Bolt Gun Expert's Advise Needed

[NiteQwill]

I was browsing Buds, and I saw Remington 700 .. Tactical SPS AAC SD something, ghillies stock.... for around mid $600s. AND another one is a " tactical " that looks bare/naked without anything for mid $500.

That's what you are alluding to, right??

The difference between the two boil down to:
Barrel length
Rifle twist

If you are going to shoot 308 at 150 yards. Neither matter

If you plan on shooting farther, get the one with the longest barrel and the fastest twist.

Honestly, I'd go with a CZ if you can find one. However, Remingtons are great "base" guns to build off of.

[jrpowell3]

You have to be honest with yourself.
A bolt action gun can become a monster.
You will get comfortable with a close range and want to punch out to further distances. This means glass/rings/bipod/chassis/bedding etc.
My advice is to pick up a Remington 700 in .308. I like 20" or 24".
With practice, you can hit 100-150 with an AR-iron sights.
The bolt gun will allow you to reach out further. Might as well go 308, you'll end up there anyhow

In the Marines, they taught us to shoot out to 500yds with iron sights...100-150 with a rifle with iron sights is a can't miss scenario.

[JMP]

Dang JMP, are American products really that bad??

Seems to me when it comes to rifles, American products will take a backseat to the Europeans. I honestly hate it when that is the situation.

The comment was more pointed to a bolt action rimfire where you'll go Euro for better stuff. Honestly, for all other bolt actions, the American stuff takes a back seat to the European stuff on the higher end unless you are getting custom work.

[Divernhunter]

Buy what YOU like and FITS you. Not what someone who does not even know you tells you that you should buy. Just as long as it is not a Rem 770/710.

Tikka/Vanguard/Savage/Ruger/Win/CZ/Marlin/Mossberg/Rem all make ok or better rifles. Other brands also.

You can get a Rem. Then replace the trigger(like a Timney), replace the stock (like H&S or McMillan),replace the barrel(many good choices). When replacing the barrel have the action trued. Replace the firing pin and spring. Then you can change out to your choice of detachable mag. It should shoot well then. Of course you will have a ton of cash into it and only have most the action and maybe the bottom metal from the original rifle.
Like many of the cal guns people say get the Rem since there are all the aftermarket support for them. The above is an example.

It is your money so buy what you like and what fits you. Then put a high quality scope on it.

If you are new get something good out of the box and practice. Later you will want another rifle since then you will really know what you like and dislike. Then go for all the bells and whistles.

Also since you are not that far from me you are welcome to come and shoot any of my rifles. I have a fair number and 2 50bmg rifles. Then make your choices as to rifle/scope. PM me if interested

[big blaze]

You might like the Remington Long Range it has a Bell & Carlson stock. Also you can get bulk surplus 30-06. It looks like it would be a good range rifle.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/90819/Remington+700+Long+Range+4%2B1+30-06SPRG+26%22

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire/model-700/model-700-long-range.aspx

[jrpowell3]

Buy what YOU like and FITS you. Not what someone who does not even know you tells you that you should buy. Just as long as it is not a Rem 770/710.

Tikka/Vanguard/Savage/Ruger/Win/CZ/Marlin/Mossberg/Rem all make ok or better rifles. Other brands also.

You can get a Rem. Then replace the trigger(like a Timney), replace the stock (like H&S or McMillan),replace the barrel(many good choices). When replacing the barrel have the action trued. Replace the firing pin and spring. Then you can change out to your choice of detachable mag. It should shoot well then. Of course you will have a ton of cash into it and only have most the action and maybe the bottom metal from the original rifle.
Like many of the cal guns people say get the Rem since there are all the aftermarket support for them. The above is an example.

It is your money so buy what you like and what fits you. Then put a high quality scope on it.

If you are new get something good out of the box and practice. Later you will want another rifle since then you will really know what you like and dislike. Then go for all the bells and whistles.

Also since you are not that far from me you are welcome to come and shoot any of my rifles. I have a fair number and 2 50bmg rifles. Then make your choices as to rifle/scope. PM me if interested

What's wrong with the 710/770? I'm also looking to get a bolt gun soon. My preference is the 700. I'd only wanna switch out the stuff to make it detachable box mag fed, though.

[DArBad]

Gang,

I just watch a guy on YouTube giving feedback on his Remington Tactical SPS AAC SD. Its mostly " talk " no shooting, but his particular rifle is much better looking than the one pictured at Buds.

If I get that gun, I would have to look into turning it to one with a removable box magazine. MEANWHILE, I also watched an Australian man giving very good praises and endorsement of a Savage 10 FCP SR. This particular rifle is sold across the counter with the box magazine set up. Rifle looks handsome.

Still, as you all said, there are MORE aftermarket accessories for the Remington, making it a strong contender......for me.

[Merc1138]

Gang,

I just watch a guy on YouTube giving feedback on his Remington Tactical SPS AAC SD. Its mostly " talk " no shooting, but his particular rifle is much better looking than the one pictured at Buds.

