Springfield M1A vs Remington 700 .308

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BigWoolyBanjo

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As far as accuracy goes, can the M1A top the 700 at 100-200 yards?

I'm shopping for a 700 for a deer rifle , but tell me why I shouldn't get an M1A, please.

If it's as accurate, then I'd love to have the higher capacity and semi auto.

Thanks for your knowledgeable input.

-Jeff
 
Either one will be accurate enough for ethical deer hunting and perform better than most shooters are capable of.

Having said that...
For target shooting any well setup rifle will outperform a poorly setup rifle (improper ammo matching to rifle, bedding, scope, etc). The Remington 700, the standard action of the us sniper and many fine benchrest rifles, setup properly would be hard to outperform using an auto...but on any given day with any given shooter it could happen...

Short answer, all things being equal, the 700, or most quality bolt action rifles, will outperform the auto...

At least that is my two overpriced cents worth of advice...
 
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I'm sure it CAN be just as accurate, but I'd not pick one over a solid bolt rifle for hunting. And a 700 wouldn't be at the top of my list for a bolt rifle.

For one thing you can buy 2-3 bolt rifles and put quality optics on them for the same money. Bolt guns will be 2-4 lbs lighter. With semi's you are quite limited in the pressure ranges you can work with and have the gun cycle. A bolt gun can be loaded down to reduced levels if needed and still safely shoot loads 75-100 fps faster than you could get to work in the semi.

I've hunted with a few guys who showed up with those and a couple of Garands to hunt here in the mountains. After a couple of days they always want to borrow someones much lighter spare rifle.
 
Nothing can compare to the accuracy that a bolt action rifle can deliver.
 
M1A more than accurate enough, but would cost about 3 times as much.

You could buy a Remington 700 and a nice Leupold or Zeiss Scope and still spend less than the M1A alone
 
The M1A is a battle rifle. Don't expect it to keep up with a well-made/bedded
bolt action as far a precision goes. But then the bolt action won't give you the
rate of fire, the magazine capacity, and the reloading speed as the M1A.






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At the same time..... a properly-fed M1A ain't no slouch.

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I've hunted with both, to include some climbing up very steep canyons and brush-choked ravines, over and through creeks, marshes, etc. By the end of the day, that 700 sure feels better on the shoulders and back. I use a Scope Coat to protect the optic (6X Leupold fixed), a sturdy Ching sling for shooting, and good hiking boots. The M1A fitted with a comparable optic is seeming in my older age to be WAY, WAY too heavy. When I place my shots well, any supposed advantage of an autoloader for me is a moot point.
 
Springfield Armory Inc. (SAI) has a few different versions of M1A's out there....

Socom16
Scout
Standard
Loaded

(Just to name a few)

Remington model 700's have a vast list of different versions.


Here is another example concerning weight comparisons......

An M1A Scout will weigh less than a Remington Model 700P. ( Both without optics ). Unlike the 700P, the M1A sports iron sights, and is ready to go right out of the box.
Depending on any magazine capacity restrictions in your state....... a 20rd topped off M14 magazine weighs out to 1.5lbs exact.

If optics are planned for either, be advised that the M1A Scout/Socom16/II versions sport fwd mounted rails to use "scout" scopes. If optics are to be mounted over the receiver, then you will need a receiver mount for an M1A.

ARMS18, Sadlak, and Bassett mounts for a few examples.

Unlike some semiauto's, an M1A with a std gas system can use any type of ammunition as a REM700 can.....once the spindle valve is closed. (Subsonic ammunition for example)

Other notes:

REM 700's bbl lengths are between 20 to 26 inches.
SAI M1A bbl lengths are 22, 18, and 16 inches respectively.

Both have std/sporter, medium, and heavy bbl contours depending on what your after.

Any versions of SAI M1A or REM 700 has the inherent precision for hunting deer at 100/200 yards via your mentioned distances.

Accuracy while in the field after deer has more to do with the shooter imo. Some folks may find the 700 to shoot better while in their mitts, while others prefer the M1A.
As far as I know, Remington doesn't have a model that sports iron sights any longer in the 700 lineup, but I haven't really looked as of late either. So......all or most versions will need an optic before one has a chance to outshoot any rifle with iron sights.:)



I prefer the M1A/M14 (18in bbl) for use as a hunting tool, and have long since sold off my "dedicated" bolt action hunting rifles......too include the Model 700 and 7. ( Especially when hunting hogs)

(Coyote, hog, deer, bear, and elk so far.)

Iron sights as well as optics.
 
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all else being equal, a good bolt gun will most always be more accurate than a semi. for deer hunting the shooter's ability far outweighs any advantages you might think semi auto and higher capacity provide, not to mention your typical bolt gun will be much easier to tote around.
 
Here is another example concerning weight comparisons......

