FuNchUn

In the market for a long range weapon and have decided to get the Remington 700. This'll be my first high powered rifle.

Problem is, there are so many variations of this rifle that I can't make up my mind. This gun will be used 99% of the time at a range though I plan to go deer hunting sometime. I want it to be accurate to at least 800 meters and have enough punch to take down a deer. I've got a budget of about $700-800. I've been looking at the SPS tactical however I've got a feeling that the 20 inch barrel won't be accurate at 800 meters.

KillermondoDude

get a 700 in 300 win mag and be a happy camper

FuNchUn

20, 22, 24, 26 inch barrel? Is there a significant advantage in accuracy with the 26 as opposed to the 22? I'm leaning more towards the 22 inch 700 VTR or 20 inch SPS in .308 winchester but I want to know whether the 24/26 inchers are better

KillermondoDude

300 win mag ballistics chart
AMMUNITION BALLISTICS FOR .300 Win. Mag

Barrel length discussion
.300 Win Mag Barrel Length? - Shooters Forum

Swat armorer on shortened barrel lengths
SWAT Article BARREL LENGTH
FMany agencies purchasing a .300 Win. Mag. will primarily be employing the rifle in an urban environment. The common reason for opting for the .300 Win. Mag. that it extends the capabilities of the rifle to longer ranges than the .308 Winchester is capable in those rare situations where longer range capability is necessary. This leads to an obvious question -- will going to a shorter barrel for added maneuverability in the urban environment adversely affect long range performance of a rifle in this caliber?

To find the answers, Tac Ops took a 26-inch barreled .300 Win. Mag. and chopped the barrel down in one-inch increments as they previously did with the .308 Winchester. Ten rounds of Federal Match 190-grain BTHP Gold Medal were fired from each increment. No velocity was lost from 26 inches to 22 inches. Velocity loss started to occur only after they went below 22 inches.

As a result of their tests, Tac Ops decided not to go below 22 inches on their .300 Win. Mag. tactical precision rifle, the Alpha 66. According to Mike Rescigno, President of Tac Ops, the 22-inch barrel is ideal for the tactical shooters that are going to use the 190-grain Federal Match ammo. There isn't any loss of performance by going to the 22-inch barrel and this round. The Alpha 66 still provides 1/4-MOA or better accuracy.

For heavier bullets or hotter loads with slower burning powders, Rescigno recommends a 24- to 26-inch barrel. The longer barrel length is necessary for complete powder combustion with these loads. Rescigno adds that he has a 24-inch barrel on his personal .300 Win. Mag. just in case he wants "to shoot the heavier 220-grain bullets with a lot of powder."

FuNchUn

Thanks. Good read.

KillermondoDude

However if you do go with the shorter barrel you may want to check out muzzle breaks to aid with recoil compensation

FuNchUn

The reviews I've read on the muzzle breaks for the 700p vtr haven't been very good. Says they dont really reduce recoil very much and seem to decrease the accuracy of the rifle.

I've been hearing only good things about the sps 20 inch in .308. Think I might go with that one since it's much cheaper and a little more accurate than the vtr. Sub 0.5 MOA out the box is pretty damn impressive.

JohnnyB

My buddy is a SWAT sniper for Jackson County and said he has great performance out of his 20" 700 LTR. I guess it all depends on how far you're looking to go. He said he's only shot around 400-500 yards with this gun but LOVES it compared to the heavy/bulky 26" barrel of his last rem 700. But he's needing that shorter/tactical length...a benchrest shooter wouldn't care about the extra weight.
My thought is there are some potential limitations on a shorter barrel and some inconveniences of a longer barrel. I'll take an inconvenience over a limitation any day!

A sick gun to consider besides the awesom Rem 700. Savage 10fcp McMillan/hs precision...for a little less expensive, check out FNH at http://www.targetsportsinc.com/ (download the catalog) It's a great rifle with good reviews for not much money.

SGT D USMC

My opinion on remington 700's for accuracy is get a model with pillar bedding, also stay away from wooden stocks if you spend time in the rain. You said that this would be your first high powered rifle? If so, you would probably enjoy a 308 more than a 300win mag. Also shooting at 8oo meters is mainly a matter of range estimation as byound 600 meters a long range 308 load is droping more than 18inches every 40 meters. so range estamation means everything, a 300 win mag does the same thing but its about 200meters further out. I would consider getting a 223 bolt gun (first study barrel twist rate and bullet weight for long range) this would allow you to shoot alot and learn about bullet drop and wind effect although at a shorter range. The best thing about living in the NW is being able to go out in the desert and shoot at various unkown range, this will teach you things that you will never learn at commercial range.

