700 SPS Varmint - First Range Report

[northwoods33]

Just finished putting together a Rem 700 SPS Varmint (12 twist) in 223 with Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14 on top. I only had time to put 25 rounds through it Saturday morning and here's the last group of five at 200 yards. Shooting Black Hills 55 gr ammo to start with. Straight out of the box, this looks good.

 

[MCMXI]

Targets like that are tough to look at. On the one hand I want to congratulate you on your new rifle and an outstanding "out of the box" result. On the other hand, it makes me doubt that the countless hours spent at the range, reloading, reading etc are worth it. Anyway, you do realize that you're not supposed to be able to do that with a NIB Remington rifle ... right?

Congratulations again!

 

[NJGarand]

I thought that was the point of a "out of the box" Remington?

This was the first 4 rounds out of my 700 ADL .270 straight out of the box. Came with a factory boresighted scope.



100 yards. Two on the bottom left were the first 2 round out of the gun and the center two were after a few clicks up and right.

 

[dubbleA]

The first 3 shots from the box this 700 sps varmint were used to get it on paper and sighted in. Here are shots 4,5,6,7,8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 ever fired from it.

L-R Handloaded 168gr SMK, 175gr SMK and 155gr SMK, all at or under 1/2"...not bad for "out of the box"




It didnt stop there, this rifle shoots even with the plastic stock.

The last group I shot with it a couple of weeks ago,off a bipod with rear bag at 400 yards, just under 2 inches after bobbing the barrel down to 20 inches.

 

[aftCG]

Here's my "out of the box" 700 VLS, .243 with Nikon Monarch 4x16 (I hope the picture shows, I've never tried to attach an image). [edit: Five rounds, 100 yards. I used a bipod up front and my fist at the butt stock]

Recipe was:
Lapua brass, 70gr Sierra Blitzking, 39.1 gr Varget, seated to touch. Other loads were good going in both directions (recipe available if you want them). My worst groups were 1.25"

I was planning on having my dad help me re-barrel it. Now I'm not in much of a rush.

 

[slodsm]

Well if it's show off your stock remington targets, I have one too , out of the box SPS v .223 with a Nikon Monarch 5-20x44 on top, bipod and bean bag.

5 shots at 100 yards. BH 52gr blue box.

 

[giggitygiggity]

Amazing targets! How are the triggers in the Remington SPS Varmint rifles? Are they light and crisp? Is there any difference between them and the regular 700's? Also, what advantages does the Remington 700 VSSFII have over the SPS Varmint? Are the advantages worth nearly twice the price? Thanks.

 

[Evenflo76]

Also, what advantages does the Remington 700 VSSFII have over the SPS Varmint? Are the advantages worth nearly twice the price? Thanks.

Read reviews 11,12 & 13 on this page: http://www.snipercentral.com/rifles.htm


Nice groups by the way

 

[aftCG]

Off the shelf the trigger sucks, but only because the pull has been set by a bunch of lawyers.
Google for a set of instructions on how to set it up (which will include a "warning, don't try this at home" disclaimer).

I managed to adjust it to be perfectly reliable and consistently light. I'm happy with it.

 

[Evenflo76]

I fired the SPS Tactical in 223 and have found it to be a light pull that breaks like glass.

Of course, I'm comparing it to my USGI trigger in a AR-15.

 

[rangerruck]

for your 1/12 twist varmint, let me suggest 4 rounds. The first, plane jane black hills, you allready know. Even better will be ( if you can find them) big white box, winchester, 45 grain varmints. for the last two, check out plane jane remmy/umc 55 grainers, not sure if they were hollow , soft, or solid points though. Lastly , believe it or not, wolf, in both 55 and 62 grains. It's funny because, the 62 grainers showed more accuracy potential, but had the occasional flyer. Probably eliminate that problem, if I weighed them, or measured their overall length. 62 grainers, will be about the limit on that twist.

 

[northwoods33]

Thanks, I will try those...

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Well, the trigger is ok from the factory, I adjusted it and now it's perfect for me, with just a tad of overtravel, which I happen to like.

 

[dubbleA]

The X mark Pro has alot to be desired, basically it sucks. Can not adjust this one down less than 3lbs 12oz and it not close to being consistant either.

As far as the groups I posted go, they were literally shot right out the box, no work up no nothing.Just grabbed loads of different bullet weights and rattled off 3 three shot groups I dont want to bore you with loads that shoot better after working up.

 

[mljdeckard]

That's the thing I always do with a new 700, I hand it to the smith at Impact to lighten it to 2-3 lbs. Never tried doing it myself.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

I like my X-mark Pro trigger, don't see how it sucks.....

 

[ForneyRider]

Try 40gr, 50gr and 55gr Hornady V-Max Varmint ammo.

40gr is very flat shooting at those velocities. Just not going to do well in any kind of wind over 200 yards.

Good stuff for $19/20 rounds.

Also, try match ammo in 52-53gr. Black Hills, Hornady, Federal, etc.