| Manufacturer | Mossberg |
| Capacity | 5 |
| Caliber | 308 |
| Barrel Length | 22’’ |
| Weight | 7.5 lbs |
| Price Range | $300-$500 |
The Patriot from Mossberg is the best for general use. It comes with an adjustable trigger pull that ranges between 2 and 7 pounds, so most users can choose a level that suits their needs. They also come with a weaver mount for a scope, which makes modifications easy. The quality of construction is excellent for the gun’s price, which combines with the weapon’s design to ensure a good level of accuracy. All shooters should consider it, but experienced users will see the greatest benefits of customizing it.
Choosing The Right 308 Bolt Action Rifle
There are a lot of reasonably priced bolt action rifles out there, and they are excellent for hunters and sporting marksmen. Shooters who take the time to find the best rifle for their situation will be rewarded with a dependable, accurate, and powerful weapon. If you know of a good gun that we overlooked, bring it up in the comments, so other shooters know to investigate it.