Iansstud

99% range + 300wm = Ouch!!! If it will be for target mostly... why not get a 308? unless you like to spend the $$$$$$$$$$$$$ you should avoid the 300wm. our troops are using the 308 out to 1000 and it still has enough to stop the BG. If you will be hunting moose I would sugest a 300wm if not stick to 308win. (stay away from 223 for a bolt gun waist of time)

I would sugest getting a REM 700 SPS Varmint in 308 for $560. Sell the stock on ebay for $80 and buy a used HS PSS stock for $150. You now have a Remington 700 PSS for $630

coop44

precisely, exactly what I would suggest, and did!! But mine is .223

Boschert72

I already have a .308 AR so I def won't be adding a another caliber so I'm sticking with it. I'm think about the rem 700 sendero sf2, but for the price I might check into the sps varment. Great info, sorry bout the hijack. Keep it going

chrisb

Sendero... nuf said

chowser2

Take a look at savage arms. They make great rifles many that shoot sub MOA out of the box. They are also pretty cheap. Some come with muzzle brakes already attached.

In my opinion the savages are more accurate out of the box when compared to Remington 700's. however there is no disputing that the remington 700 is a very accurate rifle after a little bit of work.

I have 2 of each. and now I have the dilemma of either re barreling one of the REM 700 or buying a new rifle. after my research the cost of a barrel and gunsmithing to get the gun to shoot sub Moa would cost the same as a brand new savage that shoots sub moa out of the box.
and
savage has an accu trigger that can easily be adjusted to 2lb with just one screw, where a rem 700 would need a new trigger or a trigger job(new springs polishing ect.

just my opinion don't rip me apart please

http://www.gunblast.com/Savage10FP-LE2.htm

chowser2

o yeah and to change the barrel on a savage can be done very easily at home. and you can buy new barrels for less than $350 that have sub moa accuracy

PiNk TCP

I just bought a Model 700 SPS Stainless Varmint in .308 Win, 26" heavy-contour barrel (0.820" muzzle O.D.), synthetic stock, a good scope is my next move

PiNk TCP

I need to lower the scope...but you get the idea

PiNk TCP

Scope lowered

Cody Jansen

that is a beautiful setup.

paintguy

My Model 10 shoots 1/2 in.groups all day long with A/E 168 OTM load (M1A Match load) @ 100 yds. I have some 4 shot 1/2" groups @ 200 if I do my part. Tough to beat them for out of the box accuracy.

PiNk TCP

Thanx, I love it when a plan comes together. Cabela's and Optics Planet rock!

deadshot2

Remington has a real "gem" that they don't really advertise. It's a great "Long Range" rifle as far as .308's go. Ammo is easy to reload, inexpensive when you do reload, and as an all-around round it's pretty good.

The rifle is the Remington 700 SS 5-R Milspec. Available in two calibers, .223 and .308. Action and barrel are Stainless Steel, the Stock is and H-S Precision, and the action is bedded in an aluminum block (full length). The barrel is a 5-R configuration with hammered rifling and only 5 lands.

I bought mine for under $1100 and love it. Out of the box it shot 1/2 moa groups at all ranges from 100-300 yards (range max distance).

If I had to say anything bad about this rifle, it's the trigger. The adjustable trigger has a screw that scrapes your trigger finger if you adjust it down below 3#. I took it out and put a Timney trigger in.

Here is a factory stock rifle (excepting the drop in trigger) that shoots less than 1/4" groups (100 yards) every time I take it out. Cold Bore shots don't vary more than 1/2" or so and even less if I only clean it every 100 rounds or so.

Fossilman

I have a BDL 700 Remington,love it...Does everything I want it to do...
My son has the 308 Remington,he doesn't like it at all.......Wants something bigger.....

rubberrat99

I have a Remington 700 30:06 that I have used many times deer hunting and would like to sell. I have had the gun for 30 + years and is still in great shape, get cleaned on a regular basis. I do not hunt any more so no need to keep it. It has a 3x9 variable scope that is also in great shape. It comes with a soft gun case and a box of shells. If you are interested in the gun I can be reached at rubberrat99@aol.com put Remington or something refering to the gun in subject box so I dont delete it, I get way to much spam and junk mail. Thank for your time

Fossilman

Back in the late 80's I bought a used Remington 700 and it had the bad trigger on it...Everytime I took it off the safety,the rifle would fire without the trigger pull!
At first I thought maybe I was pulling the trigger,but after three times I knew it was the rifle itself!
Studied on the walker trigger assembly and it can melfunction...I got rid of the rifle,buddy wanted it,and was going to remodle it to make a different rifle out of it,so the walker trigger wouldn't be used.
Finally in 2006,I bought a new 700 series rifle and I'm completely happy with it.........

hawker

Agree 100%, particularly on the accu trigger, it's just a joy to shoot straight out of the box. Every Savage rifle I've shot has been superbly accurate.

I've used 700s with triggers that are just as good, but they had trigger work done.

CanucksFan

Just picked up the 700 SPS in 30-06.