Author Topic: What rifle should I get? (Read 1755 times)

jeep08ham · « **on:** June 23, 2008, 06:17:03 PM »

I am in the want mode right now for a new 223 in a bolt action. Since I have never had a bolt Savage before please advise.

Which rifle should I get? I want something that I could shoot prairie dogs with but also want something light enough to lug around all day as I do a lot of varmint calling. Coyotes, fox, etc. Accuracy is a must!

At present time I have a 22-250 in a Ruger with varmint barrel that is very accurate but is heavy to carry all day. It is great for prairie dogs, etc.

Thanks in advance for your input and advice.

Cabin4 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2008, 06:25:31 PM »

I have a new Savage in 270 win. Its weights about 6.25 lbs and is very accurate. Their an economy rifle but seem to be able to keep the quality high for the price. The bolts are a bit sloppy and the rifles are not very pretty but it works very well. If your looking for the perfect rifle, its not what you want.If your looking for an accurate out of the box rifle that will do great at the range, their okay. If your looking for a rifle that you can build upon later, skip the Savage and go with a Remingtom 700.

Tom W. · « **Reply #2 on:** June 24, 2008, 05:43:35 AM »

I'd like to see a Savage Model 25 with the thumbhole stock.....
I know the accu-trigger is great.

chutesnreloads · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2008, 01:32:04 PM »

That new Savage Predator something or other rifle comes to mind.Think they come in .204,.223 and .22-250.Heavy barrel but lighter than the bull barrel and a little shorter.They're marketed to predator hunters.Saw a lot of ads for them late last year.Was hoping they'd make the same thing in a larger caliber.

ShottieMan · « **Reply #4 on:** June 25, 2008, 02:34:36 PM »

I'd go with the advice of Tom and chutesandreloads. The Predator and the Model 25 are right up your alley.

I opted for the 12VLP myself. May be a little heavy for some but i'm personally not the type that minds the extra weight. Can't go wrong with a Savage either way tho'!

trotterlg · « **Reply #5 on:** June 26, 2008, 03:13:20 AM »

You could a so look at a Stevens, it is a Savage without the accutrigger, same action and takes the same scope bases etc. I think they are around $300 -$350 new now. Larry

Cabin4 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 26, 2008, 10:09:47 AM »

One thing to keep in perspective is your long term outlook for this rifle. If all your looking for is a range gun for target shooting in a low or non-competitive environment, then a Savage is fine. If you think you want to progress into something more serious later, and you want to get into accurizing this same gun, then I would look to a 700 as a good starting point. A few more bucks but you can do more with it.

Just a thought.

j104wd · « **Reply #7 on:** June 26, 2008, 01:36:49 PM »

really like the feel of the model 25. seems it would be a good carry gun. havent picked one up yet but after buying the model 40 the 25 is on my list.

Graybeard · « **Reply #8 on:** June 27, 2008, 10:53:05 AM »

I'd buy the one that says REMINGTON on the side personally.

When I went looking back in May for a new rifle to take to the GBO Prairie Dog shoot out in OK this year I saw the Savage Predator and as usual with rifles with the Savage name on it I wasn't impressed. It weighted more and cost more than the Remington Model Seven Predator which I bought. I wanted the new .17 Fireball so really was locked in concrete on my rifle choice anyway. My Remington Model Seven Fireball shoots factory ammo into less than 1/2" groups at 100 yards consistently has a 22" fluted barrel and like the Savage Predator is full camo. It weights about a pound less and I highly doubt the Savage will shoot as well.

The Remington Model Seven Predator comes in .17 Fireball, .204 Ruger, .223, .22-250 and .243 Winchester. I paid $650 for it.

KRP · « **Reply #9 on:** June 27, 2008, 02:44:22 PM »

The model 25 is heavy, the "lightweight"

varmint models are a pound heavier than the model 10 Predator. They also don't use a barrel nut the way the 10/110 style actions do which is a major downfall in my opinion.

If you are going to build a full blown BR rig you probably aren't going to use a Savage action, but you probably aren't going to use a Remington action either considering the available aftermarket options. Savage rifles/actions have done very well in all but the highest levels of BR competition and Savage's F and F/TR rifles have made an impressive showing lately against many custom built rifles.

Savage rifles are also great if you are a DIY kind of guy. Bolt heads are easily changed and barrel swaps are only a few dollars worth of tools away. Pre-fit Savage barrels are becoming more and more readily available and affordable. I've got nothing against Remington and own several but would be hard pressed to buy another now that I know what I can do with a Savage.

The model 11 or Stevens 200 would make a nice lightweight calling rifle. I don't like the factory synthetic stock(they work I just don't like the feel) but with a little work and some spray paint you could have a very affordable and functional rifle.

For what it's worth the advertised difference in weight between the Remington Model 7 Predator and the Savage Model 10 Predator is 1/4 pound.

George Foster · « **Reply #10 on:** June 28, 2008, 01:54:54 AM »

The Savage Model 10 Predator weighs 7.25lbs and the Rem Model 7 weighs 7lbs. According to the websites the Savage Model 10 Predator is $39 retail less than the Rem Model 7 Predator but it doesn't come in the 17 Fireball.

