7mm rem mag

[7mm rem mag]

I am buying a new 7mm mag for long range deer hunting.I have narrowed rifles down to a savage long range hunter and a weatherby vanguard s2 range certified.Any advice or other suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[theflyonthewall]

I have the Vanguard....original, not S2. One thing that I would strongly consider if I were you, is whether you ever plan to customize your rig or not.

I bought my Vanguard used when I really needed a deer rifle. So I was more concerned with getting a usable rifle for now, than in thinking to the future. You can get almost any aftermarket accessories for a Vanguard that you can get for the Savage. The difference is in the number of choices that you have.

Stocks, for instance.....there are plenty of stock choices for the Vanguard/Howa rifles----they're fully interchangeable since the Vanguard and Howa actions are the exact same action. But everybody and their brother makes stocks for Savage rifles.

The same thing applies for barrels. Any one of the barrel manufacturers can make you a replacement barrel for the Vanguard. But the beauty of the Savage system is that you can buy a few tools and replace the Savage barrel yourself. With the Vanguard, your going to have to have a gunsmith thread that new barrel to the action and headspace it for you.

In the end, it really only matters if you plan to customize your new rifle after you get it. And as far as that goes.......either one is still a good choice. Just depends on how many choices you'd like to have.

Do some homework before you buy either one----look at the options that you have in stocks and triggers. Those are the most often changed accessories. Hopefully that will lead you in the direction that you would like to go.

Remember.......buy what YOU want. Not what a bunch of people say that THEY would want. Your the one paying the money.

 

[Dr. Vette]

Both are excellent rifles, and I own Savages and Wby Vanguards.

If you do any work at all on your own rifles, then....

If it were me (and it's not) I'd buy the Vanguard S2 in stainless ($575 on Gunbroker right now; I just find stainless easier to clean and the RC doesn't come in stainless yet). Remove the stock and swap it for a B&C Medalist or other stock of your choice. Float the barrel, bed it properly and then go shoot it. I think you'll find that it will shoot better than you ever expected and probably better than a factory RC for less money.

Actually, I've heard that the new stock on the S2 is nice enough that you may not need to swap it out. However, I mention it as there are better platforms than a synthetic stock.

Because there are different versions of the magazine and action spacing on Savages you will find that picking the stock can be a bit of a challenge if you ever want to replace it. At least, that's what I have found.

Let us know if you have any questions.

 

[7mm rem mag]

i will not be customizing my rifle.

 

[Dr. Vette]

i will not be customizing my rifle.

Then define your goal - what is long range to you, how heavy do you want it, how much experience do you have? For many people (not saying it's you) long range is 300 yards. For some on this site that's just a warm up. How did you arrive at the decision that those two rifles were the right ones? Both excellent rifles, though.

And is it worth paying a gunsmith a small amount to swap stocks for you and bed the rifle? Often $125 can get it done and you'll have a better rifle.

FYI - since the previous "Sub-MOA" version of the Vanguard has been renamed the "Range Certified" model and changed from tan to green you may find some Sub-MOA models at discount. Davidson's was running them on special last month.

 

[roninflag]

the long range deer are where??

 

[7mm rem mag]

I have very little experience shooting long range.I need to be able to shoot about 500 yards,the deer come out in a river bottom planted with corn. I called savage today about moving the comb to the otherside on the long range hunter because im left handed and they said you cant .Weigth of the rifle isnt an issue really . I would like the price to be under 850 though

 

[Dr. Vette]

OK, left handed. That changes things. The Vanguard does not come in left hand, nor of course the Savage LR Hunter.

You can, however, buy a different Savage in left handed configuration. If so, you can add to the height of the stock to get the proper cheek position. Take a look at the Scope-Eze:
SCOPE EZE - Brownells

Else if you want a LH rifle there is the Remington 700 (one for sale in the classifieds right now) or Wby Mark V or... well, plenty of options, just none in the two rifles you originally mentioned.

 

[curtis]

Keep your eye open in the classified section here at LRH and you can find a good, used rifle that will fit your needs. Well, unless you want one right now. Then you should go buy a Savage....

 

[7mm rem mag]

Does any one know about ER shaw rifles i stumbled upon them today, and they come in left handed.

 

[yobuck]

e r shaw uses savage actions. might be more options for a lefty there than with savage. 26" max barrels however.