Thinking about getting a new hunting rifle, would like input.

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PurpleProwess

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Hello, i am thinking about getting a new hunting rifle after this season, my main reason is while i love my Remington 750 chambered in 30-06, (Shot my first deer with the predecessor 740, or 7400 my grandfather bought when he got back from Vietnam, and i have shot 7 or 8 deer with it in only two seasons, though i am hoping to buy my grandfathers rifle from him) the trigger pull on it always makes me pull to the right, the creep is horrendous. And there are really no viable options to make it any better, and the gun is not as long range capable as i would like it to be, and need it to be sometimes.

So i have decided to get a new rifle. Heavily leaning towards a Remington 700 in .308, i love the Remington action, and the rifle is still made in America. The .308 provides all the long range i need, and when i get enough money to start reloading will provide me with lots of options for that.

However i am still trying to decide what i want. It's almost going to have to be a SPS, since they do not make a .308 with a wood stock. (the VLS but it is out of the price range i want to pay) Right now i am leaning towards the SPS Stainless, (Always loved the look of a Stainless Rifle) or the SPS Varmint (Accuracy is intriguing to me, and i do a bit of coyote hunting, don't usually keep the hides but if i did i would just use FMJ's)

The thing that scares me about the SPS Varmint is weight, i hunt out of stands 75% of the time so the only reason it bothers me is how fast it takes me to swing the rifle to my shoulder. And the 1:12 twist rate. I like shooting 180 grains, because it gets the job done but doesn't leave the gaping hole on the other side like the lighter 150's do. I am a meat hunter and i want to preserve it.

I am heavily leaning towards the SPS Stainless because of the things i don't like on the Varmint. But i was wondering taking the shooter out of the equation if this rifle will be accurate enough cold barrel out towards 500-600 yards which are about the maximum distances i would both be comfortable at and see. (There are longer shots at my stand but i just do not feel comfortable taking those shots since i do not practice them enough)


I know neither are free floated, but seeing as how both are synthetic stocks it doesn't worry me as much as it would a wood stock, and eventually i plan on getting a wood stock with a thumb hole, or a nice synthetic with a thumb hole later on.


I also love going to the range and shooting just to see how accurate i can be. So this is a small factor as well.



I will be going to Cabela's in a couple weeks, i hope they will have both rifles in stock so i can get a feel for them, and i might make the deal then.

Anyways any input will be greatly appreciated.


~PP~
 
Just a big fan of the Remington 700. Love the action.

My buddy has a Winchester Model 70A, great gun not a big fan of it though. And he also has a Ruger M77 Stainless Steel, love it, but it's chambered in .300 win mag which is just overkill for me. And i already have a bit of a flinching problem (That's what happens when your parents don't let you shoot a firearm until your 16, even then it was my grandfather who took me hunting, and would let me shoot a BB gun, and sometimes a .22lr though it wasn't enough, working on that problem however, lots of range time)

But I've never like the thought of buying used guns, just don't know enough about them, how many rounds were put through them, how they were treated and so-on.

And like i said i would prefer to buy an American made rifle and don't think either Ruger or Winchester make them here anymore.

Also both have the Mauser extractor, which to me seems like just something more to go wrong, and seems rather pointless as i won't be shooting upside down or what have you.


Edit, i see the Winchester is made in America. Still though I am leaning towards the Remington 700 SPS, seeing as how the Model 70 seems fairly expensive.
 
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Yeah Winchester M70 is made in South Carolina. Rugers are made in US and always have been AFAIK.

If you want a wood made in America rifle push feed in .308, check out Savage too. Although there is certainly no reason not to get a Remington as far as I am concerned.
 
If you're set on a Rem., why not look for that 700 Police rifle in .308? One thread on here, it leaves my mind right now, a guy and his son shoot at dimes at 100 yds., in fact he has 2 shots thru the same dime! Is this the accuracy you're wanting? Might take a look. I think the thread is on the reloading thread?!
 
The SPS is cheap (around $500). Take that barreled action and put it in a new stock. Done deal.
 
marlin xl7, spend the balance on good glass. right now down here in NC you can get a brand new xl7 .270/30-06 for 300.
 
Also both have the Mauser extractor, which to me seems like just something more to go wrong, and seems rather pointless as i won't be shooting upside down or what have you.
Click to expand...

:confused:

Do you realize that the Mauser-style claw extractor is more robust and less likely to break than the M700 extractor?
 
Marlin XS7 in .308!!! I have one and it shoots awsome!!!! You can use Winchester short action bases from Leupold for a rock solid mount. I handload for mine and get really good results. I had two bullets go thru the same hole the other day. It is light enough to carry around, and you can get it in a walnut stock if you want. Boyds makes a walnut and laminate for it as well.
 
I would pick up a TC venture or a Savage 10. Finding good deals on the Model 70 is just a pain in the butt, and the Ruger was a HUGE letdown. I have always loved the look of the 77s especaly the hawkeye, but when I held one for the first time (couple days ago) I noticed the action was literaly as rough as sand paper, the bolt was loose and wobeling, and I questiion if the action was fitted to the stock properly:( Funny thing is that they had a 60+ year old K98 Mauser that felt a million times better despite being severaly battle worn!! Another top pick of mine is the Finnish made T3 you just have to shoot one yourself to understand. Slick as teflon action, perfect crisp trigger, sub MOA accuracy, all in one featherweight compact package:) As far as the Remintons go I have had mixed luck, one BAD one and two tack drivers.
 
