first precision rifle- Win. 70 Stealth II vs Rem. 700 PSS vs FN PBR vs Tikka T3

[fnforme]

I'm looking to buy my first precision rifle in .308 (I don't reload). The longest range within reasonable distance from me is 100 yards, so most shooting will be done at that distance. I want something with a smooth action, good trigger and at least MOA accurate, but with the ability to upgrade over time with modifications if needed.

Among the rifles listed what would you choose? CDNN currently has a great deal on the Winchester 70 Stealth II for $489. A friend tells me it will do anything and everything that the others do. My favorite looking of the bunch is the Tikka T3 Tactical, but I would hate to pay over double what the Winchester costs just for "cool" factor. The 700 PSS is nice too, but I don't like the factory stock and replacing it is expensive.

Please let me know your thoughts.

 

[vmfrantz]

If you want a rifle that you can upgrade latter get a rem 700. just do some research and you will see. Thats how I made my decision. I know that all you named can be upgraded. But in my opinion none can be upgraded as cheap or easy as the rem 700 series.

 

[Whiskey Mike]

Both the Winchester and the Remington will shoot well out of the box. However most Police Departments go with Remingtons. I have tested both rifles equipped with similar features in forensic remote firing fixtures and both had similar results. The nice thing about the Winchester and Remington is there are a lot of add on's to customize your rifle to your needs. I have not tested the FN, the Tikka is a very accurate rifle, however I have read about barrel failure on another site. I hope this helps.

 

[LiquidTension]

You may also want to consider the Savage 10FP w/ AccuTrigger. I keep hearing good things about them, they're cheaper than most other precision rifles (~$450), and the accutrigger thingy is pretty nifty.

 

[Fumbler]

I want something with a smooth action, good trigger and at least MOA accurate,.

That is definately the T3. It is the smoothest bolt action out there.

but with the ability to upgrade over time with modifications if needed

that is not the T3. If you want to upgrade and buy lots of accessories then the T3 would not be a good choice. If I was going to pick one that I could upgrade it would be the 700 or M70 in that order.

Having said that, you would not need to upgrade anything in the T3.

I could be wrong, but the FN is based off of the Win 70 classic action and doesn't really offer anything significantly better than the M70 Stealth.

If I had your budget I would get a T3 Lite and a heavy barreled Savage
Or a Savage + match grade barrel + new stock

 

[CentralTexas]

another vote for the Savage

had pre accu trigger and it was a tack driver, damn cheap too and can be upgraded
CT

 

[fnforme]

No doubt, the Savage is a lot of gun for the money. Arguably the best value. However, the action isn't very smooth, that bothers me a lot. Most people recommend the 700PSS, but my question is, how does it compare to the Win. 70? Is the Winchester really that much less gun? It has a smooth actionf rom what I hear, heavy barrel on the Stealth II model, an HS Precision stock that I like better than the one on the PSS, and all for less than $500.

The Tikka is nice, but would cost more than the Winchester WITH optics if I go with a Bushnell Elite. If I get the Winchester I might be able to afford a Leupold Mark IV 6-20.

But I'm thinking there ahs to be a reason why the Rem. 700 is so popular. What does it offer over the Model 70?

Thanks, I just don't want to spend hundreds on a rifle I don't like.

 

[montyh]

i have and use both Remingtons and Winchesters and my personal feeling is that the Winchester is better than the Remington in some respects (the safety the trigger, and the one piece bolt/handle) but the Remingtons just might shoot tighter groups. for everything but bench resting they are equals except for the ergonimics (the safety and trigger) a good model 70 will make you happy.

your milege may vary tho...

monty

 

[ocabj]

The reason why the action on a Savage doesn't 'feel' smooth is because of the magazine follower. If you put a single shot follower, the bolt becomes really slick. But anyway...

Granted, a nice stock will cost you anywhere from $300 to $750+, I personally would get the Remington over the Winchester. It gives you the option to go with any McMillan or HS Precision stock (but who's kidding, McMillan is way better), or you could also go with an AICS chassis system, later on, since the Remington 700 action is the most common action that stock makers inlet for. Plus, you don't have to get a 700P. You could opt for the most inexpensive, varmint barrelled 700 rifle you can get (the 700 VLS is the most common cheaper alternative to a 700P).

But I'm not sure where you want to go with upgrades. Assuming you are satisifed with the stock on the Winchester M70, there really isn't a reason not to get the M70. Get the Stealth II, the base, rings, and the scope and be done with it.

 

[Fumbler]

I personally don't think the Rem 700 has any significant advantage over the Win 70.
I actually like the Win 70 more because of the 3 position safety.
I would choose the 700 over the 70 only if considering the amount of aftermarket parts.

You will find plenty of aftermarket parts for either, but you will find more for the 700 simply because they are popular.

If you like the stock on the 70, get the 70. There's nothing worse than dropping money on a gun you don't even like because it doesn't fit you well. That's like buying a $300 pair of Danner boots two sizes too big. Sure, it's a great product, but it's not best for you.

Just to throw in another option, there is the Tikka T3 Varmint.
It is a regular T3 with wider forearm, cheekpiece riser, heavy barrel, and 5 round mag.
They run about $550-575 around here. Regular T3s will print 0.5MOA with factory match ammo, think of how the heavy barrel will shoot (can you tell I like Tikkas?)

 

[Jim Watson]

A hundred yards.
Don't reload.
Shopping by price.

Get a good .22 LR.
You will soon get sick of paying for .308 ammo good enough to be interesting in a scope sighted bolt action.

 

[kaferhaus]

The Winchester is a fine gun and mine shoots very well indeed. Remington is like the chevy of bolt guns.... aftermarket goodies galore. I've several Remingtons and I can tell you without doubt that the quality of these rifles over the past 10-15 years has taken a big hit. They're still good rifles but only a shell of what they once were.

The stealth comes in a great stock.... no need to bother about buying a new one... Brownell's sells a spring kit for the trigger (cheap) and it's a better built rifle these days.

For the money.... you just can't beat a Savage... I have a couple of them and they shoot like a house afire and like remington, accessories out the keebash... you can change calibers in just a couple minutes... anyone with a barrel wrench and common sense can completely rebuild one in under an hour.... including stripping the bolt, swapping barrels etc....

I love my Winchester's and older Remington's but anything I buy new is going to be a Savage...

 

[Mute]

At $489, the Stealth II is almost a steal. However, if you want to personalize your rifle or have any kind of smith work done on it at a later date, the Remington will give you the most options.