Is the Remington 700 5r best 308 bolt action rifle?

[Gunfighter.45]

I've heard a lot of great things about this rifle, just from what I've read on this rifle I think it has to be the best of the best, in 308 bolt action I mean how can the US Military go wrong.What do guys think?

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

I think it is the best "sniper" style factory made rifle. I like the HS precision stock, the 5R barrel is excellent and it's a 700.


Can be found for $950-$1050.


If I were out to buy a factory gun that shoots and is ready to go, no modding or nonsense - I'd get that rifle absolutely. Anything more, and I'd rather go custom.

 

[Zak Smith]

Not the best, but it's a good value for the money.

-z

 

[YodaVader]

I think it has to be the best of the best, in 308 bolt action I mean how can the US Military go wrong.What do guys think?

From what I read over on snipercentral.com these 5R barrels are ones that actually DID NOT meet the mil-spec and were installed on regular production 700s although at a higher price point the average varmint model. Still suppose to be an accurate rifle. A good 700P or 700LTR is tough to beat in .308.

 

[USSR]

Not the best, but it's a good value for the money.

+1.

From what I read over on snipercentral.com these 5R barrels are ones that actually DID NOT meet the mil-spec and were installed on regular production 700s although at a higher price point the average varmint model.

Nope, different contour. The only thing they share is the same style of rifling.

Don

 

[skinewmexico]

The history of the US Military is littered with weapons that were wrong. And the low bid. I also thought they built their own actions, modeled on the M700. Maybe not.

 

[Tarvis]

The history of the US Military is littered with weapons that were wrong. And the low bid. I also thought they built their own actions, modeled on the M700. Maybe not.

It is my understanding that the military buys model 700's and changes the stock and adds optics, correct me if im wrong. Yes, the military chooses weapons based on the lowest bidder, probably lowest bidder within thier required specs. Which weapons are you reffering to when you say "wrong?" I'm not disagreeing, just curious.

 

[SprayAndPray]

From what I read over on snipercentral.com these 5R barrels are ones that actually DID NOT meet the mil-spec and were installed on regular production 700s although at a higher price point the average varmint model.

Why would you want something not even the military wants? If it was me, I wouldn´t want that. If i was paying premium money i would demand the absolute best money can buy, or equivalent.

 

[Fatelvis]

I have a Rem 5-R w/ a 3.5-15 NF scope on it. (Seekins 20moa rail/rings). It is amazingly accurate at long ranges, and I can say that I really dont "want" for any more accuracy. For me, it is money very well spent!

 

[Richard.Howe]

uh, no.

But it's money well spent, all the same.

 

[tjj]

I fired my new 5R for the first time yesterday. The weather was miserable with a cold front passing during the time I set up to shoot. Wind was at least 20 to 30, slightly quartering head wind. Slight misty rain, low dark overcast sky, 60 deg. If it wasn't for want of testing out a new rifle I wouldn't have wasted the time and expense.

Rem700SS 5R mil spec., mod X-Mark trigger to 2# 5oz.
Scope: Nikon Monarch 6-24X50 on Nightforce 20MOA rail, Burris XTR rings
168SMK 42gr RL15
168SMK 44gr Varget
All rounds seated to standard magazine length, 2.800 for future reference

I shot about 40 rounds, cleaning after every 5 or so shots. Groups ran 1.2 to 1.5" worst case. Vertical spread less than MOA but extreme lateral spread blamed on gusting winds. Had three 3 shot groups varying 3/8" to .175". Last 5 shot group measured .416" (four of those measured less than 3/8" without my signature flyer).

No useful data could be taken due to poor shooting conditions but I just had to see how my new toy would function. All in all, I enjoyed the shoot and looking forward to much more load testing at longer ranges in the next few months. First new centerfire for me in almost 30 years. Been hanging out with the wrong crowd lately.

 

[bogie]

You need to consider lightening up that stiff trigger...

 

[mljdeckard]

Perhaps the stock 700 isn't the very best, however, some of the very best rifles in the world are built from that action. When you get into the world of custom stocks, triggers, and barrels, and handloads, how the factory originally assembled the rifle becomes much less relevant.

Everything the military uses comes from the lowest bidder. HOWEVER, sniper-grade rifles go through a customization process to match the shooter.

Is a Remington 700 hands-down the finest out of the box rifle one can buy? Not necessarily. But it can certainly outshoot 99% of the buyers who buy a PSS or VS thinking it will turn them into an instant sniper. Most of them can't shoot well enough to see the difference between a $500 rifle and a $3000 rifle.

 

[SpeedAKL]

I can't find said rifle on Remington's website. Are you referring to the 700P or the new XCR Tactical?

 

[ocabj]

Tbe best 308 bolt action rifle? Definitely not the Remington 700.

If 'best' meant the most accurate, then you'd go with a single shot action and/or a custom action like a Stiller, Stolle, Surgeon, or Barnard.

As far as barrels are concerned, assuming that the 5R barrel on the factory Remington 700s are Remington production, I would have to say that there are far better barrels out there. Just to name a few: Krieger, Broughton, Schnieder, and Hart.

