Venture, Savage, Tikka, SPS
- Thread starter Anfoman76
- Start date
Then if you want to be 100% sure buy a TC Icon Precision Hunter in 308, they are out of the box like a custom rifle in accuracy and that nobody will take it away from you... NOt sure i would give it back now than i know, one of my TRG-22 could be sacrificed to the profit of the Icon, accuracy is the real thing here... JP.
All of those guns are fine, but I'd probably not take any of them. Savages do not feel right to me, they're one of those guns where I hold it and it just screams "I'm not for you!". Still an accurate choice, they just don't light my fire. Remingtons are usually very accurate out of the box but poorly finished, the SPS finish marks easily and the quality control is lacking. Tikkas are excellent, nicest trigger, smoothest action, and the most accurate in my experience. They are probably my number 1 choice of all of the guns in that list, but I'm not a fan of magazines and dislike the fact that they're long action only - I'd love to see how light they could get a T3 with a proper short action and a blind mag. The T/C I have only limited experience with, it seemed to be quite a bit heavier but I really like the "solid" feel. It was a .308 and shot great with blue-box Federal cheapies.
Model 70 Featherweight would still be my first choice. Such a pretty gun, accurate, fast-handling, well made, it just feels right for me. That's why I'd suggest trying them all out and seeing which one speaks to you.
Model 70 Featherweight would still be my first choice. Such a pretty gun, accurate, fast-handling, well made, it just feels right for me. That's why I'd suggest trying them all out and seeing which one speaks to you.
- Location
- Eastern Edge of the Foothills
The TC Icons are nice, but to me they're too heavy. I like light guns.
I held a TC Venture in a store briefly. I thought the stock was worse than any other synthetic I'd ever felt. Including a Stevens 200.
The Savage... I'm not a Savage guy. No good reason. Just not a big fan. Those that like'em, really like'em, and I have no problem with that. I'm just not one of them.
I've owned one SPS in 30-06. I liked the gun a lot and I'd buy another.
I've owned 2 T3's. I kept one. I'm not a big fan of the T3 synthetic stock either, but it's not quite as bad as the TC Venture. The one I kept had the walnut stock. The one I sold had the synthetic.
To me the best synthetic stock on a factory rifle is the Browning X-bolt's with the Dura-Touch. Those are great.
Of the choices you listed I'd go with either the Tikka T3 [in wood if I could afford it] or I'd go with the 700 SPS.
If you went with a Savage with the accustock and the accutrigger, you'd probably be a happy camper. Those who get them seam rather pleased.
I held a TC Venture in a store briefly. I thought the stock was worse than any other synthetic I'd ever felt. Including a Stevens 200.
The Savage... I'm not a Savage guy. No good reason. Just not a big fan. Those that like'em, really like'em, and I have no problem with that. I'm just not one of them.
I've owned one SPS in 30-06. I liked the gun a lot and I'd buy another.
I've owned 2 T3's. I kept one. I'm not a big fan of the T3 synthetic stock either, but it's not quite as bad as the TC Venture. The one I kept had the walnut stock. The one I sold had the synthetic.
To me the best synthetic stock on a factory rifle is the Browning X-bolt's with the Dura-Touch. Those are great.
Of the choices you listed I'd go with either the Tikka T3 [in wood if I could afford it] or I'd go with the 700 SPS.
If you went with a Savage with the accustock and the accutrigger, you'd probably be a happy camper. Those who get them seam rather pleased.
This is a ford / chev / dodge arguement. Those that like one brand like it over others for their own reasons. I personally love savage. I have had nothing but good luck with them.
I have friends that use tikka's and they love them. I have never been a fan of rem. My work rifle is a rem and I don't like it. But it does the trick. I can't say much about the tc. I looked at one in a shop once and it felt nice. I don't know about the .25 at 200 though. But to each their own.
I keep buying savage because I go by the moto "if it isn't broke, don't fix it". I have been looking at a tikka lately but the whole plastic gun parts doesn't set well with me. The first plastic gun I bought broke after 50 shots. Why they would make a guide rod out of plastic is beyond me.... I know that there are only a couple plastic parts on the tikka that are plastic. Even my new savage had a couple plastic parts. Just not a fan.
So in the end what feels right to you and is in the range of funds for you is what you need to go with. Since you said that your between the venture and savage, go with the pole. Savage is winning.
My 2 cents.
I have friends that use tikka's and they love them. I have never been a fan of rem. My work rifle is a rem and I don't like it. But it does the trick. I can't say much about the tc. I looked at one in a shop once and it felt nice. I don't know about the .25 at 200 though. But to each their own.
I keep buying savage because I go by the moto "if it isn't broke, don't fix it". I have been looking at a tikka lately but the whole plastic gun parts doesn't set well with me. The first plastic gun I bought broke after 50 shots. Why they would make a guide rod out of plastic is beyond me.... I know that there are only a couple plastic parts on the tikka that are plastic. Even my new savage had a couple plastic parts. Just not a fan.
So in the end what feels right to you and is in the range of funds for you is what you need to go with. Since you said that your between the venture and savage, go with the pole. Savage is winning.
My 2 cents.
I never was a Savage guy. Never liked the look of them.
BUT....
Got tired of bolt actions with the long rear-ends smacking me in glasses. Took in my Rem 7600 (243) to my local sports store, due to issues explained in previous threads, and tried a few actions.
Traded the 7600 for a Savage Model 10 Predator Hunter Max 1 (heavy 24" barrel). The ugly stubby bolt does not come anywhere near me...and the silly thing can really shoot well. I mean less than 3/4" MOA at 100 yards on a normal windy day with my pet 70 gr Noslers.
SO...I'm a convert.
I also own a Weatherby Vanguard, Rem SPS Varmint, and have a Tikka T3 in the safe too. They all shoot well and take reloads well, and that is what counts.
BUT....
Got tired of bolt actions with the long rear-ends smacking me in glasses. Took in my Rem 7600 (243) to my local sports store, due to issues explained in previous threads, and tried a few actions.
Traded the 7600 for a Savage Model 10 Predator Hunter Max 1 (heavy 24" barrel). The ugly stubby bolt does not come anywhere near me...and the silly thing can really shoot well. I mean less than 3/4" MOA at 100 yards on a normal windy day with my pet 70 gr Noslers.
SO...I'm a convert.
I also own a Weatherby Vanguard, Rem SPS Varmint, and have a Tikka T3 in the safe too. They all shoot well and take reloads well, and that is what counts.
