Savage 12FV or Rem 700 SPS Varmit ???
- Thread starter hudson
- Start date
Pick the one you like best
My varmint rifles are savage
My hunting rifles are Remington
I have a custom Rem built and a savage custom on the way
They all shoot an inch or better and have good and bad things about them. Go to a gun store hold them both and maybe a few others and take the one home that wins. If you have to buy online flip a coin cause you will find a ton of votes for both.
My varmint rifles are savage
My hunting rifles are Remington
I have a custom Rem built and a savage custom on the way
They all shoot an inch or better and have good and bad things about them. Go to a gun store hold them both and maybe a few others and take the one home that wins. If you have to buy online flip a coin cause you will find a ton of votes for both.
manbearpig
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Somewhere in the Third World
i would highly recommend something lighter/handier for both coyote and deer.
neither are going to involve high volume fire. you are going to seriously regret carrying a 26" heavy barreled rig with a heavy scope on it.
the advantages of a heavy barrel are not going to come into play when hunting deer or coyotes.
something like the Remington Model Seven Predator, with its 39" OAL, 6.5lb weight and fluted medium contour barrel would be ideal, with lightweight Talley rings and a moderate scope.
this was my idea of a varmint/coyote rifle back when i was a noob (not my pic):
^i still have it sitting in the far corner of my safe, doesnt even have a scope mounted on it. it serves as a reminder of how little i knew about building a rifle thats actually going to be carried and not just for range use. if youre going to be sitting in a spot all day shooting gophers or paper, then get the heavy barrel.
the Model Seven is around $700, if you werent planning on spending that much then just get a Stevens 200 or Marlin XS7 with a standard contour barrel - theyre both accurate guns that offer great value for around $400.
manbearpig
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Somewhere in the Third World
also keep in mind that the rifle will be wearing bases/rings, a scope, perhaps a bipod, a sling, and be loaded with ammunition. it all adds up pretty fast - and when you are starting with a ~9lb rifle its very easy to end up with something that is uncomfortable to carry. you wont feel it just hefting it in the store, but after walking with it on your back for several miles you will.
when i first got started i just assumed that heavy barrels were universally better - now i will avoid them unless i know for certain that their advantages will actually come into play.
if i were you id also look at something like the Marlin XS7 - they are a pretty good value right now and reportedly very accurate out of the box. you can spend the money you save on some really nice glass, and ammo
when i first got started i just assumed that heavy barrels were universally better - now i will avoid them unless i know for certain that their advantages will actually come into play.
if i were you id also look at something like the Marlin XS7 - they are a pretty good value right now and reportedly very accurate out of the box. you can spend the money you save on some really nice glass, and ammo
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Savage 11FCNS. I really like the accutrigger in the field and the new center feed det mag is wonderful.
All the performance you will need in a hunting predator rifle at around 6.5lbs.
The recoil pad is nice and actually works. The plastic stock needs to be bedded and the barrel channel opened up but otherwise, very serviceable.
Enjoy playing with the various rifle in the store. What works for you will start becoming real clear, real fast.
Jerry
All the performance you will need in a hunting predator rifle at around 6.5lbs.
The recoil pad is nice and actually works. The plastic stock needs to be bedded and the barrel channel opened up but otherwise, very serviceable.
Enjoy playing with the various rifle in the store. What works for you will start becoming real clear, real fast.
Jerry
+1. I have a 12FV in 22-250 and packing that thing bush hunting would suck. Also, the Savage stock is pretty flimsy so that may be an issue for OP. No idea on the Rem stock, as I haven't handled one of them.
I would second the Stevens 200 recommendation, decent accuracy, light and cheap. Makes for a great knock around bush gun that will do the job.
Mark
I am so biased
I am very biased. I have a Weatherby Vanguard in .243 and a Remy sps Varmint in .223. If I were to pick, based on my humble experience, I'd go with the Remy - yup even with the heavy barrel. I use shooting sticks and after a while, of lugging it around, the biggest complaint is how the bipod bracket digs into my shoulder when carrying it. I put a Hogue stock on it - free floating barrel now.
It is a fantastic shooter (my own loads) and outshoots the Weatherby by about a 1/4" (both are sub-MOA)
The writeups prefer Savage, but I am not too fussy about those bolts.
I am very biased. I have a Weatherby Vanguard in .243 and a Remy sps Varmint in .223. If I were to pick, based on my humble experience, I'd go with the Remy - yup even with the heavy barrel. I use shooting sticks and after a while, of lugging it around, the biggest complaint is how the bipod bracket digs into my shoulder when carrying it. I put a Hogue stock on it - free floating barrel now.
It is a fantastic shooter (my own loads) and outshoots the Weatherby by about a 1/4" (both are sub-MOA)
The writeups prefer Savage, but I am not too fussy about those bolts.
I have the Rem 700 SPS Varmint in .308 and its a shooter at the range but i havent hunted with it yet. it is a beast to carry but i need the exercise. most people would probably hate lugging it (as mentioned above) and go with something lighter. I just like the looks etc so pick something you like and then the reasons dont matter.
I used a scoped Savage 12FV .308 last year for deer season. You won't enjoy humping that gun around all day, I didn't. 26" heavy barrel is fine if you have a place to sit and wait.
I also have a scoped 700 SPS in .223, again..its a heavy gun to tote around. Fine if you have a place to sit.