 

[cracked butt]

For a factory production rifle, I'd rather have a FN SPR.

 

[Fatelvis]

Groups ran 1.2 to 1.5" worst case. Vertical spread less than MOA but extreme lateral spread blamed on gusting winds. Had three 3 shot groups varying 3/8" to .175". Last 5 shot group measured .416" (four of those measured less than 3/8" without my signature flyer).

Tjj, you're using a good load. Don't use that day's shooting as an indication of the average groups possible with your rig. On a calmer day, (less than 20-30 mph wind!), you'll see MUCH better groups. Keep us posted please. Good shootin'-

 

[Richard.Howe]

Great shooting!

You have a nice rig -- yes, you could easily dump in another $1-3k to "improve" it, but then you're way past the point of diminishing returns. Shoot it and enjoy!

Rich

 

[tjj]

[I can't find said rifle on Remington's website. Are you referring to the 700P or the new XCR Tactical?]

The 5R is not listed on any of the Remington sites. I found it listed on GB auction site and ordered one from Tanner Sports. I called and spoke at length to a Remington instructor who had answered one of my e-mails to see what other info he could provide.

He said the barrel is not from the same stock as the M24 sniper rifles as some have suggested. It has a standard varmint taper where the M24 has a heavier barrel. The rifling is identical at 11.28 twist and 5R profile, made in-house at Remington. They have made about 3900 of these since introduction around 2002 through present time. There were 330 on back order to Accu-Sport who is the sole distributor for this gun. At the time they were running a week or so behind schedule. Accu-Sport has since received some because my buddy here locally bought one before I got mine. He said Remington doesn't guarantee any accuracy numbers but his experience has been 1/2 to 3/4 MOA. His personal gun was a 40X and he is an avid long distance shooter.

There are no plans to offer the 5R in their civilian or LE distribution channels at this time. That's why you can't find much info on it. It's just a "special projects" gun offered for an unknown time. The sales volume didn't warrant taking it further. The low to medium priced rifles and shotguns are what puts food on the table for Remington.

No special custom work is done to the 5R. I was hoping it had a tighter and shorter throat than the normal (awfully loose) M700's. But no luck. Free bore is very long on my gun but I knew that before I bought it. It isn't any custom shop gun for sure, no match chamber, but the price was all I could afford for now. My buddy (a gunsmith) offered me his spare custom LTR for the same price but I passed because I wanted a longer barreled rifle. It shot 3/8 MOA at 100yds consistently.

Thanks for the words of encouragement from the previous posts. If I can find loads to make this 5R 1/2 MOA to 300yds then I will be very happy with it. I'll know in the next few months.

 

[Pistolnut]

Hi,
The Remington 700 5r barrels are not rejects.
They are first grade production run barrels.
Remington produce the barrels at their own plant.
These barrels have the same rifling as the military
M24 sniper rifles, which are based on Boots Obermeyer
rifling system, who taught Mike Rock and Jack Kreiger.

These rifles are well made, extremely accurate out of
the box.

Put on a good scope a good bi-pod and zero it in using
175 grain match king and you're ready to go, Period.
1/2 M.O.A. or less.

 

[Oohrah]

Before this one, the military rifle of choice in the early years of Nam
was a pre 64 Model 70 Winchester in the 30-06 caliber. The barrel
seemed just a slight bit heavy from the standard barrel. Match 30-06
ammo was used. Scopes varied with several different brands used.
Lighter to hump than the Remmy of now!

 

[Sam Adams]

I am probably going to get my 700 VS rebarreled (incl. truing the action) with a Mike Rock 5R barrel. I would expect that with the addition of a bipod, that my rifle will be roughly the equal of the brand-new 5R Milspec.

Has anyone gone that route (or a similar one) and, if so, with what results?

 

[USSR]

I am probably going to get my 700 VS rebarreled (incl. truing the action) with a Mike Rock 5R barrel. I would expect that with the addition of a bipod, that my rifle will be roughly the equal of the brand-new 5R Milspec.

Sam,

Nope, your rifle as described above would be FAR superior to a new Remington 5R Milspec. The Remington 5R is just a factory produced hammer forged barrel, while Mike Rock's barrels are cut rifled and carefully chambered.

Don

 

[Fatelvis]

Put on a good scope a good bi-pod and zero it in using
175 grain match king and you're ready to go, Period.
1/2 M.O.A. or less.

Pistolnut is right. I have a stock Rem 5-R except for replacing the trigger (5 lb 9 0z ) with a Timney, ( 2lb 4 oz) and it is plenty accurate with my 175 Sierra MKs, and a medium load of RL15.(.5 MOA or better). I shoot low Expert scores in NRA service rifle comp., and consider myself a decent shot. I'm plenty happy with it's accuracy potential, and I honestly think someone would have to be a High Master to actually see, or utilize the difference between the two barrels. A premium barrel wouldn't matter one bit in most people's real world shooting.

 

[skinewmexico]

I'd still rather buy an action, and put the barrel of my choice on it.