H&R Survivor in .308

[Titan_Bow]

Howdy guys, I'm new to the site and had a question about the Survivor in .308.  I am a long-time primitve/traditional bowhunter and a real novice when it comes to firearms (other than the M-16 that my rich uncle Sam let me use for 8 years)   I really like the idea of supplementing my many bow hiking adventures with actual game meat :-)  So I've decided to buy a rifle.  My first thought was a standard bolt action chambered in .270 or similar, but I noticed the H and R Survivor, and it really peaked my interest.  Aside from the hunting aspect,  a gun like this chambered in such a common round seems like a potential good idea (with a few hundred rounds stashed away); sort of a "just in case" kinda thing.   
  A few questions on this gun....   What sort of accuracy and range can I realistically expect out of this thing with a decent scope?  I mean, I know snipers, etc. have long touted the .308, but in this configuration, is an antelope or cow elk out to say 300 yards realistic?
  I've read alot of people get the trigger worked on to make it lighter.  Is this a "necessary" thing for good accuracy?
  Generally speaking, is a single shot going to be more reliable and maintenance free then a decent bolt action?

Thanks
Titan

[CJD]

As a fellow bow hunter, even though I use modern stuff, and an owner of the rifle you mention, I think I can relate and maybe be of some help here. In fact I have two Survivors, one in .223 and the .308. Since the .308 has you interested I will share what I have learned about it.

I have cleaned up the trigger some per the methods posted on this forum. I just like to tinker, but I think it is worth the small time investment. With factory ammunition it will shoot two inch groups at 100 yards. I did have to try a few flavors to find one it likes best. That, I believe is true of any rifle. Fact is it really likes Nosler Custom ammo, 125 grain if I recall, but it takes cheap Monarch in a heavier bullet well enough, too.

 I use a Swift brand scope, one of their hunting versions. It has been stone reliable on this rifle and the Ruger Number 1 in .25-06 I had before. Reasonable price and it gets the job done. I have two of the target versions and one of those lives on the .223.

Result wise, I have dropped several white tails, one at two hundred yards. It is accurate enough for me to successfully go for head shots on pigs at one hundred yards. The .308 is a versatile round and has no problem knocking down big, thick skinned, hogs. Shot placement withstanding I don't see how the game you mention would be a problem.

Regarding maintenance and reliability, there are so many good, reasonably priced rifles out there, I don't know that the Survivor could claim superiority in that department. Here are some areas in which  I believe it does excel.

1. Fewer parts - that is a virtue in itself as it means fewer things to eventually fail
2. Very simple design. If one can't work on these, should the need arise, I might suggest fishing - with a cane pole.
3. No need to sweat the finish. So it gets a scratch? I like a rifle I can stick between the seats of the truck and go.
4. I really like the exposed hammer. Round in the chamber or not, if that hammer is down, nothing is going to happen. Anyone around can tell if it's live or not, even if you don't break it open
5.Very low cost. Maybe that should be higher up there.

Good luck and read the Handi 101 Basics post up top.

[petemi]

My .308 is a Ruger M77 MKII, but we won't yell at it for that.  The .308 is supberbly accurate and will kill to 500 yards or more with the right load. Mine likes 168gr. boat tail ballistic tips, and I've killed fox and coyote at over 300 yards, and deer that far too.  There's only one word for the .308, and that word is efficient.  It is comfortable to shoot, easy to reload for and plenty of ammo out there if you need it.  My Handi .223 can't do what the .308 does.

Pete

[Tencubed]

My .308 is a Ruger M77 MKII, but we won't yell at it for that.  The .308 is supberbly accurate and will kill to 500 yards or more with the right load. Mine likes 168gr. boat tail ballistic tips, and I've killed fox and coyote at over 300 yards, and deer that far too.  There's only one word for the .308, and that word is efficient.  It is comfortable to shoot, easy to reload for and plenty of ammo out there if you need it.  My Handi .223 can't do what the .308 does.

Pete

Can't argue with any of what Pete has said here.  Dang good round and the availability of ammunition is excellent for those that don't handload. 

Now I'm gonna catch flak for this but you would also have the advantage of being able to take it out to an '06 if you want more gun.

Mike

[quickdtoo]

Welcome Titan!! Use the search, there are many threads on the 308 Survivor, can't help ya much on the rifle itself other than the barrel is very accurate being a bull barrel, I have just the barrel on an Ultra frame in laminated stock set, don't care for the Survivor stock myself, but that's a personal choice.

Now I'm gonna catch flak for this but you would also have the advantage of being able to take it out to an '06 if you want more gun.

Mike

Not gonna work as a rechamber, the shoulder of the 308 Win is too big to clean up with a 30-06 reamer on a fixed barrel, you'd have to rechamber to 30-06 Improved, or refit the barrel with shims after refacing the chamber to effectively set the barrel back. 

Tim

[Tencubed]

Now I'm gonna catch flak for this but you would also have the advantage of being able to take it out to an '06 if you want more gun.

Mike

Not gonna work as a rechamber, the shoulder of the 308 Win is too big to clean up with a 30-06 reamer on a fixed barrel, you'd have to rechamber to 30-06 Improved, or refit the barrel with shims after refacing the chamber to effectively set the barrel back. 

Tim

You are, of course, absolutely correct on this Tim.  Thanks for catching my mistake.  Don't really know what I was thinking on this.

The AI '06 would be a really good choice for a rechamber as you suggest.

Mike

[Titan_Bow]

Thanks for the feedback guys.