Savage 10 or Remington 770?

mgulino · October 23, 2018, 11:22 AM

I have been looking for a .243 bolt gun for quite awhile to be used primarily for deer in south Mississippi. May even get to use it on a coyote hunt out in New Mexico. Other than that, I’m just punching holes in paper. I have 2 seemingly good deals on used models at an LGS, and I am asking for opinions on these two choices.
A relatively new, stainless, Remington M770, or an older Savage Model 10. The Remington has a synthetic stock, while the Savage is wood stocked (a couple slight scratches). I have no idea how old the Savage is, but the serial number begins with 626.
Both have mid-level adjustable 3-9 x 40 glass, which would probably be replaced. Checked both with a bore light and saw no pitting. Both bolts cycle smoothly, and safeties function.
I have read the reviews online about both models. These are both used guns, traded in/sold at a LGS. Prices are $200 for the Remington and $280 for the Savage.
I would appreciate comments from anyone who has experience with either of these models.

huntinaz · October 23, 2018, 12:10 PM

I’d buy the Savage. Only ever heard the 770 was junk

Don Fischer · October 23, 2018, 12:38 PM

I've never heard anything good about the Rem 770 either and I love mod 700's. In this case I'd go with the Savage. To much going against the Rem for me. Stainless and plastic stock, either or, is an instant turn off to me. But this is your rifle. Which one do you like. As little good as I hear about the Rem 770, I'd bet it's a lot better rifle than given credit for! Here's a thought. Remington, Savage and Mossberg all sell kit guns, guns that come with scope's, fairly reasonablely. I'd look into them first! They all make very useable rifle's, just depends on what you think you like. I have one of the Rem 700's. Got it as a gift with a plastic stock. Had to despense with that girl friend. should have known better than to get me a plastic stock! Have two of the Mossberg Patriot's w/wood stocks. Not anything bad to say about them. Never had a Savage CF rifle but would get one in a hot sec if the right one was there. Try to keep in mind that all the manufacturer's want to stay in business and they simply aren't gonna sell a product that they don't think will make it. What would be the point in that? Go look at a few new kit guns. Bi Mart, Walmart and Sportsman's Whse have them out here as well as a few other's. With the price of these kit guns they make used $200 run of the mill guns awfu expensive!

RC20 · October 23, 2018, 01:07 PM

I like the older Savage actions, a bit better quality.

I havn't had anything good to say about Remington with their poor trigger and the trigger debacle. If you shoot target the first thing you would want is to replace it.

If you shoot something around 2500 rounds total the barrel is going to eat out the throat.

The Savage is setup to change a barrel (and you can do it yourself with some $100 or so in tools).

I like the older Savage top bolt release (TBR)

They do tend to need update ejector spring to flip out the cases.

std7mag · October 23, 2018, 01:47 PM

Savage all the way!
After you shoot it, and do load development, then you can "tune" the action and drop your group sizes some more.
Ton of aftermarket parts available.

Charlie98 · October 23, 2018, 04:18 PM

Definitely the older Savage.

Wyosmith · October 23, 2018, 04:26 PM

3 Gunsmiths answers:

1 Savage!
2 Savage!
3 Savage!

stillquietvoice · October 23, 2018, 06:28 PM

I'd go savage too had a 111 same cal. 2 in 06 another in 308 great rifles for 30 years.

gw44 · October 23, 2018, 06:53 PM

Take the Savage, you can't go wrong !!!

mgulino · October 24, 2018, 10:11 AM

Ok you all convinced me to go for the Savage.
I also reload for several calibers and will now start on .243. My books and online sources show lots of powders seem to work well with .243. I want to load 100 gr for deer and probably 65-75 for predators. I would like to use the same powder for both. Varget seems to be a good choice. Do any of you have a preferred powder for these?

RC20 · October 24, 2018, 02:57 PM

Just post in the reload page.

Sierra and Hornady manuals are really good listing a lot of powders.

I keep my old ones as powders come and go and newer ones force older ones off the list.

I don't know what kind of sort system they use, but just because its no longer on the list does not mean it isn't a good one.

