remington vs savage

[angus-5024]

what remmy do you have?

I have a Model 700 XCR. The more that I tinker with it and set it up, the more I like it. I definatley think It is a nicer design than the savages (personal opinion). It is'nt a target rifle, but I'm hoping it works for me. I got the trigger issue sorted out thanks to Jim See at CenterSot rifles. with the exception of the trigger breaking in half at the set screw I really like the trigger (for factory). I have a new trigger of the same model and like it.

As far as drilling dimes, your gonna have to go high end to custom for that. If I was gonna build a custom I would go with a remy over a savage, but I would way rather buy a custom action and go from there. All being said, If you go factory there are lemons and there are gems, its a gamble. Feel both for yourself, whatever one you like the feel of better, get that one. Both can shoot well and both can shoot like crap. make a list of what requirments your rifle must have and compare models that meet your needs and price range.

With my XCR I have cut a butt hook in, free float the barrel (there was alot of excess material), bedded , stiffind the forend, painted it and put a brake on. hopefully I get a chance to shoot it soon. just my rookie $.02.

 

[AJ Peacock]

Hey Nonya, the original poster didn't titled this "Remington vs Savage, what are you most biased for?"

As far as resetting the barrels and Remingtons being just as easy as a Savage. Tell me how easy it is to change the bolt face? Oh yeah, you need machining capability or additional aftermarket bolts with the Remington. I can take a Savage in 300WSM and in 20 minutes I can be shooting a 223, 20 minutes later I can be shooting the 300WSM again. Even the all knowing and powerful Nonya can't do that with a Remington.

As far as betting your Remingtons against all our *** Savages at 500+yds, my Savage based 338 Edge is pretty tough out past 800yds. Even with the horrible 2lb factory trigger and ugly barrel nut. I also have a Rem 700 that is tough out there at long range (with it's $100 aftermarket trigger and $500 aftermarket stock and replacement barrel). I'm not biased, but if we bought a new 700 and a new Savage and shot them against each other, I'd bet my money on the Savage every time.

AJ

He asked for OPINIONS,if you dont agree get over it,dont try to make it personal,we are talking about our personal opinons of rifle manufacturers,not each other.Like I said,its still a 74 NOVA.Your not biased but you would bet on one brand every time?Explain to me how that works.

Back to the topic,if you have the option go with a Rem,use a 700 action and use quality parts,you will never regret it.If you havnt shot one make sure you give them a try,compare the fit and finish,feel and construction,the trigger is just a matter of adjusting it out of the factory setting to match what you like in a trigger pull,there is no need to replace them.If you cant afford to go with a Rem then a savage is a decent platform to use,you will be limited in what you can buy for it,something you will never run into with a 700.Either way make sure and post what you build!gun)

Not trying to make it personal, sorry about that, I had no excuse and I'm sorry you took it that way. I shouldn't have taken your post to infer that anyone that plays with a Savage is equivalent to a retarded spider monkey. Forester is the one you compared to the monkey, if anyone should be offended it is him. But I do agree with you, working on a Savage is much easier than working on a Rem.

The op asked about out of the box.
Out of the box, the Savage has a lighter trigger that will help in accuracy. Out of the box, the Savage has a floating bolt head that all but eliminates any action out of squareness (that exists in both the Rems and Savages) this aids in greater accuracy. Out of the box, they both have factory barrels, which can be bad,fair or great. Out of the box, the Savage can more easily be customized (without any type of machining), barrel AND bolthead swaps. Out of the box, the Savage is available with a blade ejector (not just an in the bolt spring/button ejector) , depending on caliber. This also is believed to help in the accuracy department.

I tried to think of ANYTHING in the design of the rem that would make it more accurate OUT OF THE BOX than the Savage, I couldn't think of one!

If the op had said which is better to send to a gunsmith and build into a custom, then I'd say a Remmy, actually I'd have said a custom action that would fit in a Rem700 footprint.

As far as fit and finish, that is pretty much in the eye of the beholder. I'd hope the op would only purchase a rifle that looks/feels good to him.

I own and have owned more Rems (by far) than Savages, I've hunted more w/ the rems etc. I don't consider myself biased. As far as betting on the OUT OF THE BOX Savage every time, I'd also bet on a flush draw over a straight draw every time too; I'm not biased toward the flush, just like the odds better.

AJ

 

[johnnyk]

awesfall,
Have you checked out Sharp Shooter Supply - The Savage Specialists for parts to upgrade the .30-06 that you have? You already have the long action; you could change to any of the other .473" cartridges (.22-250, .243, .25-06, 6.5-06, 308, etc.) by swapping the barrel. If you get a larger (or smaller) bolt head, with chambered barrel, you have the makings of a 7mmRM, 7STW or .300WinMag or whatever they offer. There's a lot of possibilities with the action that you have. You'll have to look at action/barrel wrenches and go/no go gauges also. Of course if you went with a heavier profile barrel you'd have to look at a different stock if your is the sporter profile.
It depends on you really. I like new rifles every so often, but I also like to tinker a bit. JohnnyK.

