Savage 10xfp Stevens 200 or Rem 700 Build

[lifesfordeath]

I know I know, this has been covered quite a few times, however, I feel as though what this post hopefully addresses will help out others as well as myself.

I ask for all of you to be easy on me as this is my first post! Please know I have a little knowledge about guns and have regularly shot out to 600 yards (the only thing keeping me from going farther is places to shoot!) I have a 40x in 6mm that shoots very well for her age, a Savage 12f class in 6.5x284 (yet to be shot) and have access to a couple model 700's in varying calibers.

The question I have though, I want to build a bolt action rifle for myself thats capable of varmint shots to 1000yards (looking at aquiring a farm that allows for this) and deer shots at or around 600. I'm going with a 6mm Ackley Improved (my mind is made up from proof of my fathers 700 on cartridge!) What action would perform the best for this with not much work to get there?

I'm comfortable replacing the barrel on savages and have access to a gunsmith for 700's (though I would like to go the route of the Rem/Age barrels by criterion.) Of course I would like to save money on this build and obviously get the best performance possible why doing so.

This build is going to be a branch out for me because I've always bought guns that were already able to shoot very well. I would just like to build this up and take it by the old mans place to show em' what I've been up to and do a little bragging

Thanks for any help and please be cordial with me, I'm a virgin here for crying out loud!

 

[MtnCreek]

Re: Savage 10xfp Stevens 200 or Rem 700 Build

I don't know what would be best. There are some advantages to the savage/stevens; barrel replacement that you mentioned and also the floating bolt head. The bolt design of the savage <span style="text-decoration: underline">might</span> give better 'stock' accuracy than an un-trued remington.

Good luck w/ the build.

 

[lifesfordeath]

Re: Savage 10xfp Stevens 200 or Rem 700 Build

Thanks for the reply, I failed to mention that the 700 action could probably be blueprinted and trued at zero to very little cost through a friend who does work for me. Would this make your deciding factor any easier?

Also, I would go with criterion with any of the actions above, their REM/age barrel screws on like a savage and you buy a nut for extra cost to allow you to do so.

Barrel length will be around 26-28" unless a better suggestion for the 6 AI is given and stock would most likely be b&c medalist or a hogue overmold for the savage actions or a b&c for the 700. I would bed the actions as well. Is this one of those "flip a coin" threads or am I just missing something...

 

[lifesfordeath]

Re: Savage 10xfp Stevens 200 or Rem 700 Build

Come on, some of you old timers will surely school me on this?

 

[turbo54]

Re: Savage 10xfp Stevens 200 or Rem 700 Build

Either are more than adequate. Because you already have 700 actions, go that route.

Forget the Hogue stock, those suck.

 

[lifesfordeath]

Re: Savage 10xfp Stevens 200 or Rem 700 Build

Thanks turbo...I meant I was just a bit familiar with the 700. I have to purchase a action (proba donor gun for $417 at wally world for the 700 package) I've heard the Stevens action is a cheap base but am cautious as to the quality to the likes of the 700 for my proposed build and the accuracy needed at 1000 yards varminting

Would you suggest a B&C for my stock or should I go a different route?

 

[lifesfordeath]

Re: Savage 10xfp Stevens 200 or Rem 700 Build

Well just aquired the 700, now the break down begins...I'm having second thoughts and kinda thinking I should've went with the savage being that its so user friendly and comes with the accu trigger. Guess that's what I get for being indecisive, atleast I can always sell the 700 down the road I guess. Hopefully the Smith I know will do me a favor on the blueprint job and I can get some freebie lessons as well

Side note, the 700 was $417 at wally and the savage was $447 for the model 10fxp3. Both came with no name scopes and bases, I was surprised however to see the savage was more and this may have helped my compulsive buying of the 700.

 

[eclipse57]

Re: Savage 10xfp Stevens 200 or Rem 700 Build

I think you also would have been second guessing yourself if you had bought a Savage/Stevens gun.

There are quite a few aftermarket parts for the Savage/Stevens, but there are way more for the Remington. With that in mind, I think you made the right decision.

I have three Savage/Stevens rifles at the present time. I am happy with all of them, but the next rifle I buy will be a Remington. I have owned 700's in the past, but they were all hunting rifles. Both ADL's and BDL's.

Best of luck to you and enjoy your build.

 

[lifesfordeath]

Re: Savage 10xfp Stevens 200 or Rem 700 Build

I've heard great things about the savages and really wanted one, also heard and shot plenty 700's to know u can make them barn burners....hopefully mine can and will be made the same! Thanks for the feedback

 

[mwroseberry]

Re: Savage 10xfp Stevens 200 or Rem 700 Build

If your wanting to hunt with it to I'd suggest a manners stock over a B&C because of weight. Also with the savages go with a SAV-1 trigger over the accutriger. I've built off savage and Stevens and have had better results off of Stevens. As stated above you either need to get lucky with a good action on a Remington or have it trued and timed so figure that into your budget. Also either rifle will need bedded.

Caliber selection is king with what you want to do and I'd suggest running a 7-08 for your needs. I shoot mine out to 1mile and you can get 1000ft/lbs of energy at 800 yards with my set up which you won't have any trouble with a deer with that energy. You can run 140 Berger's all the way up to 180g Berger's in my rifle you just have to hand feed. My rig complete weight also comes in at 11.25 lbs with a USO SN-3 so hunting won't kill ya. PM for any more questions.

Good luck,
Merritt