An M1A Scout will weigh less than a Remington Model 700P. ( Both without optics ). Unlike the 700P, the M1A sports iron sights, and is ready to go right out of the box.
Depending on any magazine capacity restrictions in your state....... a 20rd topped off M14 magazine weighs out to 1.5lbs exactly

As far as I know, Remington doesn't have a model that sports iron sights any longer in the 700 lineup, but I haven't really looked as of late either

Why would you compare the 700P a designated sniper rifle to the M1A scout..a rifle designed specifically to be as small and light as possible? You might as well compare a Desert Eagle to M&P Sheild.

BTW the 700 BDL comes with irons
 
As far as accuracy goes, can the M1A top the 700 at 100-200 yards?

I'm shopping for a 700 for a deer rifle , but tell me why I shouldn't get an M1A, please.

If it's as accurate, then I'd love to have the higher capacity and semi auto.

Thanks for your knowledgeable input.

-Jeff
Well Jeff, I can share the following. I have a Remington 700 BDL VSSF that did not come with iron sights. The rifle is about 20 years old and I did true the action when I got it and put an 11 degree muzzle crown on it. Additionally the rifle has a Timney trigger that comes in at about a 3 Lb. pull. I also have a SA M1A NM rifle in walnut that like the Remington is about 20 years old. I no longer have the scope mount for the M1A which has NM sights.

Overall both rifles will shoot sub MOA which is what they are supposed to do. However, the 700 BDL will group tighter than the NM M1A rifle. Over the years I have hand loaded for both. So hands down the 700 BDL will out shoot the M1A and keep in mind both are great rifles that I very much enjoy.

As to hunting? I guess it depends on how and where you hunt. Either rifle is more than adequate for hunting deer. You don't need a sub MOA target rifle to hunt deer. Given a choice as to which rifle I would take hunting? I guess if had to choose it would be the 700 BDL. The 700 BDL also offers a small weight advantage for hunting.

I'm shopping for a 700 for a deer rifle , but tell me why I shouldn't get an M1A, please.

If you are shopping for a deer rifle then I would get a deer rifle. While the M1A is certainly adequate for deer it is hardly what I would call a deer rifle. I have friends that hunt deer with a M1 Garand but that hardly makes the M1 Garand a deer rifle.

Just My Take....
Ron
 
It is only an example, and to show that not all models of either rifle weigh the same.

An M1A Super match weighs quite a bit more than a Remington model 700 ADL, if you compare both next to one another. 8 lbs vs 13 lbs.

My M1A-A1 with synthetic stock weighs out at 8.5 lbs.

Stick the same rifle above in a SAI (Boyds) wood stock, and the weight goes up from there.

While your at it, compare the BDL's iron sights to that of an M1A Scout or standard for yourself.

Take both out and see as to which design you shoot better with from various field positions.

It should go without saying, but if your using either to hunt and kill deer with, then either could be referred to as your deer hunting rifle.
 
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I think the M1A scout would be a great 100-200yd deer rifle, and a great general-purpose rifle, but spendy compared to a regular bolt action.
 
Everyone has their own opinions, but to me on a rifle you plan to scope, iron sights are superfluous.

They are great for the back woods and 20-70 yard shots, but if you are getting 100+ yard shots, a scope is the better choice.
 
When you compare the two by weight you have to go with the bolt action.
When you compare them by accuracy again the nod goes to the bolt action.
When you compare the ease in which the rifle can be scoped, again the bolt action.
Expense again bolt action wins the day.
The only reasons I can see to go with the M1A is versatility and fun.

There are some exceptions to what I wrote above, but they are few and expensive and not at all for those with a budget.
 
FNAR will be nearly as accurate (1moa) and cost only twice as much as a 700. Scope mounts are simple rail attachments, too.

TCB
 
I am an old grunt, at 60 years young, I still take my M1A in the truck when I go to the pastures....deal hogs and coyotes plenty misery with iron sights, not afraid to shoot 300 yards with it. I guess I am kinda sentimental about the Garand action. got plenty scoped rifles but love my irons too. Scout Squad will be coming soon.
 
Thanks ya'll. I had been planning on the 700 all along. Only reason I started considering the M1A was to serve a SHTF purpose also.

Weight & cost points that were made have pretty much confirmed that I need to stay with the bolt gun.

Wish me luck next fall!

-Jeff
 
Originally Posted by MEHavey
But then the bolt action won't give you the
rate of fire, the magazine capacity, and the reloading speed as the M1A.
All of which are so important for deer hunting.
What part of The M1A is a Battle Rifle was unclear. <Big Grin> ;)
 
MIA is cool looking semauto. It can be useful when hunting large herds like hogs gathering on a corn feeder and you want quick follow up shots. But the lightwt Remington bolt action rifle is way better for one shot, long walks and stalking scenarios.

Personally i like the M1 Garand to hunt hogs. Open sights can be fun with targets at closed range.
 
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