If I get that gun, I would have to look into turning it to one with a removable box magazine. MEANWHILE, I also watched an Australian man giving very good praises and endorsement of a Savage 10 FCP SR. This particular rifle is sold across the counter with the box magazine set up. Rifle looks handsome.

Still, as you all said, there are MORE aftermarket accessories for the Remington, making it a strong contender......for me.

The number of aftermarket accessories doesn't have anything to do with the quality of the rifle. Not to mention, random people on youtube don't necessarily know a damn thing when it comes to rifles no matter how many subscribers and likes they may have.

Here's an honest question for you. How many aftermarket accessories do you really need? You can fit whatever barrel you want on most things. Stocks can be inlet for plenty of actions. There's no shortage on scope mounts for most of the rifles mentioned in this thread. Bolt knobs can be changed. All that's really left is triggers. Beyond that? Unless there's something very specific that you're dead set on(like a certain chassis or something) that's only available for one particular action, then "aftermarket accessories" really doesn't mean much and you probably wouldn't have started this thread since you'd already have an answer.

[DArBad]

The number of aftermarket accessories doesn't have anything to do with the quality of the rifle. Not to mention, random people on youtube don't necessarily know a damn thing when it comes to rifles no matter how many subscribers and likes they may have.

So, what are you saying, don't get the Remington??

[Merc1138]

So, what are you saying, don't get the Remington??

Not what I was saying at all. I'm saying it shouldn't make a difference unless you have a very specific reason for it to matter. Read my edited post above. At the very least it should be lower on your list of criteria for selection.

[DArBad]

Dang it, I am getting confused again.

Guys, I appreciate EVERYONE's feedback and I am trying to digest everything. I wanted to get a QUALITY but not too expensive rifle, as my starting point. Money is tight but that should be no reason not to get a reasonable piece, aint' it??

I have to tune out, I was awake since 4:20 AM, O apologize if I sound testy, just exhausted from a long day, that's all.

[Divernhunter]

jrpowell3-- It is quite simple. They came out with the 710 to compete with the other cheaper rifles at the time such as Marlin/Mossberg/Vanguard and if I am correct the Ruger American. They had so much trouble with the rifle with bolt handles falling off etc they canned it after a short run and came out with the improved 770. Only trouble: it was as poor a rifle as the 710 or close to it. So now they came out with the 783 and the jury is still out on it I guess.
So in short far too many of them were returned for repair/replacement and the rifles were poor. You could and still can buy a much better "entry level" rifle in other brands.

Save yourself the troubles and get a Ruger American, Vanguard, Tikka or Savage/Mossberg/marlin

[Merc1138]

jrpowell3-- It is quite simple. They came out with the 710 to compete with the other cheaper rifles at the time such as Marlin/Mossberg/Vanguard and if I am correct the Ruger American. They had so much trouble with the rifle with bolt handles falling off etc they canned it after a short run and came out with the improved 770. Only trouble: it was as poor a rifle as the 710 or close to it. So now they came out with the 783 and the jury is still out on it I guess.
So in short far too many of them were returned for repair/replacement and the rifles were poor. You could and still can buy a much better "entry level" rifle in other brands.

Save yourself the troubles and get a Ruger American, Vanguard, Tikka or Savage/Mossberg/marlin

Considering the Ruger American came out in 2008, I don't think the 710 that was released earlier was meant to compete with it.

A better description would be

Remington wanted a product to compete with lower end rifles, and set the bar so low that they wound up with a piece of crap no one actually wanted, then decided to re-brand it as a "770" hoping no one would notice it was basically the same thing.

[RobG]

Keep digesting. You keep saying you want detachable mags AND not too expensive. AI mags are the best on the market but are 65 bucks each for 5 round, 75 each for 10 rounders in short action. Long action bumps that price to 85 and 110 each. You aren't picking up 15 dollar Pmags. The Savage mags are somewhere in the 50+ range if I read correctly.

You will also need a detachable bottom metal. DBM's run from around 120 to 280. Plus, the stock will need to be inletted for the DBM. That is if the stock is not some cheapo plastic job. If so, you need a new stock or chassis if that floats your boat.

[jrpowell3]

jrpowell3-- It is quite simple. They came out with the 710 to compete with the other cheaper rifles at the time such as Marlin/Mossberg/Vanguard and if I am correct the Ruger American. They had so much trouble with the rifle with bolt handles falling off etc they canned it after a short run and came out with the improved 770. Only trouble: it was as poor a rifle as the 710 or close to it. So now they came out with the 783 and the jury is still out on it I guess.
So in short far too many of them were returned for repair/replacement and the rifles were poor. You could and still can buy a much better "entry level" rifle in other brands.

Save yourself the troubles and get a Ruger American, Vanguard, Tikka or Savage/Mossberg/marlin

I appreciate the insight. My intent is a Rem700 in .308 and then modify it to accept box mags