The C308: A Budget .308 Battle Rifle That Just Works

The C308 is a Budget .308 Battle Rifle that delivers rugged reliability, Cold War aesthetics, and modern performance. Discover why the Century Arms C308 is a top choice for shooters seeking affordable .308 firepower.

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The Century Arms C308 is my kind of rifle—rugged, affordable, and unapologetically battle-born. It’s Century Arms’ take on a CETME/HK91-style roller-delayed .308 battle rifle. And I’ll be honest: I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked mine up back in 2016.

Century doesn’t exactly have a pristine reputation for clone builds. But this one’s different. It borrows its heart, a PTR-made receiver and barre, from one of the best in the business. And when mated to surplus CETME parts, you get something that toes the line between gritty Cold War charm and dependable modern performance.

I’ve now run nearly 1,000 rounds through this rifle, everything from mil-surp 7.62×51 to handloads, and I’m still impressed. Here’s how the C308 holds up almost a decade later.

• Dead reliable with all types of ammo
• Affordable entry into .308 battle rifles
• Rugged roller-delayed blowback action
• PTR-manufactured core parts
• Tons of surplus mags and furniture options

• Heavy, gritty trigger
• Basic polymer furniture out of the box
• Less modular than AR-style rifles
• Not the smoothest rear sight adjustment

The C308 comes out of the box feeling like a Cold War tank. It’s solid, with a good mix of steel and polymer. The black furniture is plain but functional, and if you’re like me, you’ll probably swap it for something more characterful, such as wood.

The welded Picatinny rail up top is a smart move. Mounting optics is straightforward—no messing around with HK claw mounts.

Let’s get this out of the way: the trigger is heavy. Expect approximately 12.5 pounds with a long pull and a noticeable wall. It feels very “battle rifle,” but it’s my least favorite part of the rifle. I’ve looked into replacing the entire housing, but that would require fitting surplus G3 or CETME parts.

The safety, magazine release, and bolt handle are all in the right place and easy enough to use with a bit of practice.

The C308 uses CETME-style sights with a 4-position rear drum: 200, 300, 400-yard apertures plus an open notch. The detent isn’t exceptionally crisp when rotating, but they do hold zero.

The front sight is a protected post, basic but effective. Between the factory irons and the top rail, you’re set up for red dots or LPVOs without needing to Dremel anything.

The first optic I used on the C308 was a Vortex Diamondback HP 3-12×42. I really like the optic on the rifle but I have since taken it off. There was nothing wrong with the combo, I just felt a battle rifle like the C308 should have a Low Power Variable Optics like a Vortex Strike Eagle.

This rifle eats everything. I’ve fed it brass, steel, factory loads, handloads—if it’s .308 or 7.62 NATO, the C308 doesn’t care. I’ve never had a single failure to feed, extract, or eject, even when the rifle was dirty or hot.

That’s the kind of reliability I want in a battle rifle.

Minute-of-man is what you’d expect from a surplus-based .308, but the C308 surprised me. Most factory loads hover around 2 MOA. My handloads with Hornady bullets and Lake City brass? They’ve flirted with 1 MOA on a calm day.

300-yard steel is no problem. It’s a satisfying rifle to shoot at paper or steel targets.

Roller-delayed recoil is different than a gas gun—it’s more of a push than a snap. The weight of the rifle (8 lbs unloaded) works in your favor here. Follow-up shots are easy, and even after a long session, I’ve never felt beat up.

Still, it’s not a featherweight. I wouldn’t want to ruck this across rough terrain. But as a range rifle or hog gun, it’s great.

The C308 runs great out of the box, but a few smart upgrades can elevate the platform without breaking the bank.

Swapping the standard polymer furniture for surplus wood or G3-style handguards adds character and better ergonomics. I installed a wooden stock on mine, and it turns heads at the range.

The trigger, however, is another story. It’s heavy—typical for a battle rifle clone—but still my least favorite part. If you’re handy, retrofitting a surplus G3 metal trigger housing is doable with some fitting. That swap can significantly improve the feel without compromising durability.

One of the best additions you can make is mounting a solid LPVO. I recommend the Vortex Strike Eagle 1–6×24. I have been using one on my AK-47 and plan to transition it to the C308.

It offers fast target acquisition at 1x and enough reach for accurate shots out to 300 yards. The reticle pairs well with .308 ballistics, and it’s built tough enough to handle battle rifle recoil.
Where to Buy: Amazon or Natchez for the Strike Eagle 1-8x

This rifle thrives on affordability. CETME and G3 surplus mags are still out there for cheap, some of mine cost less than $5 and run flawlessly. Add a classic sling and mag pouch, and you’ve got a Cold War-era range setup that just works.

The Century Arms C308 isn’t a perfect rifle, but I wasn’t expecting it to be. What I got instead was a rugged, affordable, and surprisingly accurate .308 battle rifle that has never let me down.

It’s ideal for shooters who want a Cold War classic feel without paying collector prices. If you’re into roller-delayed actions, if you want something that runs on dirt-cheap surplus mags, and if you appreciate a rifle that just flat-out works, this one belongs in your rack.

Is it my first choice for a lightweight precision rifle? No. But as a general-purpose .308 battle rifle under a grand, the C308 still punches above its weight in 2025.

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