Just checked out a Remington 700 SPS Varmint today...

[infuriatednoodle]

Well as the title states, I just checked on out at my local gun shop. Overall, I was pretty impressed with the rifle, but the bolt seemed really sticky and nowhere near as smooth as my Savage. But the main issue I am concerned about is that the barrel isn't free floated. Yeah, yeah, the stock sucks (I would love to get a new stock for it but can't afford it at the moment). So my question is: Is there any way to free-float the barrel without damaging the stock or anything? Would it be better off left as it is, or free floated? I am pondering between the 700 SPS Varmint and the SPS Tactical. So far the tactical looks a lot more appealing to me. Many reviews I have read says the SPS Tactical gets sub .5MOA right out of the box, whereas the SPS Varmint gets a little about .5MOA.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

I'd leave it as is until you find whether you really need a new stock. I have a Rem 700 SPS SS in .308 Win that shoots my reloads (42.0 gr RL-15 under a 168gr SMK, CCI BR2 primers) into 0.375" for 3 shots at 100 yds from a Caldwell Lead Sled...with no mods to stock or rifle.

FH

 

[TIMC]

I just bought an SPS Varmint for a tactical buil I am doing. I haven't shot mine yet but I m trashing the stock from the get go. Everything I read about it says the gun will shoot very well with the factory stock but does improve with a good aftermarket stock.

I say stick with it as is until you can afford something better. There are if you feel the need some good videos on youtube on bedding the factory stock.

 

[dnthmn]

Can't you relieve the barrel channel just a little to float it? I don't have one, so I'm not speaking from experience. Seems like it should be pretty easy with a plastic stock.

 

[bryank30]

With the Varmint's 26'' barrel you get a little more velocity. You get a nice H&S stock and a Timney 1-5lb trigger and a super sniper scope, Harris 9-13 adjustable bipod, well it will have that 67 Chevelle with the 454 and 4.10 gear type umph...

 

[LTR shooter]

I have a .223 SPS Varmint that shoots extremely well but I have never fired it with the plastic stock installed. I had a spare HS stock that I used and later a B&C Medalist. Accuracy with the lighter 52 gr match loads is on par with my 20" 700LTR which is similar to the SPS Tactical. The bolts on the 700s I have are actually quite smooth in operation.

 

[Rob96]

I have the ADL Varmint in 308 that I got from Dick's. Even with the factory stock I get .65 to .69 5 rounds groups. As it stands right now I don't have to change the stock. First I am getting the barrel cut down to 20". Then I will go from there. I also use the same load as Flatbush Harry.

 

[K-Swift]

Get the SPS Varmint, not the Tactical.

2 reasons,

- First off, its cheaper by $75, no matter where you shop, thanks to Remington:
http://www.gunknowledge.com/forum/index.php?topic=290

- Second, you can always cut down the barrel and recrown later if you want it shorter. But its kinda hard to add length if its too short.

 

[Red State]

I like the Hogue stock on the Tactical better than the plastic stock of the Varmint.

In addition to the differences in barrel lengths, I believe the barrels also have different twist rates. So depending on what kind of shooting you want to do and what kind of bullets you want to use, the Varmint vs. Tactical is a big deal decision.

The Varmint has a 1:12 barrel that probably won't be able to accurately shoot any bullet of more than 55grains.

The Tactical has a 1:9 barrel that should be able to shoot up to a 69grain bullet.

 

[BP Hunter]

I have the SPS Tactical in .223 that shoots 1 1/2" at 150 yards with cheapo PMC 55gr ammo. My rifle is bone stock except for my scope, of course. BUt I wouldn't fix anything that is not broken.

 

[TonyAngel]

What do you want? A rifle with a 20" barrel or a rifle with a longer barrel. Since you're likely going to replace the stock, regardless of which one you get, I wouldn't spend much time on that issue. Besides, either stock is serviceable and will do you until you can upgrade. I just wouldn't buy one planning to have the barrel cut or having any other in depth work done on stock parts because the stock parts just aren't worth it.

After having gone the route of the SPS and looking back on the whole project, I'd take a different route. I'd get an action from Brownell's for under $400 or just find a deal on a dirt cheap 700 some place just for the action. I'd then have a barrel thrown on it, find an HSP stock for around $200, trigger for $100 and a bottom metal for around $50, used and be done with it. You'll have a semi custom rifle that you'll know will shoot well.

