"Package" guns with scopes

[matchmole]

I'm looking at a .223 bolt action as my next purchase. Can you tell the good/bad of guns with scopes already mounted (Savage is on my list) and whether...

1) Is the scope on these packages typically pretty good?
2) Do you save significant money by buying this type of package?
3) Would I be better off buying the gun & scope separately if I want a "last the rest of your life" gun?
4) Is the Remington (not the 710) a better gun than Savage?

Thanks for your time.

match

 

[MachIVshooter]

1) Is the scope on these packages typically pretty good?

Short answer: No. The combo packages are generally budget minded and cut corners.

2) Do you save significant money by buying this type of package?

See above answer

3) Would I be better off buying the gun & scope separately if I want a "last the rest of your life" gun?

Definitely

4) Is the Remington (not the 710) a better gun than Savage?

That depends on your definition of better. Both are good shooters and will last a long, long time. But the Remington 700's are (IMO) better looking and definitely have better fit and finish. Consequently, they also cost more.

 

[Eightball]

Remington=better than savage. However, recently, Savage has put out 2 new models that aren't even on their website or in the catalog---how I know this is there's 2 (probably one, now), of them sitting in the store where I work. MUCH, MUCH better fit and finish. Think about it--Savage is about $400 in a "package", while a 700 is somewhere between $500 and $600 on it's own, in a base version. You gotta wonder why.

You've left out a few very important criteria. How much money are you willing to work with, do you like composite or wood, what are you doing with this rifle, etc etc. Depending on how Savage works in the next few months, they may come out with some thumbhole stocked, wood-laminate .223 combos (the ones in my shop are in .300 Win. Mag and .17HMR, or 500 and 319, respectively, IIRC) that have the accutrigger. Or, you could get a general-purpose 700 and mount a scope, or get the "police" models--bull barrel, glass-bedded action, synthetic--stick a decent scope on top (my recommendation is at least a VX-II Leupold, depending on what you're doing, but it's good for .223), and have fun. You gimme some more criterion, and I can recommend a rifle--but that means you'll have to endure my "gun sales" spiel (yes, I work in a gun shop, but my supplies are more limited than my knowledge). PM if you want, or just keep posting.

 

[lionking]

the above answer is correct the old saying "you get what you pay for".

I have a friend with a Rem 710,it shot all right,the egronomics wa'nt as good as compared to a model 700.
I do own a Savage 110 in 7mm magnum and its a tack driver,I think the egronomics are better as compared to the 710.
I have read posts where people have said bad things about both models but for those on a budget it seems it would be satisfactory.
You can always find a rifle in a pawnshop used,hunters generally do not shoot many rounds through a rifle as compared to target shooters,but the rifle may be scuffed up from use in the field but so what.

you say you want a .223 though,I might be outta touch as Im not sure there are package deals available from gun makers in that caliber,guess I better google.Can always get a used but not abused one though

 

[rangerruck]

you will be fine with the savage. it WILL be more acc. than the remmy most likely, the scope will be a simmons or tasco most likely , serviceable, good to beat up in the field etc., if you ever need to change bbls, you can do it pretty easy yourself. most of the diff in price is this: the way the bolt assy. is made by Savage is all modular, therefore cheaper to make, but it is very good. the stock is made by pourling plastic into a mold. Waa laa! cheaper but for the woods, effective. Plus you will get the accutrigger, which is very , very , good.

 

[rangerruck]

howa (who makes wetherby for all intents and purposes) also makes a fine pkg deal.

 

[matchmole]

Yeah, I'm painfully aware of the "you get what you pay for" rule.

I like the .223 for a 200 yd zero, maybe 1 1/2" high at 100, and the lack of recoil. I've got .30 calibers for whitetail and such, but I figured the .223 wouldn't kill me at the retail counter when buying them and would be a cheap plinking rifle for me and the kids.

So if I'm looking no farther than 200-250 yds downrange at some fuzzy little thing that breeds too much, how much would I have to spend to get something the kid would be proud to own used? I like wood better, synthetic is ok too. But I'm mainly interested in the ability to hit very close to the intersection of the crosshairs. If I don't go for a package gun, the options open up considerably I expect. What scope (3-9 x 40?) would work the best?

 

[Dr.Rob]

Package deals are a great way to get a young hunter their first rifle... the scopes are typically Simmons and if you don't throw them at a tree they'll last and get you shooting a good inch or so group at 100 yards.

You'll wear out the scope over time, but the rifle will last.

Personally, between The Winchester 'package deal' my cousin bought compared to the Savage... the Winchester seemed cheaply made... lots of bolt slop, sharp edges in the finish but it shoots just fine.

You shouldn't HAVE to spend $600 on a Swarovski scope to have fun. You certainly can. But package deals are meant to get you into the game quickly.

 

[P0832177]

Best shooting package deal in years past, Rem 788 with 4X Tasco. Under a C note. Out shot better guns by a wide margin! Man, that was a good gun!

 

[Bill B.]

Savage will be more accurate than the Remington from the rifles I have saw shot in the last several years. I can't speak for any calibers but the .223, 22-.250 & the .243. I haven't seen any groups from the heavier calibers. Savage is making a rather nicely finished rifle these days. The Model 114 with the wood stock and the accu-trigger compares well with a Remington BDL 700. Local price is $499.00 vs. the $666.00 suggested retail.

 

[kumma]

My cousin purchased a packaged rifle for last years deer season. He was not flush with cash so he bought a discounted clearance 7mm-08 savage 110 plastic gun with a 3x9 simmons scope installed. I believe it was $400 out the door with gun, 2 boxes of ammo, sling and cleaning kit. It was rather heavy and unpolished with a cumbersome bolt but it shot extremely well. Will it be his end all be all rifle maybe, we'll see if he likes sitting in the woods for hours on end. Point is its was a fine shooting, inexpensive rifle perfect for the woods. There is no way he was going to drop a grand for a more polished rifle that may or may not shot any better. Just be honest with your needs, this one suited his fine.

 

[mc223]

I bought one of the Savage packages in 7-mag. Second shot the crosshairs in the Bushnell scope fell off. The rifle was a good shooter, plenty accurate after replacing the broken scope with a Leupold. Still felt it was a good value.

 

[MisterPX]

Had a 710 with teh BUshnell scope. Rear glass popped out in the 80 rnd area.