Hunting/target rifle mfr/model - your opinions?

[Denis]

I find this Remington Model 700 somewhat attractive.

...

My main question is, are there any problems with any of these manufacturer's or models that would make any of them a no-go?

My US$0.02: the attractiveness is a big factor. Sporting rifles are mature technology, and reputable manufacturers tend to make decent guns and/or stand behind their products if they do have technical problems.

That being the case, choose the rifle that appeals to you - aesthetically "sings" to you, feels "right" in the hand, balances, and so on... You'll spend a lot of time carrying, and sitting with, a sporter - so you'd much better get one you like and you will enjoy handling.

Unless, of course, you're soulless. In that case, any tool will do.

[Weetabix]

I'm not averse to Savage. I'm also not averse to adding parts. I'd like to keep the initial purchase to below $800. I can replace parts later.

Since I can't afford as many guns as I want, I want it to do double duty. I've always wanted to try 500 or 600 yards. I'd mused about that in a previous thread, but looking back over that one, it was all discussing milsurps I already have that it would be hard to add glass to. My eyes are old, and I've accepted that I need glass.

So, an order of priority:
1. Reliable
2. Relatively easy to find.
3. Acceptable for 500-600 yards with a few upgrades (trigger, glass). It will be more accurate than I am, so no need for a tack driver.
4. Upgrades relatively easy to find. I assume Timney, for example, will have triggers for any of them.

To keep this from being an exercise in paralysis by analysis, I think I'd like to limit it to:
- Winchester Model 70
- Remington Model 700
- Savage 10/11/16 (looks like the 16 is stainless/synthetic w/ detachable box)

Are there any deal killers from the priority list among those three?

[JKosprey]

I'm a slut for a good Savage. A 110 would fit the bill for you pretty nicely. That said, there are *nicer* rifles out there. The Savages are very utilitarian but not super pretty.

[Weetabix]

I'm a slut for a good Savage. A 110 would fit the bill for you pretty nicely. That said, there are *nicer* rifles out there. The Savages are very utilitarian but not super pretty.

Utilitarian sometimes is pretty. I went and fingerprinted a Savage 16 Trophy Hunter at lunch. I really liked the feel. I checked out a Win 70 as well.

[rightisright]

Winchester, Remington, CZ, they're all great. Lots of campfire discussions about the best for a particular purpose.

I keep coming back to Savage, or Ruger. There are more of those in the family battery than any of the others. Don't be aftraid of the Ruger American or the Savage Axis. Those two are making the other manufacturers play catch-up.

When the Axis (aka Edge) first came out, the main complaints were the trigger and the cheesy stock. Well, Savage added an accutrigger to some of the Axis models. You are still stuck w. the shitty stock, but that can be changed.

I have a Savage Hog Hunter in .308. With the 20" barrel, it's very handy. Yeah, the stock is kinda crappy, but it's a knock-about gun. From the bench using Federal 168g Gold Medal, it will shoot MOA at 100 yards. I have a Vortex Viper HS 4-16x50 riding on top. I did a lot of shopping and came in at under $900 (IIRC) for everything.

That said, there are a lot of good rifles other than Savage out there these days. But not too many that stand as equals at the same price point.

[PawPaw]

I have a Savage Hog Hunter in .308. With the 20" barrel, it's very handy. Yeah, the stock is kinda crappy, but it's a knock-about gun. From the bench using Federal 168g Gold Medal, it will shoot MOA at 100 yards. I have a Vortex Viper HS 4-16x50 riding on top. I did a lot of shopping and came in at under $900 (IIRC) for everything

I've never had a Savage that wouldn't shoot MOA right out of the box, assuming good ammunition. With a little tweaking and tailored ammo, they'll do much better than that. Savage, over the past 10 years, has spent a lot ot time and energy learning to make accurate rifles.

[Weetabix]

I went to the BassPro mother ship at lunch to fingerprint a few.

I found the rifle I want upstairs. They haven't named a price yet. I told them, "The sign says free."

I'll be in my bunk.

[Weetabix]

Oh, yeah...

It was in this department:

[308Mike]

Oh, yeah...

It was in this department:

NO WONDER I couldn't find a price (which would likely be far more than I paid for our HOUSE)!!!

[slowpoke]

The scary thing is there are likely thousands of rifles made this year that are more accurate than that one.