Model 70

[Red3244]

Hey fellas,

My 18th birthday is coming up soon and I really want to look into buying a good rifle. I have shot my .22 and my shotguns ever since I was a kid but I just haven't gotten into a nice rifle. Anyone have suggestions on a rifle?

Something that is reliable, not too spendy, chambered at .308, and good accuracy. I checked out the Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical, the SPS standard, and the Winchester Model 70 Stealth and liked them all. I have only seem them in pictures and read the specs. I am sure personal preference comes out to how the gun feels and shoots, but thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Geno]

I really like my M700 SPS Tactical. It is super accurate even with cheap military ball ammo. Here is a great read for you:

http://www.snipercentral.com/spstactical.htm

For what it is worth, I would go the extra $300.00 and buy the M700P (Police). Here is a link for its review:

http://www.snipercentral.com/m700p.htm

I own both, as well as a Kimber LPT. All three are equally accurate, but prices vary greatly between them.


Geno

 

[TenDriver]

Check out the Marlin XL-7 and Savage line up as well. They aren't too pricey, but with the synthetic stock aren't as good looking. The trade off is an AccuTrigger. Very nice.

 

[Red3244]

Geno,

I actually have looked at BOTH of those links. I too really like the SPS Tactical based off the review on that site. I have never held one nor shot but it seems like a nice rifle. What do you like about it? Would you chose that over the guns I thought of or a Savage Hunter series rifle chambered in a .300 WIN MAG?

 

[joed]

I have 2 Remington 700's and sold the 3rd about 3 years ago. I've always sworn by Remington till this month when a friend bought an SPS. The SPS does not even have a free floated barrel, accuracy is not good. For as long as they have been in business you think they would know how to build an accurate rifle, they don't. I highly doubt I'd buy another Remington. If you look at Remington take a dollar bill and run it between the stock and barrel, if it makes it to the action I might consider it. I have never seen a rifle that was inaccurate with a floated barrel.

The 2 I still have came with wooden stocks. Both needed bedding work to make them shoot accurately. They are accurate now.

My friends SPS really needs another stock to get any better accuracy. The synthetic stock is one of the flimsiest I've ever seen. He ground out the 2 tabs that touch the barrel and accuracy got better. But in my opinion a new gun shouldn't need modifications like that.

I've owned 2 Winchester 70's. One a wooden stocked model needed bedding work. The second is one of the last Stealths in .308 to come out of their old plant, this one is well made and shoots great. I'd be very tempted to buy one of their new rifles.

Have also owned 2 Savage rifles. Out of the box these are what the other makes should be building. Both were very accurate. Another Savage, oh yes, in a heart beat.

These are my feeling on the 3 above brands which are the only bolt actions I've ever owned.

 

[Geno]

If I had to rank order the 3 heavy-barreled .308 Wins that I own (M700 SPS Tactical; M700P and Kimber LPT), I put them in the following preferred rank-order:

1st place: M700P

2nd Place: M700 SPS Tactical

3rd Place: Kimber LPT

Why do I put the Kimber in last place? Simple, yes it is tremendously accurate, but the cost (normally) $1,400.00!! The cost isn't even the greatest detriment. The greatest problem is that the Kimber's firing pin spring is so horridly weak that it will not reliably fire military surplus ammunition. They have harder primers. The Remingtons will always launch them reliably. Don't get me wrong, the Kimber is awesome! But the cost, man. Add to that the cost of not being able to burn some military surplus and still get really tight group. All I can say is that at 1,000 yards, this Kimber had better perform.

The following picture is of one of my recent range visits. The SPS Tactical was shot with cheap military ball ammo. The Kimber was shot with factory Fusion hunting ammo. While both performed well, is the Kimber's accuracy worth the added cost?! I don't know anything about Savage's center fires. I do know my Remingtons. For the price, that police model is hard to beat.

Geno

View attachment 475392

 

[Red3244]

Geno,

Where can I find a 700P?

 

[Ol' KL]

I would look at a CZ550...love the set trigger. Like the claw extractor. I also like the safety (Aside from the fact that it works backwards). Their accuracy is great.

That said, I have a M700...it's a nice gun. It just doesn't make my heart beat like the CZ.

 

[C-grunt]

Red3244... The SPS Tactical uses the same barreled action as the Police models. The difference is the Police has a better stock and better finish.

I have no experience with the new Winchester 70s but they are highly thought of around here. It will probably be a better looking rifle as far as finish and whatnot than the SPS line.

I would advise you to take a look at the Savage line as well. My Savage rifles have been very accurate and my cheap Stevens (cheap Savage) shoots pretty well with crap ammo.

As far as caliber, I would stick to either .223 or .308. Ammo is cheap, plentiful and can be accurate out to long ranges. The .300 Win Mag is expensive and has lots of recoil.

