To buy or to build

tamalpias · 04-02-2008, 02:03 PM

I bought a Remington model 700ADL in 22-250 years ago with the sole intent to eventually build it up to a mean varmint gun with a nice trigger, thumbhole stock, and bull barrel. The only problem I have now is pretty much every manufacturer has their own varmint gun with the exact same features I would love to build my gun up to! So my dilemma now is I have two opinionated friends who are pushing me to do either option.

1 friend said I should build up the model 700 I have now to get it to the way I want, ($350 HS-precision stock, $140 Timney Trigger, Barrel *anybody have any recommendations?) plus gunsmithing fees. My other friend told me I can get a Savage Model 12 BTCSS which down at my local gunshop is selling for around $800 bucks.

So what should I do? I don't want to base my opinion on just 2 opinionated people.

Also I was given a Redfield Varmint scope by my friend who introduced me into hunting 9 years ago. Since he has passed away I would not consider changing out the scope that was given to me due to the fact that it has sentimental value and is still a sharp looking piece of glass. But my problem is it is fine cross hair. I was wondering if anybody know of a *scope smith?* or a person who can help me change out the fine crosshairs to maybe a tactical crosshair? Is that even possible to do and if so how much would something like that cost?

sell33 · 04-02-2008, 02:12 PM

get a new rifle, the 700s are nice but this is a good excuse to add to the collection....never anything wrong with another gun in the house

not srue about the scope idea i have never heard of it.

utahvarminter · 04-02-2008, 04:29 PM

I would suggest just buying a Savage. The trigger is wonderful, and the accuracy cannot be beat in an out of the box factory rifle. For the price, they are incredible guns.

tamalpias · 04-03-2008, 12:20 AM

Thanks you two for your input, looks like I have 3 people in favor of buying vs. 1 for building.

forestgleaner · 04-04-2008, 10:11 PM

Heck with it, have on built, make it some wild cat, and spend the kids inheritance, lol. I would love to have a rifle with all kinds of engraveing, and full length stock, in some exotic wood. Of course it wouldn't shoot any better than the same gun that you could buy from savage.

sc928porsche · 04-25-2008, 02:36 AM

Yup, I love those "purdy" guns. Still working on mine. Reciever is engraved and working on the engraving clear down to the muzzle. Stock is thumbhole, action is mauser, and 30" douglas barrell. Trigger is Timeny with safety.

.22guy · 04-25-2008, 12:36 PM

I have to vote for Savage. But I'm a little biased toward them. I think they are one of the best deals going for a mid-priced rifle of pretty much any caliber. Good luck with your choice.

300RUM · 04-27-2008, 10:27 AM

Id say on the scope, contact the manufacturer. Im sure they would change the reticle, probably wouldnt cost too much? Like the others said, I hear all good on the Savage, and some of them are "pretty" too. I dealer friend of mine ordered a stainless, heavy barrell, thumbhole, with beautiful wood for some fellow. A week or so later, the fellow calls him back with details of awesome groups, and total satisfaction.

AKHunter · 04-27-2008, 10:45 AM

Send the scope to Redfield and they should be willing to insert a reticle to your liking. As for the rifle, I would build it. You can get a barrel, stock and trigger for that $800. that will outshoot any out of the box rifle. As for barrel choices there are many quality barrels, Hart, Douglas, Lilja... etc. etc. An internet search will show you more options than you will know what to do with.

I have a .30-06' my father built when I was a wee lad about 40 years ago. it is a FN mauser action fitted with a Douglas premium barrel set in a stock he carved by hand, bedded and floated. That rifle shoots better than any I have ever fired with nearly any ammo that fits in the chamber. BTW that is with the original mauser trigger.

andrew cochran · 04-27-2008, 11:02 AM

I would buy. But that's just my thoughts because I would want an excuse for a new gun.

tamalpias · 04-30-2008, 01:45 AM

Thanks all for your suggestions, this is what I have found out:

Ironsightinc.com is who Meade (they bought out redfield) use to do all their warranty and scope repair. This is an independent company that all they do is fix and repair scopes and also do some custom work. I contacted Meade and they told me to contact Iron Sight Inc. to get my scope fixed or changed out. Upon talking to the owner I decided to have my reticles changed out to mil-dot. any of the reticles they carry can be changed out for $75 and that includes shipping! The average wait time is 20 weeks because they are about 800 scopes behind.

As far as building vs. buying i am still debating it. I do like the current deal offered by midway for hs precision stock, shilin barrel, and timney trigger.

