Remington 700 & Winchester 70

E

EricM

New member
I'm thinking about getting a rifle for hunting deer and elk. I'm not a hunter, and my only rifle is a SKS :). I was thinking of 30-06 as a good caliber, and I am looking at a Remington model 700 ADL or Winchester model 70.

The MSRP for the Remington is about 1/2 that of the Winchester ($543 vs. $975). I'd prefer to buy used if possible, but I've not found these locally so far.

Any comments on this caliber? These rifles? Any other recommendations? How about a scope?

Winchester:
http://www.winchester-guns.com/prodinfo/catalog/md70/m70_supergrade.htm

Remington:
http://www.remington.com/firearms/centerfire/700adl.htm
 
I've got a couple (more or less) of each - I prefer the 700 over the 70 mostly because the 700 triggers (for me) dial in better than do the 70s. Too, I prefer the Rem-type safety lever - location, not necessarily function.

Started out with Rems so that does have a bit to do with initial "conditioning."

Either one is a certain good enough rifle. For ~1/2 the price, I'd go Rem. The $543 quoted for the ADL seems high ...

Tough to beat a Luepold 3X9 for a good all 'round deer/elk scope.
 
Comparing the prices of a Super Grade and an ADL is comparing apples and oranges, isn't it? How about a BDL and a classic 70?
 
DO A SEARCH...

did this when I was looking at the same decision. Went with the 700, (twice...an ADL in 30.06 and a VS in .308), and couldn't be happier. Both are MOA / sub-MOA rifles with good handloads.
 
Eric,
The supergrade is a fancy, more expensive gun then the ADL. The classic is more comparable to the ADL. Its retail is $699.

Check your locals for your best price, then hold them, see which stock fits you best, and go with that gun. Either way you have the potential of a good gun.

The 30-06 is OK, but way overkill for deer. You may want to look at a 7mm-08. Great for deer, and will do fine for Elk with the right bullet. The 7mm-08 has alot less recoil then the 30-06, more comfortable to shoot so you may practice more, nearly as powerful as the 06.
 
Thanks for the replies. I've done some more online research, and I'm narrowing in on these models. All in 30-06 (I'll compare ballistics later).

* Remington 700 BDL $645 - $693
* Remington 700 Mountain Rifle $693 - $757
* Browning A-bolt $620 - $1017 depending on model

The A-bolt appears to have lots of nice features (60 deg bolt throw, recoil pad, detachable mag, drilled for scope, etc.), but it doesn't come with open sights. I couldn't find a list of features for the Remington rifles. The BDL looks good, and it has an adjustable sight. I like the Mountain Rifle as it's nearly 1 lb lighter, but it also does not come with sights. Am I silly to think the rifles should come with open sights :)?

Any recommended model among the A-bolts? The Hunter is the low dollar one and Eclipse Hunter the high dollar one.
 
Eric, the decision for a BDL over an ADL or a Super Grade over a Standard Grade is a function of "pretty" and finish. And, after all, hunting rifles just never wear out--they'll last for you, your kids and your grandkids. Choice often has more to do with budget, though...

I prefer a scope for hunting because it ensures more reliable kill-zone hitting. A scope gives a longer hunting period because of its help at dawn and dusk in judging whether that dark, brown blob is an elk, bear, or person. There is no open season on people, nor do they dress out very good.

The recoil of a .30-'06 shouldn't be of any importance. There's a little "thump" when shooting from a benchrest, but it's no big deal. In fifty years of shooting an '06, I've yet to feel a thing when there was any animal in the cross hairs. Never noticed the muzzle report, either.

xraymongral, I sure won't knock the 7mm08 (I have one), but I don't believe that is an elk cartridge for a novice.

$0.02, Art
 
I have a Win Mod 70 Compact Classic in 7mm-08 with a Leupold 3x9 compact. Rifle cost $399 (used) scope $275. Total rifle weighs less then 6 1/2 lbs loaded. I am not disparaging the -06, just letting you know what works for me... Enjoy your search and hunt.
 
