Target 308 - Remington 700 SPS Varmint or Savage 11 VT

Looking at a range rifle for 100-500 yards. Been PMing with FiremanJG to at least help me with the basics. And he's been extremely helpful, but I figured I'd toss this out to the full THF. Narrowed it down to three:

Savage 11 VT - $580 at Dick's Sporting Goods. Comes with 24" heavy barrel, 1:10 twist, Bushnell 4-12x40 scope (I think it's the Banner), synthetic non-Accustock with dual front studs, etc.

Other options are the 700 SPS Varmint for $580 (after rebate) with no optics at BPS or the Savage 10 Trophy Hunter XP, which comes with a nice wooden stock and a better Nikon Prostaff scope.

I think my best option is to go with the Savage 11 VT, sell the Bushnell Banner for Around $80, put a SWFA SS 16x42 on it with some better rings, and start shooting. I'd be about $1,000 in it. Later, the only upgrades I'd like are a nice wooden stock and getting the bolt jeweled.

So my questions:

- Is there any reason not to go with the Savage? Compared to the Remington, I like the 24" barrel (Remington has 26"), the 1:10 twist (Remington has 1:12) and the detachable mag.
- How much would it cost later to get the bolt jeweled? This is my only scoped bolt gun and I'd like to have a nice looking bolt instead of the more tactical black one.
- Does Boyds make a stock for the heavy-barreled Savage model 10/11? I couldn't find one on their site. Anything else I've found is $250+ and might be a deal-breaker for the whole thing. I really hate synthetic stocks on expensive rifles.

Go with the savage. And email boyds, then let me know what they say.

Not to knock them but BPS can be expensive. I learned the hard way

Will do.
BOS?

Like I told you before. The Savage will dang sure shoot, just be sure an order an extra ejector, ejector retaining pin, and as many ejector springs as you can get ahold of. I'll show you how to replace as needed.

Thanks Jason. I'll look into that.

Anybody on the cost to get a bolt jeweled? Availability for a wood stock on a Savage model 10/11 varmint barrel action under $250?

Boyds has wood laminated wood stocks starting at $100.

Fixed it. Basspro. I won't buy another that aint on sale there. I had to buy mine with my gift cards last time and I wouldn't have if it was my cash

I still prefer Remmy over Savage (just a preference) as I have never had one that did not shoot well plus accessories are plentiful. I'm sure Savage is an accurate rifle, just don't care for them. I'm surprised someone has not said Tikka. Not sure of price of a heavy barrel in 308, but I would think it would be close in price, great rep for accuracy, and an awesome trigger.

I wouldn't buy a combo and count on the scope being worth a crap and especially the rings. Find yourself an older rem varmint with wood stock and your bolt will be jeweld and it will shoot good.

The Tikka lite barrel is $600 without optics. Heavy barrel is about $220 over that, with no optics and a cheap stock.

Agreed. I wouldn't even be looking at BPS if I didn't have a $500 gift card there. But based on that savage at Dick's, I might be better off selling the BPS gift card and buying the 11 VT, which is a Dick's exclusive.

Contact Kampfield Custom $75 to $90
Bolt Fluting

I was out at my usual dealer yesterday and he had some sort of new savage in that he just received. It was a 20" fluted threaded barrel and had a DBM on it. If I was in the market for a good starter rig I would give that a good look over the usually Rem SPS Tactical that I normally suggest. I may have to buy one just to check it out.

For pure range work, I would go with the Savage VT. If you plan to hunt with it a fair amount of the time, I would go with the model 10 with the wood stock due to lighter/shorter barrel. I have one in .243 and it holds a 3/4" group for 3 shots. I do not know of a replacement stock Boyd's makes for the heavier barreled models, I would suggest calling them.

Another option that tends to get good reviews:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Savage-T-Tactical-Bolt-Action-Rifle/1695199.uts

Thanks GLC. That's pretty affordable.

