looking at target/varmint rifles in 308

[bluebayou]

So, I am looking for a heavy barrel 308.  I want to spend $800-1000 total for scope and rifle.  Yesterday I went to the new Gander Mountain to get some in my hands and take a look.  Every where I read people are saying Savage, Savage, Savage.  On the internet I was looking at the Savage 10 FP and the 12 BV and I thought, "wow".  $550 for heavy barrel, etc.  People are universally dogging the cheap stocks.  Well at the store, with the gun in my hands I have to say, "what a piece of junk".  Please, someone tell me why everyone loves this Savage (yeah, supposedly small groups).  The BOLT WOULDN'T EVEN CLOSE.  I had to push the plastic magazine follower down with my left hand just to close the bolt.  And the stock, yeah, the stock is like a toy gun's.  

My point:  can someone convince me that if I buy the Savage, a new stock, new magazine follower and whatever else, that it will out perform the Remington VLS for $639?  The Winchester costs too much.  No one ever mentions the Ruger as a contender, but it is easily the nicest looking of the bunch.

[Lawdog]

Why buy a rifle with a "toy" stock to beging with.  Go with the Savage Model 12BVSS.  Why buy a Savage over a Remington?  Simple!  Chances are the Reminton is going to need a bunch of tinkering and after amrket parts to get it to shoot anywhere near as well as the Savage does out of the box for the price range you are quoting.  Lawdog
 

[bluebayou]

Well, what I need to know before I drop some major bread on either brand is whether or not the Savage action has some problem.  I understand the arguement for the 3 piece bolt contributing to short range accuracy.  My concern after handling is that both the 10FP and the 12BV would not close because of the mag follower.  Would the metal mag follower help?  Is the 12BVSS (I agree, a sweet looking stock) a better rifle?  My bet is that all of the actions are identical from Savage and from Remington when you compare off the shelf guns.  The VLS looks and feels the same as the ADL and the SPS, but for the size/weight of the barrel and the rather nice laminated stock.

[jvs]

There are usually some fine looking rifles on the used racks too.  Some that have been out of production for years.  Alot of people prize the Rifles that are handed down from relatives but then overlook the same model in a different caliber on the rack because it is used.

Since you want a .308, there may be more than one well made classic sitting on a shelf in like new, not abused condition.   It won't cost you as much as new and they can come with a Scope and mounts already attached.  They may have been shot already, but so will your new one after the first trip to the range.

A used one can be just as functional and is probably better made, regardless of Maker.  In some cases I would rather have an older one than a new one.

[Zachary]

My vote would go towards two rifles.

The first is a Remington VSSF (Varmint Synthetic Stainless Fluted).  It is essentially a Sendero SF in the .308 cartridge.  I'm not sure if Remington makes this particular model any more, but you can check and see.

The second is a Tikka Varmint Synthetic.  It also has a bull barrel and a nice synthetic stock (although not an HS Stock like the Remington, but still a good stock).

Zachary

[DIVR6347]

go for the tikka  
for the money they are great rifles  i have 3 and all are superb
 
  i think zachary has twice as many as me maybe more but ive never heard him complain about them!!
divr6347