FYI, shooting with my brother yesterday, he is not happy with the R 700 with its excessively deep throat, has to load way long COAL to get it to shoot.
I continue to think the Savage is better way to do, even if you do what I am and take the barrel off, you can get the barrel you want in any contour.
You can sell the old barrel, 50 or 100 as others do want them.
A well setup R may be better but that seems to be an operative word.
Bart B told us the Winchester 70 is actually the best action as its the most solid.
I am willing to bet a paycheck I will never be able to tell.
I continue to like the Savage (if purchase right setup, if you want the Acu or target trigger you have to get it OEM, you cant put it on afterwards but you can swap around between the two) as the acu trigger on the Varmint adjusts down to 1.5 lbs (lower than I can deal with right now) and you can convert it to a Target trigger (you might have to waiver to Savage or get through a gunsmith, still finding out)
Floating bolt head that eliminated the out of true issue and it seems to be a great project frame to work with.
I got a 111 BTH as the basis for mine, will see how it goes from there.
With tools (one time cost) I have less than $850 into it and can change it to anything and any barrel I want (and go full into the target trigger as well).