Author Topic: Which rifle is more accurate out of the box? (Read 5594 times)

Mr. Single Shot · « **on:** September 24, 2008, 06:50:37 AM »

I am looking for a new rifle. I am wanting to know which rifle will be the most accurate out of the box. I am looking at the new Savage target rifle, Tikka Super Varmint, Howa Varmint, Cz 550 Varmint, or a Remington Varmint or PSS. Any suggestions?

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 24, 2008, 07:12:20 AM »

He he he......hmmm....... My vote goes to the Savage target rifle, I've read of some amazing groups out of that gun. All of the rifles you've listed are known for extreme accuracy, so I'd just pick the one you like the best, find it's pet load (handload or factory) and blaze away.

trotterlg · « **Reply #2 on:** September 24, 2008, 07:23:07 AM »

I have to agree, if you have to bet on out of the box accuracy the odds are in favor of Savage even if they are kind of ugly. Larry

Swampman · « **Reply #3 on:** September 24, 2008, 08:21:17 AM »

Either of the Remingtons.

Mr. Single Shot · « **Reply #4 on:** September 24, 2008, 08:23:43 AM »

Thanks guys...I currently have a Savage 12 FP. It shoots 1/2-3/4" groups. I just didn't know if any of the other guns were any better.

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 24, 2008, 08:45:19 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on September 24, 2008, 08:21:17 AM

Either of the Remingtons.

Ding! Ding! Let the diatribes begin! I can't believe you recommended a Remington. That's SO unlike you. LOL. Just joking around.

Any of the other guns have the same potential as your FP. Groups like yours aren't anything to sneeze at either. And regardless of what tons of people say, if you've got an un-altered factory gun that's shooting less than an inch with any load, handload or factory, you've got a heck of a rifle on your hands.

charles p · « **Reply #6 on:** September 24, 2008, 12:11:07 PM »

The last three rifles I have bought were not "out of the box". Two were Remington and one was Winchester. Day in and day out, I am a Remington man even though I have two Winchester, a Browning, and a Weatherby as well. I'll take a Remington 700 any day. Got a bunch of them and they all work well for me.

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 30, 2008, 05:58:40 PM »

the key word is unaltered .. the best ive seen is savage..
they level the playing field for the haves an have nots.. i kinda think the might turn it a little in favor of the fellow who can t justify bookoo bucks for rifles while putting a kid thru college..jmo

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #8 on:** October 01, 2008, 03:07:43 AM »

Col. Boddington weighed in on this subject in a recent article and his opinion is also that the Savage is the most accurate "out of the box" rifle. He mentioned that opinion was shared by another of his editor/publisher firends but I forget who.

In one "shoot out" article I read a couple years ago the Savage came in first in the accuracy department.

That said, modern manufacturing techniques, including computer-controlled machinery, reduce manufacturing variations and allow tighter tolerances in mass produced products. The end result in the firearms market is that, on average, modern firearms are more consistent than those produced back in "the good old days". While it has always been possible to get a lemon, I think your chances are significantly less these days, at least when you are talking abouut Remington, Ruger, Savage, Marlin, the new FN Winchesters, Howa and others. Even the inexpensive Stevens rifles (under $300)
are aften very good in the accuracy department as they are basically a Savage unadorned with better cosmetics.

The fact is that most modern bolt rifles will shoot pretty well, many better than the shooter is capable of. I have Ruger, Remington and Savage and haven't noticed any significant difference between them in accuracy. In fact at my range sessions the "most accurate" seems to vary from session to session.

Old English · « **Reply #9 on:** October 01, 2008, 04:11:15 AM »

You already have a poor shooting Savage so why not try for a Tikka? 3/4" group is just not acceptable any more. Do not believe the Remington guys, they are lucky to get an inch. Savage and Tikka would kill 'em both.

BS free response is: Get what you like to hold and own, that's my advice

Swampman · « **Reply #10 on:** October 01, 2008, 04:17:33 AM »

I wonder how much Col. Boddington got paid to say that?

