Rem 700p LTR or 700p 26' in .223

[Prion]

Looking to add a Remington 700p .223 to keep my .308 LTR company.

My question is- as a target rifle for range use, prone and bench, would you get the 20" LTR or 26" HB for .223? i have access to 300m at the moment but would like to stretch it when possible.

I do like the shorter fluted barrel of the LTR and my .308 has been extremely accurate. But the .308 isn't strictly a range gun, the .223 will be.

The 26" HB just seems so big for .223 Set me straight

 

[joed]

If the .223 is going to be strictly a range gun go with the longer barrel. You'll get less bullet drop at the longer ranges with a longer barrel. Myself I prefer 24" barrels but I do have one in 26" which I don't really mind.

 

[jmr40]

The velocity difference between 20" and 26" is a LOT less than most people think. I'd go 20" in a 223 and never look back.

 

[.378 Wby]

Off the bench, varmints or whatever, get the long barrel. More velocity, more stability in the bullet.

I can't warm up to .223 Rem. I had a Rem. 700 PSS, rechambered to Ackley Imp. I was getting 0.22x MOA out of it, but it was taking forever to load the ammo for this kind of accuracy.

Sold it. Shot a lot of surplus Mausers w/ iron sights and now got back to the Rem. 700 SPS, .308, Leupold Mark 4.

What can I say? I like a rifle that goes "boom" in a big way.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

go with the 20. the shorter barrel will be stiffer and more likely to be accurate, and you can get in good practice with a gun that's exactly the same as your .308 with somewhat cheaper ammo.

 

[Uncle Mike]

The longer barrel will prevail... however, don't expect stellar performance from the SPS.

 

[MachIVshooter]

go with the 20. the shorter barrel will be stiffer and more likely to be accurate,

Given the same profile, that is true. But in this case, the shorter tube is also a thinner profile, and fluted.

The velocity difference between 20" and 26" is a LOT less than most people think.

Yup. .223 doesn't gain much going over 20" like a larger capacity cartridge does. However, since this is to be a dedicated range gun, the extra length is not a hinderance, and the extra weight and slight increase in velocity will be advantageous. I'd go with the 26" HB.

 

[Prion]

I never mentioned an SPS Uncle Mike. The LTR is the 700p with a trimmer stock and shortened and fluted barrel which I own in 308. Question is 20' OR 26" for 223 700p for range rifle.

4 for 26"
2 for 20"

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Since the velocity will be neglible, just get the 20", you just a stiffer (more accurate) barrel.

 

[Uncle Mike]

Whoops...anyway, for myself, the 26".

 

[jmr40]

If you think the extra 6" of barrel will make any real world difference in velocity read this http://www.tacticaloperations.com/SWATbarrel/ I realize this deals with 308 and 300 win mag and not 223. But I would expect even less difference in the 223.

 

[LTR shooter]

My 700LTR in .223 is the best shooting of my four .223 rifles. The others , all 26" rifles - 700 SPS Varmint , 700 VLS Thumbhole and Savage 12BVSS.

The LTR has been consistently accurate with 52 , 53 , 55 and 69 grain match bullets. The .223 LTR should make for a perfect companion rifle to your .308 LTR. I actually traded in a 700P .308 for my .223 LTR. If I go with a .308 again I'll probably get the 20" this time.

But in this case, the shorter tube is also a thinner profile, and fluted.

The barrel profile of the LTR is pretty much on par with the longer 26" 700 barrels , about .85" at the muzzle of the 20" LTR and my 26" 700s are identical at the 20" mark.