Savage a better deal?

[Ranger413]

Had my heart set on a Remington 700 SPS Tactical or AAC. But, I have a friend that has a Savage in 308 with the 20" tube and the factory plastic stock. I can't remember if it is accutrigger or pre-accutrigger. Anyhow, he wants to sell it but there is one issue. He mounted the two piece weaver bases with JB Weld.

I'm wondering if the Savage would be the better deal. Can I remove the bases down the road if I want to go with a different mount? How bad will it hurt resale if I can't? What would be a fair price to offer?

What do you think?

 

[tiNdvenTFHwMdqKW]

Re: Savage a better deal?

Nothing wrong with bedding sight bases with JB Weld. However, if that is all that is holding them on then I would be concerned.

It wouldn't be too hard to chip off the JB Weld just be careful not to scratch the finish and you should be fine.

 

[Temp9]

Re: Savage a better deal?

You should be able to knock the bases off, then "sand" the remaining JB Weld with steel wool. Steel wool won't hurt the existing finish. I have a fair amount of experience with this kind of thing, since I've had several failed bedding jobs with JB. Somehow that stuff doesn't respond well to the release agents I use....

 

[former naval person]

Re: Savage a better deal?

Take it. When you want the bases off,take the rifle out of the stock. Heat the bases with small flame from your propane torch for 5 or 10 seconds, then unscrew the screws and tap the base from the side. Then gently heat and JB weld remaining on the rifle with the torch for a few seconds and scrub with steel wool 0000 grade, and it will come off easily. You may have to alternate heating and scrubbing a couple of times but you'll do fine. Done it many times. JMHO

 

[HOGTOOTH5R]

Re: Savage a better deal?

Maybe a bit more information on the Savage??? 20" Varmint/Heavy Barrel or Light Sporter barrel? Also, if I get a Savage then I'd definitely buy one with the AccuTrigger. It just would be right to have a savage without the AccuTrigger (Yes I like it that much). Other than that the JB Weld issue shouldn't be too much of a problem depends on how Well or Bad he did the Job. Also, How Good of a "Friend" is this and does he knows fair amount about guns? If not, then just like previously posted, who knows what else he done to the rifle or how he took care/treated it. Just my Opinion. AAC is a Good Rifle but I'd go with a SPS Tac with 1 in 12 if you like to shoot all kinds of Factory Ammos. 1 in 10 in the AAC tend to favor the Heavier Rounds. Good Luck!

 

[matthias]

Re: Savage a better deal?

like everyone else said the jb is not a problem. i got a sweet deal on a Remington 223 because the previous owner used jb to "bed" it and got the shit everywhere! the bolt was stuck in place because he squeezed the receiver in to the stock with no screws so it went everywhere.

small amounts of heat and a dead blow hammer are your friend!

 

[Ranger413]

Re: Savage a better deal?

Alright, I got some more details about the rifle. It has the accutrigger, has a 22" or 24" factory heavy barrel which has been threaded (after factory purchase) w/ thread protector, 1-10 twist, large bolt handle, and the "tupperware" factory stock. From what I can gather, it looks to be equivalent to the current 10FP-SR. But . . . the gun was purchased at least 3 or 4 years ago and wasn't threaded from the factory. Round count is roughly 100, 200 max.

Definately in the 10FP family, right? Initial asking price is $500. Seems just a tad high to me - $400-$450 seems more appropriate given the work I might have to do to remove the bases from the receiver.

Thoughts?

I'll add . . .

I'm looking to make a 600 yard or less precision rifle out of this. Definately will be upgrading the stock (with bedding of course). I'll have a SWFA 5-20X to top it with once that arrives. Already have a set of Badger Rings from another project and will upgrade to a one-piece base if I can. I've re-barreled two other Savage rifles myself and like the format.

 

[rusty815]

Re: Savage a better deal?

If you can get past the jb weld, then go for it.

 

[Ranger413]

Re: Savage a better deal?

