Rifle for Hunting - Rem 700?

[Snagglepuss]

I am contemplating getting my first rifle for deer hunting. I do not know much about them but have been picking up things here and there on the forums. I would like something I can also shoot for accurate plinking in the off season. Maybe throw in a pig or two on trips to Texas. I am wondering if the Remington 700 sps stainless and the 700 xcr are basically the same gun shooting wise. Take away the fancy grip stock and the corrosion protection of the xcr and do you end up with a sps.

I am thinking of a .270 or .308
I have a scope so no need to save dollars for that.
Other OBJECTIVE suggestions welcome. I have about $650 to $700 to spend. I will search the auction sites and internet to find the best deal.

Thanks in advance

 

[nico]

I have a .270 deer rifle, and both are fine calibers for big game hunting, but a .308 will allow you to plink for less. Depending on whether you plan on carrying the rifle long distances, you might want to look for a heavier barrel. IMO, the choice between any of the major manufacturers is about personal preference more than anything. Remington, Savage, Tikka, Winchester (while you can still get one), etc. all make good guns.

 

[ugaarguy]

If I was buying I'd get a Savage Model 10 or their economy line Stevens M200. The Stevens uses a basic synthetic stock with current Savage action & bbl. and previous gen. Savage trigger. Either rifle will shoot the lights out and leave you plenty of money in the budget for a good scope.

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

Here is a pic of my 700, chambered in 30-06.

 

[Smitty in CT]

I'd take a look at a Mossbreg 100ATR, you can pick them up for under $300, then spend the rest of the money on a really nice scope.

 

[TIMC]

Can't go wrong with the mod 700. For pigs I like the .30 cal but a .270 will do as well. Here is a pick of my old mod 700 30.06 that I have hunted with for about 15 years. The old rifle has taken down a lot of pigs and deer in it's time. I just did a rebuild on it, kinda just decided to change the look. I pulled off the old wood stock adde a new pillar bed stock converted it from ADL to BDL and installed a new Leupold 4.5-14x50mm LR scope.

 

[Essex County]

The 700 is only one of many choices. Examine and handle as many bolt guns as you can. Check out CZ, Tikka, Savage, Wheatherby Vanguard and whatever else. Talk to knowledgeable shooters and get their opinions. Toue caliber choices sound good to me, but you might want to consider adding the 30-06 to your list............Essex

 

[Smitty in CT]

TIMC,

That is a beautiful rifle and scope setup you have, but, the scope alone puts snagglepuss over his budget.

Smitty

 

[TIMC]

TIMC,

That is a beautiful rifle and scope setup you have, but, the scope alone puts snagglepuss over his budget.

Smitty

Thanks!
He said he has a scope so that is not a cost item. I actually did mine fairly cheap. A used rifle can be brought out to something really nice if you shop around.
I used the factory trigger and adjusted it down to a 2.5 pound pull so no extra cost there.
The stock was a factory second that had a misaligned company logo I bought it at Hogue auction .com for $55.
The scope I found on ebay for $600 which was a very good price.
The ADL to BDL conversion kit was a little pricey at $100 but then that would not be a necessity either.
The Burris rings and Leupold base were right at $57 which was not too bad.

Basically if you have the optics you could find a decent rifle for a few hundred and could put it like new again for a couple hundred more. Might even have enough for a new barrel if desired and still stay within budget.
That would make for a fun project and end up with a nice rifle too.

 

[Old 112]

I have a thing for 24" barrels, so that it is why like the SPS(30/06). It is also showing very good accuracy that is comparable with my quite old Savage. I seem to have only Savage or Remington centerfires,and handload for them all. Old 112

 

[trainwreck100]

I really like my 700 .30-06, it's more than enough gun for what I do with it--mainly blowing up varmints along with a little deer hunting every now and then. But, if you're looking at a synthetic/stainless type rifle instead of the beauty of fancy wood and blue, I'd try to find a Savage...actually, I might try to find one anyway.

 

[DReicht]

700 is a fantastic hunting rifle, but don't forget others like Savage, Howa, Browning, etc.

 

[Shoney]

You asked for differences. The biggest difference is that the XCR does not come in 308, and it's metal is electrochemically impregnated with a substance to prevent rust.

Model 700™ SPS™ Stainless (Special Purpose Synthetic) Features
Improved, ergonomically designed synthetic stock.
* Standard features include R3® recoil pad.
* 24" clean barrel - Magnum and Ultra Mag offerings feature a 26" barrel.
* Drilled and tapped for scope mounts.
* Equipped with swivel studs.
- for specs
http://www.remington.com/products/f...s/model_700/model_700_SPS_stainless_specs.asp

Model 700™ XCR (Xtreme Conditions Rifle) Features
* Proprietary TriNyte™ Corrosion Control System provides unprecedented corrosion resistance
* New stock featuring patented rubber overmolding technology from Hogue® on grip and fore-end areas and swivel studs
* Features a 24" standard caliber, or 26" magnum clean barrel
* Drilled and tapped for scope mounts
- for specs
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_XCR_specs.asp

 

[T-Mac]

Good choice. I have had several over the years. I have one 700 at the moment. I have always achieved good accuracy with them. I do lighten up the trigger pull on them.
(They come from the factory with a really heavy trigger pull. It is a very simple job to adjust the trigger lighter. Any gunsmith can do this easily.)

I am a .270 fan myself, but if you do not reload, .308 ammo is cheaper and will do what you are asking, and a lot more.