Faxon and Refactor teamed up again to create another guide to explore the firearms frontiers for you. They’ve pooled their expertise and research together to talk to you about what they view as the best .308 bolt-actions on the market. If you’re looking for a new bolt gun, read on! Let’s get into it.
Who Makes The Best .308 Bolt Action Rifle?
Determining what the ‘best’ is can be different for each person. It’s a subjective question. That said, we’ll share with you what our favorite is. In our opinion, the Faxon FX7 bolt gun is the best 308 bolt action rifle you can buy. It’s a higher-end bolt gun built for extreme precision. There are cheaper options on the market, but you won’t be as happy with them as you would with the FX7. Buy once, Cry once. You won’t regret it.
Faxon FX7
Get ready for a game-changer in precision shooting! Meet the FX7 Pershing Rifle, crafted by the wizards at Faxon Firearms. This isn’t just any rifle. It’s a testament to their unwavering commitment to top-notch quality.
Think long-range shooting, and the .308 Winchester cartridge leaps to mind. This round’s got history, having earned its stripes with military snipers and decades of proven performance. It’s the go-to choice for those who don’t mess around when it comes to accuracy.
Now, let’s dive into what sets the FX7 Pershing, loaded with the legendary .308 Win, apart. It’s more than a rifle; it’s a revolution in long-range shooting.
Action
The FX7 Pershing Rifle bolt action reciever, a marvel of precision and durability, centers around a 416-R stainless steel action body, known for its robustness and resistance to corrosion. It features a unique 4340 carbon steel bolt with Faxon’s signature Flame Fluting, combining functionality with artistic design.
The rifle is coated with ArmorLube DLC, offering enhanced durability and a sleek, low-glare finish, meeting military specifications for DEVCON under MIL-PRF-32711. Its 70-degree bolt lift ensures smooth, quick operation for faster follow-up shots. The 6-lug configuration, arranged in two rings, guarantees a secure, accurate lockup.
An integrated 20-MOA Picatinny Rail allows for precise mounting of optics and accessories. The rifle also includes an integrated recoil lug, boosting accuracy and stability. Its design features a straight, interchangeable bolt handle for customization and ease of use.
Compatibility is a key aspect of the FX7 Pershing. It accommodates AICS and AW magazines, Remington 700 pattern triggers, and Faxon Firearms FX7 Prefit barrels. The rifle is equipped with an M16-style extractor and a plunger-style ejector, ensuring reliable extraction and ejection of rounds, cementing its status as a game-changer in long-range shooting.
Barrel
The FX7 Pershing Rifle’s barrel, made of 416-R stainless steel, stands out for its superior accuracy and durability. Each barrel is button-rifled, honed, and lapped, highlighting the dedication to peak performance.
The barrel features a 1:10 twist rate, offering stability across various bullet weights. Its 22″ length strikes a perfect balance, optimizing both maneuverability and long-range precision.
Designed with an M24 profile, the barrel is designed for precision shooting. A salt bath nitride finish enhances its corrosion resistance and longevity, ensuring the barrel withstands rigorous use.
The muzzle comes suppressor-ready with a 5/8×24 thread. Lastly, a recessed target crown is incorporated to protect the barrel’s end, ensuring consistent accuracy shot after shot.
Chassis & Stock
The FX7 Pershing Rifle, far more than just a firearm, is housed in an exceptional MDT/Faxon Firearms co-branded rifle chassis. This setup is complemented by an MDT Skeleton stock, sporting a sleek grey Cerakote finish.
Ruger American Predator
The Ruger American Predator is a top-notch bolt-action hunting rifle, built on the reliable action of the American. It boasts a one-piece, factory-installed scope rail, and a standout feature is its free-floating, cold hammer-forged threaded barrel with heavy tapering for precision shooting.
This rifle is not just about performance; it also has a stylish, lightweight synthetic stock in Moss Green. The stock is designed with modern fore-end contouring and grip serrations, ensuring a firm, confident hold. The Marksman Adjustable trigger enhances your shooting experience with its crisp release, while the dual cocking cams make for smooth cycling of the rifle.
Safety is paramount, and this rifle comes with an easily visible and operable tang safety. For added comfort, it features a recoil-reducing buttpad. The rifle also includes a flush-fit rotary magazine for streamlined use.