Singleshotsam · « **Reply #11 on:** October 01, 2008, 06:28:41 AM »

Go w/ the Remington...

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 01, 2008, 09:37:00 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on October 01, 2008, 04:17:33 AM

I wonder how much Col. Boddington got paid to say that?

Probably the same amount that Peterson Publishing paid him to say in that same article that the Marlin xl7, S&W I-Bolt, the Vanguard, and the Remington 770 (after he re-crowned the barrel, I'd call that poor QC on Remington, wouldn't you) were all very accurate rifles. He said that he's seen more Savages that were shooters with no tinkering out of the box than other brands. You can add John Barsness, Dave Scovill, Mike Venturino to that list as well.

BTW, the Col. is now a Brigadier General, retired, USMC. Has been for a while now. Just to clear the air.

I read a lot of people slamming Boddington and his writing for no particular reason. I wonder why? Perhaps some jealously about his adventures.....stuff that 99% of us will never do? Or the fact that he's well paid to write and do the things he does? I think he's a good writer and I like his stuff. If you read about some of his history, he's upfront with the fact that he's only been able to go on the hunts that he has because of his USMC reserve pay, and accumulated combat pay as well.

Back to topic, buy the Savage. Best trigger, best barrel, best design for total accuracy.

Swampman · « **Reply #13 on:** October 01, 2008, 09:39:19 AM »

They all get paid to brag on what they are shooting. That's why you never see a bad review. Savage makes nice entry level rifles.

Savage not the best trigger(or even close), not the best barrel, not the best design for total accuracy.

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 01, 2008, 09:56:15 AM »

For an bench rest accuracy type rifle, factory, out of the box, Savage is the only one in the ball game. Trigger, barrel, and stock. Period. No else is even close.

The best would be a Nesika Bay or a Stolle action. But he wants a factory rifle. Not a $4000 custom.

FWIW, Savage is no more an entry level rifle than a Remington is. If Savage never came out with the Accu-trigger, then all of the other factory guns would still have horrible triggers that feel like 5 miles of gravel road and take a 10lb pull to drop the striker. Now everyone is coming out with user adjustable, good quality triggers.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #15 on:** October 01, 2008, 02:18:06 PM »

Quote from: kyelkhunter3006 on October 01, 2008, 09:37:00 AM

BTW, the Col. is now a Brigadier General, retired, USMC. Has been for a while now. Just to clear the air.

Just to clear the air...

I asked a question here some time back about why Boddington used to byline himself as Col., then Gen., now just Craig. Come to find out he in fact retired, USMCR, as a Colonel. All the details are available on the Web. Still like the man's writing and choice in wimmins!

FWIW, I've found 700's to be the most accurate out of the box... but then I've never owned a Savage bolt gun. $:-\$

Swampman · « **Reply #16 on:** October 01, 2008, 02:25:05 PM »

Quote from: kyelkhunter3006 on October 01, 2008, 09:56:15 AM

For an bench rest accuracy type rifle, factory, out of the box, Savage is the only one in the ball game. Trigger, barrel, and stock. Period. No else is even close.

The best would be a Nesika Bay or a Stolle action. But he wants a factory rifle. Not a $4000 custom.

FWIW, Savage is no more an entry level rifle than a Remington is. If Savage never came out with the Accu-trigger, then all of the other factory guns would still have horrible triggers that feel like 5 miles of gravel road and take a 10lb pull to drop the striker. Now everyone is coming out with user adjustable, good quality triggers.

In 45 years of shooting Remington bolt actions, I've never seen or shot one with a bad trigger. At least Remington hasn't resorted to an easily damaged sheet metal Glock knock off trigger assy. Savage makes a nice department store special.

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 01, 2008, 03:31:20 PM »

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 01, 2008, 03:42:32 PM »

Quote from: AtlLaw on October 01, 2008, 02:18:06 PM

Quote from: kyelkhunter3006 on October 01, 2008, 09:37:00 AM
BTW, the Col. is now a Brigadier General, retired, USMC. Has been for a while now. Just to clear the air.

