Need help for next hunting rifle <$2000

[MudRunner2005]

I guess it comes down to "building" a factory Remington or pulling a Savage out of the box, put a scope on it, and enjoy sub moa groups.

When you blueprint a action and Lapp the barrel. They are no longer a "out of the box" rifles.

You're right, once you get beyond a simple trigger swap, it no longer becomes an "out of the box" rifle.

However, I have only had 1 Remington that would not shoot with a factory barrel. The rest have no problem shooting. I still have 3 Remingtons that shoot so well, I won't take them to the smith until they need new barrels, or I decide to change the caliber...Because if you're going to break the action & barrel apart (regardless of whether it will shoot or not), you might as well spend an hour or 2 truing and squaring everything up...That goes for any brand on the market.

There are LOTS of factory "out of the box" Remingtons that will shoot just fine. The only reason you hear so much about people complaining is because there are more 700's in people's hands, because they have been around for so much longer than Savage, the odds of more Remington lemons being out there is significantly greater.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Have you considered a Browning x-bolt? I own the Eclipse hunter in a 7mm RM and my first handloads with were .5 moa at 100 yards using the 162 a-max. Ive shot 3 of them and all easily shoot under moa. My next choice would be a savage. Won't even touch a Remington, I'm not willing to roll the dice on getting a shooter.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Have you considered a Browning x-bolt? I own the Eclipse hunter in a 7mm RM and my first handloads with were .5 moa at 100 yards using the 162 a-max. Ive shot 3 of them and all easily shoot under moa. My next choice would be a savage. Won't even touch a Remington, I'm not willing to roll the dice on getting a shooter.

Both of my Browning A-Bolt II 7mm RemMags shot around 1/2" to 5/8" with handloads, as well. First one got stolen, replaced it with the 2nd one, then the barrel went south after about 150 rounds (bought it used, so round-count was unknown). It still lives to this day as a 7mmRM...With a FACTORY REMINGTON 700 BARREL ON IT, shooting 1/2" groups at 100. I have posted pictures of it on here before. I call it "The Brownington".

But we all know how inaccurate and crappy those factory Remington barrels are.

 

[Sargesniper]

Both of my Browning A-Bolt II 7mm RemMags shot around 1/2" to 5/8" with handloads, as well. First one got stolen, replaced it with the 2nd one, then the barrel went south after about 150 rounds (bought it used, so round-count was unknown). It still lives to this day as a 7mmRM...With a FACTORY REMINGTON 700 BARREL ON IT, shooting 1/2" groups at 100. I have posted pictures of it on here before. I call it "The Brownington".

But we all know how inaccurate and crappy those factory Remington barrels are.

I'm with you on Remington 700's. Got 2 in .308 that will make anyone look like a good shooter with them. Only downside is the trigger they choose to hamper them with these days. I have a new unfired Long Range model sitting in a cradle as we speak.Cleaned and polished out the bore and ready to load for it. I would not hesitate to buy a Remington ever.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Both of my Browning A-Bolt II 7mm RemMags shot around 1/2" to 5/8" with handloads, as well. First one got stolen, replaced it with the 2nd one, then the barrel went south after about 150 rounds (bought it used, so round-count was unknown). It still lives to this day as a 7mmRM...With a FACTORY REMINGTON 700 BARREL ON IT, shooting 1/2" groups at 100. I have posted pictures of it on here before. I call it "The Brownington".

But we all know how inaccurate and crappy those factory Remington barrels are.

My brother has a A-Bolt II in a 280 rem, it shoots almost 1/4 moa with the Berger 168 hunting vlds. I'm not saying Remington is junk..... I'm only saying i woulnt want to take the chance on not getting a good one. I like the rifles to so its really kinda a bummer.

 

[just country]

morning, I have a SPS in 223cal. heavy barrel, adjusted the trigger to my taste.

55gr. Barnes TTSX 25.5 gr. tac, fed primer Winchester cases. can shoot bugs on

target. SPS have no thrills, they shoot. all out round for hunting in the USA

u can not beat .300 win. magnum. learn to shoot with this round and u will b

putting meat of the table

food for thought!!lightbulb

 

[Trickymissfit]

I must have misunderstood. Sorry

lets see now:
1. custom barrel @ $350 plus another $150 for threading, chamber and crown work
2. $150 for the action work
3. new recoil lug
4. trigger @ $200 or more depending on what your after
5. stock work depends on what your after, and who does the stock work. A stock from Tom Merideth will set you back close to $700 when it's all said and done (after all he's the best by a light year). But you can buy some sort of a stock for $250, and do it yourself (won't be like TM's work).
6, a donor action is going to be at least $400 if it's any good at all

all this work for a half inch rifle? And even then it might not be one! I can buy a Tikka for a fraction of it, and at least shoot close to that out of the box. A Vanguard will as well. Then there's the Savage LRH @about $1200 that will smoke them.
gary

 

[Sargesniper]

Have you considered a Browning x-bolt? I own the Eclipse hunter in a 7mm RM and my first handloads with were .5 moa at 100 yards using the 162 a-max. Ive shot 3 of them and all easily shoot under moa. My next choice would be a savage. Won't even touch a Remington, I'm not willing to roll the dice on getting a shooter.

How many Remington rifles have you owned? You tout Browning and bash Remington for some reason. I have never had a bad Remington. They were and still are an excellent rifle for the price. I will admit that the current trigger group used is a lot to be desired but nothing else can i see any wrong with. For under the OP's budget he can get an excellent shooting rifle from Remington including a high quality scope and mounting system. A 700 Long Range model in 300 Win. Mag. can be had for around $700.00 right now. It has a B&C M-40 stock on it as well so no stock change will be needed. It has a 26" barrel and is light enough for hunting despite the varmint contour barrel.
As for rolling the dice goes, I am not the gambling type but I sure as hell would not take a Browning over a Remington. Past experience with Remington has given me the confidence I want with a rifle.
I don't see the Military using Browning for their Sniper system. Their M-40 system is Remington NOT Browning or Savage for that matter.
To the OP I will say go with the Remington 700 Long Range In 300 WM and have the confidence I do. Or you can "roll the dice".

 

[just country]

morning, I agree fully sarge. the M40 is an awesome weapon. I understand the M40

was upgraded to 300win mag. pure killing machine. like u said military no browning

sako, Winchester, savage and more. the 700 action is very tough. I used the M-14

in Nam. never had a problem, 6 clips ammo, rack pack, grenades, 50 lbs of sweat.

150 lbs of skinny butt that works. very long time ago. the 300 is extremely accurate.

I have one. 12 shots, 100yds .750 group, can not say more.

food for thought.lightbulb

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

How many Remington rifles have you owned? You tout Browning and bash Remington for some reason. I have never had a bad Remington. They were and still are an excellent rifle for the price. I will admit that the current trigger group used is a lot to be desired but nothing else can i see any wrong with. For under the OP's budget he can get an excellent shooting rifle from Remington including a high quality scope and mounting system. A 700 Long Range model in 300 Win. Mag. can be had for around $700.00 right now. It has a B&C M-40 stock on it as well so no stock change will be needed. It has a 26" barrel and is light enough for hunting despite the varmint contour barrel.
As for rolling the dice goes, I am not the gambling type but I sure as hell would not take a Browning over a Remington. Past experience with Remington has given me the confidence I want with a rifle.
I don't see the Military using Browning for their Sniper system. Their M-40 system is Remington NOT Browning or Savage for that matter.
To the OP I will say go with the Remington 700 Long Range In 300 WM and have the confidence I do. Or you can "roll the dice".

All i can say is wow. Im not bashing Remington, in case you didnt read my other post i said i liked them. Past experiences steer me away. Ive owned one, and shot others. Mine was in a 30-06, it wouldnt shoot worth crap. Same with a cdl special edition in 6mm. 1.5 in groups to me are unacceptable. Im not saying Browning is better, but they do make a quality rifle and my experiences with them have been excellent. Im just giving my opinion based off my experiences. Based off what ive experienced and what I hear from MANY others im just going to stay with my decision. Yes we know Remington is a god because they make the military's sniper rifle....... To the OP, I'm sorry for mearly giving my opinion based off experience, apparently mine just sucks. The decision is up to you , you really can't go wrong with any of the rifles mentioned.

 

[EddieHarren]

Quade, Did you get my PM?

 

[Sargesniper]

All i can say is wow. Im not bashing Remington, in case you didnt read my other post i said i liked them. Past experiences steer me away. Ive owned one, and shot others. Mine was in a 30-06, it wouldnt shoot worth crap. Same with a cdl special edition in 6mm. 1.5 in groups to me are unacceptable. Im not saying Browning is better, but they do make a quality rifle and my experiences with them have been excellent. Im just giving my opinion based off my experiences. Based off what ive experienced and what I hear from MANY others im just going to stay with my decision. Yes we know Remington is a god because they make the military's sniper rifle....... To the OP, I'm sorry for mearly giving my opinion based off experience, apparently mine just sucks. The decision is up to you , you really can't go wrong with any of the rifles mentioned.

So you based it on one rifle? Any rifle can fall through the cracks as you may know. I have had nothing but good experience with Remington. I never owned a Browning and probably never will but that does not qualify me to judge one. I happen to know that Remington is a very sound rifle that has been proven over the years to many users. I'm sure Browning makes a fine rifle today. I don't see any Browning receivers being used for custom builds though. I have 5 Remington factory rifles at present. 4 of them shoot well under the 1MOA that most people strive for. The last one I bought a few weeks ago is the Long Range model in 300 WM. I will be very surprised if it does not meet my expectations.

My apology for offending you. One bad experience does not justify one to try to steer another away from a product though. I would not base an opinion on one myself based on one rifle. I too have heard bad things in the past but ignored them based on my good experience with 4 of them starting back as far as 1962 up until a few weeks ago. Was I just lucky? Maybe , but the odds do not support that.

My experience with Savage was less than nice. Then Savage woke up and now are a top contender. I said in the past that they named the rifle after their trigger but that is totally untrue today. They make a fine rifle now. Not the prettiest girl at the Prom but a fine accurate rifle none the less.

 

[Sargesniper]

morning, I agree fully sarge. the M40 is an awesome weapon. I understand the M40

was upgraded to 300win mag. pure killing machine. like u said military no browning

sako, Winchester, savage and more. the 700 action is very tough. I used the M-14

in Nam. never had a problem, 6 clips ammo, rack pack, grenades, 50 lbs of sweat.

150 lbs of skinny butt that works. very long time ago. the 300 is extremely accurate.

I have one. 12 shots, 100yds .750 group, can not say more.

food for thought.lightbulb

I carried the Win. Mod. 70 30/06 in 66-67. The M-40 was just replacing the 70 when I rotated back to the world. Both rifles were very accurate. I have the 70 to this day. Shoots well to say the least.
SEMPER FI

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

So you based it on one rifle? Any rifle can fall through the cracks as you may know. I have had nothing but good experience with Remington. I never owned a Browning and probably never will but that does not qualify me to judge one. I happen to know that Remington is a very sound rifle that has been proven over the years to many users. I'm sure Browning makes a fine rifle today. I don't see any Browning receivers being used for custom builds though. I have 5 Remington factory rifles at present. 4 of them shoot well under the 1MOA that most people strive for. The last one I bought a few weeks ago is the Long Range model in 300 WM. I will be very surprised if it does not meet my expectations.

My apology for offending you. One bad experience does not justify one to try to steer another away from a product though. I would not base an opinion on one myself based on one rifle. I too have heard bad things in the past but ignored them based on my good experience with 4 of them starting back as far as 1962 up until a few weeks ago. Was I just lucky? Maybe , but the odds do not support that.

My experience with Savage was less than nice. Then Savage woke up and now are a top contender. I said in the past that they named the rifle after their trigger but that is totally untrue today. They make a fine rifle now. Not the prettiest girl at the Prom but a fine accurate rifle none the less.

Im not offended in any way. My opinon is based on 3 Remingtons and four brownings. Two of the Remingtons wouldnt shoot,but the third will. Its a 15 year old bdl varmint special in 6mm. Shoots circles around the other two,around .75 with factory ammo. Im working on some handloads for it and am excited to see what it will do. For the Browning, it was one A- bolt in 280, 2 x-bolts in 7mm Rm and a x- bolt in 7mm-08. The A-bolt is sub.5 moa, both 7mmRm are right at .5 moa. The 7mm-08 was with factory ammo.... .75 moa with hornady American whitetail. So based on my experiences, Im sticking with Browning. I'm not saying Remington doesn't make a good rifle, but i dont trust them like i do Browning. I think Remingtons quality and reputation is not what it used to be( my above experience shows this as well as the complaints of many others). I'm actually planning on buying a Remington 700 to build a 6.5-06 AI.