 

[Chief1942]

AWESFALL,
There is another point that you were not clear on when making this type of decision, costs. If you want to "drill dimes" I suspect you appreciate just how much $$$ it takes to build a rifle that will do that consistently. If you have the $$$ to pay a quality gunsmith for his time, or you have the skills and are willing to make the investment in the tools and parts to do it yourself, then go with the Remington action. As NONY and others have said, the aftermarket in parts for Remys far exceeds those of the Savage. If you sit down and crunch the numbers, I think you will ultimately find that there are folks out there who do this for a living and will build you that "dime smacker" for about what you'd put into doing it piecemeal. If your Dad is pushing the Remington, ask him if he will go the additional costs to make it the shooter you want it to be.
Another consideration for you is the second hand market here on LRH or Sniper's Hide. There are some great builds out there and often for a lot less than you can build them for. Just some things you might want to think on. Trust me when I say that the investment doesn't stop with the purchase of the rifle and ammo. It grows exponetially if the Long Range Accuracy bug bites.
As you already know, there is an abundance of experience right here on this site and others. So take advantage of it and don't let all the banter about which brand is better distract you. Listen, research, try each one out before hand if possible, then make YOUR decision. YOU will be the one living with your ultimate choice. Do keep us posted on how it all gets resolved for you. Myself, I'm still flitting around the edges of this sport and am going to school on all the lessons learned by those that have been doing this for some time. Haven't made the committment myself as yet. Good luck and stay safe.

 

[blipelt]

I would take a 74 nova over a cadillac any day. But then again I had a 72 with a stroker when I was a teenager. I am not much with "keepin up with the Jones".

I have heard of Remington contracting barrel chambering and fitting out to out of company gunsmiths. They aren't getting paid by the hour it is by the job. Has anybody heard of Savage doing this? I choose to go with full custom from a gunsmith and friend I trust. It is his/hers name on the line. Save your money and do it once.


Brent

 

[fin72fan]

When both of my guns were new out of box I would hafta say that my greenie(rem model 700 pss in .300 winmag grouped better than my 10fp .308 savage with hs tactical stock.( not by much) but it did group better. That being said I still love to shoot my savage. It being.308 I can shoot alot for less money than my .300 winny. Hell I just love to shoot. Just got back from the range(hunting lease) working up loads for my .300 and she is a tackgun) driver. If y'all are looking for some custom work you might want to check out Aquila firearms in Texas. Chris did a fantastic job on my remmy. Thanks Rick

 

[squirrelduster]

My Savage model 16 in 7WSM will drill dimes and I haven't done anything to it other than put a good scope on it. In fact it drills dimes at 200 yards.
I have recently changed the trigger but that was for personal preference not how it shot.
When you want to do anything to the Savage it is modular so you can buy a part and bolt it on. New bolt handle is under a hundred. Remington you get to pay the smith to cut yours off and thread a new one on. New caliber or your barrel is shot out, buy a barrel and screw it on yourself.
For any of the WSM calibers the Remington is a single shot if you want to seat the bullets to touch.
I see way to many good points with the Savage and not so many with the Remington. The only benefit of the Remington that I would like to see for the Savage is the availability of Jewell triggers.
Bottom line is if you want a cheap out of the box accuracy that will really shoot go with the Savage, if you want to pay someone to build you a rifle go with a Remington or custom action.
Personally after having purchased my first Savage and having several customized Remingtons in the safe I won't buy another Remington. Too expensive for what you get.

 

[Ring]

nothing will out shoot a savage out of the box for the money$

 

[338 LEGEND]

Savages are starting to sound like dodge pickups, I have a freind that has a dodge and he is always changing somthing on it , but it isnt to make it better its to keep it running. Now thats funny, I dont care who you are.

 

[blipelt]

You want to know what is the best. Go to the Benchrest shoots, they have some factory classes. See what is the majority rifle that is being used, and you will know.


338Legend I hope you aren't a chevy fan. At work we have more Chevy's sitting broke down than you can imagine and these are 2009's with less than 10,000miles
Brent

 

[338 LEGEND]

You want to know what is the best. Go to the Benchrest shoots, they have some factory classes. See what is the majority rifle that is being used, and you will know.


338Legend I hope you aren't a chevy fan. At work we have more Chevy's sitting broke down than you can imagine and these are 2009's with less than 10,000miles
Brent

I here they are having some problems, I dont drive nothing that new. I have a 2003 model duramax diesel truck and love it. has never been in the shop, gets 22 mpg on the road. Do you work at a chevy dealership? From what im hearing all of the new ford, chevy and dodges are less then parr. my next door neighbor and i was talking, he has a 2009 dodge hemi truck with 18,000 miles that now only has 7 rods, dealership said tuff ,you didnt change the the factory oil, guess were he has his oil changed.

 

[blipelt]

I work at a coal mine. We have seen alot of tranny and starter issues. We currently have a Toyota to test out. I agree the new pickup's are becoming a urban 4X4. I was thinking about buying a new one this year, but I think I will have to pass until they work the bugs out.
I drive an old '99 chevy suburban

Brent

 

[338 LEGEND]

You would think for the price of them there couldnt be so many problems, I think i will just keep driving what i have also. Your 99 will out last the 09 models, well nice talking to you sleep is calling work starts 4:00 AM.
Later

 

[3006savage]

Savages are starting to sound like dodge pickups, I have a freind that has a dodge and he is always changing somthing on it , but it isnt to make it better its to keep it running. Now thats funny, I dont care who you are.

Are you serious about poor reliability with Savage?

What kind of failures are they prone to?