Unless its competitive bench rest you can get some grand results from those "other" powders and I understand they can't list em all.

T. O'Heir · October 24, 2018, 03:08 PM

The Remington 770 is discontinued. It's listed as an Obsolete model only. Any M770 rifles which were manufactured from May 1, 2006 through April 9, 2014 and which have an X-Mark Pro trigger are/were subject to a recall too. So any used one should have proof that was done.
Buy the Savage. It'll be new and have a warrantee.
"...powders seem to work well with .243..." IMR4350. The predators won't care what bullet kills 'em. Nothing like varmint hunting as practice for deer season. So unless the predators have nice thick winter coats, your 100 grain bullet will do. 65-75 grain bullets are varmint bullets. More picky about rifling twists.

mgulino · October 26, 2018, 12:48 PM

Don Fischer - took your advice and checked Academy for Savage/Remington/Mossberg kit guns. They have a Savage Axis II in .243, wood stock, Accu-Trigger and nice 3-9x40 glass, on sale for $329. Beats my LGS used Savage 10 find for $280.
Headed there this evening to take her home.

Dano4734 · October 26, 2018, 06:56 PM

I have a 770 in 30-06 it was one of my poor decisions. It’s ok for a once a year deer hunt but not a good rifle at all

p5200 · October 27, 2018, 05:22 AM

Never had the 770 but, love my Savage 10fp in .223 with the 24" heavy barrel!

tango1niner · October 27, 2018, 07:01 AM

I was under the impression the Axis was entry level.
What does Academy get for a M 10? The should give an idea of value.
For powder I like IMR 4350.
For NY whitetail I use 100 gr. Nosler Partition.
For varmints I use Hornady 75 gr. HP's.

October 23, 2018, 11:22 AM	#1
mgulino Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2017 Posts: 198	Savage 10 or Remington 770? I have been looking for a .243 bolt gun for quite awhile to be used primarily for deer in south Mississippi. May even get to use it on a coyote hunt out in New Mexico. Other than that, I’m just punching holes in paper. I have 2 seemingly good deals on used models at an LGS, and I am asking for opinions on these two choices. A relatively new, stainless, Remington M770, or an older Savage Model 10. The Remington has a synthetic stock, while the Savage is wood stocked (a couple slight scratches). I have no idea how old the Savage is, but the serial number begins with 626. Both have mid-level adjustable 3-9 x 40 glass, which would probably be replaced. Checked both with a bore light and saw no pitting. Both bolts cycle smoothly, and safeties function. I have read the reviews online about both models. These are both used guns, traded in/sold at a LGS. Prices are $200 for the Remington and $280 for the Savage. I would appreciate comments from anyone who has experience with either of these models.

October 23, 2018, 12:10 PM	#2
huntinaz Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2010 Location: az Posts: 1,332	I’d buy the Savage. Only ever heard the 770 was junk __________________ "When there’s lead in the air, there’s hope in the heart”- Hunter’s Proverb "Feed me, or feed me to something. I just want to be part of the food chain." -Al Bundy

October 23, 2018, 01:07 PM	#4
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	I like the older Savage actions, a bit better quality. I havn't had anything good to say about Remington with their poor trigger and the trigger debacle. If you shoot target the first thing you would want is to replace it. If you shoot something around 2500 rounds total the barrel is going to eat out the throat. The Savage is setup to change a barrel (and you can do it yourself with some $100 or so in tools). I like the older Savage top bolt release (TBR) They do tend to need update ejector spring to flip out the cases. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

October 23, 2018, 01:47 PM	#5
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Savage all the way! After you shoot it, and do load development, then you can "tune" the action and drop your group sizes some more. Ton of aftermarket parts available. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

October 23, 2018, 04:18 PM	#6
Charlie98 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2006 Location: Great state of Texas Posts: 1,077	Definitely the older Savage. __________________ _______________ "I have this pistol pointed at your heart!" "That is my least vulnerable spot."

