Should I make the deal or not?

R

Right to bear arms

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I need some forum members feedback on a possible gun trade. I have a good condition plain synthetic stocked Remington 700 in .243 with a Redfield "Partner" 3X9 scope. I've never got the gun to shoot much better than 1-1/2-2" with handloads. My hunting buddy has a Winchester 94 "Classic" circa late 60's or 70's. Good condition with 26" octagonal barrel and scroll work. Pretty good walnut. He wants my gun + $150. Is it a deal or no deal.?
 
Well, I can say I wouldn't get rid of the 700 on the basis of how it's shooting in that cheap azz plastic stock...

Darn near guaranteed to shoot far better properly bedded into a quality aftermarket stock or one with integral aluminum bedding blocks. I can't stand those SPS stocks and it was the first thing to go with the 700.
 
Well. let's say I decide to keep the 700. What stock do you recommend to upgrade this gun? It has a parkerized type bluing (matte). I reduced the trigger pull from about 8 lbs to 4. I'm presently shooting 100 Remington corelokts over 4350 powder. My 70 puts them in the same hole, the 700 sprays the bullets.
 
I wouldn't trade until I was SURE I couldn't get that 700 to shoot better somehow. Must be something very basic wrong with it. And if I did trade it would be even up or he pays ME. ;)
 
He would need to kick in more cash than that to get my 700. I wouldn't sell it, you have a challenge to meet first. I bet it wont be too hard to make that thing shoot better.

What Caliber is the 94?
 
Rem 700s are very common and easy to come by. That 94 sounds sweet and with a 26" octogan barrell and scroll work it is possibly out of winchesters custom shop. I would go for it but thats just me.
 
I have an SPS in a plastic stock and I love it. Sometimes it will shoot .5 sometimes it will only do 1.5. (I might have something to do with that). I'm not changing the stock because I love the feel of it... it just makes me want to hold it. I have another with a Hogue stock wich has aluminum pillars, it shoots better but I don't like the way the Hogue carries.

I've flirted with the levers and all I can say is I'll take 2 inch groups over 5 inch groups any day... keep the rem. And make peace with the plastic stock... and 2 inch groups are practical too.
-SS-
 
I'm with Bacardisteve! Let the 700 go with maybe $100.00 to boot and get that model 94. You can find a 700 .243 any day of the week. Most octagon barrels I have seen run in the $500.00 to $800.00 range depending on condition. What caliber is it by the way?
 
Well. let's say I decide to keep the 700. What stock do you recommend to upgrade this gun? It has a parkerized type bluing (matte). I reduced the trigger pull from about 8 lbs to 4. I'm presently shooting 100 Remington corelokts over 4350 powder. My 70 puts them in the same hole, the 700 sprays the bullets.
Click to expand...

FWIW..
Up grade stock, I like the Bell and Carlson Medalists line for rem 700.
Recrown the Muzzle to 11 degrees or the step style crown
Bed action and float barrel
You reduced trigger pull.. You may want to go install a Timney Trigger (if you havn't)
Recheck your scope, lap the scope rings or accra bed rings to scope. make sure bases are torqued correctly

Try some 100gr Nosler Bullets... Ballistic tips and Partition
Try some different powder Varget. H4831. IMR4895

Tal~:cool:
 
I wouldn't get rid of the 700. My ADL synthetic in .270 shoots 1/2 inch groups at 200 yards. Completely stock, haven't changed a single thing on that rifle since I bought it. It even has the crappy Remington scope it came with still mounted. Shoot it every weekend
 
I know some guys say theirs shoot well with the plastic stocks, that wasn't the case with ours.

X2 what Steel Talon said...

Went from around 1.5 moa to sub moa as soon as it was put in a B&C Medalist tactical stock.

B&C, HS Precsion, Choate are all good...at the high end you have Manners and McMillan and others. Here's the thing... if you invest in a quality stock- and it doesn't help the rifle shoot (which isn't likely)- you can always sell it for darn near what you paid for it (in some cases MORE than what you paid for it).

You might also consider upgrading your trigger. I wasn't a fan of the Rem trigger... we put in a Timney, Shilen is also a good choice.

A better trigger technically doesn't help the rifle, but does help the shooter drive the gun properly.
 
What is it that you really want?

Ok, you got a Rem 700 that shoots ok, but could be better (and the first thing I would do is try different ammo/bullets/powder, before doing anything to the rifle), and a guy with a fancy, non standard model 94 who wants your rifle and cash to trade.

First off, who's pushing the trade, you, or him?

Next, what is it you really want? A pretty lever gun that odds are will not shoot any better, or even as good as your Rem 700? A .30-30, most likely (although you didn't say)

SO, you get a nicer looking rifle, in a caliber that doesn't do what the .243 does, can't be easily scoped, and will have a tough time matching the mediocre accuracy you are currently getting from your .243.

What the gun is worth in cash only matters if you plan to sell, trade it. If you are going to use it, then it is accuracy, performance, and handling that matters. A Win 94 with a 26" barrel isn't going to balance the same as the regular 94 carbine. No way. Not as "handy" in the woods. .30-30 is not as well suited to longer ranges as the .243. The Win 94 doesn't scope well, and the stock is all wrong for that was well.

If you are looking for a deer rifle, your Remington has advantges. But are they enough to matter in the kind of hunting you do?

All Winchesters are insanely overvalued these days, compared to their real world utility. But then, I remember when you could find used 94s in every shop for $200 and under.

If you want something to collect, and maybe use the Win sounds nice, it is definately not standard. IF its what you want, go for it. If its what he wants, I'd pass.
 
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