Despite the popularity of the rem 700 it is fundamentally inferior to Savage for a couple important reasons. First is the stiffness of the action. When you examine a Rem 700 repeater action out of the stock you will notice that the portion of steel between the front and rear ring is very slim. when you compare that to a Savage (depending on the model now) you can see the ejection port is only out to the side and the top of the receiver is steel from front to back. what this does for you is provide more stiffness in the action to prevent the barrel weight from deflecting the receiver. This is a desirable trait that contributes to better accuracy from the Savage.
Second is a safety concern. If you examine the bolt on a rem 700 and think about a ruptured case for a minute, the gas will leak around the lugs and travel out the back of the receiver and blasting the shooter in the face. I've seen this happen. Now compare a Savage and you will find they have addressed this two ways. One is the back of the bolt is capped in such a way as to deflect any gasses from the shooters face. Second is there is a lugway blocking device on the bolt just behind the lugs. What this little trick does for you is remain in the lugway after the bolt is closed and this prevents gas from travelling down the lug way toward the shooter.
Now in terms of accuracy, sure there's lots of guys who'll say they are pleased with remmy accuracy and that's ok. I've just seen the Savages out of the box win in match competition and that says something, cause I've never seen an out of the box Remmy do it. Now maybe a hunter doesn't need to hit match heads, but between these two, generally speaking, you are more likely to get it from a Savage.
As for safety, maybe it's not a concern if you buy nice new factory ammo, but for some guys its just nice to know Savage has made the effort.
Second is a safety concern. If you examine the bolt on a rem 700 and think about a ruptured case for a minute, the gas will leak around the lugs and travel out the back of the receiver and blasting the shooter in the face. I've seen this happen. Now compare a Savage and you will find they have addressed this two ways. One is the back of the bolt is capped in such a way as to deflect any gasses from the shooters face. Second is there is a lugway blocking device on the bolt just behind the lugs. What this little trick does for you is remain in the lugway after the bolt is closed and this prevents gas from travelling down the lug way toward the shooter.
Now in terms of accuracy, sure there's lots of guys who'll say they are pleased with remmy accuracy and that's ok. I've just seen the Savages out of the box win in match competition and that says something, cause I've never seen an out of the box Remmy do it. Now maybe a hunter doesn't need to hit match heads, but between these two, generally speaking, you are more likely to get it from a Savage.
As for safety, maybe it's not a concern if you buy nice new factory ammo, but for some guys its just nice to know Savage has made the effort.
Just look at how perfectly safe there gas system is, but they do shoot.