From the pics my friend sent, the stock has two swivel studs up front. I can't tell if the stock has the larger forend that appears to be on the current 10FP-SR. Doesn't much matter as I'll be replacing the stock anyhow. What do y'all think of my assessment of the price?

 

[matthias]

Re: Savage a better deal?

450 would be fair for a used savage. although i have seen them go a bit higher when the right extras are included

 

[HarryBallz2029]

Re: Savage a better deal?

With my experience between the Savage vs R700, I have owned both and personally I like savages. I bought the Savage 10 FCP LE McMillan and it shot sub 1/2 moa out of the box. I have since bedded it with Pro Bed 2000 and went to a Shilen 1-10 26" barrel which pretty much makes it a 1 hole gun. Out of the box savage is really hard to beat on accuracy but if you wanna spend a little money on truing and a good stock then the R700 is really nice and IMO has a better resale advantage(just seems like there are more people that shoot R700s then Savages). As others have said its not really to difficult to get by the JB. Is the JB in the screw holes too?

 

[HOGTOOTH5R]

Re: Savage a better deal?

Tell'em $400 and you'll pay Cash on the Spot! If he's a Good Friend then extra $50. $500 is a bit much for me. Did he tell you who did the work on the barrel? If it only had 100-200 rounds through then it still got A Lot of Life in her! I'd shoot it first and then purchase. Ask him if you can try the rifle out at the Range and see how it shoots first! If you can get it for under $500 then I think it's a fair deal. Good Luck!!!

 

[TB2Blazer]

Re: Savage a better deal?

I will tell you from direct experience with the AAC-SD it has been a HUGE pain in the ass ever since I bought it brand new about four months ago. I am still trying to get it to shoot right and still can't get it to shoot even MOA. Not only that but I have been reading about how remmys have really long throats like mine (2.98) and if you reload then the ammo doesn't fit in the magazine and you have a single shot. I've have dealt with issues from this gun from day one and I have had about all I can take. If I can't get mine shooting right I'm going straight to the gun shop to get a savage like I should have done in the first place.

 

[z71rat]

Re: Savage a better deal?

Get it... you won't be disappointed!!

DK

 

[Ranger413]

Re: Savage a better deal?

I'm going to offer $450. I think that's a fair price. Some factors to consider: its got the accutrigger, the barrel has been threaded, its a LE model with the blackened bolt and large bolt knob, and my friend takes care of his stuff. On the negative side would be the JB Weld removal but I'll likely Duracoat it anyhow.

 

[Bunnypunter]

Re: Savage a better deal?

Sounds alot like my Savage. Bought mine for $420 with scope and rings, case, 150 rnds, and bipod. Funny enough it was from a dealer to. Couldnt complain. Sounds like a decent deal. Take it and smile.

 

[Ranger413]

Re: Savage a better deal?

My bud is standing firm on the $500 price tag for the Savage. Mostly because of the threaded barrel. I visited a local gunshop yesterday and saw a Remington 700 SPS-T on the rack. Asking price was $660.

I'm still a bit torn, and with a gun show this coming weekend I think I'll be shopping. I still think the Savage is a good deal. I almost kinda prefer the Savage due to the DIY nature of the bolt and barrel. However, I'm quickly seeing that the Remington is the favorite for aftermarket parts.

On the fence . . .

 

[DubGunner]

Re: Savage a better deal?

You are comparing apples to oranges because to get any kind of performance out of that Remmy you are going to at least need to replace the stock. The Hogue is known crap.

IMO $500 is a fair price for the savage and a way better value than the Remmy.

 

[TacT-MecH]

Re: Savage a better deal?

+1 go for it. If u don't like it, contact me. I'll give ya what you got in it doesnt hurt to have a couple extra sticks around

 

[M.O.A.]

Re: Savage a better deal?

ask your friend if youall can test the rifle and if it is to your liking then buy it a friend would have no proplem with a range day

 

[Ranger413]

Re: Savage a better deal?

