The .308 rifle isn’t ballistically efficient enough for my taste, so I really don’t follow it to be honest. I know a lot of guys who like the caliber though, and are very willing to put up with extra recoil and wind deflection. With them it’s more of an affection (like my affection for 30-06 which isn’t terribly efficient but was my first big game hunting caliber as a kid, and my grandfather’s passed down gun), rather than a “ballistic efficiency” thing. Anyway, when you say under $1000, are you talking a full rig including scope? And how far would you want it to be able to shoot accurately? The ballistics don’t matter AS much if you’re shooting closer distances (but, then….why a .308??). I know some companies who make .308s for long distance, but the rifle is more than $1000. I’m not familiar enough with companies that make factory .308s good enough for closer distance, but I’m sure there are some. TTAG readers, care to chime in with recommendations? [Click here for more Ask Kirsten Weiss at TTAG’s Free Fire Zone Forum. Note: she needs more questions.]