04-02-2008, 02:03 PM	#1
tamalpias Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 29	To buy or to build I bought a Remington model 700ADL in 22-250 years ago with the sole intent to eventually build it up to a mean varmint gun with a nice trigger, thumbhole stock, and bull barrel. The only problem I have now is pretty much every manufacturer has their own varmint gun with the exact same features I would love to build my gun up to! So my dilemma now is I have two opinionated friends who are pushing me to do either option. 1 friend said I should build up the model 700 I have now to get it to the way I want, ($350 HS-precision stock, $140 Timney Trigger, Barrel anybody have any recommendations?) plus gunsmithing fees. My other friend told me I can get a Savage Model 12 BTCSS* which down at my local gunshop is selling for around $800 bucks. So what should I do? I don't want to base my opinion on just 2 opinionated people. Also I was given a Redfield Varmint scope by my friend who introduced me into hunting 9 years ago. Since he has passed away I would not consider changing out the scope that was given to me due to the fact that it has sentimental value and is still a sharp looking piece of glass. But my problem is it is fine cross hair. I was wondering if anybody know of a scope smith? or a person who can help me change out the fine crosshairs to maybe a tactical crosshair? Is that even possible to do and if so how much would something like that cost?

04-02-2008, 04:29 PM	#3
utahvarminter Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 459	I would suggest just buying a Savage. The trigger is wonderful, and the accuracy cannot be beat in an out of the box factory rifle. For the price, they are incredible guns. __________________ I likes me some Bushmaster ACR...

04-25-2008, 12:36 PM	#7
.22guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 3,635	I have to vote for Savage. But I'm a little biased toward them. I think they are one of the best deals going for a mid-priced rifle of pretty much any caliber. Good luck with your choice. __________________ Guns: they are like baseball cards except they are cool and you can kill things with em. -Billy

04-27-2008, 10:27 AM	#8
300RUM Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: KY. (like the jelly) Posts: 62	Id say on the scope, contact the manufacturer. Im sure they would change the reticle, probably wouldnt cost too much? Like the others said, I hear all good on the Savage, and some of them are "pretty" too. I dealer friend of mine ordered a stainless, heavy barrell, thumbhole, with beautiful wood for some fellow. A week or so later, the fellow calls him back with details of awesome groups, and total satisfaction. __________________ Not so funny meow is it?

04-27-2008, 11:02 AM	#10
andrew cochran Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Little town in ARKANSAW! Posts: 1,054	I would buy. But that's just my thoughts because I would want an excuse for a new gun. __________________ Just an old hillbilly, who can still shoot the eye off a flea!

04-02-2008, 02:12 PM	#2
sell33 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 710	get a new rifle, the 700s are nice but this is a good excuse to add to the collection....never anything wrong with another gun in the house not srue about the scope idea i have never heard of it.

04-03-2008, 12:20 AM	#4
tamalpias Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 29	Thanks you two for your input, looks like I have 3 people in favor of buying vs. 1 for building.

04-04-2008, 10:11 PM	#5
forestgleaner Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 90	Heck with it, have on built, make it some wild cat, and spend the kids inheritance, lol. I would love to have a rifle with all kinds of engraveing, and full length stock, in some exotic wood. Of course it wouldn't shoot any better than the same gun that you could buy from savage.

04-25-2008, 02:36 AM	#6
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: living in Alabama now Posts: 107	Yup, I love those "purdy" guns. Still working on mine. Reciever is engraved and working on the engraving clear down to the muzzle. Stock is thumbhole, action is mauser, and 30" douglas barrell. Trigger is Timeny with safety.

04-27-2008, 10:45 AM	#9
AKHunter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 560	Send the scope to Redfield and they should be willing to insert a reticle to your liking. As for the rifle, I would build it. You can get a barrel, stock and trigger for that $800. that will outshoot any out of the box rifle. As for barrel choices there are many quality barrels, Hart, Douglas, Lilja... etc. etc. An internet search will show you more options than you will know what to do with. I have a .30-06' my father built when I was a wee lad about 40 years ago. it is a FN mauser action fitted with a Douglas premium barrel set in a stock he carved by hand, bedded and floated. That rifle shoots better than any I have ever fired with nearly any ammo that fits in the chamber. BTW that is with the original mauser trigger.

04-30-2008, 01:45 AM	#11
tamalpias Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 29	Thanks all for your suggestions, this is what I have found out: Ironsightinc.com is who Meade (they bought out redfield) use to do all their warranty and scope repair. This is an independent company that all they do is fix and repair scopes and also do some custom work. I contacted Meade and they told me to contact Iron Sight Inc. to get my scope fixed or changed out. Upon talking to the owner I decided to have my reticles changed out to mil-dot. any of the reticles they carry can be changed out for $75 and that includes shipping! The average wait time is 20 weeks because they are about 800 scopes behind. As far as building vs. buying i am still debating it. I do like the current deal offered by midway for hs precision stock, shilin barrel, and timney trigger.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode