Remmy 700, X bolt, or Tikka?

T

Tiger522

Inactive
Hey folks. I am in the market for a new firearm. I have a $700 budget and am looking for something in .308. My 3 choices have been narrowed down to the Remmy 700, the Browning X Bolt, and the Tikka T3.

The Tikka is at the top of my price range and comes with no scope or bipod. The X Bolt is almost in the same boat, but might come with a scope depending on where I buy it from. The Remmy could come with a scope and bipod for the least amount of money but the people at Bass Pro and Gander Mountain all say to go away from the Remmy 700 these days.

The gun will mainly be used for range shooting and the occasional hunt (maybe hunt twice a year). I will probably ever shoot further than 300-400 yards, and will spend most of my time at 100-200 yards. Any suggestions on what to get are greatly appreciated. I am new to the long rifle family.
 
I like the Tikka the best of the 3. Unless your $700 budget includes optics too you should be able to find a Tikka under $700. Locally blue versions are about $550, SS a little under $700.
 
The only Tikka around here that is close to that range is a 300 Winchester mag. My wife said she didn't want to shoot something that big. I hear nothing but great things about the Tikka, I just wish they would. Ome standard with some type of optics.
 
Almost every package rifle that comes with an optic on it uses junk for the glass. Better to buy a nice rifle and find a good quality scope that you can add on. You can find the Tikka in Blue for $530 or so. Check Gunbroker and Armslist in your area for other deals on used rifles, you can sometimes find a good used rifle for a deal if you can negotiate some. For glass check SWFA Sample List or Cameraland NY for demos and used scopes, you can get a good quality glass and save some money that way. With a little research and shopping you can end up with a much better set up than you would buying a package from one of the big box vendors, they don't really care whether you buy a rifle from them or not.
 
Academy sports has the Remmy 700 in 308 and 30-06 with no optics or bipod for $379 right now. That is a big kicker to my decision.not sure if it's worth it to go ahead and buy it at that price and upgrade it as I go with good optics, etc.
 
I used to work at academy selling guns...

The 700 ADL you are talking about is not that great of a rifle. The original Savage Axis we sold felt better build quality-wise. Like they were bottom of the barrel guns...The bolt/action on that 700 is very rough and the trigger is not very good either... I know because of the price it's tempting, but I truly believe you will save yourself some buyers remorse if you skip that purchase.

Buy once, cry once... Tikka all the way. Topped mine with a Leupold VX1 4-12x40 ($200 or so) and it's been my go-to hunting rifle for the past 9 years or so... Haven't needed or wanted to change anything about it other than add a sling...
 
Academy sports has the Remmy 700 in 308 and 30-06 with no optics or bipod for $379 right now. That is a big kicker to my decision.not sure if it's worth it to go ahead and buy it at that price and upgrade it as I go with good optics, etc.
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.308 and '06 rifles are a dime a dozen, not hard to find at all. Heck, just browsing Armslist the other day I must have found 10-12 Winchester M70's in various configs in both chamberings and for between what the Tikka and Remington you are looking at cost.

Personally, the Rem 700 is a great rifle after you replace the crappy parts they come with these days and add a couple of coats of Duracoat or paint so they don't rust while you are looking at them. Fortunately trigger wise, Timney makes a replacement that is easy to install and relatively cheap at $140.00 or so. B&C makes a good stock as well for about $250.00. Order those right after you pay the $379.00 for the rifle, then you are good to go once you get a scope. Or just buy a Tikka or Savage to start with.
 
Buy the gun that FITS you best and don't worry about the brand.

They can all be made to shoot with a little work and the right loads
 
I dont own a rem 700 or xbolt but I did buy a Tikka T3 lite last year in 223 and it is a tack driver even before I replaced the ugly syn stock with a boyds thumbhole
 
I know it isn't one of your listed options but please do give the savage 111 and the weatherby vanguard s2 a good hard look. Extremely accurate rifles in your 700 budget easily. Especially that vanguard. Best gun for the money IMO. Guaranteed sub moa accuracy, awesome trigger, wonderful ergonomics, and much more aesthetically pleasing than most other synthetic stocked rifles. And the savage 111 is a prove accuracy champ...and IMO worth the jump in price from the savage axis (the axis cuts a few too many corners I think).
 
I with the guys that have posted listing a few that are in your price range that you seem to have looked past...

M70 Sporter can be found for close to your $700 budget.

I hear a ton of good things about the Savage 111 and 110's.

That said, I do own a Remmy 700 ADL. I am the third owner and it was bought as a combo from Bass Pro for under $500 probably in the early 2000's. It's just a basic Red Head 3x9x40 and chambered in 270. This little rifle has proven to be extremely reliable and deadly accurate for me. I seldom have to adjust the scope from deer season to deer season and when I do, it's minor and could be just due to different ammo. My ADL is not subject to the trigger recall, at least last I looked into it. For a budget rifle, I think it has proven to be well worth it.

However, if I could change one thing about it, it would be the trigger. It's pretty heavy for my taste. Not a fan of synthetic either, but it works. But what can a person expect for the price point.
 
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I will have to chime in with Roadkill2228 about the Weatherby Vanguard S2, I have one in 243 and it is a tack driver and has been from day one, the only drawback and it is a minor one, it is just a tad bit heavy to be carrying around for the day, excellent stand rifle though, used it SC this past season and it served me well.
 
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