Anyone have a recommendation on a 308 that is under or close to the $500 or $600 range.
hoping to get one with a magazine

Thanks

Tikka T3 or Thompson/Center Venture

Yup.

Savage 11 or Browning AB3 too. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the 4 mentioned.

All of those mentioned are good rifles. If I were you, I'd just go with the one that looks and feels best - in your opinion.

I got my Savage 11VT from Dick's for well under that price. I got it on sale, with a rebate, and signed up for the 10% off credit card and got double Dick's rewards points so I had a $40 gift card back in my pocket. But the others listed can be had under your budget as well. The other two I ended up looking hard at were the Tikka T3 lite and Weatherby Vanguard. Both were more hunting-geared guns and I wanted a bench gun with a heavy barrel, and the Savage was cheaper anyway. It shoots great and I love it, but I think you could probably say that if you buy any of the ones listed above.

I noticed no mention of Ruger or Remington.
Any reason to stay away from these?

You said in the 5-600 range and the better Remington 700's are a tad over that when new. Call me spoiled but I wouldn't buy a 788. JMO on Remington rifles and I have a few

Will buy a Remington 788 in good condition any day, have a few and have owned several others and all shot very well.

Have not been happy with Remington firearms in several years and doubt I ever buy another. There are too many other good rifles out there. Have owned several Rugers over the years and no complaints about them, just the 2 that I mentioned above have impressed me with accuracy and bang for the buck.

Ruger American Predator is another option. Has a mag, a pic rail, adj trigger, and comes threaded if you want to run a brake or a suppressor. Buds has them for $376. The Standard American is even cheaper if you don't want/need a threaded barrel.

I vote Savage. Very doable in your budget. They did have $100 rebates on these.

Howa.

Savage or Tikka. Both will be all you need and more

Tikka T-3

The Howa and Weatherby Vanguard rifles are really nice for the money.

Ok, After checking them out.
I'm leaning towards the Tikka T-3
a few questions:
1. is it really worth the extra $100 to get a stainless barrel?
2. Bass pro has it $600 (blued) and Cabela's has it $580 any ideas to get it cheaper?

Stainless is worth every penny if you live, or will be hunting in a very humid area, or anywhere within 50 miles of the coast.

Otherwise, it's kind of a toss-up, a matter of personal preference.

I have had my blued T3 for going on 10years now and have never once said to myself, "man I wish I would have gotten stainless"...

Stainless is not worth an extra hundred.

Stainless is too shiny and blued is too suceptible to rust, so either one will get Carakoted or rattle canned if they're mine.

Yes, stainless barrels are the only way to go.

A stainless barrel will rarely need cleaning, especially in a 308.

A non-stainless barrel needs to be cleaned regularly after use. Even minor copper fouling can cause pitting under the area of fouling, which is a completely different problem than rust caused by moisture, which is another, but lesser concern.

As for price, check Gunbroker, CDNN, and Bud's online. Remember that you will have to pay shipping and also a transfer fee to the receiving FFL on your end, which runs $25 - $50 depending on the FFL licensee on your end.

Funny. I don't clean either kind.

There's a new one on Gunbroker.com for $490 + $30 shipping. My LGS charges $20 for a transfer, I'd be out the door for $540, no tax.

Jody,

Just get a Savage...