Remington vs. Savage

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Bobson

Bobson

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I'm doing some research for my next firearm purchase, which will be this summer or early fall. It'll be a bolt gun, but I'm undecided between the following contenders which all meet my criteria (in parentheses):

1. Remington 700 AAC-SD (.308 w/ 20" heavy barrel, threaded)
2. Savage 10 FCP-SR (.308 w/ 20" heavy barrel, threaded)
3. Savage Hog Hunter (.308 w/ 20" heavy barrel, threaded)

Obviously the similarities are right there; the differences are that the R700 has an internal box with bottom metal, the FCP-SR has a DBM (which, based on reviews, might be crappy), and the Hog Hunter has a blind box mag. Regardless of the rifle I choose, I would eventually replace the stock and install a steel DBM like Badger or CDI Precision. If I get the Hog Hunter, I'll pull the irons off; it's only on the list because it has the criteria I'm looking for and is inexpensive - and ofc because it's a Savage.

The rifle I pick needs to be something I can scope and shoot happily, with at least 2 MOA out of the box, before making any modifications to the stock, trigger, etc. I know that's not exactly a hardcore accuracy requirement.

I mostly want the Remington; only reason I haven't picked it already is because I've heard reports of having the scope base screws incorrectly drilled at goofy angles and other generic QC issues. I know Savage makes solid rifles so I'm sorta leaning that way just because I don't want to have to deal with Remington's CS or potential issues that should be avoided in the first place.

Any recommendations or suggestions? The point of all this is, I want to be able to shoot it and plink around and practice while slowly turning this into a semi-custom rifle. Nothing crazy fancy.
 
Taking the magazine issue I'm having with mine out of the equation since you're going to change that anyway...I'd be hard pressed to find a reason not to go with the 10FCP-SR. It is very accurate and the accutrigger is really tough to beat for a stock trigger. I mean for a ~$550 rifle, you could certainly do a lot worse.
 
I think any of them will work for what you want.

Yes, Remington has had some quality issues but it seems to be getting on top of them. I could tell you about a screw hole on a Savage Axis that wasn't properly finished out. A careful inspection of the rifle before you take delivery should be enough to address these concerns regardless of which one you choose.

Based on what you have already posted, you're going to make so many changes that all you're really buying is the receiver and barrel, so go to a gun store that has them both in stock, look them over and buy the one that "sings" to you when you handle it and cycle the bolt.
 
I havent bought a Remington since 2010 and that one had screw holes out of alignment. The fit and finish also sucked, and if the guy i bought it from hadnt special ordered it for me i wouldnt have taken it.

That said ive been looking over pretty much every one of the new ones on the racks i see here, and they have all been much better than they were a few years ago. I would now buy and recommend a 700 if it has the features you want.

Ive also been hearing about savages mag issues, and after looking at one i can see where the cost cutters got at them, upper part is the same as what they use in their blind box mags.

Honestly given that you want to replace the bottom metal and stock with something else id either go with the 700 or the hog hunter if the cost difference matters enough.
 
Savage. They are truly the legos of the bolt world. Any part is easily changed including the barrel which is worth consideration because on the off chance you get a 700 that shoots poorly big green will tell you it's within spec and send it back to you at which point you will have to spend a decent chunk of money for a gunsmith to change the barrel. Odds are if you bought a 700 it would be accurate but this same logic also applies to the brazen bolt that likes to break, poorly feeding mags, rust prone finishes, and the weak extractor design. Again, you would likely be happy but part changes on a savage are much more simple.

I have 2 hog hunters (308 and 223) that I still haven't had the time to shoot but if my other savage are to be any example than these should shoot well.

Savage also gives more bang for the buck. Trigger alone is probably worth it compared to buying a timney for the 700. The extractor is also probably worth it. Savage extraction can be fixed with a larger detent ball whereas the Remington often gets a Sako extractor which means you no longer have 3 rings of steel.
 
