Not another which rifle is better thread!

[just browsing]

Hi all,

New to LRH but long time lurker and shooter. Looking for advice on a nice entry level long range rifle. I don't mean to clutter the forums with redundant 'this vs. that' rifle threads but I'm looking for some firsthand experience.

Use:
- Solely for LR target shooting (let's say anything out to 1,000 yards)

Budget:
- $1,000 - $1,500

Caliber:
- .300 Win Mag

Candidates:
- Savage 110 FCP-HS Precision
- Savage 110 BA
- Remington 700 Sendero SF II
- Others?

I would also consider entry level custom rifle packages (Sniper Central) or other alternatives (Sako, Howa, etc.). I know all of the rifles will "do the job," but I'm really looking for something that will be a tack driver out of the box with minimal tweaking.

Full custom is out of the question, I'm set on .300 Win Mag, and I already know the rifle is only going to be as good as the shooter, glass, and load. I'm just looking for a something that will get me there with consistency.

And here's a picture of my Winchester Model 70 7mm Rem Mag that's being replaced:



Thanks.

 

[Booney]

Get a new scope and maybe a new barel and keep what you have.

 

[Elkmasterwyo]

Get a new scope and maybe a new barel and keep what you have.

+1, there is nothing wrong with the win action, use it as a starting platform, if it shoots good, excellent! If not, a re-barrel could be an option. Maybe a stock upgrade? But then again, by the time you get all of that done, you probably could've bought one of the rifles you mentioned. My vote would go towards one of the savages you mentioned, as in my experience, the savages are more CONSISTENTLY accurate than recent rems.

 

[just browsing]

+1, there is nothing wrong with the win action, use it as a starting platform, if it shoots good, excellent! If not, a re-barrel could be an option. Maybe a stock upgrade? But then again, by the time you get all of that done, you probably could've bought one of the rifles you mentioned. My vote would go towards one of the savages you mentioned, as in my experience, the savages are more CONSISTENTLY accurate than recent rems.

I thought about building a rifle around the Win action but at that point I would be into it just as much as a brand new Savage or Remington. All of these rifles are going to outperform my abilities as a shooter, and I'm really looking to use it as a starting point right now so that I can build off of it later.

As far as out of the box accuracy goes, it's looking more and more like Savages are pretty hard to beat, especially for the price. I've heard from more than a few people that the 110BA's can be hit or miss though, so I'm leaning towards the FCP HS.

Still going to be a few days before I make a decision, so I'd really like to hear from some more people. Thanks for the insight.

 

[Elkmasterwyo]

I thought about building a rifle around the Win action but at that point I would be into it just as much as a brand new Savage or Remington. All of these rifles are going to outperform my abilities as a shooter, and I'm really looking to use it as a starting point right now so that I can build off of it later.

As far as out of the box accuracy goes, it's looking more and more like Savages are pretty hard to beat, especially for the price. I've heard from more than a few people that the 110BA's can be hit or miss though, so I'm leaning towards the FCP HS.

Still going to be a few days before I make a decision, so I'd really like to hear from some more people. Thanks for the insight.

All true statements here, might also look into the sake tika's i have no experience with them but have heard tons about accuracy/$ value.

 

[Booney]

A custom stock and barrel will out shoot a box gun every day action is fine just do a rebarrel. Most box guns are ok some are great you some are garbage you never know what your going to get if you just rebarrel and maybe a new stock you can be sure she will shoot.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

Either of the Savages. I have shot them. Yes the FCP gets a better nod.

OF course you will keep the M70 7mm.

 

[Rick Richard]

Savage. I have purchased two different models lately and both are way better than I can shoot with them. Best out of the box rifles for accuracy.

 

[just browsing]

Either of the Savages. I have shot them. Yes the FCP gets a better nod.

OF course you will keep the M70 7mm.

Well funny thing... Took the M70 to my local Cabela's yesterday and they ended up giving me $450 for a trade-in. Between the Simmons scope and Champion bipod that were on it, that rifle was worth maybe half of that on a good day.

+1 for the FCP.

Savage. I have purchased two different models lately and both are way better than I can shoot with them. Best out of the box rifles for accuracy.

Andddd another vote for the Savage. I didn't expect it to me this much of a runaway

 

[Engineering101]

jb

I recommend you make a slight tweak to what you are thinking of doing. Take a look at the Savage Model 12 Varmit Low Profile in 300 WSM. That chambering holds the US record at 1,000 yards. You get a 26" varmit contour barrel which would be much preferred for your intended use. You can pick this rifle up from CheaperThanDirt for $970.

 

[just browsing]

jb

I recommend you make a slight tweak to what you are thinking of doing. Take a look at the Savage Model 12 Varmit Low Profile in 300 WSM. That chambering holds the US record at 1,000 yards. You get a 26" varmit contour barrel which would be much preferred for your intended use. You can pick this rifle up from CheaperThanDirt for $970.

I hadn't seen that before. That would be a great option but I can't stand Savage's laminated wood stocks. They just look horrible. I may put a call into Savage tomorrow to see if they would be able to put the .300 WSM action and 26" varmit barrel in a 110 FCP stock, I've heard that they're known to do similar things if you're willing to pay MSRP. Otherwise I'd have to look into getting the stock Cerakoted or something. Would that caliber/action/barrel be that much better for my application than the .300 WM in the 110 FCP HS?

Thanks for the recommendation, gives me another option.

 

[roninflag]

the winchester laredo is equivalent to a sendero.

 

[just browsing]

the winchester laredo is equivalent to a sendero.

I looked at them as well but you really don't see that many of them in long range shooting for some reason. I'm going to see if I can find a Varminter in .300 WSM but factory rounds are harder to find in some of the LGS.

 

[just browsing]

Now that I'm looking at other savages, does anyone have any experience with the Savage Model 12 F/TR? I realize it would be a .308, but the more I think about it the more I think it might better suit my needs. I would save myself a whole lot of money with ammo and reloading supplies too.

EDIT: I just realized it's a single shot. I'd prefer not to be limited by that, so I'll be calling Savage tomorrow to see if they can put the 26" varmint contour barrel on the 110FCP HS and go from there. Thanks for all your help thus far.