I have owned several 700's but the other day I had the bolt handle that was brazed on make a clean break off the bolt. Once I loose confidence in a brand, that is it. The Savage is as accurate if not more so than the 700 as is the Ruger 77.
 
I bought a 700BDL in 30-06. with a 3x9 Bushnell Banner new in 1971. I have taken a number of deer with it here in Western PA. Has always served me well and have never had any problems. On July 9th of this year I bought a new 700 classic which is in 7mm-08 this year. I really wanted this gun and also wanted to p**s off the United Nation's small arms conference jerks!!! Anyway had a Bushnell Trophey 4x12 mounted and it shoots 2" groups for me 3" high at 100yds. This is where I have it sighted in. The 7mm-08 has ballistics comparable to the 270 IMO but in a short action with a lot less recoil = more fun to shoot.
Hope this helps with your decision.
 
I would not let Byron's experience influence my choice. Yes, Remington bolt handles are brazed on and once in a very, very great while one comes off. The fix is always free from Remington.

Jim
 
Any comments on the Browning A-bolts? I've read the archives and most seem happy with them. I guess all these rifles are good and it will come down to what feels right in my hands :).

Next I'll need help with a scope.
 
Go with Browning

Eric, I would go with the Browning stainless w/synthetic stock and a 3X9 VARI-XII Leupold. Both will last you the rest of your life. Stick with 30-06. You can hunt anything in the lower 48 with it. Rem, Win, and Browning reflect 3 very different mechanical approaches to the operation of the bolt action. Have your gun dealer explain these differences. Each has its advantages.
Marshall
 
Was just visiting with a new gunsmith friend yesterday, and was asking a similar question. As he was doing a bedding job at the time, he shared the following --

Remingtons are easy to bed, smiths like 'em.
Winchesters are so-so.
Brownings are a pain in the rump.

All have to do with the location on the recoil lug and mounting bolts. If getting the rifle tuned to major tack-driving accuracy down the road is on your mind, I believe he would recommend them in that order... Remington, Winchester, then Browning.

However, he was playing with custom $1200 actions at the time, and bedding a Browning, and I believe his rates were the same no matter what action ya gave him, so that may or not be a factor to ya...

-K
 
FWIW, I own a Remington 700 ADL (that's the cheap version) in .308. No modifications.

I think you were with me at the Boise shoot last time I shot it. I showed some of the people there, but didn't show you...I shot a cloverleaf that day with it. 3 shots touching at 100 yards. I still have the target, of course...

If it'll do that out of the box, I can't get excited about spending more money than that. I am a big Rem 700 fan.
 
Marshall, Why synthetic over wood? Your recommendation is identical to a friend of mine who lives in AK, down to the scope.
 
I stopped by Sportsman's Warehouse to take a look at their rifles and talk to the staff. They recommended the Winchester 70 action over the Remington and the Browning. Their prices were pretty decent compared to Intermountain Sports and MSRP. $539 for the Sporter LT and $749 for the Super Grade.
 
I've owned 4 Remingtons, 1 Ruger, 2 Brownings, and 6 Winchesters. I still own some of all but the Ruger. I think the Win 70 is the hands down winner.

Clearly, The Rem 700 is the accuracy champ. But we are talking a hunting rifle here, not a target rifle. The average difference is small, and some Winchesters outshoot some Remingtons.

The Remington is clearly a cheap rifle. (cheap in the sense that it is cheap to build). It only has half of a safety - in my opinion it is just barely worthy of the name "safety". In fact, there are some legal suits against the company over its failure.

The Rems trigger can be slightly crisper, but it is too complicated and easy for a klutz to mess up.

Just look at how many people who build custom hunting rifles (other than beanfield or target rifles) pick the Winchester. The Win70 is a perfect all-around package for a hunting rifle.

It's safety is perfect, the trigger is perfect for a hunting gun, dissassembly of the bolt can be done in the field. These are very important features. If you have a problem with the extractor, you can fix it, anywhere if you have the part. Problems with Rem extractors can only be fixed by skilled gunsmiths while in a shop.

I will concede, though, that the Rem 700 is a very fine gun. It and the 70 are the best (American).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top