FLNT4EVR · « **Reply #11 on:** June 28, 2008, 05:14:00 AM »

Buy the Stevens in 223 .I couldn.t be happier with mine. It will consistantly shoot 1 1/2 groups at 200 yds using the bargain 55 grn Dog Town bullets from Midway and shoots Nosler and Hornady,s even tighter. This is off a sand bag rest, with the factory trigger. At a price below $300 ,whats not to like?

LHitchcox · « **Reply #12 on:** June 28, 2008, 06:55:14 AM »

My father-in-law has a Stevens 200 in .223 and it shoots really well. Some people don't like the stock. It is a bit springy and is a dull gray. I don't find it a problem. If I had one, I would probably camo it anyway. The trigger is the pre-Accutrigger. It is adjustable to a degree. A replacement wire will give it a 3# pull or less. My FIL took his to a smith and paid $45 for a complete trigger job. I consider it a working gun that is cheap enough that a few dings won't matter.

If you want a great rifle at a good price, look at the CZ 527 in .223. It is lightweight and accurate with a factory set trigger. They are also beautiful.

Leon

oldandslow · « **Reply #13 on:** June 28, 2008, 02:04:09 PM »

I have the Stevens 200. Ugly stock but not too bad after a camo paint job. I am amazed by how well this cheap rifle shoots. The only factory ammo I have shot is Monarch FMJ which I bought just to get the brass. The groups with this stuff are terrible, 2 1/2" to 3 1/2" at 100 yards. But load a 40 gr. Sierra HP over 26.5 gr. of Varget or a 45 gr. Sierra HP over 26.7 gr. of Varget and it is a .4" to .6" shooter at 100 yards. The only modification was a lighter trigger spring made of music wire and adjusting the trigger. It carries a 4x12x40 Bushnell Banner scope in Weaver rings.

My first Savage rifle was bought in the '60s. It was so bad I wouldn't even look at Savage until a couple of years ago. This one has been a very pleasant surprise. I bought it mainly for a coyote gun for my grandkids to shoot and it is excellent for that.

K.K · « **Reply #14 on:** July 02, 2008, 02:22:33 PM »

If you don't mind the looks, the Savage is a great buy. My 22-250 with accu-trigger shoots 1/2 3/4 inches all day with my handloads and accounted for 7 groundhogs last week alone from 80 to 300 laser-ranged yards. I was never a fan until I shot one, either.

ShottieMan · « **Reply #15 on:** July 06, 2008, 12:08:07 PM »

WOW! Alot of pushing for Remmy's on here! LOL

A rifle doesn't have to be pretty...as long as it shoots your good! Which the Savage's will!

Also, you Remmy fans, ya ever wonder why Remington has such a HUGE aftermarket sector for their rifles?

Cabin4 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 06, 2008, 02:31:38 PM »

Remington makes great guns thats why there are so many fans. Savage also makes a great gun but I do think the Remmys are a step up. I own them both as well as other makes.

ShottieMan · « **Reply #17 on:** July 06, 2008, 02:51:17 PM »

Quote from: cabin4 on July 06, 2008, 02:31:38 PM

Remington makes great guns thats why there are so many fans. Savage also makes a great gun but I do think the Remmys are a step up. I own them both as well as other makes.

I guess we can agree to disagree. I am not against Remington considering I own remmy shotguns but that's as far as I will go with them, IMHO. Just kinda gets to me when a person knocks a brand/manufacturer when they really don't have any expierience with them. Not trying to start an argument or pissing match so we're cool.

I'm not saying they are junk because they have quite the history but I will say that Savage is on par with them. Consider that Savage's will outshoot most rifles out of the box and are quite competitive.

Anyway, I think the OP wanted to hear opinions on the Savage rifles considering this is the Savage forum.

jmayton · « **Reply #18 on:** July 08, 2008, 04:51:13 AM »

I have a savage 110 in 30-06 and it is an excellent shooter. I'm also in the want mode for a Savage predator now that they are offering it in .243. I've heard good reviews on them. Check out chuck hawks review (though he is biased toward savage). I think it an ideal balance between varmint rig and carry gun. As for accessories, there are a few more for Remington, but only a few. Plus, barrel changes are easier on a Savage.

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 08, 2008, 03:27:05 PM »

my savage moved one of the most accurate rem rifles ive owned out of my safe..
i don t keep two rifles that do the same thing and the 110 savage had the rem beat
out the box.. the rem was almost as good but cost couple a hundred to get that way..
savage all the way.. although i have plenty of respect for rem.. wasn t for savage id have several ofum..jmo

Saloon slug · « **Reply #20 on:** September 03, 2008, 03:11:40 PM »

I like my Stevens 200 in .223 it makes a great walking varminter. The heavy bbl guns are nice when you set over a dog town but out west were I do most of my coyote hunting you end up walking alot from stand to stand not much fun with a heavy gun in summer temps. Darn accurate to boot for such an inexspensive gun.