Poke81, what dealer is that if you don't mind me asking? I'm probably not going to drive over to that side of the metroplex, but I'd like to call and find out what model number it was to see if BPS could order it. You can PM me if you'd like. Or do you happen to know what model it was?

JD4030, that one at Cabela's is intriguing, especially if the $100 rebate on LE series rifles applies to that one. I wish I wasn't locked into the BPS gift cards, or I wish Savage didn't do so many distributor exclusives.

Does that 5R rifling really make a difference?

I had a Remington SPS tactical.... while it was very accurate, the action sucked in mine. Won't buy another one.

I wouldn't know, FiremanJG or Chad would be able to speak to that better than I could. I do know the ones I have had without it shoot very well.

I've got an email in to boyds. I'll let you know what they say.

5r rifling is supposed to be more consistent and easier to clean due t the rifling profile. How much is debatable. It does have a tighter twist the the spa if you plan on shooting heavy bullets. The rifling is also easier on thin jackted bullets.
If you don't plan on shooting the heavier bullets and changing stocks. I would go sps. If you like the 5r stock and want t shoot heavier bullets go with the 5r.

Just got off the phone with Boyds. Not much help. Said the only option was to buy the Pro Varmint for the factory barrel and inlet it myself or have a gunsmith do it. I'm not sure how that would look, how hard or expensive it would be, or how much it would flex with a bipod on the front with a bunch of material gone. It's not even a wood stock like I wanted...

I tried to call Savage but was on hold for 15 minutes before I just decided to hang up. I'm at home with the wife and both kids today because of the weather, and the little one is being especially needy, so I can't just hang on hold for half an hour or more waiting for someone to pick up.

Pretty disappointing overall. Not sure I want a gun that I couldn't ever put a wood stock on for under $250. So I think I'm back to square one...still don't like lots of stuff about the Remington (trigger, 26" barrel, 1:12 twist), but at least it's at BPS and I don't have to sell my gift card to get it. And the SPS Varmint has a rebate right now as well.

A savage model 11 should be the same action as a model 10 so the model 10 stocks should fit.

The pro varmint stock is a wood stock. It just comes with textured paint. It's also available in all of their colors for an extra $15. That's what I'm going to do. I don't have a problem opening up the barrel channel if that what I have to do once I rebarrel.

[quote=Poke81}

A savage model 11 should be the same action as a model 10 so the model 10 stocks should fit. [/quote]

Not in this case-he is looking at the 11 VT, which is a heavy barrel. The model 10 stocks are made to fit a sporter.

A few more options:

You could get always get a model 10 in .308 from BPS for now since you have a gift card, and re-barrel later with a heavier-profile barrel (from ER Shaw, etc.) You would be looking at another $250 or so and would have to do some work to the barrel channel to make it fit, but it can be done.

Howa is offering new for this year a 24" heavy profile varmint model with two different wood laminate stocks (nutmeg and pepper); legacysports.com. I wouldn't hesitate to own one.

I don't know of another factory offering with a heavy-barrel and wood stock.

Definitely buy the Savage, you will not regret it. I have a factory Accustock that I took off my Model 10, its far better then the non accustock. I do have one thing to offer, look at Cabelas for a Model 10T, its exclusive to Cabelas, and they are getting pretty hard to find. I got mine last October for $550 old.

that's great info. Wish the Boyd's employee on the phone would've mentioned that.

It's $600 right now. What is the difference between the 10T at Cabelas for $600 and the 11VT at Dick's for $580 other than the one at Dick's comes with a Bushnell scope?

I like the Howa too. Didn't know it came in that configuration from the factory. I might see if BPS can order it.

I believe the 10T has the Accustock.

Just got off the phone with Savage. Sounds like the both the 10T qualifies for $100 rebate and the 11VT qualifies for the $50 rebate. As JD said, the 10T has the accustock and the 11VT does not. But the 11VT is $20 cheaper and comes with the Bushnell scope. I'll probably pick whichever is in stock once I get my BPS gift card sold. Both seem to be an excellent value with the rebate.

Thanks to all for the help!