Remington 700 Varmint SPS or Savage 10 FLCP-K 308

[shootinsteel]

Anyone have any experience with either of these rifles? My son needs a left hand 308 for long range target (F class someday?) and hunting. I don't see many choices but had considered the Remington SPS Varmint but after looking at one in a store wasn't impressed with how it looked and felt. The bolt had a lot of slop in it and just didn't seem as well machined and finished as my other 700 varmint rifles. I saw one of the Savage 10 Law Enforcement rifles advertised for sale but have never seen or handled one. Anybody here have any opinions about either of these? Or another brand with similar features?
Thanks.

 

[1000yardstare]

Had a Rem 700 SPS Varmint in .308. Very long throat. To have 155 gr Scenars 20 thou off the lands the bullet wasn`t even in the case neck.

Bolt locking lug bearing surface was terrible. Maybe 20% on one lug and 30% on the other. No gunsmith that I know will rebarrel a Rem 700 of any type unless you agree to let them square the action (locking lugs, recoil lug, bolt face).

Also had an oversize firing pin hole and creep in the trigger.

That is why Savage has taken over in the stock factory end of the target world. They shoot right out of the box, they are easy to rebarrel and the pivoting bolt head is always square to the cartridge. The AccuTrigger is a big advance in factory triggers.

 

[allen529]

My first year competing in F-T/R I used the SPS with FGMM 175 gr ammo and it shot in the 1/2-1" moa range all the way to 1k. With some of the longer bullets out there such as the better 185 match bt or 190 smk in the 308s you can seat them out far enough to find a sweet spot until your son works up to the trued action/custom barrel route. You might want to change stocks though that tupperware stock sucks. There are always take off stocks for sale that will fit the S/A remmy.

Allen

 

[chj3]

Bought a Rem 700 SPS .308 Varmint about 2 yr ago. Sold the factory stock and scope on eBay and put a Bell & Carlson stock with the aluminum bedding block on it. Had to take it to a gunsmith to clean up the chamber (really rough, concentric grooves in it; Remington didn't respond to to my inquiry).

Does stay under 3/4" for 5 shot groups with either Nosler 155 gr or Hornady 178 gr bullets and Varget. Doesn't like the Hornady 168 gr.

Noticed that the heavy barreled Remingtons they are currently selling at they the big sporting goods stores are blind magazine, not with a floorplate as when I bought mine.