Nitrogen
Member
I'm currently looking into a good bolt-action tack-driver in .308. I'm down to either the Remington 700 or the Savage 10FP. I'd like to hear some opinions on both from people that might know a bit more.
Tack Driver: Remington 700 Vs. Savage 10FP: FIGHT!
- Thread starter Nitrogen
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Do you have a particular model of the 700 in mind? I have owned two .308s - both with the HS stock , the 700VS and the 700P. Both were excellent shooters. I really should have kept the old VS , they were quite a baragin at the time. These two models would be the most similar to the 10FP. Although the new VS version - the VS SF II is probably Remington's most expensive non-Custom Shop rifle?
The standard stock on the Savage 10FP is really the one drawback , even the folks over at the Savage forums do not have much good to say about it. Although the 10FP is also available with the HS stock or even a McMillan right from the factory. But the stock can always be upgraded later. If I decide to shoot .308 again I will seriously consider the 10FP HS Precision.
The "fight" between my .223 Savage 12BVSS and .223 Remington LTR is usually won by the Remington. But in all fairness to the Savage , it's 13oz aftermarket trigger is still not in the class of the Jewell on the 700. The 700's scope has a little more power and a target dot. I think the HS stock on the 700 offers a better out of the box bedding platform than the Savage laminated stock.
The standard stock on the Savage 10FP is really the one drawback , even the folks over at the Savage forums do not have much good to say about it. Although the 10FP is also available with the HS stock or even a McMillan right from the factory. But the stock can always be upgraded later. If I decide to shoot .308 again I will seriously consider the 10FP HS Precision.
The "fight" between my .223 Savage 12BVSS and .223 Remington LTR is usually won by the Remington. But in all fairness to the Savage , it's 13oz aftermarket trigger is still not in the class of the Jewell on the 700. The 700's scope has a little more power and a target dot. I think the HS stock on the 700 offers a better out of the box bedding platform than the Savage laminated stock.
Essex County
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- Mar 9, 2005
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- 1,247
Nitrogen.....You should know better than to stir up hate and discontent durring the Holiday Season! Shame on You. By the way, I'd opt for the Savage. Cheers.........Essex
Sniper4Life
Member
Get the savage with the mcmillan stock. The stock alone is a $400 value. The enlarged bolt is very nice, the savage is just as accurate or more accurate.
Last edited:
rockstar.esq
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- Dec 9, 2004
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- 1,475
So I've got a Savage 10FP-LE2 in the standard stock and there are three things I'm not fond of
1) The LE accutrigger drops to 1.5# however the bolt decocks if worked too forcefully. The solution is to increase the trigger pull ( a crappy trade off).
2) The Savage ejector pin is smaller in diameter than the Remington which requires smaller springs, which in turn result in irritating failures to eject unfired cartridges. I plan to commission my gunsmith to bore the ejector hole to accomodate a Remington sized pin and spring.
3) The Savage stock weighs so little that when the rifle is slung over the shoulder, the barrel hangs away from the body causing a most uncomfortable situation. The only way to carry it slung with marginal comfort is to hang it barrel down on the offhand shoulder which sucks because the long barrel is at risk of hitting the ground. Plus the "issue" recoil pad was so stumpy and hard that prone shooting was extremely difficult. P.S. The "Precision fit" Limbsaver pads don't fit the short action plastic stocks AT ALL. Grind to fit is the only option.
The things that I am fond of on my Savage are:
1) Accuracy. I've a best ever group of 5 shots .19" center to center 100yds. I've found multiple handloads and commercial loadings that will group 1/2" when I do my part.
2) Enlarged bolt knob. Petty perhaps but I find the extra size of the bolt knob seriously speeds up reloading as well as adding some leverage. I shoot a lot from the prone position and the larger knob is a significant advantage.
3) Recessed target crown. The extra protection afforded by this practice is a worthy addition.
4) The rifle continues to shoot well without excessive cleaning. I find the group size is largely the same for over 50 shots. As someone who doesn't particularly like to clean a gun, this makes a difference.
5) The option to change the barrel myself at home is particularly appealing. Aside from very high end or heavily modified rifles, the Savage/Stevens line is unique in that they are repeaters that can swap barrels so easily.
