new b.r / varmint rifle opinions

LeftyM77

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Hello all I am having a hard time deciding between a few rifles for my next purchase. this rifle will be a 243 but I can't decide between a savage model 12 vlp a remington model 700 vls or a ruger m77 mkII target... this gun will be used for about 80% long range bench shooting and some varminting ( mostly coyotes) I am a lefty but am buying a right han ded gun brcause of the comfort an shootablity off the bench.
so lets here the opinions...
 
My opinion

buy the Rem 700 all the way.

There is much discussion about which is better lately the Savage or the Rem. The Savage appears by many to be the better buy for bang for the dollar out of the box. It is still hard for me to even be convinced to buy one.

I just traded a shotgun in on a Rem 700 SPS Youth model in .243 Win for the fact that I did not have a light carry around gun for varmints. I know that if I decide to throw any Top Notch aftermarket parts on it tommorrow they will be easy to find. There are so many great aftermarket components for the Rem 700's. Yes, with a Savage if one has some know how and the proper tools you can change a barrel out yourself much easier than the Rem but it still has not converted me.

The Rem 700 SPS youth is a gun that my daughter will be able to shoot as well if she ever seems inclined to do so.
 
Ruger = not known for accuracy. Some will surely jump in and defend them, and that's fine - I'm sure some shoot great but overall that's not the word.

I have 2 Savages, a BTVSS .223 and a 110FP in 7mmRM. The 7mm shoots great right out of the box....well, I bedded and floated (or more accurately hogged out the barrel channel to make sure it always floats) it before I ever shot it. The .223 is fine, tho so far fairly fussy about ammo. The Accutrigger works fine for me, some love it some hate it. There are no 'fit and finish' issues with either gun, and they are easy to work on as noted.

I'm trying hard to talk myself out of a .204, which I want in a 700 SPS Varmint just to try something different.
 
Ruger = not known for accuracy. Some will surely jump in and defend them, and that's fine - I'm sure some shoot great but overall that's not the word.
Wow...Not known for accuracy? My .204 (Ruger M77 MKII Target) explodes gophers out at 200 yards very easily. I'm thinking a coyotes waaay bigger = easier to hit at even longer ranges. Other may love or hate their .204 but mines a keeper. I love the light trigger as well as the fact that when you squeeze off a round, the recoil is so minimal that you can watch the results through the scope.
I too am thinking about another gun in either .223 or .243 and funny enough I was thinking Savage due to cost + the accutrigger. My .204 being that its the *target* model, has a very light trigger pull. The only reason I don't get another is the fact I paid $900 for the rifle and i can get a Savage 12FV for only $590.
 
I'm trying hard to talk myself out of a .204, which I want in a 700 SPS Varmint just to try something different.[/QUOTE]

I was also thinking about an sps varmint as well but was not sure about the stock... I thought the savage might be better because it is a mcmillan and it comes pillar bedded from the factory what are everyones thoughts from a quality / accuracy standpoint
 
I purchase a Savage 12fv in .243 just this summer and love it!

I bought it for pretty much the same thing you are looking for... long range and coyotes... with some gophers as well.

This is my first Savage and I was very impressed with the out of the box performance. The AccuTrigger is simply amazing.

One question... what is the "flp" model?
 
the VLP is there varmint low profile stock. you can check it out on the savage website. I went in to buy one this week and they did not have any 243's in stock but are expecting them soon in the new year...so I am waiting till then
 
Hello all I am having a hard time deciding between a few rifles for my next purchase. this rifle will be a 243 but I can't decide between a savage model 12 vlp a remington model 700 vls or a ruger m77 mkII target... this gun will be used for about 80% long range bench shooting and some varminting ( mostly coyotes) I am a lefty but am buying a right han ded gun brcause of the comfort an shootablity off the bench.
so lets here the opinions...

Read up on what 6mmBR.com has to say about the .243 >
http://www.6mmbr.com/243Win.html
Be safe, happy shooting. :)
 
my mind has been made up about the rifle, I went into the store and handled all of them and I will be getting the savage. now I just need to decide on what glass, the two top choices are the bushnell 4200 6.5x24x50 and the leupold vxIII LRT 6.5x20x50...choices, choices
 
I'm trying hard to talk myself out of a .204, which I want in a 700 SPS Varmint just to try something different.

Don't use up all that energy trying to talk yourself out of a new gun! Use it trying to decide on new loads. The 204 is a fun one, so happy shooting, from a fellow addict!;)


LeftyM77... a great choice! Actually, I think any of the 3 guns you had listed was a great choice. As for glass, it's a toss up with the two you have mentioned. I own both Leupolds and B&L and have a high regard for both. Oddly enough perhaps, but I find the eye relief of the Leupy a little too fickle and might give the nod to the B&L (I've got 2 B&L 6-24's... one older Balvar and one Elite 4000... don't have a 4200 series anything... yet). I'd vote against the 50mm objective for target shooting, but since you want to shoot 'yotes too, it might come in handy for the early/late shots. I'm not a fan of super high scopes, which is why I say that.
 
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my mind has been made up about the rifle, I went into the store and handled all of them and I will be getting the savage. now I just need to decide on what glass, the two top choices are the bushnell 4200 6.5x24x50 and the leupold vxIII LRT 6.5x20x50...choices, choices

Hi

I picked up one of the Bushnell 4200 6.5-24 x 50's. It's a very nice scope. It's also a very nice scope for the money. I just bought a second one, and probably will get a third.

Bob
 
I misread your initial comments... I thought you wrote flp... instead of vlp.. That low profile is very nice.

When it comes to glass, I purchased a 3200 10x bushnel for my Savage 243 and I'm happy I did. Very clear picture and I like the large target turrets.

My friend purchased the 4200 that you mentioned... new this year I beleive... anyhow... he likes it a lot as well.

And really... for the cash... the Bushnel elite line... 3200 or 4200.. is a bargain.
 
bought the 243 yesterday...now for the optics...and rings and bases... and a bi-pod....and load development the fun has just began:50cal:
 
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