Talk me back into a 700

[Bartkowski]

I have been wanting an accurate .308 for a little while now and love the 700. I have one and have a sportsman 78 which is very similar. The action is solid, the gun is universal and I am familar with it. But it isn't the best deal going and there are more accurate guns in the same price range.

I usually wouldn't have considered a savage because they feel flimsy and loose, but I am starting to think about getting one. The model 12FVSS or 12FV caught my attention. I plan on changing the stock so you can mention that it sucks but so does the remingtons sps varmint stock.

I am all ears other than the stocks so....700 sps varmint or 12FV/12FVSS?

ETA: Seems like I can get a 12FV for $480 plus shipping and transfer. Thats about $30 cheaper than the sps varmint with pretty much the same setup. Blued, bad stock, heavy barrel 26".

 

[RonE]

In the long run, the Rem 700 is going to (probably) have a better resale value. The Savage rifles shoot very well. I had a Savage rifle in 300 WSM that I bought used because is was a very good deal and it shot very well. The fit and finish wasn't as good as the Remington 700 and a lot of the metal edges were very sharp, I would guess because it costs more to radius the sharp edges. I got rid of the Savage because it wasn't as well finished as the Rem 700 and the 300 WSM doesn't preform as well as the .300 Win Mag.

Savage makes fine rifles but not as pleasing to me as the Remington 700's

 

[doctorxring]

Savage or Remingtonhttp://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b357/doctorxring/DSC_0007-2.jpg

I have thought about buying a Savage bolt rifle a few times
when I am considering a new bolt gun purchase. I did so again
recently when I wanted a heavy rifle for long range. Came
close, but couldn't do it. Call me picky and vain, but they are just
too damn ugly for me. Plus I have no complaints on the M700. I
guess I've had close to 30 of them of various types over the years,
from hunting rifles to target rifles. Never had any problems with
any of them and never had a lemon on a barrel. In fact just the
opposite.

I ended up with another M700. An SPS Varmint in 243 Winchester. I
pillar bedded it, put a Jewell trigger in it, and stuffed the butt with some
weight. The rifle is 1/2 MOA or better and I really don't have that
much money in it. And I'm am glad I have another M700. I think
I'm over my "temptation" for a Savage.

dxr

 

[Bartkowski]

I don't plan on selling the rifle, so resale value isn't too important. Sure the savage isn't as nice looking, but accuracy and performance is key for me.

 

[Sergeant Sabre]

I don't plan on selling the rifle, so resale value isn't too important. Sure the savage isn't as nice looking, but accuracy and performance is key for me.

Well, you just answered your own question

 

[bogie]

Look at benchrest.com, under "complete rifles" for an outfit called Shooter's Corner. It's owned by a very reputable fellow named Bob White. You can buy a used, but -accurized- tack-driving Remington 700 for about what you'd pay for a new one.

 

[MinnMooney]

Only you can make that decision as it comes down to personal taste and something much more vague called "I just like that gun!"

You're choosing between two very inexpensive rifles that are as close to equal as possible. Either buy both or whichever hits your fancy at the moment of truth. You won't go wrong.

I have several of each and like them all.

 

[esmith]

Theres a guy on here selling a savage 110 i believe that shoots 1/2 moa with factory ammo. Both are fine rifles but i think i like the 700s better. The feel of those rifles is no doubt solid. Savages don't feel cheap but they don't feel good.

 

[bogie]

Save your pennies, and get something that you'll be happy with for decades...

V25. 308 Remington 40X blued repeater action, factory hvy bbl 27¼” blued c.400 rnds, factory Rangemaster walnut stock, factory 40X trig, Weaver scope bases, shows a few slight stock marks. 70’s/80’s all orig piece made when they did it right. $1075. (current New $2600.)

V26. 6.5 WSM Varmint/BR, Rem 700 Sa trued action; Lilja SS bbl 1-8”T #7 taper 30” long 62 rnds; custom ambidextrous long range BR style f-glass stock w/pillar glassbedding; Timney 1 #5 oz trig; Gunsmith: Matthews Guns, GA; Near exc cond. One superb long range paper puncher or Varmint buster. $1075 (over $1500. invested)

V31. 257 Ackley, trued Ruger mod 77 Mk II action converted to single shot, Hart bbl #7-26” w/snake finish .282 nk c.900 rnds, factory varmint lam wood stock w/pillar glassbedding by T&M Stockworks, factory trig tuned to 2lb, Inclu 100 once fired cases & lapped factory Ruger scope mnts, Exc. cond. This rig has shot <3/8” groups. $939. Over $2600. invested.

