Help me choose which Remington 700

[uf-engineer]

Help me choose which Remington 700
I’m looking for a Remington 700 in 243. My LGS has a stainless SPS for $550 and a XHR for $690. I’m looking to punch holes in paper and to hunt with it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I don’t know much about either model other than they both had the new adjustable trigger. Don’t know if they both have free floating barrels. If I decide to, I don’t know if the XHR would limit my ability to later modify the rifle. Can’t decide if I want a stainless or carbon steel. Is stainless more accurate and easier to maintain?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[uf-engineer]

They also had a VTR. But, I don't know what they were asking for it. It seemed heavy for a hunting rifle.

 

[Bovice]

I'm assuming that since your username is "uf-engineer" you currently reside somewhere in Northern Florida. Florida is humid, it rains a lot, plenty of moisture everywhere. Stainless steel will be more resistant to corrosion for a rifle that's spending time out in the woods and possibly in rain. Carbon steel is pretty poor in terms of corrosion resistance. Duracoat or some other kind of coating would fix this. As far as accuracy goes, I have a stainless steel bull barrel AR that shoots very tight groups. I'm willing to bet the 700 is at least as accurate, if not moreso being bolt-action. I'm not really sure if one barrel material yields "more accuracy", but if there is any difference it has to be minimal. I wouldn't base my performance on metallurgy. There are a lot more factors that determine accuracy and the biggest factor is you.

What discipline of engineering are you in?

 

[Fremmer]

I like the triangular barrel on that XHR. Otherwise, it seems like a regular 700.

The SPS is plain-jane, but stainless is nice in the elements while hunting. You still have to clean/maintain stainless. I don't think (in general) that a stainless bore is more accurate than a carbon bore.

Both guns are fine hunting rifles. I don't think either will have a floating barrel, but Remington makes a pretty accurate rifle. I'm very impressed with how accurately (sub-moa) my non-free-floated Remington shoots.

I'd probably get the stainless SPS and put the rest of my money toward good glass, but either gun will work just fine. If you really dig the triangular barrel and want something a little different, get that. It's probably more of an aesthetic feature than a functional feature, but it is different. Buy the gun that feels the best on your shoulder. I'm not sure how the triangular barrel will affect after-market stock fit.

 

[sig228]

Get the SPS, but in 308 instead and save yourself a whole bunch of money on ammo.

 

[uf-engineer]

Thanks for your advice. Any more advice is greatly appreciated. I noticed that Remington discontinued the XHR. Anyone know why??
Bovice - I'm a Civil Engineer
sig, I'm not to worried about ammo because I reload.

 

[courtgreene]

i restocked an SPS so i floated it... that plus handloads made it WAY better. decent rifles though.

 

[uf-engineer]

court, what stock would you recommend?

 

[brandon_mcg]

uf-engineer,

i have the VTR in .308 that i use for hunting deer and paper targets. it shoots well with my redfield scope. i think i gave 650 or so for mine brand new.

if i had to guess, i would say that they discontinued the XHR as it is too similar to the VTR.

 

[Gator 23]

Hey fellow Gator. Bud's Gun Shop online might be good to look at for 700 models and as a pricing gauge. An SPS stainless .243 might work ($567)...but I've hunted around Gainesville, and never had issues with the humidity and firearm corrosion. The standard SPS .243 will run you $546 with them plus FFL transfer fee. So, it seems the $550 local store is selling at a good price...just pay the tax which will roughly equal the FFL transfer fee for any online purchase. You can upgrade to a "high speed" stock, like a McMillan, down the line....but that will run $488 +....other custom stock options are out there too....but the factory stock will serve you well for hunting.