All in all, I think the Savage is an OK rifle. The talk about Remington 700's for cheap is mostly just that. I looked for YEARS for a used sub-$300.00 Remington 700 in .308 Win and found jack squat in that price range. I gave up and bought a new Savage because it saved me $200.00 over the price of a new 700.
1) The LE accutrigger drops to 1.5# however the bolt decocks if worked too forcefully. The solution is to increase the trigger pull ( a crappy trade off).
2) The Savage ejector pin is smaller in diameter than the Remington which requires smaller springs, which in turn result in irritating failures to eject unfired cartridges. I plan to commission my gunsmith to bore the ejector hole to accomodate a Remington sized pin and spring.
3) The Savage stock weighs so little that when the rifle is slung over the shoulder, the barrel hangs away from the body causing a most uncomfortable situation. The only way to carry it slung with marginal comfort is to hang it barrel down on the offhand shoulder which sucks because the long barrel is at risk of hitting the ground. Plus the "issue" recoil pad was so stumpy and hard that prone shooting was extremely difficult. P.S. The "Precision fit" Limbsaver pads don't fit the short action plastic stocks AT ALL. Grind to fit is the only option.
The things that I am fond of on my Savage are:
1) Accuracy. I've a best ever group of 5 shots .19" center to center 100yds. I've found multiple handloads and commercial loadings that will group 1/2" when I do my part.
2) Enlarged bolt knob. Petty perhaps but I find the extra size of the bolt knob seriously speeds up reloading as well as adding some leverage. I shoot a lot from the prone position and the larger knob is a significant advantage.
3) Recessed target crown. The extra protection afforded by this practice is a worthy addition.
4) The rifle continues to shoot well without excessive cleaning. I find the group size is largely the same for over 50 shots. As someone who doesn't particularly like to clean a gun, this makes a difference.
5) The option to change the barrel myself at home is particularly appealing. Aside from very high end or heavily modified rifles, the Savage/Stevens line is unique in that they are repeaters that can swap barrels so easily.
All in all, I think the Savage is an OK rifle. The talk about Remington 700's for cheap is mostly just that. I looked for YEARS for a used sub-$300.00 Remington 700 in .308 Win and found jack squat in that price range. I gave up and bought a new Savage because it saved me $200.00 over the price of a new 700.
Rob62
Member
I have owned both rifles. I have also owned a Rem 700P. With that said the Savage, in this case a stock 110 heavy barrel gun was the most accurate rifle I have ever owned.
While I doubt Savage guns will ever be considered as sexy as the more expensive Remington 700 series, they are every bit as accurate as their much more expensive bretheren.
Merry Christmas,
Rob
While I doubt Savage guns will ever be considered as sexy as the more expensive Remington 700 series, they are every bit as accurate as their much more expensive bretheren.
Merry Christmas,
Rob
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Either one can do just fine, especially if you do some work on them. The group below was shot with a Remington 700 VSSF in .308. Trigger was set to 3#, and I had the bolt trued and the crown recut. 100 yard five-shot group from prone shooting Federal 175 grain Gold Medal Match ammo. I like the Remington just fine. But you can likely do as well with a tuned Savage.
toecutter
Member
savage > remington
So a few years ago I was in the same position as you. I had looked at both at the gun shops around but couldn't make up my mind. The remington was more expensive, but if it shot better this wasn't an issue to me.
A little bit later, I went shooting at one of the local gun clubs with some friends, and someone who was known to one of my friends let me try on his savage 110 in .243 win. We were shooting at playing cards at 100 yards, and you could reliably core out the kings head at 100 yards without much effort.
I later shot the 10FP-LE at an annual "try it out" day and that firmly made up my mind. It is just an all-around pleasure to shoot.
In this time I also decided to upgrade to the Choate Varminter stock (a factory option) since the factory monte-carlo style stock was rather pathetic.
I spent about 680 (with tax) on the gun, and vs the money I would have otherwise spent on the 700 (~1000 for the PSS) I spent that on the scope. And havn't looked back.