V43.243 Sako Varmint, mod AII varmint, Shilen blued 24” bbl c.300 rnds factory taper 1-12”T, trig tuned to crisp 3lb, 99% cond all orig except bbl. Very accurate & handsome varmint rig. $749.

V49.Winchester 250 Ackley, Mod 70; Hart fluted bbl about #6 taper 23” long 900 rnds; Winchester HV f-glass stock over alum bedding block; tuned factory trig c.1½ lbs; Gunsmith: R.W. Hart; about exc cond. Ackley’s most efficient of all his calibers.$595.

V56. 270-08 Imp 40 degree, Rem 700 BDL action, Lilja SS #5 taper bbl c.300 rnds, .297 nk, walnut Var. Spl stock w/pillar glassbedding, factory 1½ lb trig, inclu Redfield 30MM scope mnt + 47 cases & load data, c.98% O/A, $499.

R6. 308 Target/Long Range Wichita single shot Mod 1375 w/coned nose bolt R/R action; Hart SS bbl 1.200 no taper X24.5” w/factory neck dia. <400
rnds; Rounded BR or 40X style stock f-glass bolt-in w/pillar glassbedding; Shilen trig c.1½ trig; Redfield 1” scope mnts & swivel studs in stock; Gunsmith: M.D. Fix; 97% cond. Very accurate target or long range rig. $1299. (c.$2000. invested)

R8. 308 Target Tactical, Stiller’s Predator SS single shot R/R action; Hart bbl 22” X 1.250 no taper 12”T w/factory neck <200 rnds since shortened & rechambered; H&S Prec. hunter BR mod syn stock w/pillar glassbedding; Jewell BR 6 oz trig; Leupold steel Weaver type scope bases; Gunsmith: B. White; 99% cond. 12# Near New & Very Accurate! $1249. ($1800. to build)

 

[nicholst55]

Personally, I plan to replace all but one of my Remingtons with a couple of Savages and a few extra barrels. Changing a barrel on a Savage is a DIY proposition. Plus, they shoot better than most Remingtons right out of the box.

IMHO, Remington has been resting on their laurels for a long, long time. They are unresponsive to their customers needs, and have no interest in innovation.

Savage - accurate, versatility that a Remington can't touch by DIY rebarreling, less expensive. What's not to like?

 

[MCMXI]

What I like about the 700s is that they lend themselves well to incrementalism but they're damn good to begin with. They are accurate out of the box with factory ammunition and very accurate with reloads. I have 700s in .308 Win, .300 Win Mag and .300 WSM. All three will shoot 1/2 MOA out to 200 yards with reloads. So if that's enough for you then you're good to go. However, if you want more you can add a Jewell trigger, an AI stock, an AI bipod, a Kreiger barrel, an action job, a Badger Ordnance tactical bolt knob, a Leupold Mark 4 scope etc and you end up with a rifle that'll shoot 1/2 MOA out to 500 yards.

 

[Horsemany]

I was at that crossroad once. I jumped into the Remmy's head first. The last couple I bought were really good shooters. The thing I've always like about 700's in the lock time and the crispness when the hammer drops. On most other guns there's some vibration that isn't there on a 700 IMO. THey just feel solid in some way I can't quantify. I like the feel of the 700 on the bench more than some of my more expensive guns like a Cooper Varminter. They seem like they're made for the type of target shooting I do.

I once owned a Savage and it was very accurate. I base my opinion of a rifle on the whole package like: Trigger, bolt operation, balance, fit & finish, upgradability, and whether or not it's UGLY. I like my heavy barrel 700's better than other guns I own that cost 2x as much.

THe new xmark pro trigger I like too. It's smoother out of the box and easier to lower the weight and end up with a nice crisp trigger. The last 2 xmark pro triggers I tuned ended up as crisp and smooth as my Timney's.

 

[Bartkowski]

Save your pennies, and get something that you'll be happy with for decades...

Ok, why wouldn't I be happy with a savage?

