Dedicated Hog Hunting Gun

[pmmx]

I've narrowed my rifle choices down to 2 different guns for my dedicated hog hunting rifle. Savage 111FCXP3 or Remington Model 710 both in 30-06. Both guns come with Burris 3-9x40mm scopes and detachable magazines.

Both guns come with crappy triggers (the savage has NO accutrigger), so I'm gonna have to get a trigger job done no matter which gun I get.

The remington is cheaper than the savage by $60. The savage is $430 and the remington is $370. The remington wins the price war.

The savage has it's magazine release button on the side of the stock rather than on the bottom like the remington. The savage wins this because I like it better.

I have experience in shooting a savage already and know what they can do. I've never owned a remington rifle before. The savage wins this because of familiarity.

Stock. They both feel good when being shouldered. The remington comes with the uglies grey stock I've ever seen. The savage comes with a black one. The savage is free-floated but the remington is not. The savage wins the better stock war.

Which one would you guys buy? The savage has a lot more things that I like on it but the remington is $60 cheaper. I would appreciate your opinions.

Jeff

 

[Speckmisser]

Jeff,

First of all, when you get it to a $60 difference, there shouldn't be any question. Sounds like you've already made up your mind anyway.

Personally, I'm a real big fan of Savage rifles, so I won't argue with you on your preferences. While the trigger ain't exactly set for match shooting, you may want to spend some time with the gun before you go spending the ducats to get it adjusted. I've shot a lot of rifles with nicer trigger pull, but my Savage is OK with me right out of the box. It shoots far better than I can.

I haven't heard much good about the Remington 710, and haven't ever shot one. Can't offer much help there, but if you do a search on this site for Remington 710, I bet you'll get an eyefull.

I will throw out one more bit of opinion. You can take it or leave it, but I don't think it's always such a great idea to own a different gun for each type of game you might be hunting. Not that it's not fun to have a bunch of guns (I do), but there's a lot to be said for picking one rifle that suits all your needs, and REALLY learning that rifle.

That Savage in -06 would be a good choice, of course, for everything from varmints to elk so you're probably one step ahead in the game as it is. I'd say forget about that "dedicated hog gun" thing, and consider a dedicated hunting gun.

Good luck and good hunting, either way you go.

 

[SDHNTR]

Get the Savage if those are your choices. It sounds like you have already made up your mind anyway. The Remington has a wierd action with a plastic insert. It is not at all smooth and will wear out with use. It has also had some safety recall issues. I don't think they come with Burris scopes, Not at that price range. I think you may be confused with Bushnell scopes. The Bushnells on these package guns are junk. I have a friend with a Rem 710. He flinches so bad because the scope has cut him numerous times. It has very little eye relief. Go for the rifle but as soon as you can afford it go buy a quality scope (like a Burris).

Personally I would shop for a used rifle. This is just my opinion. There are guys here who love their Savages. I would think that if you spent a bit of time looking you could find a nice condition Winchester M70, Remington M700, Ruger M77 or the like, with a good scope, for a price near what you are looking at now. Check out www.gunbroker.com, www.auctionarms.com, and www.gunsamerica.com. Buying over the internet is easier than you think and you can find great deals. Good luck.

 

[Lone Wolf]

Between the two buy the Savage. I myself am not a big Savage fan (Remington and Winchester fan) but the 710 is a hunk of junk. From what I've seen and read they're poorly made and represent an ill fated attempt by Remington to enter the "all in one" working man's rifle catagory which Savage dominates. To that end, I've heard nothing but praise about the Savages.

 

[pmmx]

Oops... sorry, it's a Bushnell not Burris.

Thanks for all your replies.

This will start off as a hog gun and probably turn into a dedicated hunting gun.

Jeff

 

[BDB]

pmmx: I was in a similar situation a few months back and asked the folks here for some advice. I got plenty of good advice and decided to go with a Howa instead of my first two pics of the Savage and a Ruger M77. Just thought I'd throw this into the mix to give you another option.

Here are the two threads:

Gun advice thread:
http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/index....showtopic=40757

Howa 1500 report thread:
http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/index....showtopic=45810

Good luck with the new toy, which ever one you choose

 

[hanginghog]

pmmx:

I found myself in the exact situation just last minth and boy was I glad that I did my research first! Although I have been partial to Remington, I think they took a step back with the 710. If you have not actually handled the 710, go and do so. The bolt has so much resistence due to the plastic inserts that its makes cycling the bolt almost a chore. The trigger is very poorly made and designed, and doesnt offer much in the way of performance. The magazine is a 4 round, and is fairly difficult to get in easily....not the best thing in the world when a bunch of hawgs coming running out from under the brush. All the reliable gun stores I use say nothing but bad about the 710's and everyone that bought one wants to trade it in. I too took the route the BDB did and bought a Howa...you can get one of their lower end models in 30.06 for only a little more. Anyhow, trust your instinct and don't waste your money on the 710.

 

[Cahunter]

I would also look into a weatherby vanguard, they are great rifles for the money. Yo can get them at walmart for less then 500 dollars, then get you self a bushnell elite 3200 and your good to go.

 

[Rick]

Is Walmart selling guns again in California? If so, they have a decent selection at decent prices. The Savage is good gun. Or, wait until Turner's has the Howa on sale. They seem to put them on sale every couple of month or so. It's the same gun as the Weatherby Vanguard at Walmart.

 

[pmmx]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I decide to just get the savage because the big 5 store I bought it from cut down the price by $150 cause I bought the floor model. That's over a 25% discount. Anyways, I plan to use this on the December hunt. Thanks for all your help.

Jeff

 

[Hntrjohn]

Thw Wal Mart in Turlock is not selling guns yet.

 

[subfan]

No sales here in So. Cal either... Some of the new .300 WSM guns interest me and I have to do some checking but Howa came up in a recent conversation.