I reliably get 1 MOA at 100 yards shooting american eagle, and it drops to about 1/2 to 1/4 moa when I shoot gold medal or handloads. It is a very rugged gun and goes with me on many of my 4x4 outings, and always performs. I really encourage you to shoot both if you can, but very few dealers stock the 10FP with the choate stocks. So you may end up having to buy these blind. But the choate varminter stock is adjustable for pull and has replaceable cheek pieces. It is no mcmillan stock, but it's still damn nice for the money.
There are a few details I don't like about the savage, I wish it had a metal trigger guard, and was offered in a DBM, or drop out floorplate design. But if you want a quality gun that can put metal on target for a value price, savage is the way to go. If you have lots and lots of money to throw at a problem and want to spend lots of time having your rifle worked on to have all the features you want. Go with the 700.
So a few years ago I was in the same position as you. I had looked at both at the gun shops around but couldn't make up my mind. The remington was more expensive, but if it shot better this wasn't an issue to me.
A little bit later, I went shooting at one of the local gun clubs with some friends, and someone who was known to one of my friends let me try on his savage 110 in .243 win. We were shooting at playing cards at 100 yards, and you could reliably core out the kings head at 100 yards without much effort.
I later shot the 10FP-LE at an annual "try it out" day and that firmly made up my mind. It is just an all-around pleasure to shoot.
In this time I also decided to upgrade to the Choate Varminter stock (a factory option) since the factory monte-carlo style stock was rather pathetic.
I spent about 680 (with tax) on the gun, and vs the money I would have otherwise spent on the 700 (~1000 for the PSS) I spent that on the scope. And havn't looked back.
I reliably get 1 MOA at 100 yards shooting american eagle, and it drops to about 1/2 to 1/4 moa when I shoot gold medal or handloads. It is a very rugged gun and goes with me on many of my 4x4 outings, and always performs. I really encourage you to shoot both if you can, but very few dealers stock the 10FP with the choate stocks. So you may end up having to buy these blind. But the choate varminter stock is adjustable for pull and has replaceable cheek pieces. It is no mcmillan stock, but it's still damn nice for the money.
There are a few details I don't like about the savage, I wish it had a metal trigger guard, and was offered in a DBM, or drop out floorplate design. But if you want a quality gun that can put metal on target for a value price, savage is the way to go. If you have lots and lots of money to throw at a problem and want to spend lots of time having your rifle worked on to have all the features you want. Go with the 700.
I just don't understand
why people want to use guns to drive tacks. That's what hammers are for!
Okay, that's my humorous contribution.
My usual hunting buddy uses a 700 sniper rifle (not sure of the specific model nomenclature). At 450+ yards he can easily take out milk jugs every shot. Cantaloupes are a wee bit harder. The gun is more accurate than he is.
why people want to use guns to drive tacks. That's what hammers are for!
Okay, that's my humorous contribution.
My usual hunting buddy uses a 700 sniper rifle (not sure of the specific model nomenclature). At 450+ yards he can easily take out milk jugs every shot. Cantaloupes are a wee bit harder. The gun is more accurate than he is.
AgentOrange
Member
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- Aug 3, 2007
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- 110
hell, i can shoot lemons at 450 yards with my remington 700 VS in 223 with 6x24x44 burris signature series scope.......and thats with factory 55gr winchester FMJ
627PCFan
Member
Savage + 5 aftermarket barrels.
One tack driver, in 5 different calibers, all in 1 afternoon-
One tack driver, in 5 different calibers, all in 1 afternoon-
Maverick223
Member
2006 
See top for details, limitations, and exceptions...no warranties are expressed or implied. We reserve the right to discontinue this offer at any time.
See top for details, limitations, and exceptions...no warranties are expressed or implied. We reserve the right to discontinue this offer at any time.
sixgun MAK
Member
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2006
- Messages
- 158
I'm a Remington owner and very happy with these guns.
I can't speak for the savage.
I'm sure you'll be happy with what ever you decide.
Best of luck.
I can't speak for the savage.
I'm sure you'll be happy with what ever you decide.
Best of luck.
panrobercik
Member
I don't own any Remington, but when I had a problem with my Savage, the company took care of it quickly and I had my rifle back home within 3 weeks from the time I sent it. I have a non heavy barrel model in 223 that is an absolute tack driver with handloads and factory stock.
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