I really like what I am seeing, but having a Rem 700 before with similar groups as you have shown, I am thimking about getting the CDL 700. Which would you all recommend...the stainless Savage or CDL Rem? I like the trigger, safety, and bolt handle of the Savage, but the Rem feels a lot better in the hands, has a better ballance due to longer barrel, and I know the rifle. Which would you get? Thanks!!!
-Mike
Remington dislikes (yours):
Trigger: Can be fixed by you, with an aftermarket unit, or by a smith
Bolt Handle: Can be altered but only by a smith.
Safety: Nothing you, or a smith, can do about it.
Savage dislikes (yours):
Ergonomics: Feel can solved with the fitting of an aftermarket stock. McMillan has a Savage stock that is a duplicate of the Remington. Plus there are other stock styles available. Decent aftermarkets start at $95 and go upwards of $400.
Balance: Can be solved, by you, with the swap out of a longer barrel or a new/modified stock. Savage rifles are front heavy because the syn stock is hollow. Weight can be added, to this hollow area, to better balance the rifle.
If you feel more comfortable with the Remington (despite some of your dislikes), than get it. The Savage strengths, over the Remington, are
value (couple hundered dollars) and
adaptability without the need of a
professional gunsmith. If those are of no importance to you - then I see no reason to go with the Savage over the Remington. Accuracy, dependability, and durability are essentially a wash.
However, give this last example some consideration.
Savage 16FCSS purchased in .308 = $455
Savage Headspace gages for .308 Family = $25
Barrel Wrench= $30
Barrel in 243 = $75
Barrel in 338 Fed= $129
Barrel in 22-250= $75
Barrel in 7mm-08= $75
5 caliber total for Savage = $864
Remington 700 CDL in 308= $656
Remington 700 CDL in 243= $656
Remington 700 CDL in 338 Fed= $656
Remington 700 CDL in 22-250= $656
Remington 700 CDL in 7mm-08= $656
5 caliber total for Remington = $3280
Difference of $2416!!!!!
Of course, you could cut down the cost by having a smith swap barrels on the CDL. But that is still going to cost significantly more than the Savage because of increased barrel cost and the cost of a smith to do the work. His labor, alone, will be more than the one time cost of the gages and barrel wrench. Then you are stuck with that caliber until the smith has time, and you have the money, to swap it to something else. I can swap calibers in 20 minutes. Even while at the range if I wanted to.
Now you can see that the value, of the Savage, goes beyond the initial $201 savings ($656 vs $455). That $201 will buy you a really nice stock. Or the tools to change barrels at home, as well as, adding 2 more caliber options to the base rifle.
Let us know what you do.