Like I said, I started out with an SPS Tactical. I paid $600 for the rifle. Now that I look at it, the only things left on it that have the name Remington on them are the action and bolt. That's a couple hundred bucks that I could have saved if I had just done it right the first time.

 

[infuriatednoodle]

I want to get one in .308 and I am looking to shoot accurately from 300 yards +

 

[monkeynieto]

I own a Remington 700 SPS Varmint and was disappointed that the barrel was not free floating.
This is my first "sniper" rifle so pretty much went with what was cheap. after tinkering a bit with it (as much as a novice can tinker with a rifle) i noticed that the scope it came with, wasnt even leveled. the crosshairs inside, once the scope was leveled, was tilted to an angle. perhaps it was just me being a novice but i will replace the scope as soon as i can.
also, i'm not sure if it's me or my rifle but my bolt will not release when i want it to. i also have to play with it for a bit before it finally lets me take the bolt out. but again, my first rifle and im just learning what to look for for future rifles.

 

[helotaxi]

I had a line on a great deal on a left handed SPS varmint and passed because the thing is a 1:12" twist. That means light varmint bullets only. Not very flexible and not very suitable for medium to long range.

 

[dubbleA]

A 1:12 twist will easily handle 155-168 match bullets, hardly light weight varmint bullets. Some, not 1:12's will shoot a 175gr with great results. Dont let the "Varmint" monkier fool you into thinking it only handles varmints. A 155 Lapua pretty much duplicates heavier 175gr ballistics and are ran to 1Kyds.

 

[helotaxi]

I'm talking .223 since the distinction was never made as to caliber.

 

[joed]

My friend fooled with his SPS stock grinding back anything that touched the barrel. He had some success with it but eventually threw it in the trash and went with a B&C.

I bought the same gun in stainless 5 months later. Mine out of the box shot about 1" groups. Left it on till I ordered the same B&C Medalist stock. It will now shoot 1/2" groups all day long.

Also changed out the trigger on mine for a Timney. The new Remington trigger was really crisp but I couldn't adjust it to 4 lbs, it broke at 6 lbs.

Here's a picture of the finished rifle.

 

[M1key]

New Rem 700 Tactical 223 here with Bushnell Elite 10x

I bought it because I didn't want the weight of a 26 inch pipe AND I prefer the factory 1:9 twist. Looks like it wants to shoot 1/2 inch right outta the box with Hornady 75gr match handloads. (from the bags)

M

 

[helotaxi]

^^^ 50yds? And where is the rest of the rounds for the group?

 

[M1key]

Three shot sight-in group (~.275). Windy day. Testing various loads and rifles. Had to leave early.

What was the question again?

M

 

[Tborn11]

Is it possible to add the kwik clip to the remington 700 sps?

 

[M1key]

Is it possible to add the kwik clip to the remington 700 sps?

Here's an older thread:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=226018

M

 

[Vurtle]

My SPS in .243 was horrible when I got it. I even tried to sell it and I lucked out that no one bought it. So I floated the factory stock, timney trigger, and cut the barrel to 18" with a nice crown and it is my favorite rifle now and is very accurate. Barrel chop and trigger were the most significant change in accuracy. I don't think the stock touching the barrel would effect it much with a short barrel unless you are a match shooter.

 

[JDGray]

I have a VS 22-250(Same barreled action in a HSP stock), and easily shoots nice cloverleaf groups at 200yrds(5rds in .620") It is my favorite rifle, along with my 20" LTR .223.....I dont think you can go wrong with either the Varmint or Tactical, just upgrade the stock later.

 

[chrome_austex]

I had a SPS Varmint that I tried to free-float by removing some of the barrel channel.

I had to remove quite a bit of material and didn't seem to help accuracy at all. It might be intentionally not free floated from the factory because the barrel is so long and the plastic stock is so weak. The biggest disappointment for me on the SPS Varmint wasn't the stock (I knew the stock would suck), but actually the barrel, which copper fouled very quickly and never shot below 1.5moa on average for me. YMMV of course.