Are you interested in suggestions for alternatives to Remington and Savage? If so I'd say give the Tikka CTR a look. It's a bit more pricey (lowest I see for a T3x is $779 on GB), but it has a 20" barrel in .308 and comes out of the box with a nice DBM setup. You could switch to a different stock or AICS bottom metal later if you wanted to, but the CTRs are very capable right out of the box, mine is one of my most accurate rifles. Just some food for thought.

www.gunbroker.com/item/649598831
 
I bought three Remingtons (two 700s in 17 Remington and 221 Remington Fireball and an XR-100 in 223 Remington) between 2005 and 2010. All three required some tuning includin new triggers to get them to shoot 1 MOA or better reliably. Not really aggravating as i enjoyed the tinkering but...

I bought a Savage Model 12 in 204 Ruger in 2013 for prairie dogs and except for mounting the scope, I have not touched the rifle. It shoots 1/2 to 3/4 MOA if I do my part. It has been shot on three prairie dog hunts since although the last one it was the back up rifle to a 26" long barrel AR-15 also chambered in 204 Ruger.

Finally, I'm in the process of assembling a new prairie dog rifle based on the Savage target action in part due to the "Lego" nature of the Savage system. The rifle is assembled and mounted to the stock, I have to mount the scoop mount and load some ammunition (22 Benchrest) and then it is ready to try out. Plans are to have it ready for 2018.

I'd recommend the Savage rifles.
 
None of the above. On a budget the Ruger American Predator is better than all 3 and is under $400 out the door. Of course it doesn't have the aftermarket support to buy a different stock. But then it doesn't need one. If I had more money to spend then buy the Tikka CTR.
 
I have and do own both, with that said, I would buy the savage! But let me throw another savage at you, the model 10 PC or precision carbine. Matched with the 168gr factory amax loading, it's great. Even better with 175gr handloads. Also look at the model 12 lrp
 
VoodooMountain said:
Savage. They are truly the legos of the bolt world. Any part is easily changed including the barrel which is worth consideration. . .
Click to expand...

If you're going to shoot it for years, and spend time chasing accuracy, then just the cost of upgrading the Savage barrel yourself vs. sending the R700 off for a barrel change will justify the Savage.

I have a R700 that I will need to rebarrel or replace someday. . . and it's an expensive prospect. The Savage only requires a barrel, wrench, and two headspace gauges.
 
I have Rugers, Savages and a Howa rifles, The most accurate are my two Savages, the Howa is also under 1 moa, the Rugers right at moa, to be fair, the Rugers are light weight hunting rifles and the Savages and Howa are heavy barrel rifles. If I decide to buy another rifle I will look at savage first. I like Ruger, own a bunch of their pistols/revolvers.

All my rifles shoot and have their uses, for a 223 varmint gun, the Howa varmint is a great rifle and it can be gotten in 308. When I had a chance to buy a long range rifle, I spent my money on a Savage, I could have gotten the Ruger Precision, or a Howa Long Range, or a Remington 700, I bought the Savage model 10 BA Stealth and am glad I did.

d
 
entropy said:
Savage. Either one will do.
Click to expand...

This.

Every Savage I've owned is just boringly accurate and consistent with darn near everything I feed it. And for hunting with sporter contour barrels (all I have) they are always lighter than Remingtons. My 3 Savage bolt guns - scoped - all weigh right at 7 lbs. A Remington weighs that much before you scope it.
 
Have to say that Farmerboy78 talked me into a Savage LRP. I wasn't disappointed. I also have a 110FP. My Milspec 700 and also my Model 7 both are excellent as well.
 
I own the Savage you have listed, I can confirm the mag sucks. Knowing what i know, I would still buy the rifle again. Most times it 1/2 moa with 175 FGGM and has a pretty good factory trigger.
 
I went with a Savage 11 with sporter barrel and love it. I switched out the stock and Axis mag for actual bottom metal and a laminate stock. When the throat becomes cooked I will consider a replacement barrel from Savage.
 
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