Let’s talk specs: It’s chambered in .308 Win, has an 18″ alloy steel barrel with a matte black finish, and a 1:10 RH twist for accuracy. The rifle can hold 4 rounds and weighs in at a convenient 6.2 lbs. Its overall length is 38″, with a 13.75″ length of pull and 5 grooves in the barrel, making it a compact and efficient choice for your first 308 bolt action rifle.
Savage Arms Axis XP
The Savage Axis II XP Bolt-Action Rifle is a sturdy, reliable choice for hunters and shooting enthusiasts. It features a robust synthetic stock and a matte-finished carbon steel barrel and receiver for enduring performance.
A standout feature is the factory-mounted and bore-sighted Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm scope, ensuring you’re ready to aim right out of the box. Savage’s AccuTrigger® is a game-changer, allowing for precise trigger pull adjustments. This ensures a crisp release without creep, enhancing accuracy significantly. The innovative design of the trigger also includes a lever within its body, which blocks the sear unless intentionally pressed. This smart design dramatically reduces the chance of accidental discharge.
The rifle’s bolt operates smoothly, and it comes with a detachable box magazine for reliable feeding. For safety, it’s equipped with an easy-to-reach 2-position tang safety. Sling swivel studs are integrated, offering convenience for carrying the rifle with a sling or attaching a bi-pod to the fore-end. A rubber recoil pad on the stock makes shooting more comfortable. This package makes the Savage Axis II XP an incredibly durable, low-maintenance rifle that’s ready for hunting right out of the box, thanks to its careful design and comprehensive features.
Browning X-Bolt Speed Suppressor Ready
The Browning X-Bolt Speed Bolt-Action Rifle, equipped with the Recoil Hawg Muzzle Brake, stands as one of the best mountain-style hunting rifles, designed for hunters who prioritize performance and accuracy.
The rifle features a sporter contour barrel that’s fluted, striking the perfect balance between accuracy and weight reduction. This makes the rifle both lightweight and easy to handle, ideal for challenging mountain environments. A key feature is the 5/8-24 threaded muzzle, which accommodates the included Recoil Hawg muzzle brake or a thread protector cap. This muzzle brake is one of the best at reducing felt recoil (by up to 76%), significantly enhancing shooting comfort. The barrel is free-floated, a design choice that contributes to the rifle’s consistent accuracy.
The rifle’s durability and aesthetic appeal are enhanced by the Cerakote® Smoked Bronze finish applied to the action and barrel. This finish offers superior metal protection compared to traditional bluing or stainless steel. For stealth and adaptability in various environments, the rifle is equipped with a lightweight composite stock featuring Browning’s OVIX camo.
This camo pattern provides excellent concealment in diverse terrains and environments, making the rifle a versatile choice for different hunting situations. The stock is also weather-resistant, adding to the rifle’s overall durability and reliability in harsh conditions.
Remington 700 SPS Tactical
The Remington 700 SPS Tactical Bolt-Action Rifle is a distinguished member of the renowned Remington 700 family, celebrated for its exceptional accuracy.
This model stands out with its 20″ heavy-contour barrel, a feature that plays a significant role in achieving tight shot groups. The rifle’s precision is further enhanced by the dual-point pillar bedding within its matte black synthetic stock. This bedding provides a stable and solid foundation for the barrel, contributing greatly to the rifle’s outstanding accuracy.
A notable feature of this model is the Hogue over-molded stock. Not only does it offer a comfortable grip, but it also enhances the shooter’s control and steadiness in various field conditions. The stock’s design is both practical and ergonomic, making it a favorite among shooters who value comfort and performance.
Additionally, the semi-beavertail forend of the rifle offers extra stability, especially useful for long-range shooting scenarios. This feature ensures a better grip and steadier aim, making the Remington 700 SPS Tactical a reliable choice for those seeking precision and stability during tactical operations. Once you’ve selected the rifle that meets your budget and needs, it’s time to outfit it with a scope and a suppressor.
Selecting the best suppressor and scope for your 308 bolt gun can be just as much of a process as selecting the rifle. The market is flooded with options making it even harder to make a decision when your hard-earned cash is on the line.
Here are a few options that we’ve personally used and stand behind.
Best 308 Scope
Budget
Vortex has been known to make high-quality optics for the budget-minded. The Vortex Optics Venom is one of the best budget scopes for larger calibers, such as the 308 Win. The Venom 5-25×56 First Focal Plane scope is a long-range and competition shooter’s dream.
