Poll: Most Accurate Heavy Barrel Bolt Gun

[Bear2000]

I'm in the market for a new heavy barrel bolt gun (varmint) in either .243 or .308. I own a Savage 12FV in .223 and like it a lot, but am considering something new. I'm leaning toward a Tikka T3 Varmint, but am also considering another Savage 12 or a Savage 10 series. Most important is out-of-the-box accuracy for bench shooting, as I don't want to do anything to the rifle. I'll spend up to $800.00, although most of these come in around $600.00.

Anyway, I haven't seen a similar poll up and thought it might be fun and useful. Please comment as well as to why you voted as you did.

Thanks!

 

[gcrookston]

I own a couple of Savages and haven't found another that surpasses them for outofthebox accuracy at the same price I'm certain they are out there and maybe the T3 is one of them. The CZ comes to mind as a possible rival, but their cost is significantly more. I've been looking at the Tikka's as well, having owned several SAKOs over the years and really liking them. The Varmint and Tactical T3s may end up being my next rifle.

 

[Bear2000]

Thanks for your input, gcrookston. The Tikka appeals to me for a number of reasons, not least of all its weight. It's not to heavy to be carried around the woods as a deer gun.

 

[Sgt.Dusk]

Voted for T3. Love it.
Gotta be a patriot and buy guns from my homeland

 

[CZ223]

The Tikka

with a wood stock is a beautiful gun. I would love to have one. The CZ rifles are quite nice as well and, from what I have heard, they are very accurate as well. But, you knew there was but coming, for out of the box accuracy I would go with the Savage VLP, BVSS or LRVP. I have seven Savages, four of which are better than 1/2" guns for 5 shots at 100 yards. The other three I have not got a chance to shoot yet. I will be scoping one ortwo of them shortly and have no doubt they will all be good shooters.

 

[Shawnee]

The Remington Varmints, the M77s, and the Savages (including the Savage model 40) are all typically as accurate as the shooter can be. Don't know about the others listed because I haven't used them. Voted for the Remington because that's what I have (.243) and it is very good.

 

[theCZ]

All my CZ bolt guns outshoot my Remington 700s, and they are customized (custom barrel, glass bedded, new trigger). That's not saying my rems aren't accurate, they just aren't as astonishingly accurate as my two CZs. Of the list though I think Savage makes the most accurate rifles.

 

[GooseGestapo]

For "Out of the Box", best accuracy, nothing I've seen or shot has beaten the Sako 75 Varminters in .22PPC, 6MMPPC, and .17Rem.

These belonged to a deceased friend and shooting buddy. The rifles had only had the factory triggers tweaked down to minimum (around 1.5lbs).

The .22PPC would shoot in the 0.3"s, and the 6mm in the 0.2"s. Both with occasional groups in the "teens". The .17Rem was the suprising one, as it would shoot in the 0.4's and occasionally better, with most of the other .17's I've shot or seen shot shooting in the 0.7's or worse.

 

[Bear2000]

Thanks, fellas. It will probably come down to the Savage or Tikka. Among the Savages, I'll have to decide between the 12FP 24", 12FV, and 12 VLP (stainless fluted). I wonder if there's any real difference in accuracy between those different Savages. I've heard that shorter is better out to 600 yards, and that there's no real advantage to fluted beyond looks.

 

[pdh]

My .308 Rem700 Varmint Special doesn't shoot to bad........
Here some typical 4 shot groups at 100yds...
Rifle is factory...out of the box...only thing done to it was a trigger adjustment....

 

[skinewmexico]

Build your own Savage with a Shilen Supermatch barrel. That way you don't have to use a boring caliber.

 

[Geno]

My most accurate-ever-owned rifle was a Remington M700V, in 6mm Rem, with hand-laoded with 95 grain Nosler Parts. It would consistently group 3/8" at 300 yards!!! Of course that I had an 6-18X scope didn't hurt. I seem to recall trading it off for one of my first Weatherby rifles.

I read in one of the rifle magazines that Savage's new single-shot was consistently grouping in the range of .25" at 500 yards.

I can't even wrap my brain around groups like that!!!

Geno

 

[rero360]

I have a Heart barrel on my savage, lets just say I needed a moist towelette when after firing the rifle for the first time ooooh sooo nice. I've put 36 rounds thru it so far, suppose i should clean it at some point before I put it away for the winter.

 

[MCgunner]

I own/have owned both Savage and Remington. My vote went to Remington.

 

[GunTech]

What, no Accuracy International?

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

sorry--double post

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

The others are probably terrific, especially the Savage, from what I hear, but I know for a fact that the Tikka T3 is extremely accurate since I own one and have never missed a standing deer with it at any range. (Running deer are a different story, but that reflects a lack of skill on the shooter's part and doesn't speak to the gun's accuracy.) I can put three rounds through a single ragged hole at 100 yards from a good bench rest on a calm day. I don't know how much more accurate a gun could possibly be.

 

[GunTech]

Testing out some hunting loads in my Remmy. Here's 5 shots at 100 yards.

Kills deer too:

 

[rangerruck]

ok, this is crazy, there is no way a remmy is more accurate than ANY CZ....

 

[gcrookston]

I think we are talking out ofthebox accuracy in a specific price range. Accuracy International and CZ are a bit pricy...but you do get what you pay for. My experience with 700s "out of the box", has been less than what I experienced with my Savages. I've been able to shoot a couple T3s (tacticals), and my impression of them is they are equal to my Savages. I do like the 700, but not so much as I would buy another (though I might someday build another). And just so you don't think I'm bashing 700s too much, here's a picture of my son taken last year before his 2nd deployment to Iraq with his work gun...



ya, okay, you got me... shameless plug for snipers...

 

[GunTech]

My Remington started life as a stock 40X, and would still outshoot any other rifle I've fired to date. Since then, I have done a few upgrades and pruned the original 27.5 inch Hart bbl back to 20 inches, but the 40X is a super accurate bull barrel gun that doesn't get the appreciation it deserves.

Mine was made in the late 1960s. The latest models are quite a bit fancier.

http://www.remingtonle.com/rifles/40xs.htm

 

[GunTech]

Whoops. Looking back at the original post, the max price was set at $800. I paid $1300 for my 40X, new ones runs around $2k and there an long wait.

Never mind.

 

[Bear2000]

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm surprised that the Tikka's numbers aren't a bit higher, but my guess it that reflects level of ownership.

Hopefully this poll will come in handy for others trying to make a similar choice.

 

[YodaVader]

I've had an incredible string of success with various Remington 700 varmint/tactical rifles. Models such as the 700P and 700VS in .308 , also the 700VLS , 700LTR and 700SPS in .223.

My 700 LTR has turned in an amazing string of groups and is the most accurate factory rifle I have ever fired.

My Savage 12BVSS in .223 can be a hec of a shooter but it tends to foul after just a few groups fired. I am seriously considering installing a Lothar Walther Supermatch barrel.

 

[Bear2000]

I went with the Tikka

Hey guys,

Thanks for your responses to this thread. I went with Tikka T3 Varmint in .308. It will double as a range and deer gun. I own a Savage and know how accurate they are, but decided to go with something else. And at 7.92 pounds, the Tikka was the lightest .308. It's action is very smooth and the trigger is fantastic (at least in the store). I'll give you a range report in a few weeks, but first I need to load some .308!

Bear