700 SS 5r Milspec

[bobleeswagger]

I think I've got my next rifle picked out, but I'm not 100%. Anybody with any firsthand experience with these rifles, feel free to chime in.

I've read of people experiencing 1/2 MOA groups, in general. This leads me to question the QC on these particular models. Does Remington take greater care to make sure things are tight and in good order on THIS PARTICULAR MODEL? I'm just trying to figure out, if some people are getting hit and miss stuff from your standard SPS, I have the think that has to do with sloppy QC. Is more attention given to this model than say, the SPS? And 11.25 twist rate...150, 168, 180...what weight bullets are going to generally do the best?

 

[dmancornell]

I get 1 MOA using Federal Gold 175gr but I only count 10+ shot groups.

 

[Jackal1]

I've seen a 0.2" 3 shot (or was it a 5 shot?) group at 100 yards.

I do not recall the ammunition used...

If you do internet searches you'll hear the 700 SS 5R Milspec will give you an average 100 yard grouping anywhere from 0.2" to 0.5" at 100 yards. Again, that is on average....

If you talk to Remington they will tell you the 5R Milspec is a production gun and as such they do not ensure the rifle maintains a certain accuracy standard. Therefore, all 5R Milspec's will have a somewhat varying accuracy.... Also, their accuracy is heavily dependent on ammunition as stated above....

 

[Delaware Ken]

I shot a 2.15" 5 shot group at 600 yards with mine using 175gr SMK over Varget. My other three groups weren't as good, but I ended up averaging 4.8" after 20 shots. It was good enough to finish in second place at a local 600 yard IBS shoot in the factory division. Considering it was only my second time competing, I'm very pleased with the results.

Ken

 

[bobleeswagger]

Nice! I can pick one up locally for $999 + 6%...online the best I'm seeing is similar, but no tax ($15 xfer fee.) Will 150's work well in a 11.25 twist?

 

[bobleeswagger]

Also, have any of you hunted with them? I realize they aren't a good choice for trekking through the woods, but in terms of being a good "stand gun", I would think they'd be great.

 

[deercop]

My 700 5R seems to prefer the heavier bullets, either 175 or 180 gr Sierra Match Kings ahead of various amounts of Varget. Actually, the best performing ammo so far has been some long discontinued factory Federal 180 gr HPBT Match ammo (308MB), sold by the CMP not long ago. Granted, there wasn't a dramatic difference when I tried 168 gr bullets. Probably has a lot to do with the loose nut behind the trigger.

 

[gotzero]

I have one in .308. I love it, it shoots well, no excuses. Based on his location, I think I shoot at the same range and in the same competitions as Delaware Ken.

I have not bothered to replace any factory parts, just added a midrange scope and a bipod, but I am very happy with the rifle. My tracked 5-shot averages are under .7MOA in various conditions/no flyers and a little over 400 rounds downrange. I will say that based on how many of them I see around here, I do not think they are nearly as rare as Remington makes them out to be, especially now that they are also made in .223 and .300wm. If you can get one for a similar price to another 700 go for it, but I am not convinced it is worth a big premium.

EDIT: I primarily shoot 168 gr and 175 gr Sierra MK BTHP handloads although I recently picked up a case of Prvi Partizan 168 gr "match" ammo that is shooting nicely from 100-300 Yds for the price of the .308 brass I otherwise use.

 

[RyeDaddy]

Mine shoots .5 MOA with handloads of 175 grain SMK's over Varget, and even with Berger VLD's, without seating them out long like they say Berger's require. I'm very impressed with it. The 11.25" twist is optimized for 175 grain bullets, but I hunt with 150's, and it shoots them just fine. Federal blue box 150 grain ammo still shoots 1 MOA or better.

Big advantage to me in the 5R rifling is that it seems to get clean faster than others I've had, including a 700 XCR tactical(which shot as well as the 5R, BTW and I preferred the B&C stock). Doesn't foul up as fast either.

ETA: this thing is a beast to carry around slung while hunting. At 10.5 lbs scoped lugging it gets old fast.

 

[NCsmitty]

Don't forget that Thompson Center has the 5R barreled Venture model that does guarantee it's accuracy, unlike Remington. It's also 1/2 the cost of the Remington, leaving more money for good glass.
If you want to step up, the Icon's come with 5R barrels and a guarantee too.

Some people get nervous and jerky when they hear the words "milspec" or "tactical".
As much as I like Remington's, I'm also aware that there are other brands who are pushing the envelope with quality and price innovations. The gun business is very competitive, and you need to approach purchasing a rifle with an open mind.



NCsmitty

 

[rc109a]

I sold mine, but it was a great gun. It was just too heavy to hunt with. I was short on cash and was hunting coyotes. It would drop them a long way off, but most of my shots were 100yds or less and on the run. Wish I had never sold it...