With a magnification range of 5-25x and nestled in a beefy 34mm tube, this scope is a powerhouse, offering a whopping 85 MOA in both elevation and windage travel. The XD Optical System is like HD for your scope, delivering crisp, edge-to-edge visuals and slashing that annoying color distortion. And those lenses? They’re fully multi-coated, ensuring top-notch clarity and performance even when the light’s fading.
But wait, there’s more. The RevStop Zero System is a snap to set up, guaranteeing a speedy and dependable return to zero. And check out the side knob for parallax adjustment – tweak your focus on the fly without losing your shooting stance. The EBR-7C reticle is a real treat, keeping your measurements spot-on across the whole magnification spectrum. Plus, a quick-focus eyepiece and a throw lever for swift mag changes? Yes, please!
And it’s tough as nails – nitrogen purged, o-ring sealed, and immune to water and fog. Armortek coating? That means no scratches or smudges on your lenses. The one-piece, aircraft-grade aluminum body? It laughs in the face of recoil and rough handling. This scope is built like a tank but performs like a precision instrument.
High-End
If you have the budget for it, the Leupold Mark 5HD is the best of the best. The Mark 5HD Riflescope by Leupold, it’s a real game-changer for shooters who love to stretch the limits of their long-range rifles and ammo. Imagine a scope that’s lighter than most in its league – a necessity for pro guides or anyone trekking on lengthy hunts.
The Mark 5HD’s got this Professional-Grade Optical System, a fancy term for saying it makes everything look super clear, and bright, and cuts down on that pesky glare. And then there’s the elevation turret on top. Big numbers you can’t miss, clicks you can feel and hear, and it’s got this ZeroLock feature to keep your settings from accidentally changing during transport and stalking.
In short, it’s built for those who take their shooting seriously!
Best 308 Suppressor
Budget
Yankee Hill Machine makes a great 308 suppressor at a reasonable cost; the Resonator K. YHM’s Resonator K, also known as the “K-Can,” is a .30 caliber suppressor with a blast chamber threaded for 1-3/8″-24. This thread pitch makes it a breeze to pair with a variety of mounts you might find out there.
Its new end cap design is a real game changer, dramatically cutting down on flash signature. You can pop the Resonator K onto rifles with calibers from the tiny .17 HMR to the hefty 300 RUM.
What’s cool about the Resonator K is its tubeless build. It’s made from tough-as-nails 17-4 stainless steel and a heat-treated 718 Inconel blast baffle. This combo means the suppressor is fully auto-rated and can handle some serious use.
It comes with the Phantom Q.D. Adapter, a pair of wrenches for the suppressor, and lets you choose between a Phantom Muzzle Brake or Flash Hider.
Noise levels? For a .308 Win, you’re looking at 137 dB by the ear and 145 dB at the muzzle.
High-End
Want to spend a little more and get a little quieter? then check out the Dead Air Nomad 30 suppressor.
Dead Air’s Nomad 30 suppressor is a versatile champ, perfect for any shooter. Whether you’re blasting through mags at the range or focusing on precision shots, this compact and lightweight suppressor has got your back.
Crafted from fully-welded stainless steel, the Nomad 30 boasts a two-chamber, high-efficiency baffle design. This setup is top-notch for keeping things quiet. Plus, it’s versatile enough for both high and low-pressure cartridges. That means you only need one suppressor for whatever shooting task you’ve got.
Here’s a nifty feature: it’s compatible with Dead Air’s R-Series front caps. So, you can switch up the cap to get the best performance based on the cartridge you’re using. The Nomad 30 comes ready as a direct thread suppressor, but it’s not just a one-trick pony. It’s also compatible with Xeno or KeyMo and works with HUB adapters.
Conclusion
When on the hunt for the best .308 bolt action rifles, personal preference, function, and budget will guide your decision.The Faxon FX7 stands out for the ultimate precision, ideal for long-range shooting. Beginners might lean towards the Ruger American Predator, offering ease and solid performance. For those on a budget, the Savage Arms Axis XP strikes a balance between affordability and quality. Hunters and tactical shooters have tailored options with the Browning X-Bolt Speed and Remington 700 SPS Tactical. Adding the right accessories like suppressors and scopes enhances the experience. Ultimately, finding the perfect .308 rifle is a personal journey, with a variety to suit every shooter.
