Choosing which rifle to build upon

[tele]

I recently acquired 2 rifles a savage 11vt and a Remington 700 sps both are chambered in .308. I am basically trying to decide which one to ditch. The sps has a 24" sporter barrel and the 11vt has a 24" heavy barrel. Through research I have come to find the Remington has an endless supply of parts on the web. While the vt has a very slim selection. Opinions are welcome, I have a budget although I understand this is not a cheap hobby.

thanks

 

[rrflyer]

What do you mean build? Full build means barrels are gonna get ditched anyhow.

 

[gafferq2xl]

As you already know from your research the Rem action is the better choice. Many reputable smith's have a wealth of knowledge and experience in making it a sound foundation on which to build. Buy the best components you can afford for years of service, you won't regret it. If you can try to get your hands on a used stock can save you a few bucks and give you a chance to fondle it some to see if you have a good first impression. It's much easier to get you money back if you don't like it. Decide what aspects you will want the platform to perform under and be firm with your decision. Nothing more frustrating to a gunsmith than a customer who keep changing their mind after spacing the build. Welcome to the addiction.

 

[BoilerUP]

It all depends on what you want to do and what your budget will allow.

The 11VT has a bottom bolt release, which is a PITA but not the end of the world. You can drop the barreled action into any HS Precision, McMillan, or Manners stock that is inletted for Savage centerfeed/factory DBM and be ready to rock...though you'd likely need to purchase the Savage steel bottom metal as the 11VT has an Axis-style plastic DBM. You'd probably need to purchase a steel mag bottom, as the Axis style mags are plastic (other Savage owners can correct me if I am wrong here). You can make it work with most any chassis system, but it would require a little work for the bottom bolt release. Additionally, with the Savage you could swap barrels in your garage or basement with VERY minimal tooling, saving you time and money...and Savage prefit barrels generally shoot very well.

With the Remmy, you are looking at sending it off to be trued and barreled/chambered. That will allow you to get EXACTLY what you want, but obviously at more expense.

If the 11VT shoots well and you're happy with the barrel length/contour/caliber, then I see little reason to go another direction other than dropping it into a better stock.

If you want EXACTLY what you want (ie. specific barrel length/contour/caliber) and have the funds to support it, build off the Remmy.

 

[OF&B]

s

I recently acquired 2 rifles a savage 11vt and a Remington 700 sps both are chambered in .308. I am basically trying to decide which one to ditch. The sps has a 24" sporter barrel and the 11vt has a 24" heavy barrel. Through research I have come to find the Remington has an endless supply of parts on the web. While the vt has a very slim selection. Opinions are welcome, I have a budget although I understand this is not a cheap hobby.

thanks

Depends on what you call build.

If you want to hang a scope on it and go shoot, the odds overwhelmingly favor that Savage outshooting that particular Remington by a wide margin.

If you want to rebarrel it yourself in another caliber, you can do that yourself on the Savage without machine tools. If you can assemble an AR upper from scratch, you can rebarrel a Savage with a similar tool investment. Barrels are available pre chambered from several sources. Want to try the latest rage in calibers at The Hide? A $350 barrel, dies, and brass and now you can play too. This isn't trivial if you're starting out. Bang away at 1000 yards for awhile with a 308 and you'll start really coveting that 6.5 CM. After shooting that for awhile you'll notice a 6mm thread and start running numbers through JBM. It's all over except for the Visa number at that point.

What isn't available for that Savage that you actually need? Several triggers to select from. Many of the popular stocks are inleted for them, including chassis systems. Bottom metal to take AICS magazines is available from a couple sources. Same story with scope rails. Not the same selection as Remington, but there is a selection of everything you actually need.

You won't feel as bad kryloning the Savage.

If you're going to send it off to a smith for a traditional accurizing job and want something really individual as far as the parts, the Remington is probably the way to go. Some will tell you to sell them both and just go with a custom action because the incremental cost isn't that large. Neither is the incremental benefit.

My first four bolt guns were Remington 700s. The next four were Savage. I am not a fan of the Remington barrels, but most of them could be forced to shoot. The Savages have just worked. The Remington hammer forged barrels are produced that way because it's cheaper, not better and it leaves them with a tendency to shift poi with temperature. The Remington throats are often deep enough to make a NFL field goal kicker pay attention. There is no hope for that SPS stock.

 

[tele]

thanks for the info everyone. I like the way the savage shoots, the barrel contour, I especially like the accutrigger. I will most likely look around for the bottom metal. Does anyone know of a company that offers one that will compensate for the bottom trigger release.

 

[BoilerUP]

The Savage factory steel DBM for bottom bolt release is p/n 106705 and is $78 from Savage; the steel magazine bottom is p/n 106245 and costs $19.

I believe CDI Precision makes a DBM for bottom bolt release that fits AICS-pattern magazines, but you'd have to confirm with them.

 

[tele]

thanks boiler I will check that out.

do you know of a site that has stocks at a good price?
I have checked out stockystocks are there any other good sites?

 

[Hunt4life]

If the savage shoots as is, I would spend your money on glass, XLR Chassis, and ammo. If not, savages can be refit with quality barrels in no time versus what can be long waits for Remington's in many cases. I have customs made from both.

Savage has more than enough after market options. I personally hate waiting so all my builds are savages anymore, shoot the barrel out and back up in running in no time.

 

[tele]

I like the xlr chassis and am not opposed to getting one. I wil give them a call tomorrow and see if they make one to accommodate the bottom bolt release.

 

[BoilerUP]

I like the xlr chassis and am not opposed to getting one. I wil give them a call tomorrow and see if they make one to accommodate the bottom bolt release.

They do.

 

[Hunt4life]

I like the xlr chassis and am not opposed to getting one. I wil give them a call tomorrow and see if they make one to accommodate the bottom bolt release.

I love my xlr, even more than my AI chassis. Find a local guy to ceracoate or duracoat your barreled action and shoot it. Heck if you are sub 3/4 moa, it is a great rifle to start with. Send 2500-3000 rounds down range, then make a decision on a new caliber/barrel, not that a .308 will be shot out, but you will have the experience to make a better decision then.