The time has come, help me decide...

Mainly target shooting. But it would serve as a deer gun. I'm looking at 30-06, maybe .308 if that's what's available.
I wanted Stainless for corrosion resistance, but have no problem with parkerizing. I don't like blueing on a field gun.
The SPS has a matte blueing, which if it's anything like what they put on the 870 Express, is a rust magnet.
I checked the Remington website and the SPS Tactical seems interesting. They say it has a "black oxide" finish. What that means I don't know.
But I like the heavy barrel and better stock over the regular SPS.
I'll check around and see how much a base model 700p goes for just to compare.
 
OK, now we have some criteria to go on. Non-expensive. (cuts out Sako and Browning and Weatherby MarkV).
Seems bench shooting is more important than hunting (cuts out Rem LSS)
Must not be heavy (cuts out weatherby Vanguard)
Must not have plastic (Tikka)

Buy a Rem BDLSS

By the way I have a Rem BDL, Rem Titanium, and a Weatherby Vanguard. All are very accurate and are very good in the field.
 
I have Ruger, Rmeington, Winchester, Savage...


All are very accurate and are very good in the field.

If I had to put them in order of preference:

1) Winchester
2) Ruger
3) Remington
4) Savage

All will shoot very well, less than MOA with most reasonable loads. Very few facotry rifles shoot poorly these days.

I;d look at the 308 for your puporses. More than enough power on deer, and a little less recoil at the range. And cheap ammo, too:p
 
Another vote for the Ruger. I bought a new one last year - stainless synthetic in 308. I wanted a tough rifle that I wouldn't care about too much and it would be in and out of boats on the ocean.

I got all the above and more. Like said they're a bit 'gritty' at first when you work the action at first. After a hundred rounds or so and otherwise cycling the thing about that much its nice and smooth now. Accuracey has been no worse than 2 MOA (undesireable reloading attempts) to well under MOA. My deer load prints about 2" at 300 yards. :cool:

The trigger isn't that great but I haven't got around to doing anything with it yet, and actually haven't found it much of an impairment. Its got a bit of creep but breaks cleanly. The action is extremely robust and cycles flawlessly and is now smooth. The safety is awsome. The rings are top drawer too IMHO. If I bought another new rifle it would probably be a Ruger.
 
I handled the SPS Varmint at another shop today. From what I've read, it's essentially the same as a 700p minus the good stock. With a 26" bull barrel it would be great for benchrest, but a bit of a handful for hunting.
I'll be going back to the store with the sale tomorrow and take a very close look at the 700SPS with 24" sporter barrel. It's well priced at ~$579 and I can't really find anything wrong with it aside from the stock, which may or may not be o.k.


Edited to add:

O.K. I just stumbled onto something interesting. The Remington 700SPS Tactical. 20" bull barrel. This one speaks to me. :)
It's light enough to carry around and has gotten pretty good reviews. The stock is apparently better than on the Varmint or regular SPS. Under $700. I will be ordering one on Monday morning.

Now for bases, rings and scope choices...:)
I'll pick up a Leupold VX-1 on sale tomorrow and try to get my head around all of the mounting options. I know people will say, get a VX-2 or VX-3, but they're quite a bit more pricey. But who knows, I may get a VX-2 in spite of myself.

Thanks for all the help with the rifle folks, Steve
 
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