Even if I do end up with the Savage I plan on replacing the factory "tupperware". I won't be able to actually lay hands on the gun until he's back in town for a local match the first week in October. He's good with me shopping around until then and doesn't have any problem if I find a better deal or go another direction. Even willing to let me make a couple of payments.

We'll be going to the range anyhow while he's here so a test range session should be no problem. First upgrade will be the stock - thinking Bell and Carlson with maybe a bottom metal upgrade at some point. Can the dbm be done after a bedding job or should it all be done at once? r

 

[M.O.A.]

Re: Savage a better deal?

It can be done when ever you want but to me it would be better if the bottom metal is done first thin your bedding.

but thats just me.I would also put in pillers!

 

[Swamplife]

Re: Savage a better deal?

I bought the Savage 10 FCP LE McMillan and it shot sub 1/2 moa out of the box. I have since bedded it with Pro Bed 2000 and went to a Shilen 1-10 26" barrel which pretty much makes it a 1 hole gun. Out of the box savage is really hard to beat on accuracy.

This is the honest truth! I have the same model and the first load I tried in it shot .460 @ a 100. Even my buddy, who is a competitive benchrest shooter was amazed at how accurate that out the box Savage shot.

 

[Ranger413]

Re: Savage a better deal?

Ended up making the deal on the Savage, $500. I've since bought a B&C Tactical Medalist and some other accessories. Right now I'm waiting for headspace gauges 'cause I swapped out the recoil lug. Then, I'll work on Duracoating and bedding the action to the stock. Looking forward to shooting it in local matches this coming year.

 

[asmith5144]

Re: Savage a better deal?

You will be very happy with the savage. I put the same B&C medalist stock on mine replaceing the original plastic stock and have never looked back. Mine is also the LE model.

 

[Ranger413]

The Savage "build" had been going at a snail's pace since October when my buddy delivered the rifle. Within the last month or so I was able to headspace the barrel to the action and bed the action to the stock. Not exactly my best bedding job (this was my second, I think the first came out better). I ended up painting most of the metal with Duracoat Extreme Tactical Gray. With the green/black stock and gray metal it looks pretty bad-ass. I installed a Warne base and rings on top. I initially was going to go with Warne Tactical rings, as all things tactical are better, right? But, they don't make low tactical rings so I went with standard Warne rings. I stole the SWFA SS 5-20X off of my Barrett 50 BMG for an upcoming local match.

Today I went to the range to finally shoot the rifle for the first time. I was using Federal Gold Metal Match, 168gr., at 100 yards. After getting the rounds to strike near the center of the target I shot for a group. Looking through the scope at 20X it was easy to see that the three shots I made were all almost touching. Measured group size was 7/16", center to center. My son fired a three-shot group as well (he's 11) and probably printed his best group ever out of any gun - 7/8".

Definately excited about the Savage.

 

[Ranger413]

The basic build is complete now. I've got to get a few pics posted up, otherwise this update is useless.

I haven't attempted any modifications to the stock as I originally planned. No adjustable cheek piece, no reducing the forend, and no flush cup install yet. Just shooting it as is for now.

Since I completed the rifle my son and I (he's now 12) have competed in three of the local club's scoped rifle matches. He's beaten me two out of the three times thus far. He came in first at the very first match, handily beating folks several times his age. Needless to say, they were all impressed with his skill. I like to think having a good teacher had a lot to do with it. My best placing was this past Saturday where I got second, missing a tie for first place by one point. I'm definately having fun with the rifle. With that said though, my son has pretty much "taken over" the rifle. He's claiming that since he's the better shot with it that its his gun now. I've started shopping.

One upgrade that I think is in the near future for us will be a better bipod. While the standard Harris is treating us well, I'd like to get something that has some tilt adjustment. Fiddling with the legs to try and level the gun is frustrating when you're proned out.

Pics will be up soon . . . .

 

[JaysonF]

Take the savage, that thing will shoot the lights out. Plus, most manufacturers are making things for savages as well. Make sure you get a deal because of the work you'll put in with the JB. Pull off the cheap shit and throw on a badger one piece base.