Savage vs.

[sticky]

I've been doing a lot of research on bolt action rifles in the archives and online. What I have determined is most hunters like what they own or would like to own.  What I need is an assessment of Savage 10/100 compared to Browning A/X bolt and Remington 700, as those are the most commonly endorsed rifles under a grand. More interested in performance than looks, but fit and finish is a factor too. 

If you've owned or shot two out of three, I'd like any input you feel is pertinent. Thanks.

[MichaelJ]

The newer Rem 700's have a reputation of taking more work to true them up then they used to but can still produce shooters.
The Savages are a great out of the box gun and you will be hard pressed to find a more accurate gun out of the box.
No experience with the Brownings, but I know I don't see anybody using them in any of the competitions we shoot...

Mike

[LiveandLearn]

You are on the right track. Savage and Remington 700. They have slightly different features and weight/balance. I would hold each one and get the one that is most comfortable/best price. I don't think you will be disappointed with either.

[AWS]

I'm not a big Browning fan so I have little experience with them.

Rem 700 a more pleasing look to them, lines flow from muzzle to butt.  No Barrel Nut, no large bolt releasse on the side, a better feeling and looking stock design.

Savage 10/110 plus, the Barrel Nut making barrel changes a breeze,  large bolt release making it easier to pull the bolt for cleaning, interchangable bolt head and Accutrigger.  Minus, clubbier stock , lots of  mold lines on the stock, softer stock material(synthetic) I have to hog out the barrel chanel to keep it from touching the barrel when shooting off a front rest .

I like to work on my guns and the Savage is easier to do.

I shot in a match this week end and shoot two Savages and a Rem all of them outperformed the operator.

[MadHatter]

I wouldn't dismiss the new Winchester rifles either.  They have gone back to the pre-64 actions and they are being produced by FN now.  The ultimate shadow's are really nice rifles with stocks made by hogue.  They are under a grand and IMO a great rifle, and probably a bit better then a new 700 in fit/finish and being a good shooter right out the box.  FN is doing a good job on the quality as well.   

The other one to take a look at would be Tikka.  If you want something light that shoots great I would look into a T3... I have never had anyone that owns one say anything bad about them.

Just my ...

If it is only between those three... I am, and always have been partial to the 700... But the Savage's are good shooting rifles as well. If you want a good rifle that you can shoot now and get good groups with, and then modify very easily later either one of those two would be a good choice.  I have never heard much good about the Browning rifles... So I really can't comment either way on them.

[sticky]

I too have heard many + on Tikka T3's. I have lots of respect for FN as well.  I was initially going to buy American, but FN is making 70's here and my concern is for the workers rather than who gets the profits.  I'm surprised at the lack of support for the Browning guns.  I'm sure their advertising agents put plenty of $ behind the product.

[CAMPMEAT]

I think a gun is as good as the person behind them. Sure, you pay big bucks for a rifle and make it a .25 MOA shooter only to shoot it, MAYBE, one time at an animal.at 100-200 yards. You put it away till next year until hunting season. I have a Savage Model 10 LE 308 and it's a 900 + yards shooter at steel. I haven't shot it since last year. I'm currently looking at the Savage model 16/116 Bear Hunter in 300 mag. I'll sight it in if I buy it and probably won't get to shoot a bear with it. Go with what you like and feels good to you, because you're gonna get all kinds of stories for any and all guns out there.

[Bob33]

If you are not an exceptional, experienced shooter - most modern guns will outshoot the shooter with the right ammunition.

I have two Brownings and have no complaints. Of all my rifles, I just took a Browning 300 WSM to Africa and was very pleased with its performance.

Savage, Remington, Winchester, Sako / Tikka all make good rifles, and all make an occasional lemon.  Unless you plan to shoot a lot, and shoot a longer distances I would make my decision based on other factors: cost, weight, magazine type, how well it feels on your shoulder, and so forth.

[MadHatter]

If you are not an exceptional, experienced shooter - most modern guns will outshoot the shooter with the right ammunition.

I have two Brownings and have no complaints. Of all my rifles, I just took a Browning 300 WSM to Africa and was very pleased with its performance.

Savage, Remington, Winchester, Sako / Tikka all make good rifles, and all make an occasional lemon.  Unless you plan to shoot a lot, and shoot a longer distances I would make my decision based on other factors: cost, weight, magazine type, how well it feels on your shoulder, and so forth.

Great advise, same thing I tell people all the time... Although there is one more thing that I also take into consideration which is the availability of aftermarket parts. Having a Rem 700 I can go online, buy a new stock and install it to increase my accuracy without spending a fortune.  Same is true for just about anything gun related though.  Buy a Glock, there are 10000 holsters and just as many replacement parts.  You buy a Stoeger and find your options are a lot more limited. Its nice to have the options out there to be able to upgrade things as you become a better shooter or want to get into a different discipline without having to buy another gun.  Having a very competitive aftermarket helps to keep the prices lower, and gives you a ton of options for the future. 

[MichaelJ]

Madhatter is dead on...

What are your goals for the gun?  Are you the type of person that shoots their rifle once or three times over the summer and then hunts with it all fall?
Or are you the type that goes to the range a lot and could see yourself wanting to semi-customize the rifle down the road?

For 99% of the hunters out there, even the guys shooting long range, a 1 MOA gun is capable of most shots they might encounter (or should attempt).  Most hunters can't hold <MOA on their point of aim at 400+ yards.
With that said however, I will say that long range shooting is all about reducing the margin of error.  This involves much more than buying CDS dials from Leupold and zeroing your rifle at 100 yds and going out there and taking long-range shots on game.  I would rather be shooting a 1MOA rifle with the appropriate weather station, MOA or MIL turrets, a quality ballistic calculator or pre-made dope cards for environmental condtions, than a fully custom <.25MOA rifle with a huskemaw scope for all hunting situations and conditions... 

Mike

[sticky]

Thanks for the input fellas.  I think I have changed my mind every day over this last week. But I do have a better idea of what I really need in a rifle. I shoot a lot, but not enough with my hunting rifle.  I'm going to buy next week sometime, I'll post what I decided to get.  I appreciate all the great advice.

[wraithen]

Don't forget to shop around. Online especially as long as you know someone on base. Good luck with the decision. I'm turning more into a savage fan lately, mostly because gunsmiths seem baffled by not needing to squeeze someone for a grand to get a rifle to shoot really well.

[DoubleJ]

Just gotta say I love my Savage

[Biggerhammer]

They sure are jacking the prices up on them, following in the Tikka marketing scheme.

[wraithen]

Too many people figured out they are great shooters. Mostly it's just local though. I love seeing cabelas trying to get more on a used and abused savage than I can buy a brand new one for any day of the week. Sometimes local places can and do jack prices because they know people will pay it. I'm more a pay less and wait a week kind of guy.  Tikka doesn't have the ease of replacement parts and market that savage and remington do though.