Educate me on my next possible Bolt gun choice!

[Whitebrad25]

I am currently deciding between a Remington 700 series (from nothing but word of mouth reviews on the interwebz) and a Savage rifle (heard some good things about them with little searching).

I am planning on having the firearm be useful, possibly, at some point in my LE career. I am also looking at a .308, however, I am open to .223 if there are benefits to the chamber over .308 (YES I am completely new to bolt guns). I have some money to spend on the purchase. Long story short, I have been looking at a .22 to get my girlfriend comfortable shooting a rifle, we were watching an old episode of Top Shot where they shoot the .22 and she says, "it looks like it wouldn't even be any fun." I remember I shot a .22 at a friends land and we shot gatorade caps and it was a blast and super affordable. However, I now shoot at an indoor range only and I think she might be right about how much fun a .22 would be indoors in a range environment.


SO, she has given me the 'get outta jail free' card to buy a nice bolt action rifle....possibly. I have done a little bit of research, not as much as I do when I am typically interested in buying a product. Any current owners have insight on the above models/manufacturers and which model will be best for my future needs?

Any videos that you know of will help as well. I looked on Buds and the .22 would be $210 and for just a little more I could have a great bolt action rifle. More research will go into this before I buy....in fact, it might be awhile from right now (saving my money for a lot of things but if this rifle is a good price and of good quality, then I will comfortably sway myself from a .22).


The specific Remington I am looking at is http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...OLT+308+WSCOPE

And the Savage, I have no idea! Although I really don't know much about the differences between certain versions of the Remington 700 series, or 770s.

[Etownguy]

you cannot go wrong with a R700. my dad has one I have always called it the "sniper rifle" in 22-250 it is a tack driver at any distance. at 300 yards he put 12 rounds in the size of a nickel. This is NOT a stock rifle but shows what they can do.

[Whitebrad25]

Thanks for your response...I can't emphasize enough that I am really looking at jumping into this! I am excited and I love the feel of bolt action rifles. I am going to be looking at info on my own, but in the meantime, any other help, advice, questions, etc. are GREATLY appreciated. I am embarrased at how little I know in this area of firearms (I try to learn something new every day about my interests/hobbies and I managed to avoid this area for too long!).

[Dirty Rod]

Agree that there is nothing wrong with a 700 but the rifle you reference is a 770 and not the same rifle. The 770 is probably a good starter but it's not the same 700 that you see people raving about and posting up the tiny group shots.

That said, the first thing to figure out is what you want to do with it. Remington touts the 770 as a hunting rifle so it's probably a lightweight rifle with a synthetic stock, sporter barrel, and a lower end 3-9 scope. You referenced your LE career so if you are looking at more serious shooting and greater distance then the equivalent, albeit more serious, is the 700 SPS.

Centerfire Rifle - Model 700 SPS Tactical - Remington Centerfire Rifles
Centerfire Rifle - Model 700 SPS Long Range - Remington Centerfire Rifles

Not trying to shoot down the 770. As stated, it's probably a good starter rifle but just not the 700 that you have probably been reading about.

Now, as far as 700s and Savages go, great rifles and will outshoot just about any new shooter for quite a while. It's just going to come down to figuring out which you like better and how you are going to use it. For a range gun, the heavier guns with the longer varmint (thick) barrels are fine but you may want a lighter rifle with a 20-22" sporter (thinner) barrel for hunting to cut down on weight.

If you have a local store around it would probably be useful to go down and fondle all of the 700s, Savage 10/11s, Tikkas, Howas, etc. and see which one speaks to you. If you are on a budget and/or just want something to get started, I'm sure the 770 will do what you want.

[infectednite]

I have the 700 sps varmint chambered in. 308 the rifle outshoots me and has plenty of room to grow w/ me. Friend has a savage in 22-250 as well and its a fine rifle too.

[poppareilly]

i have a savage .308 use it on everything from coyotes to moose and from 100-800yds. I love it, im a Marine and ill tell you if i could carry a .308 vs a 5.56 M4 i would in a heartbeat.

