With machining tolerances available in the modern CNC equipment, it is no wonder that so many other companies have learned to make an accurate out-of-the-box rifle.
Remington was first. Why? Because they were large enough to buy the best equipment before everyone else.
A production rifle is just that. However in recent years the machining quality has gone up, while the material quality being used has gone down. You suppose the profit margin has gone up or down?
My point is that I would expect all manufacturers to be able to put out a sub-moa production rifle at some point. The rate at which they grow these days is largely determined by the aftermarket following, giving the user the ability to get precisely what they want. Hence the reason for the black rifle explosion about 10 years ago.
This puts remington on top. Nothing savage, howa, winchester, or any other company does will change that. It's simply a perception that is proven true even if it is not justified. There are more aftermarket options and more gunsmiths familiar with the rem700 platform than any other on this earth. It will take a lot, and I mean a LOT of time for that to change... if it ever does.
That being said, I see no reason for it to change. You can go get a rem700 sps in just about any configuration you could desire, and are virtually guaranteed a sub-moa gun out of the box for a price of around $550-$650. When you are done buying it... you'll have a remington 700.
No matter the price or configuration you buy a savage, you still will not have a remington. Some are fine with this. I am not. However that is purely user preference. Every time I cycle a savage, I feel dirty.
Greg Dykstra
Primal Rights, Inc.
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