 

[Slamfire]

I like the M70 action. When well bedded and with an excellent barrel it makes for an accurate rifle. I used a target version yesterday to win an XTC match. The M70 and the M700's used to be the dominant actions used, but I always liked the M70 with its stiff action and for being smooth and slick action in rapid fire.

I particulary like the standard and featherweight versions. If you look around maybe you can find a used M70 classic, like this one. These are perfectly usable.




This is a picture of a modern PBR M70 action. For a sporting rifle it is easy to bed with that flat bottomed receiver, it is a stiff receiver, and the old Winchester trigger is one of the best over ride triggers ever made.

 

[Geno]

Target Sports almost always has the M700 Police in .308 Win or in .223 Rem. Target Sports is an indoor range & gun store here. You can drop my name; they all know me well. Also, "Owen" (a member here at THR) has shot there. I won't get any discounts, just a thank-you for the refer. Their telephone number in Royal Oak is 248-549-2122. The Orchard Lake number is 248-683-3333. They have one M700 Police in .308 Win on the wall in the Orchard Lake store.

Geno

 

[Snakum]

I have a lot of Remington products, including new ones. And I'm telling you, if you buy a new Remington you stand a better than 50/50 chance of being severely disappointed. Buy one at least five years old, or buy a Savage, Winchester, Marlin, or T/C. The 700 series of today is not in the same class as those made just a few years ago. Trust me. Save yourself the pain and run a search here and on Google for "Remington" and "quality" or "problem".

And yes, the quality and fit-and-finish and accuracy of the Winchester is superb. They're a little spendy, but I'd take one over any Remington made in the last five years.

 

[drduc]

I missed what you want to use it for. Hunting is one thing but range work is another. I don't think you would ever go wrong with a good Remington 700 but you want to decide if hunting is your thing or tactical range type shooting.

 

[Geno]

Snakum:

Before anyone asks me to drink the Winchester Kool-Aide, I suggest they read the thread of my profusely (as in completely) screwed-up new Winchester "Super" Grade.

Thread Title: New Winchester Super Grade Not So "Super" - THR
Link: http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6330656#post6330656

I think whatever we buy in any brand we run the chance of messed-up product. In the past 4 years, I personally have had the following screwed-up firearms:

1 Winchester Model 70 "Super" Grade

1 Remington 870 Wingmaster

1 T/C Arms Encore 50X209 Pro Hunter

1 T/C Arms R55 Classic

1 Colt 1911A1 Series 70 Reissue

5 "Custom Shop" Kimber 1911A1s

Now those are the Top-10 PoS that I can recall instantly off the top of my feable head. There have been about 4 or 5 others that had equal extent of defect requiring repair or replacement. Anything we buy, buyer-beware!

Geno

 

[Snakum]

You're right, of course. Anyone can let a turd slip out. It's just been my experience, and of many others, that Remington lets out far more than they used to, while Savage, T/C, Winchester, and Marlin (for now) seem to be getting better and better. And believe me ... no one is sadder to see it than me. My whole Family has been fanatical Remington fans for at least 40 years.

Oh and speaking of Brownchester ... I was hours away from buying an FN SPR (I love the M70 action) when shopping for a new tactical rifle two weeks ago. But reading a couple of experiences others had with FN customer service recently I went Savage instead (my first).

Bottom line ... Savage, Thompson, Weatherby/Howa, and Marlin (for now) bolt guns have a well earned and growing reputation for out of the box accuracy and overall quality at decent price points. And their customer service has gotten good reviews, as well, based on everything I've read or heard. And Remington is going to have to do something or they will become a cautionary tale. Where there is that much smoke ... there's fire.

 

[Geno]

"Brownchester"?! That there is classic!!! I actually feel that Browning is treating Winchester like the redheaded step-child.

Geno

 

[tiwil]

The 2 fn model 70 that I own are real nice rifle.One is a featherweight 300 win mag that shoot great and the other is coyote outback 22-250 that I haven't shot yet.The majority of review that I've read about them have been positive regarding build quality and accuracy but seeing the pics of your super grade I guess a few bad one find they're way out of the factories.

 

[tc54]

red - don't buy a rifle until you can handle same. some rifles fit people differently and NO rifle fits everyone. pay a vist to one of the larger gun stores in your area and put several to your shoulder. one or two will feel better than the others. get one of those. ask plenty of questions. 308's are made by everyone these days. forget the tactical stuff too. find yourself a decent hunting rifle such as a rem 700 bdl or cdl, savage, weatherby vanguard, ruger hawkeye, fn winchester, cz, or something else along these lines. don't get in a hurry. a good rifle will outlast you and your children, so take the time required to select the one that meets your needs now and in the future. good luck on your search.