Just to clear the air... I asked a question here some time back about why Boddington used to byline himself as Col., then Gen., now just Craig. Come to find out he in fact retired, USMCR, as a Colonel. All the details are available on the Web. Still like the man's writing and choice in wimmins!

FWIW, I've found 700's to be the most accurate out of the box... but then I've never owned a Savage bolt gun. $:-\$

Boddington's website lists his military experience....promoted to B. General in 2001, retired in 2005. As for women, yeah, his wife is a striking lady. In more ways than one.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #19 on:** October 01, 2008, 05:47:03 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on October 01, 2008, 04:17:33 AM

I wonder how much Col. Boddington got paid to say that?

My guess would be nothing over and above whatever compensation he already gets for writhing his articles. The Savages I've worked with have been every bit as accurate as my Remingtons - with either handloads or factory stuff.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #20 on:** October 01, 2008, 05:53:53 PM »

Quote from: kyelkhunter3006 on October 01, 2008, 03:42:32 PM

promoted to B. General in 2001, retired in 2005.

Keep looking, it's a sad story, but shows his (good) character.

The Savage trigger reminds me of a single set trigger. Being used to a 2 stage, seems okay to me.

nodlenor · « **Reply #21 on:** October 05, 2008, 03:02:45 PM »

I have three Howa's and all three are very accurate. One was purchased used the other two I bought new. I've never owned a Savage but my 'bil' has one that is very accurate. I think there are several very accurate out of box rifles. I'd buy the one that fits me the best and go from there.

351 power · « **Reply #22 on:** October 05, 2008, 03:55:23 PM »

swampman, you seem so hateful to savages. did someone drop one on your toe? i like remington and savage. i don't feel the need to spit on anybody else's choice.

Swampman · « **Reply #23 on:** October 05, 2008, 03:57:02 PM »

I'm just reporting what I've found to be the case in my personal testing.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #24 on:** October 06, 2008, 02:22:21 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on October 05, 2008, 03:57:02 PM

I'm just reporting what I've found to be the case in my personal testing.

As am I. My old Savage 110 was much more accurate than either of my two Remington M700's. The Savage 111 I currently own is at least as accurate.

Swampman · « **Reply #25 on:** October 06, 2008, 04:58:55 PM »

You must have gotten some really good Savages. Kmart and Walmart have some that shoot pretty good occasionally. I'm not a gambler so I just get a Remington.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #26 on:** October 07, 2008, 02:14:04 AM »

I think you would be splitting hairs with any of the mentioned rifles, I like CZs myself but iv'e seen all the other shoot darn well also.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #27 on:** October 07, 2008, 02:40:36 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on October 06, 2008, 04:58:55 PM

You must have gotten some really good Savages. Kamart and Walmart have some that shoot pretty good occasionally. I'm not a gambler so I just get a Remington.

To my knowledge K-Mart doesn't sell firearms anymore, at least not around here, and hasn't done so for years. The relatively few Wal-Marts that still sell firearms also sell Remingtons. Wal-Mart gets them from a big distributor, the same one used by many gun shops.

A good friend bought a Wal-Mart Remington M700 SPS .30-06 for this son and I mounted the scope and zeroed the rifle. The best it would do with several types of factory ammo was 1-1/2" groups.

Your statement just demonstrates ignorance.

Swampman · « **Reply #28 on:** October 07, 2008, 02:49:08 AM »

The bottom line is that anyone can afford a Remington. Why settle for less?

teddy12b · « **Reply #29 on:** October 07, 2008, 04:11:04 AM »

My vote would go for the savage rifles, but from what I've read you couldn't go too wrong with any of the choices you mentioned. I bought a savage 110FP in 30-06, changed the stock and use it for hunting and also target shooting out to 1000 yards. A savage rifle is very accurate, but it'll likely need a new stock.