 

[kenjs1]

I am forever thinking of buying an inexpensive rifle as a fun project, either Savage or Howa. Step one - replacing the stock. I have thought- well I will get a Stevens and sand it down and paint it camo but I just don't know that in a year or so I would be looking to upgrade it. In fairness I would likely be looking to upgrade almost any factory synthetic stock but the Savages are the least attractive. The floating bolts are genius- but for some reason- to me, seem less than what they actually are. If that makes any sense??? A perception issue, nothing more, but a nice jeweled bolt just seems so much more.... crafted. Next - decide whether I want an Accutrigger or not. After the intial curiosity I am leaning toward "Not" - prefering a good sturdy standard tuned trigger. Prices for Savages seem to have risen when compared to Remingtons or Brownings. As for accuracy - I think the Savage accuracy advantage very much overblown. The Savages I have seen have, if anything, not been quite the tack drivers I so often hear of. So for me price is a false economy, accuracy is a wash, the stock is a detriment, and trigger not an advantage. If putting money into a final product I think I would be more attached to a 700 that shot every bit as well. I originally loved the idea of changing barrels\calibers easily BUT - wouldn't that mean I would end up with fewer rifles in the end? Who wants that? Just - like you - can't talk myself into one. Least yet!

 

[Horsemany]

Quote:
Save your pennies, and get something that you'll be happy with for decades...

Ok, why wouldn't I be happy with a savage?

You may very well be happy with a Savage. The fact you started this thread leads me to believe you would not. Let's not fool ourselves on this forum. I know Savage has a huge following, but Remmy's still rule the roost at my club. Tikka's and Remmy's as far as the eye can see.

 

[brooks]

Why not hang out at the

www.savageshooters.com

web page for awhile before making a decision. I did and bought one. They do shoot really tight groups.
Some guy took first with a stock Savage in a recent NC long range competition over custom bench guns

 

[DRYHUMOR]

I'd go with the 700. I picked up a PSS .308 a couple of years ago. Unfired for 750.00. I put the Rifle Basix varmit trigger in it, about 1 lb pull, it'll shoot 1/2" all day long. I've got Ken Ferrell 20 MOA mount on it, Got Ferrell rings to go with. Currently it's in semi retirement and scopeless.

I think it'll shoot better, but I can't lay off the caffiene.

I like the HS stocks better than what remington is using now. They sell a Tactical rifle in .308 with a Hogue stock I looked at one time, good price, seems like 500 plus or minus.

 

[ForneyRider]

Owner of my deer lease shoots Howa 1500 with Leupold scope. He spent more on the scope than the rifle. One heckuva good rig.

Dad shoots a 700 VLS in .22-250. Very nice looking laminate stock. Very accurate. I think it is 100-200 more than an equivalent Savage 12.

 

[Bartkowski]

I am surprised no one brought up the twist rates. The remington has a 1 in 12" and the savage has 1 in 10". My .30-06 have 1 in 10" and do great with 180gr. bullets. But it seems like the .308 has more ammo from 147gr-168gr.

I will probably end up getting a 700, just because I love the platform....or rifle(some people don't like the word platform it seems).

I figure $500 is a fair price for an SPS varmint. Any final opinions?

 

[Horsemany]

Good choice. Just because it's a Remington does not mean it will have inferior accuracy compared to a Savage. There are plenty of Remington 700's out there that are tack drivers. If you get one that's not, it's not hard to straighten them out and the techniques are widely shared on forums like this. It's a better gun all around IMO.

 

[Bartkowski]

I know that remington can produce an accurate gun. My 7600 shoots about .75" at 100 yards with hunting ammo. My sportsmans 78 shoots under an inch just about all the time, usually about .5" at 100 yards.

 

[Mr_Ouija]

I went with the Savage 10FP for my .308 and have no doubt I made the right choice. Here she is with her Bell & Carlson stock I got to replace the flimsy synthetic one.


Seems the only target I have was from my first load development session at 100yds. Each shot had .3gr more powder than the one before it and after the first 4 or so, I could actually tell them apart.

 

[Geno]

When I sighted-in my Remington 700 SPS Varmint in .223 Re at 100 yards, and grouped 0.182" at 100 yards, it pretty much determined the make and model I would purchase for my .308. I don't mean to slam Savage; they are excellent. But, the Remington is also excellent and is made in the good ol' USA.