Narrowing down my heavy boltgun choices. Thoughts?

[gearbox]

I will be buying a .308 varmint-type rifle for benchrest, varmint, and casual shooting up to [hopefully] 600 yards.

I've narrowed it down to these:
Remington 700 VS $720 +tax, in store
a used 700 VS stainless with QRW rings/base $750 +tax, in store
Savage 12FVSS $640 + tax, in store

I know prices can be found cheaper online, but so far it has been a hassle finding a cheap FFL and a place willing to sell me anything.

Ideally the rifle would have an HS Precision stock, 24-26" heavy fluted stainless barrel, and a trapdoor magazine assembly. Good trigger, smooth action, free-floating action, 1/16" 1200 yard grouping, yadda-yadda-yadda.

If I were to get a Savage I would probably put a B&C stock on it (since HS Precision doesn't seem to make them for Savage), so the money savings would be shot. Plus, there's no bottom to the magazine and it makes me feel like I'm in that movie "The Labyrinth," you know, the one with David Bowie.

CZ makes a 550 Varmint Kevlar, but I haven't been able to find one and the ring mounting system seems undesireable.

Can anyone critique my choices/preferences and direct me to an online retailer that sells any or all of the brands?

 

[rangerruck]

keep in mind the fxp styles of Savage, also Accutrigger, Accutrigger....

 

[dhondo2000]

Hi, I have a CZ 550 varmit laminate in .308 and love it. You can purchase scope rings through CZ or Leupold has them also for about the same price, around 50.00. 30mm or 1in.
Very accurate out of the box. Adjustable trigger, four round detachable magazine.
Great buy for the price!

 

[CB900F]

Gearbox;

I do believe that Talley will make you a set of rings for the CZ too.

900F

 

[Preacherman]

Also check out the Howa .308's. I handled one of theirs recently, a stainless heavy-barrel with thumbhole laminate stock, and was very impressed.

 

[osteodoc08]

I know this sounds stupid, but Wal-Mart online will give you many rifles and what they'd charge you to order it and have it arrive at a local WM by you. They have a fine selection of ordered guns from Browning, Ruger, Remington, Howa, etc. Also, if you do your own work, take a look at brownells or midwayusa for parts. I use both and they are comparable for prices, but for some reason I usually go with midwayusa.

 

[45R]

Gearbox-
My research towards a .308 bolt rifle has lead me from a 700P (800ish for the rifle + 20MOA base (150) + rings (150) + McMillan stock (400ish) = 1500ish - 200 for selling the H and R stock = 1300. So 1300 just to get set up with a 700P

I decided to go with a FN SPR A1. It a 1MOA or better rifle. A little spendy ~ 1100 but you'll get the accuracy that your looking for.

45R

 

[NavajoNPaleFace]

Simply: Of those choices - Savage with the accutrigger.

Love mine! And, so accurate out of the box it puts many makes to shame.

 

[gearbox]

Okay, I think I'm going with a Savage 12FVSS and a Bell & Carlson stock.

Can anyone tell me where to get the 12FVSS the cheapest?

Would a 10MOA base still allow me to dial down to 100yards with a Bushnell 3200 5-15x40mm? Likewise, would a zero MOA base let me adjust the scope to 500 yards or more?
Recommend some mounts and rings? The Farrell or TPS base looks good, but the rings are waaay to costly. I'd say $150 max for both base and rings.

 

[gearbox]

45R, that's a great price for the FN. That retails for $1990, doesn't it?

What kind of optics did you choose?

 

[Jonathan]

I would recommend that you take this question to the forums more dedicated to just that type of shooting.

Since you are located in CA, I would recommend http://www.6mmbr.com since you may be able to arrange face-to-face assistance with tough decisions like these.


I also though I had everything figured out when I acquired my first rifle of the type you're discussing. Although I have had no regrets, with the experience I have gained since I would probably do things a bit differently.

 

[gearbox]

Jonathan, that is a great link!
I've learned a lot and I think I won't be disappointed.