October 23, 2018, 12:38 PM	#3
Don Fischer Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2017 Posts: 1,868	I've never heard anything good about the Rem 770 either and I love mod 700's. In this case I'd go with the Savage. To much going against the Rem for me. Stainless and plastic stock, either or, is an instant turn off to me. But this is your rifle. Which one do you like. As little good as I hear about the Rem 770, I'd bet it's a lot better rifle than given credit for! Here's a thought. Remington, Savage and Mossberg all sell kit guns, guns that come with scope's, fairly reasonablely. I'd look into them first! They all make very useable rifle's, just depends on what you think you like. I have one of the Rem 700's. Got it as a gift with a plastic stock. Had to despense with that girl friend. should have known better than to get me a plastic stock! Have two of the Mossberg Patriot's w/wood stocks. Not anything bad to say about them. Never had a Savage CF rifle but would get one in a hot sec if the right one was there. Try to keep in mind that all the manufacturer's want to stay in business and they simply aren't gonna sell a product that they don't think will make it. What would be the point in that? Go look at a few new kit guns. Bi Mart, Walmart and Sportsman's Whse have them out here as well as a few other's. With the price of these kit guns they make used $200 run of the mill guns awfu expensive!

October 23, 2018, 04:26 PM	#7
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	3 Gunsmiths answers: 1 Savage! 2 Savage! 3 Savage!

October 23, 2018, 06:28 PM	#8
stillquietvoice Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2015 Location: UPSTATE NY Posts: 179	I'd go savage too had a 111 same cal. 2 in 06 another in 308 great rifles for 30 years. __________________ actions speak louder than words flatter tragectories quicker results.

October 23, 2018, 06:53 PM	#9
gw44 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 311	Take the Savage, you can't go wrong !!!

October 24, 2018, 10:11 AM	#10
mgulino Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2017 Posts: 198	Ok you all convinced me to go for the Savage. I also reload for several calibers and will now start on .243. My books and online sources show lots of powders seem to work well with .243. I want to load 100 gr for deer and probably 65-75 for predators. I would like to use the same powder for both. Varget seems to be a good choice. Do any of you have a preferred powder for these?

October 24, 2018, 02:57 PM	#11
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	Just post in the reload page. Sierra and Hornady manuals are really good listing a lot of powders. I keep my old ones as powders come and go and newer ones force older ones off the list. I don't know what kind of sort system they use, but just because its no longer on the list does not mean it isn't a good one. Unless its competitive bench rest you can get some grand results from those "other" powders and I understand they can't list em all. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

October 24, 2018, 03:08 PM	#12
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	The Remington 770 is discontinued. It's listed as an Obsolete model only. Any M770 rifles which were manufactured from May 1, 2006 through April 9, 2014 and which have an X-Mark Pro trigger are/were subject to a recall too. So any used one should have proof that was done. Buy the Savage. It'll be new and have a warrantee. "...powders seem to work well with .243..." IMR4350. The predators won't care what bullet kills 'em. Nothing like varmint hunting as practice for deer season. So unless the predators have nice thick winter coats, your 100 grain bullet will do. 65-75 grain bullets are varmint bullets. More picky about rifling twists. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

October 26, 2018, 12:48 PM	#13
mgulino Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2017 Posts: 198	Don Fischer - took your advice and checked Academy for Savage/Remington/Mossberg kit guns. They have a Savage Axis II in .243, wood stock, Accu-Trigger and nice 3-9x40 glass, on sale for $329. Beats my LGS used Savage 10 find for $280. Headed there this evening to take her home.

October 26, 2018, 06:56 PM	#14
Dano4734 Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2014 Posts: 730	I have a 770 in 30-06 it was one of my poor decisions. It’s ok for a once a year deer hunt but not a good rifle at all

October 27, 2018, 05:22 AM	#15
p5200 Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2008 Posts: 241	Never had the 770 but, love my Savage 10fp in .223 with the 24" heavy barrel!

October 27, 2018, 07:01 AM	#16
tango1niner Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2009 Location: NY Posts: 317	I was under the impression the Axis was entry level. What does Academy get for a M 10? The should give an idea of value. For powder I like IMR 4350. For NY whitetail I use 100 gr. Nosler Partition. For varmints I use Hornady 75 gr. HP's.