Hunting Rifle Recommendations?

[newracer]

Mostly different barrel lengths, stocks, and finishes. Varmints all have a heavy or semi heavy barrel (bigger around).

[losttrail]

Hope this isn't a totally stupid question but what is ADL vs. BDL vs. CDL vs. SPS and so on. I am looking at Remington's shitty website and I can't figure out exactly what the differences are beyond the obvious stock materials and such. While I'm asking newbie questions, what makes a gun a varmint version?

As a DI told us going through BT, the only stupid question is the one that is not asked. But stupid people sometimes ask questions. From your questions, you are not a stupid person.

Remington has gone insane with far too many versions of the 700.

ADL - Basic version. Synthetic stock, usually a matte finish on the steel. Does NOT have the hinged floor plate that allows for unloading the magazine out the bottom of the rifle.

BDL - Used to be the top of the line model, still up there. Wood stock, checkered and engraved. Blued finish, has the hinged floor plate.

CDL - Similar to BDL, subtle differences

SPS - don't know.

Varmint - Larger diameter barrels, longer barels, usually synthetic stocks.

Honestly, while I love the two 700's I have, if I were looking for a new hunting rifle, I would be looking at Winchester Model 70, Ruger M77, Weatherby Vanguard Series 2, Howa 1500 and possible Savage 110 or 111.

IMHO Remington has lost a notch or two from what they were even 20 years ago much less what they were in the '60's and '70's.

[streetglideok]

Varmint guns typically have heavy barrels to manage heat from shooting better, and are usually in 223, 22-250, and calibers similar. I'm a little rusty on remingtons, but their BDL was a pretty shiny stock with white spacers and rifle sights on top, and drilled/tapped for a scope. CDL is a more conservative look, ditching the gawdy white spacers, no rifle sights, cleaner look IMO. ADL used to be a basic wood stock with a blind magazine(no bottom metal) with sights, but I think now its just a blue/synthetic stock combo, entry level m700. SPS is a synthetic/stainless gun, I think. CDL SF is a CDL stock'd gun, stainless with a fluted barrel. Of those listed, the CDL and CDL-SF are the two that appeal to me most. I would handle other brand guns as well, and see what you like best. Too many buy into the remington BS that they are the most accurate guns out of the box, and everything else is junk. Truth is, their push feed system and weak extractor has no advantage over other guns out there.

[Rucker61]

Honestly, while I love the two 700's I have, if I were looking for a new hunting rifle, I would be looking at Winchester Model 70, Ruger M77, Weatherby Vanguard Series 2, Howa 1500 and possible Savage 110 or 111.

I'd add Tikka T3 Lite to that list. Light, accurate, affordable; what's not to like.

[45XD]

Get a 30-06, ammo is available even in these crazy times, plus lots of good used rifles available at decent prices. If picking up a new one, think about the Weatherby Vanguards, very underated with great out of the box accuracy.

Just picked up a Vanguard in 30.06 a few weeks back. I'd narrowed it down to that or the TC Venture. Can't wait to get to get out to the range and try it out. I've read nothing but good about them both...

[Lars]

The rem 700, win model 70, and ruger m77 are some of if not the best selling rifles in the last 40 years. I personally shoot rem 700 and weatherby mkv. The vanguard is a howa and the howa is a japan rifle, and I Personally won't send my money that direction. People can say what they want about the 700 but let's face facts, the Remington 700 is the most widely used and cloned action for everything from hunting rifles, custom build, military sniper platforms and competition rifles in the country. Take it at face value but that says a lot to me about the design, quality and durability.

[buckshotbarlow]

i'd go with a savage long action, 110 for a blind mag, 111 for a mag, your call. The kewl thing about a savage is that it's cheap to rebarrel to a different caliber...

[Rucker61]

i'd go with a savage long action, 110 for a blind mag, 111 for a mag, your call. The kewl thing about a savage is that it's cheap to rebarrel to a different caliber...

There are a couple of Savage .30-06s on Armslist right now for $350 or less.

[n8tive97]

30-06 is a good round for a lot of hunting, and a Remington 700 is hard to beat for the price.

^^^^^THIS^^^^^

[zulu01]

Is there an advantage to a fluted barrel? I imagine there is some weight savings, but any other reason to get one besides it looks cool?