Savage vs Remington 700

[Kiowa Cowboy]

I have three Remington 700s. 2 have the 5r rifling. The most recent one in 30.06 was purchased this fall. So far I have been very impressed with the 5r barrels. Both groups below were shot with Hornaday factory ammo. When I shot the groups last weekend I was using the Rem 700 sps ss 30.06.

The first 3 shot group is with 150 grain whitetail. The second is a 5 shot group with Hornaday 178 ELDX. First trip to the range. For my hunting applications, those groups are plenty good. The plastic stock is not free-floated, so I was surprised by those groups. The stock feels good, but it is just plastic. I will probably replace it in the future. The trigger on my latest purchase is the X-Mark Pro, externally adjustable. I adjusted it all the way down. I would say it is an okay trigger, not great. All Remingtons built after June 2023 have a Timney trigger. I have a Remington with a Timney trigger that I like, but my favorite trigger is my Sako A7 factory trigger. it breaks like glass.

Approx 12 years ago I purchased a Savage 110 youth model in 243 for my boys to hunt with. It has the Accu trigger. The savage shoots great. I have not shot groups with it for several years, but I love it and plan to keep it for my grandkids. I am quite sure it will shoot to less than 1 in.

I am not a fan of the finish on the Savage axis rifles. I have never shot a Savage 116. As others have said I don't think you go wrong with either. The nice thing about both is all the aftermarket support.

 

[archanfire]

I will echo a couple other opinions. Unless you just have to have a factory built gun, I would save and build it custom the way you want it. You will be happier in the long run IMO.

An origin or similar priced action
Barrel of your choice or recommendation of smith
Stock trigger and optic and you're ready to roll with the options you want and not factory set up.

I plan on keeping the action and barrel factory. Definitely changing the stock and possibly trigger. One thing I'm considering too is barrel length. I'm trying to research the optimal length for 270win to see what suits. The 116 and 700 I'm looking at have longer barrels over my Axis, so trying to figure it out

 

[archanfire]

I have three Remington 700s. 2 have the 5r rifling. The most recent one in 30.06 was purchased this fall. So far I have been very impressed with the 5r barrels. Both groups below were shot with Hornaday factory ammo. When I shot the groups last weekend I was using the Rem 700 sps ss 30.06.

The first 3 shot group is with 150 grain whitetail. The second is a 5 shot group with Hornaday 178 ELDX. First trip to the range. For my hunting applications, those groups are plenty good. The plastic stock is not free-floated, so I was surprised by those groups. The stock feels good, but it is just plastic. I will probably replace it in the future. The trigger on my latest purchase is the X-Mark Pro, externally adjustable. I adjusted it all the way down. I would say it is an okay trigger, not great. All Remingtons built after June 2023 have a Timney trigger. I have a Remington with a Timney trigger that I like, but my favorite trigger is my Sako A7 factory trigger. it breaks like glass.

Approx 12 years ago I purchased a Savage 110 youth model in 243 for my boys to hunt with. It has the Accu trigger. The savage shoots great. I have not shot groups with it for several years, but I love it and plan to keep it for my grandkids. I am quite sure it will shoot to less than 1 in.

I am not a fan of the finish on the Savage axis rifles. I have never shot a Savage 116. As others have said I don't think you go wrong with either. The nice thing about both is all the aftermarket support.

Thanks for the feedback and range reports!

 

[59FLH]

"What I'm looking to do is maybe take a step up in quality. I'm considering a Savage116 or a new production Rem700"

Both are a step up in quality compared to an AXIS. The new Rem Arms 700's I have handled are very nice. If they are a step up in quality compared to a Savage number rifle is up to you to decide. It does seem possible.

 

[Muddyboots]

Both will shoot. The main question I go by is what cartridge, what is the bullet, what do you need for magazine COAL to shoot that bullet? Savage 3.34 versus Remington 3.67 can be difference especially for longer heavier higher BC bullets or even monos.

 

[archanfire]

Both will shoot. The main question I go by is what cartridge, what is the bullet, what do you need for magazine COAL to shoot that bullet? Savage 3.34 versus Remington 3.67 can be difference especially for longer heavier higher BC bullets or even monos.

I haven't shot 270win much at all, but word on the street is 130gr seems to be the do-all weight, so I'm probably going to hover around that

 

[MtPockets]

I haven't shot 270win much at all, but word on the street is 130gr seems to be the do-all weight, so I'm probably going to hover around that

That is what the cartridge was designed around, but with todays bullets and powder don't be afraid to step it up- especially if larger critters like elk are in your plans.

 

[sierracharlie338]

I plan on keeping the action and barrel factory. Definitely changing the stock and possibly trigger. One thing I'm considering too is barrel length. I'm trying to research the optimal length for 270win to see what suits. The 116 and 700 I'm looking at have longer barrels over my Axis, so trying to figure it out

In that case I would look at the 116 and figure out if it is a bottom bolt release or top bolt release. This will greatly impact your after market stock options depending on which one it is. For sheer options I'd go 700 but I've never not had good experiences with the three savages I've owned.

 

[Muddyboots]

I haven't shot 270win much at all, but word on the street is 130gr seems to be the do-all weight, so I'm probably going to hover around that

A fast twist .270 with 3.67 magazine COAL is not your Grandpa's .270 with 130gr. Not even close. Search here and find all sorts of threads on the fast twist version. I built one that shoots 156HH at 3200fps. Topped out close to 3300. This is not abnormal for one with sufficient COAL and freebore.

Or just listen to @Calvin45 lovefest with one.
Gonna pay for that one.

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

Howdy, A lot of great advice.
I like a Savage, Savage Shooter forum would be a great place for help.
You might be amazed with what you can do with the Axis. Merry Christmas.

 

[Roughrice]

My Remingtons are from the 80's, 90's, and now the most recent production, they all shoot well. Here's a group from the worst era (bankruptcy) Remington. A 300 WM Rem 700 Long Range. View attachment 519210

I agree.
I have several factory Rem 700's and each and every one shoots very acceptable groups with handloads. Some didn't shoot so well with factory ammo.
Only had one factory Rem barrel just didn't shoot at all.

 

[Reelamin]

No question I am a Savage Fan Boy far greater than I ever was a fan of Remington. I bailed on Remington due to absolutely appalling customer service, and unwilling to fix a defective brand new 700 SPS in early 2000's. I am very intrigued to see for myself how the new ones are, just none have shown up where I could see it. I have original Axis to old 112. We run the Axis for ranch rifles in 223 and 22-250. The barrel and actions on ours are the exact same as the 110, and the half butted coating is a joke. Axis may be cheap and all of ours shoot lights out. I would suggest a 110 Storm.

 

[Rick Richard]

Yeah, those earlier year Remingtons were at least better shooters in most cases than the later versions. I had a 308 5R that shot a .195 five shot group once and was consistently a sub half MOA rifle. Still, I believe overall the Savage is a better product than the Remington and would be my recommendation for a current choice.

 

[xsn10s]

All of the Remarms new barrels are 5R. That 5 shot group from my 7mm rem mag is a ADL sporter 5R barrel. I took that load out to 800 yards on steel. Once elk season is over in Feb I'll take it out to a mile.