Mitch Rapp
Well-Known Member
Trying to make a somewhat informed decision, I really like two specific options. A Remington SPS with sporter barrel, or a Savage Trophy Hunter. Both are in the 4-600 dollar range, and are available in 300 win mag, or 300 WSM. Not completely ruling out other calibers, but that is sort of where I have settled. I am trying to get a rifle that every year I spend another $3-500 on to upgrade it, all while being able to start shooting and learning right away.
I like the Savage because of the crazy reputation they have for accuracy, and the fact that I could swap the barrel out for a better one myself at some point. I have owned several Savages in the past, and really like the accutrigger. With the price of the Trophy hunter, and the Nikon Scope it comes with, I could likely sell the scope and replace the stock immediately. Not sure about bedding the action, I am fairly handy and would like to do it myself, but to be honest it scares me a bit to try it.
Remington 700 SPS in 300 WSM, I like for all the aftermarket support it has, plus I really like the Magpul stock available for them. Remington's reputation has been a bit sullied the last few years, not sure if there has been an improvement in that area of late or not, most threads about QC issues I have seen while searching are from 2012 give or take a year. I have never owned a Remington 700, I would sort of like to give them a try. This rifle would have to stay stock for a while, except again maybe a bed job by me, eventually I would want the Magpul stock, and a new barrel. Whats a ballpark figure on what it would cost to re barrel a 700?
The other options in that price range that I have looked at are:
TC Venture, very inexpensive, could pick up a new stock and bed it myself and still be in budget. After that, not sure what all I could do with the gun as a continuing project.
Tikka T3 lite, I love the rifle, but it would have to stay stock for a while. I imagine having barrels swapped or other things would be fairly spendy. This rifle worries me a bit as well, I am not recoil shy, but that is a very light gun.
There is also the chance I will run across a great deal on a used gun. I have plenty of time, and plan to browse for a while, learning as much as I can before I buy.
Oh, and I already have a scope.
I like the Savage because of the crazy reputation they have for accuracy, and the fact that I could swap the barrel out for a better one myself at some point. I have owned several Savages in the past, and really like the accutrigger. With the price of the Trophy hunter, and the Nikon Scope it comes with, I could likely sell the scope and replace the stock immediately. Not sure about bedding the action, I am fairly handy and would like to do it myself, but to be honest it scares me a bit to try it.
Remington 700 SPS in 300 WSM, I like for all the aftermarket support it has, plus I really like the Magpul stock available for them. Remington's reputation has been a bit sullied the last few years, not sure if there has been an improvement in that area of late or not, most threads about QC issues I have seen while searching are from 2012 give or take a year. I have never owned a Remington 700, I would sort of like to give them a try. This rifle would have to stay stock for a while, except again maybe a bed job by me, eventually I would want the Magpul stock, and a new barrel. Whats a ballpark figure on what it would cost to re barrel a 700?
The other options in that price range that I have looked at are:
TC Venture, very inexpensive, could pick up a new stock and bed it myself and still be in budget. After that, not sure what all I could do with the gun as a continuing project.
Tikka T3 lite, I love the rifle, but it would have to stay stock for a while. I imagine having barrels swapped or other things would be fairly spendy. This rifle worries me a bit as well, I am not recoil shy, but that is a very light gun.
There is also the chance I will run across a great deal on a used gun. I have plenty of time, and plan to browse for a while, learning as much as I can before I buy.
Oh, and I already have a scope.