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What about the Remington 700 Mountain rifle? The .260 Rem is a super deer caliber and so is the 7mm-08, or even the .280 Rem. The Mountain rifle is just over 6 lbs and any of those calibers will be easy on the shoulder, recoil wise.
 
I own a 700 Stainless in .30-06, and frankly, these days I'd buy the Savage bolt action and spend the savings on a new Goretex hunting coat.

As for 600-800m shooting, if there is a range to practice at (rare,) and I was any good at it (less than 5% of shooters are,) and I could actually get hits on game out that far (serious ethical question with .308,) then I'd go for it. Otherwise, a 7mm-08 or .270 would do as good. There would be plenty of power at actual hunting ranges and ammo is relatively accessible on shelves.

We all seem to want to have the gun that will shoot well for the small percentage situations, and forget that most of the time, it's never used that way. My next gun is being built for the 85-90% of what I really do. Not getting the other 10% of potential situations for the benefit of a lighter gun that handles better 100% of the time is a good tradeoff in my opinion.
 
definitely get a SS barrel, the rust resistance is great. I would go with the winchester 70 extreme weather ss. Free floated barrel with SS , great combo. If you go with the SPS, you will likely want a new stock because its flimsy (I have a sps , non stainless and the only reason why I have not gotten a better stock for it is I rarely shoot it but at bobcat). But if it were my main go to rifle, Id put a new stock on it. My go to rifle is the winchester 70. Those flimsy stocks are easy to torque.
 
I personally don't like the .308 for long range. I would much prefer the .270 or .30-06, in that order. I have a 1964 Remington 700 chambered for .270 and I've taken many deer at very long ranges in different parts of the country.

However, at 100 yards, I KNOW the .308 can do some serious damage.

Just my opinion.
 
HOOfan_1 said:
If you want a wood made in America rifle push feed in .308, check out Savage too. Although there is certainly no reason not to get a Remington as far as I am concerned.
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I had a bad expirence with Savage that has me weary of buying one, The week before hunting season a few back the extractor broke, wasn't pleased, went up to cabela's returened it and got my 750. That whole day was screwy, i was shooting Federal vital shock (25-06) and they felt wrong to powerful or whatever brass wasn't coming out right something was up so between the two i havn't bought either since and refuse to fire Federal Vital Shock since. But my mom just got a 243 Savage and it's been good so far i might take that out coyote hunting and maybe will think about buying one again depending on the expirence.


788Ham said:
If you're set on a Rem., why not look for that 700 Police rifle in .308? One thread on here, it leaves my mind right now, a guy and his son shoot at dimes at 100 yds., in fact he has 2 shots thru the same dime! Is this the accuracy you're wanting? Might take a look. I think the thread is on the reloading thread?!
Click to expand...
I have thought about it, but it is a little out of my price range, and at this point i am just looking for a good hunting rifle, i won't be looking at a tactical rifle till i start reloading.

Apex29 said:
I'm not sure I understand what you're saying. Remington makes the CDL in 308 w/wood stock.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=199625338
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They use to but currently they are discontinued. And i have had problems with used rifles that make me shy away from buying used.

bpl said:
Do you realize that the Mauser-style claw extractor is more robust and less likely to break than the M700 extractor?
Click to expand...
Don't get me wrong it is a great action, i just don't see the need for it for what i intend to do. The older generation regards it as the best ever, but i tend to see it as a little overdesigned. If i get a Mauser action i would like a Springfield '03 (I think they were mauser) but at this point i'm not looking for that. Great action just don't see the need for it. Doesn't me if i see a nice Ruger or Winchester i won't buy it however.


Tirod said:
As for 600-800m shooting, if there is a range to practice at (rare,) and I was any good at it (less than 5% of shooters are,) and I could actually get hits on game out that far (serious ethical question with .308,) then I'd go for it. Otherwise, a 7mm-08 or .270 would do as good. There would be plenty of power at actual hunting ranges and ammo is relatively accessible on shelves.

We all seem to want to have the gun that will shoot well for the small percentage situations, and forget that most of the time, it's never used that way. My next gun is being built for the 85-90% of what I really do. Not getting the other 10% of potential situations for the benefit of a lighter gun that handles better 100% of the time is a good tradeoff in my opinion
Click to expand...
One of the advantages and disadvantages of living in the sandhills of Nebraska, or near it anyways, lots of room. This year especially where i am hunting since flooding washed away one of our stands i have a very good chance of seeing deer out to 1000 yards, i won't take nor would probably ever take one at that range, though it will be frustrating watching them. I have taken a deer at about 550 yards, and 600 is about my max, on deer, though i have shot a coyote and a prarie dog past that.



Thanks for the input guys and keep it coming, you've definatly provided me with more options to look at.


~PP~
 
Right now i might actually go for a 30-06 since Remington still makes it with a wood stock.

Again still open to ideas, and i am definitely going to look at some Model 70's and Rugers.


A question to those out there, are the CDL's free floated?
And how are the Improved X-Mark triggers?



Thanks all


~PP~
 
Why not check your bank account and order a custom made rifle fitted to you? If I could afford one I would.
 
A question to those out there, are the CDL's free floated?
Click to expand...

NO, the barrels are NOT floating. The barrels rest on a pressure pad at the end of the forearm barrel channel.

And how are the Improved X-Mark triggers?
Click to expand...

Good, good enough, and safe! It take a rather skilled trigger aficionado to notice the differences of the X-Mark trigger compared to the older Remington trigger.

Remington is offering a rebate on several issues of the model 700, among others, they have a $100 rebate on the walnut and blue CDL right now.
 
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