Weatherby Or Savage .308/.223

[sigbear]

Are these good guns or junk?:

New, Savage bolt action 10GXP3 .308/.223 , price $540
http://www.savagearms.com/10gxp3.htm

Weatherby bolt action .308/.223, price $399
399weatherby.com

Would you buy either of these for hunting deer etc.?
If so, which would you pick?
What kind of accuracy and reliability could be expected from a gun at these prices?

Sigbear

 

[ArmedBear]

They're both good guns, believe it or not.

I have the Weatherby in a walnut stock, in .30-06. Shoots 1/2" groups with my hunting handloads, works well, fit and finish are nice, and when I scoped it, the scope was bore-sighted as soon as I put it on. It was machined very well (and I used higher-end mounts/rings).

It's every bit as accurate and as reliable as a Remington 700 CDL, but with better features. In fact, it takes the same scope mounts. It's very similar in design, but it has a bolt-locking safety.

The Savage is lighter than the Weatherby. There's no reason it shouldn't also be as accurate and as reliable as a Remington 700, but it, too has better features (like the Accu-Trigger and the 3-position safety). I would only buy a Savage synthetic if it had the new Accu-Stock.

I'd buy whichever one I liked best. The Weatherby stock fits me like it was custom-made, but that's me.

These are both serious rifles, on par with the good production rifles from big manufacturers. These are NOT like the 710 or something. Not by a long shot.

 

[Maverick223]

Would you buy either of these for hunting deer etc.?

Yes and no...both brands/models are good for deer, but I wouldn't use a .22cal for deer (though it can be done).

If so, which would you pick?

I like the Savage a bit better (mostly due to the accu-trigger), and personally wouldn't buy a Weatherby in a chambering other than a Weatherby Mag. (and would stick to a Mk. V)...but that is just me, it is also a good gun.

 

[TankHand]

+1 on the savage, I have one in .223 with a laminated thumbhole stock, bull-barrel, and accu-trigger. Ridiculous accuracy. Never had a gun feel so good to shoot either.

 

[52grain]

I like Savage, but I generally would not buy a package gun.

 

[millertyme]

That weatherby is made by Howa out of Japan. Not necessarily a bad thing, and they do make a good rifle. Any Savage with an Accu-trigger is a good gun. Not the best looking gun, but probably the best performer for the price.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Any Savage I have ever owned was/is a really good gun. I currently have a model 110 Bolt Action 22-250 that I glass-bedded myself with free-floating barrel and pull about 1/2" groups at 200 yards with it. I have shot a crow during crow season that was measured at 420 paces (my pace is about 36").

Summer, a year ago, I shot a woodchuck at 500 yards.

Before I got a chronograph, I had no idea the gun was shooting as flat as it is, however once I chronied my 55g bullets at 3,950 FPS, and ran everything through my Barnes Bullets Ballistic Software, I realized in the past many missed shots were from shooting too high (holding high, thinking the bullet was traveling slower than it actually is, but about 500-600 FPS).

The gun is not a real pretty gun, and you certainly are not buying the really shiny blued barrel and pristine stock, however YOU ARE buying a real SHOOTER! I refinished my stock and stained it with Minwax Ebony Stain making it black, with several coats of satin polyurethane over it so it is protected, yet does not look shiny.

My vote is SAVAGE. If it is a package deal (with scope), I find that the scopes that most companies put on are junk. A $39 Scope is NOT what you want.

I have Leupold rings & one-piece mount with a Leupold Vari-X-III 3.5x10 scope on mine. I would have no problem using this for deer hunting with the proper bullet for deep penetration.

 

[natman]

If you plan on hunting deer, get the 308.

Both are good rifles, you should also consider the Marlin XS7 at around $320. If price is a factor, get the cheapest rifle and spend the difference on a Leupold VXII scope.

I'd much rather have a Marlin XS7 and a Leupold than the Savage package.

 

[STRONGARM5791]

Both are good rifles. I have a Weatherby Vanguard in .223. I would not hunt deer with it. But Varmits and smaller critters don't stand a chance! I have a .308 in a Ruger M77 I hunt Deer, and Elk with. Ammo cost is Cheap for either weapon.

 

[STRONGARM5791]

You can acually go "Plinking" with the .308. Last time I checked, Sports Academy had them for $8.00 box for ball ammo......I mean if that's the only gun you got, run what you brung!

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I'd vote for the Weatherby. Guaranteed accuracy out of the box with the target to prove it. I love mine in .30-06. It's a tack driver with anything you put through it. I've shot Hornady, Federal, Remington, Winchester, and several different handloads. It likes em' all. The target that came with it was one hole. There's a thread going right now with a lot of people giving a thumbs up to hunting deer with a .223, but I would shy away from the .22 calibers for deer. Go with the .308. Just my opinion.

 

[Arkel23]

Look at my signature, and go buy your gun!