2008 Remington Model 700™VTR™

[Samgotit]

What do you think? Anyone own one? Gimmick?

They have hit Gunbroker for ~$649.

Here's the link
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_vtr.asp

A fusion of our most advanced performance features in both tactical and varmint rifles, the new Model 700™ Varmint-Tactical Rifle (VTR™) is a revolutionary system optimized for extended-range precision and mobility. Its triangular barrel contour is a product of years of rigorous research and development focused on reducing weight, enhancing rigidity and promoting rapid heat dissipation.

To decrease recoil and muzzle jump, this uniquely contoured 22" barrel has an integral muzzle brake that’s machined-in during production. Along with the new barrel design, we brought together a host of other cutting-edge features on our super accurate Model 700 platform. The results are nothing short of astounding.

 

[xd45gaper]

that barrel sure looks cool!!! i guess if you think about the way heat rises it would dissapate heat better with a triangular barrel, well sounds good on paper anyways!!! lol

if i was in the market i would pay 650 for it! not a bad price at all for a rifle, i mean you might get laughed off the range, but i bet it would command alot of attention though also!

 

[ArmedBear]

Interesting.

But Winchester has brought back the Model 70 Featherweight, so I won't be looking at any Remingtons this year, should I gather together the money. That, and I'll be trying to grab some more Marlins before Remington ruins them.

 

[taliv]

gimmick. i doubt triangle has more surface area than fluted (although I could be wrong).

i'd also prefer a regular threaded barrel to which i can attach a compensator or suppressor.

the only feature i'm interested in is a detachable box magazine.

 

[marksman13]

Gimmick or not, I want one. That is one good looking rifle. Beauty being in the eye of the beholder of course.

 

[skinewmexico]

The triangle barrel must work, all the benchrest, high power, and long distance shooters are using them. Oh wait, they're still spending hundreds of dollars on round barrels.

 

[MachIVshooter]

the new Model 700™ Varmint-Tactical Rifle (VTR™)

Designed specifically for HRT snipers in working deep in hostile praire dog towns.................

The triangle barrel must work, all the benchrest, high power, and long distance shooters are using them. Oh wait, they're still spending hundreds of dollars on round barrels.

My thoughts exactly. Spherical and cylindrical shapes, by their very geometric nature, are most efficient when it comes to distribution of stress.

Even fluted barrels are still controversial.

I wanna see what a triangle barrel looks like when it KB!'s................

 

[zinj]

Probably does nothing to help accuracy (or degrade it either, this is a varmint gun after all); just makes it stand out in the sales rack.

 

[eliphalet]

Muzzle break would ruin it for me, I won't be buying any gun with one anytime soon. Wish they would be a option and not standard issue.

 

[Anteater1717]

Muzzle break would ruin it for me, I won't be buying any gun with one anytime soon. Wish they would be a option and not standard issue.

Why?

Thats a nice looking rifle.

 

[kieran]

perhaps the truncated triangular cross-section keeps barrel harmonics very consistent, shot to shot.

 

[686S&W]

It looks like they retained the cheap stock from the SPS Varmint, only colored it green and put a few pads on it.

If you're gonna build a true tactical rifle why skimp on the stock? Kind of reminds me of my Savage, fine rifle, but the stock was nothing to brag about.

To each his own, interesting idea though, triangular barrel.

 

[Samgotit]

It looks like they retained the cheap stock from the SPS Varmint, only colored it green and put a few pads on it.

As tempted as I am to be the early adopter, this is what has put me off so far: they say nada about the stock?

perhaps the truncated triangular cross-section keeps barrel harmonics very consistent, shot to shot.

Interesting point, but wouldn't they want to boldly put that in the tag lines and make the point that the barrel is free-floating (if the the barrel is free-floating at all)? I'm an utter novice, just speculating.

Muzzle break would ruin it for me, I won't be buying any gun with one anytime soon. Wish they would be a option and not standard issue.

I'm also curious why this is not a good idea. Is it aesthetics or something physical?

 

[eliphalet]

Why?

Unnecessary noise to the shooter and those near, for one. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I don't care for the looks of muzzle breaks.

 

[Samgotit]

Unnecessary noise to the shooter and those near, for one.

Thanks. Do after market/non-integrated muzzle breaks cause greater noise as well?

 

[eliphalet]

Do after market/non-integrated muzzle breaks cause greater noise as well?

You'll need to get a answer from someone with more experience but my guess is yes. Same idea how could they not?
I have never owned a muzzle break, I've shot, and been near shooters using them. All I have been associated with increase noise to those near. Unless I was going to be shooting a rifle with excessive recoil a lot I would not even consider having one on any of my rifles, even then I would exhaust other options such as recoil pads etc first. Rifle muzzle breaks are loud and handguns are worse IMO. Some guys must feel different and like them as they seem quite popular lately, but I have never shot one I cared for.

 

[MarshallDodge]

Looks like a nice gun for $649. The triangular barrel looks odd but if they are trying to save weight, and it works as well as a round one, then I don't see an issue.

 

[ArmedBear]

There are some high-tech muzzlebrakes that claim to blast the shooter less, but they're not just angled holes in the barrel. All the angled holes do is direct some of the blast back at you.

Muzzlebrakes can be worthwhile on rounds that are otherwise nearly unshootable, like the big Weatherby Magnums, though you have to wear hearing protection and many hunting guides refuse to work around them. But for a varmint round in a bolt action? WHY?

!@#$ shotgun makers are putting the holes in shotgun barrels now, too.
That's enough to make me not buy a particular model. It's a gimmick that does nothing good, and has a few negatives like hearing loss, but people buy the things for reasons that escape me. And no, I don't plan to plug my ears while bird hunting. With a regular gun I don't have to.

WRT the barrel, note that it is not a triangle. It is a hexagon with two different sizes on the flats. This is not particularly new; similar octagon barrels date back to the flintlock era.

I do think that the barrel design is intended to reduce gun weight, but it's hard for me to understand why that matters too much for a varmint hunter, or for a tactical bolt action shooter (police sniper?). For that matter, a heavy barrel reduces muzzle jump without a brake.

 

[Ash]

G-I-M-M-I-C-K

Ash

 

[YodaVader]

Agree with some of the others on the muzzle brake - something I see no use for on a light recoiling .204 or .223. Just extra noise - no thanks.

I feel a lot better with saving money going with a $479 700 SPS Varmint.
For $649 I would just spend another $50 or so and get a 700 VLS.

 

[bhp9mm]

that is a nice remington

 

[taliv]

just to clarify, muzzle brakes/compensators on .223 are very useful in semi-auto for rapid follow-up shots. but for a .223 BOLT gun... uhh, ***?

 

[Anteater1717]

The muzzle brake may be somewhat useful on the .308 version. On the other calibers i think it is juts a waste.

 

[rundm]

if you are interested in blasting the crap out of pd's then the muzzle brake is great. the rise of the muzzle will be decreased and the gun will stay on target better. even with a 204 or 223 the muzzle jumps plenty to take your eyes off of the target for a split second when the scope moves and you lose the sight picture. for pd shooter's who want to see everything, this is very important. RG

 

[Samgotit]

If someone does get their hands on this rifle and puts a few round through it, please post your impressions here. If it turns out to be a nice rife, I'd like get one before ---like the 700 SPS Tactical .308--- it; 1) becomes nearly extinct; 2) jumps in price by $100-$200 from demand.