[Whitebrad25]

Originally Posted by Dirty Rod

Agree that there is nothing wrong with a 700 but the rifle you reference is a 770 and not the same rifle. The 770 is probably a good starter but it's not the same 700 that you see people raving about and posting up the tiny group shots.

That said, the first thing to figure out is what you want to do with it. Remington touts the 770 as a hunting rifle so it's probably a lightweight rifle with a synthetic stock, sporter barrel, and a lower end 3-9 scope. You referenced your LE career so if you are looking at more serious shooting and greater distance then the equivalent, albeit more serious, is the 700 SPS.

Centerfire Rifle - Model 700 SPS Tactical - Remington Centerfire Rifles
Centerfire Rifle - Model 700 SPS Long Range - Remington Centerfire Rifles

Not trying to shoot down the 770. As stated, it's probably a good starter rifle but just not the 700 that you have probably been reading about.

Now, as far as 700s and Savages go, great rifles and will outshoot just about any new shooter for quite a while. It's just going to come down to figuring out which you like better and how you are going to use it. For a range gun, the heavier guns with the longer varmint (thick) barrels are fine but you may want a lighter rifle with a 20-22" sporter (thinner) barrel for hunting to cut down on weight.

If you have a local store around it would probably be useful to go down and fondle all of the 700s, Savage 10/11s, Tikkas, Howas, etc. and see which one speaks to you. If you are on a budget and/or just want something to get started, I'm sure the 770 will do what you want.

Thanks for the reply, and I appreciate you using my application in your response. I actually started to realize my post folly when I begin searching around. Which is no big deal, a little more than I want to spend at the moment but the time will only buy me more knowledge and research. I have the money for that price range but I am really thinking I will be better served buying some ammo for my new 1911 (.45 is dang expensive when I shoot as much as I do!) and I have been weighing the idea of an AR instead. I love bolt rifles though and I really want to get into this platform. Damn Apples to Oranges comparisons that life throws at me!

[Whitebrad25]

Originally Posted by poppareilly

ill tell you if i could carry a .308 vs a 5.56 M4 i would in a heartbeat.

Cool to hear. I like the round capabilities of 5.56 in an AR platform but I LOVE bolt rifles....for some time this purchase will simply be for my entertainment. I understand down the line that it could have multiple uses though and this is what really puts me into the limelight of bolt rifles.

[Dirty Rod]

Originally Posted by Whitebrad25

Thanks for the reply, and I appreciate you using my application in your response. I actually started to realize my post folly when I begin searching around. Which is no big deal, a little more than I want to spend at the moment but the time will only buy me more knowledge and research. I have the money for that price range but I am really thinking I will be better served buying some ammo for my new 1911 (.45 is dang expensive when I shoot as much as I do!) and I have been weighing the idea of an AR instead. I love bolt rifles though and I really want to get into this platform. Damn Apples to Oranges comparisons that life throws at me!

If you think .45 rounds are expensive then don't price .308 ammo. The Match rounds I shoot WERE $1.20 before I started reloading .308. If you shoot a lot of .45 I assume you already reloading so that will definitely help.

Definitely spend some time deciding what you readly want and consider the used gun market. My first 700 was $600 from a guy would bought it the day before hunting season, didn't sight it in, shot six rounds, got frustrated and let me help him get rid of "that POS".

[Whitebrad25]

Originally Posted by Dirty Rod

If you think .45 rounds are expensive then don't price .308 ammo. The Match rounds I shoot WERE $1.20 before I started reloading .308. If you shoot a lot of .45 I assume you already reloading so that will definitely help.

Definitely spend some time deciding what you readly want and consider the used gun market. My first 700 was $600 from a guy would bought it the day before hunting season, didn't sight it in, shot six rounds, got frustrated and let me help him get rid of "that POS".

Actually, I have. It isn't as bad to me because I will likely shoot a bolt rifle less (less rounds, maybe only a little less often) than my pistols.

The only thing hendering me from just looking into an AR is that they are literally out of stock EVERYWHERE. It is like it is a sign to just stay with the bolt gun and keep looking for info. I have not started reloading yet but I am collecting my brass as I go along.