If I was trying to point out the key features that warrant the costs of the various rifles, it would start with:
1.) Remington 700
Pros: It is a good solid entry rifle, easy to smith (almost every smith in Canada can work with this particular action), easy to get parts for both factory and aftermarket, and easy to operate, generally very accurate and come with good easily adjustable triggers.
Cons: Two position safety forces the user to to take the weapon off safe to unload, Bottom hinged floorplate is a PITA for hunting if you move stands frequently, No guarantee that the barrel is free-floated and the action is not bedded.
In general, not a bad rifle and it is very easily upgradeable with readily available parts.
2.) Savage
Pros: Good trigger with very good accuracy out of the box, Detachable magazine is reliable, the rifle has excellent parts availability and aftermarket support. Some of these rifles have not come with a freefloating barrel so it would need to confirmed before leaving the store...
Cons: Same two position safety issue as Remington, the action and barrel nut design (while accurate) are FUGLY and aesthetically unpleasing to the eye.
In general it is worth the extra money to go up from the Remington to the Savage dollarwise as the additional features make it worth the extra money.
3,) Tikka
Pros: Excellent build from a quality European company, excellent trigger, fairly good parts availability but limited aftermarket support, and the barrel will come from the factory freefloating
Cons: Same two position safety as the above two, Plastic bottom parts, one size fits all action size (sorry this is lame for anything in the small action family calibres), expensive magazines to replace.
In general it is questionable if it is worth paying more for this particular rifle than for a Savage as it isn't a given that a Tikka will outshoot a Savage but I would give the edge to the Savage for accuracy as their ugly barrel nut design is actually very practical in producing good accuracy.
Browning:
Pros: 8 mounting screws vice 4 for scope mounts, action is bedded from the factory, barrel is freefloated from the factory, two position safety with a bolt release that allows unloading of the rifle from a safe position
Cons: Limited part selection, availability of aftermarket parts, cost of magazines
In general, it would be worthwhile to upgrade from any of the above 3 rifles, if only for the included bedding of the action (aftermarket bedding is an additional 150-200 bucks and none of the first three rifles comes with this option). I am not sold that you need to have 4 mounting screws per mount but it is reassuring to know that my bases won't be a problem. I personally like the fit and finish of Browning firearms and consider it a step up from Savage and Remington's SPS line but on par with Tikka.
