First bolt action rifle. What to buy?

dirtymonroe

dirtymonroe

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So I have a few AR's an M305 and a CZ858. I'm thinking it's time to get into something bolt action. I know I'm going to go with a .308, just don't know what brand to go with. I have read some pretty convincing arguments that remington is pretty much the way to go, but it looks like savage gives you more bang for the buck. I have also read that remington's quality control has been in the dumps lately.

My budget is about 1500 without a scope. I would like something that is a bit more tacticool looking, and easy to modify if I want to beef it up to reach out a little further when I get the money to do so. I would also like to know if either of these companies offer a bolt action in a desert or urban camo finish.

Let me know what you guys think I should do. Thanks...
 
Over the last couple of years I sold my Savage's to pay for other stuff (like ARs). In the last month I sold my Remington to pay for a Savage. Nuff said.:D

Okay, to be fair my Remington was fine. I simply want to go to 223 instead of 308 and I think Savage's offerings are better. I wanted a fast twist and I don't think Rem offers it.

All in all both work. I had an XCR Tactical in 308 and I really liked it. Load development was going well but.......I am really enjoying 223 for long range target shooting. About 1/2 the cost for reloads and almost no recoil. I can see my splash at long range through the scope for example. That would never happen with a 308.

As for the finishes you ask for. I would suggest buying a rifle with the features you want (chambering, barrel length & twist, detachable mag/internal mag/single shot) and then get the rifle re-finished. How it looks is really less important that how it shoots and can be changed.

There was a tread in the forum recently about a dip coating procedure to put just about any finish pattern you can think of on you stock as I recall.
 
I have a couple of Savages, one is a sporter so it has a standard barrel, but it shoots great and the Accutrigger is fantastic. The other is a 22WMR with a heavy barrel and laminate stock. Again, another fantastic shooter at 100 yards. I don't think you will go wrong with one of their rifles. Savages competition team is shooting off the shelf rifles (I forget which one) and is winning competitions all over the world against guys using custom rigs that cost double or more.
 
i just picked up a Remington 700 Tactical from frontier (223 but i have the same in 308, but with a AAC stock), i was debating between it and a savage... same price (only 630$ so well below your price range which gives tons of room for upgrades if ya want) only reason i went remington over the savage was that i already have one so i know it better.
 
Have a look on the equipment exchange in precision rifles and keep your eyes peeled for a nice low round count custom .308 that has a nice action and match quality barrel. Something will come along before you know it in your price range. You can put out a WTB post on there too and maybe you will get a hit of exactly what your looking for. Be patient.
 
I agree with cuto85, a Remmy 700, a solid platform that you can turn into whatever you desire... the 700 is literally the Ruger 10/22 of boltguns, as you can make them into whatever you want, ie. F-Class, Hunter, Big-Game Safari, Tactical, Varmint... and when the end result is done right they perform very, very well...
 
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It seems like there are vary convincing arguments from both sides here. Thank you all for your thoughts. I guess it just boils down to what feels comfortable to me. I will defiantly check out the EE, but I like the idea of new for warranty purposes. I'll post some pics when I have made my choice. Thanks again...
 
Savage is Amazing Accurate out of the Box, with out doing anything to the rilfe, and it can shoot key hold size. while remington 700 need minor tuning. I own several savage already, and it can out shoot most any day.
 
That is an awesome rifle, I handled one at some gun store in Calgary yesterday. The Savage 16fcss in 25.06 was far nicer than even the Sako A7. The bolt, stock, trigger, pad, magazine, you name it. The gun reminded me of a light #4 Enfield, the bolt cycled so naturally and the DM just was solid, the latch was in the front though. The stock on the gun didn't quite fit the hand as nice as the pistol grip on the Enfield, but it was pretty damn good.

The trigger is just second to none. I personally like the fake double stage trigger you get with the accutrigger.

I keep trying to buy a 16fcss 308 but WSS is always out of stock when I visit, so I may have to pay for shipping and get it from Epps.
 
Rocket Surgery said:
That is an awesome rifle, I handled one at some gun store in Calgary yesterday. The Savage 16fcss in 25.06 was far nicer than even the Sako A7. The bolt, stock, trigger, pad, magazine, you name it. The gun reminded me of a light #4 Enfield, the bolt cycled so naturally and the DM just was solid, the latch was in the front though. The stock on the gun didn't quite fit the hand as nice as the pistol grip on the Enfield, but it was pretty damn good.

The trigger is just second to none. I personally like the fake double stage trigger you get with the accutrigger.

I keep trying to buy a 16fcss 308 but WSS is always out of stock when I visit, so I may have to pay for shipping and get it from Epps.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it seems to have most of the options I want in one package. I also haven't heard anything bad about that accutrigger. Everyone I have talked to about it says it's great.

I have also read somewhere about people media blasting some part of the gun to make something fit or move better. Anyone know what they are talking about?
 
id say a remy its kind of a personal preference but as someone said they are like the 10/22 of the bolt world there is anything and everything for these guns and a really wide variety of base models to start with personal favorites being the 5r and 700p both in .308 and as for the finish it was my post asking about the camo re-finishing cobra imaging in salmon arm BC does it and they have a wide selection of finishes hope this helps

:cheers: kevin
 
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