Need Advice - Rem 700 PSS vs. AR15

[bluedsteel]

I thought I had made up my mind about this, but the more rifles I look at, the more confused I am...

I planned on purchasing a Remington 700 PSS today in .223 (gotta be a .223 caliber...long story). I looked at a brand new PSS (26" barrel), and it was quite nice, had good balance and feel, but the trigger was around 5-6 lbs, and not all that crisp. The price was $870.

I then saw a new RRA AR15 Varmint rifle with a 24" barrel, with an 6 position stock (felt good, but looked kind of cheap...the stock, that is). The rifle had a stainless bull barrel, a picatinny rail on the flattop, and was free-floated. The trigger was very nice...two stage match...around 3.5 lbs or less. New price $1060.

I will use this rifle mainly at my outdoor range for informal target shooting and plinking at up to 200 yards.

I would like to spend no more than $1600 including optics and sling and bipod. For a scope, I am looking at a Leupold Vari-X 3 in something like a 4-14X40.

I was hoping to find a rifle already "set up" with scope, mounts, etc., but no luck with that.

Anyway, any suggestions on which of these two would be preferable? BTW, I have a Colt Sporter with a carry handle that I don't want to alter, so I don't want an AR15 for the purpose of switching uppers...

Thanks for any advice/experience.

bluedsteel

 

[Condition Plaid]

You have to make your own choice, but my PSS in .308 is a fantastic shooter.

 

[glockman19]

The remington IMHO will be more accurate for you.

It really depends on what you want it to do for you. Since you have a Colt Sporter I'd get the remington.

 

[Beetle Bailey]

It's easy for a gunsmith to do a very good triggerjob on a Remington 700, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

I've shot my friend's RRA Varmint (it's advertised as a 3/4 MOA gun) and I got a 3/4" group at 100 yards with it. It was a nice, solid rifle and I was surprised at how much I liked the pistol grip for that type of shooting. I used to think only bolt-actions should be varmint guns but that AR changed my mind.

I've only shot one 700 PSS but it was a .308 Win. I liked it a lot but only got a hair over 1" groups with it. The owner of the rifle kept getting sub-MOA with it so I guess I was having a bad day.

If it was me, I'd get the Remington because it's a more simple mechanism, but the RRA is a very good gun as well. Good luck!

 

[No_Brakes23]

I bet the Remington will still be legal to purchase in 5 years The RRA? Who knows? I bet the accuracy is about the same with them, (Counter-intuitive, I know.)

 

[JShirley]

Since you already have an AR lower, I personally would buy a nice upper w/ free floating barrel. So, you aren't specifically wanting that versatility...but you already have it. A decent AR and scope, out to 200 meters, will most likely be more accurate than you are, especially since your goal is informal practice.

If you felt you "needed" a .223 sniper, and were willing to part with the funds, you could go with something like an Angus Arms Mk 12 for $1450, but you could get a 16, 18, or 20" upper that should serve your needs for much less than that.

Regards,

John

 

[YodaVader]

I have the Rem 700LTR in .223 , basically the 20" barrel version of the 700P/PSS with a slimmer profile stock. It has turned out to be , with my reloads , the most accurate rifle I have ever owned.

The 700 trigger can be adjusted , Remington's owner manual will not describe how to do this , but there are many who adjust their own. I am not one of them , I bought a Jewell trigger long ago. But any real gunsmith should be able to do the 700 trigger adjustment easily.

The Rock River A4 Varmint was also one I thought about. It would be my pick for a Target AR type rifle.

Seems like you can't go wrong either way.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have a heavily worked over AR that is as accurate as my bolt actions.
But it throws my brass in the weeds.
Does that matter to you?

 

[DnPRK]

I own several heavy barrelled 700s and several ARs. The AR with free floated barrel and good trigger has the capability of being every bit as accurate as a box stock PSS. I would go for the AR based on ergonomics and quick follow up shots.

 

[aubie515]

Not sure which state you live in, but if you might want to consider the bolt action over the semi if you ever intend to hunt. Some states allow the use of semis, but not all. There are some very accurate AR15s being offered, but if you already have an AR15, you could just buy another upper down the road. I like my semi's, but I like the bolt actions as well. I feel that both will serve you well, so choose wisely. There are plenty of options and aftermarket parts for both the AR15 and the 700P.

 

[bluedsteel]

Thank you all for the advice and feedback. I remain undecided (typical of me), so I haven't taken any steps to purchase one rifle or the other.

I see on the Remington web site that Remington is now installing a new trigger on their 700 series ( X-Mark Pro™ Trigger). Supposedly, this one is lighter and owner adjustable. I don't think the 700 PSS I looked at yesterday had this trigger. It was a new gun, but I believe it was manufactured last year. I looked at the owners manual for this rifle, and their was no mention of an adjustable trigger. The web site also shows a new Model 700 SPS Tactical, with the X-Mark Pro™ Trigger.

I also see that the Rem Law Enforcement web site doesn't show the 700 PSS anymore, but a model called the 700 P, which looks like the PSS. There is no mention of the X-Mark Pro™ Trigger in regard to this rifle.

I realize I can go to a gunsmith, and get the trigger lightened on the 700 PSS, but if I figure in the cost and hassle of that, the RRA makes more sense.

One other item of note, and this may seem rather wimpy, but I noticed that when I fire my AR15, the buffer spring vibration reverberates through my electronic hearing protectors, and this is really annoying. This makes me lean toward the 700...

There are a couple of well thought of tactical rifle specialists in this area. I may end up calling one of them and having them put a rifle together for me. This will cost extra $$$.

And after all this, I may end up bored with shooting 200 yard targets.

So, in view of all this "paralysis by analysis", I think I will just wait a bit and see how this all plays out...course' I ain't gettin' any younger....

Thanks again for the advice.



bluedsteel

 

[bluedsteel]

By the way, Condition Plaid, your rig is what I am looking for (in .223). What kind of scope, mounts, and rings are you using?


bluedsteel