Remington 700 LTR - Target and hunting rifle?

[dave3006]

I am considering purchasing a Remington 700 LTR as a dual purpose rifle. I like the idea of a precision rifle with a heavy barrel for target practice and general shooting. But, I also want a rifle I could hunt deer and wild boar with. It seems like this rifle could fill both rolls. It is short and weighs 7.5 lbs, similar to a Winchester 70 classic.

Is this a good idea?

If it is, I am debating which scope to put on it? I am considering a simple duplex reticle with a 200 yd zero. Or, I could spend more and get a mil dot system. It seems like the mildot would be great for longer range target shooting.

If you bought a gun like this for dual purpose, what scope would you put on it?

Thanks.

 

[dakotasin]

leupold vx-3 4.5-14 is what i would put on it for a true dual purpose.

if it will shoot more targets than it will deer, then i'd go w/ a vx-3 6.5-20.

setting a gun like this up for dual purposes might be disappointing to you. my long range target gun is set up w/ a vx-3 8.5-25. i like having all that magnification for banging away at long range. but, for a hunting rifle, big scopes are heavy, and they can be frustrating to use depending on circumstances.

the best bet is to have 2 dedicated rigs, but i understand that sometimes that isn't financially feasible... in which case, might i reccomend a rem 700 adl in 308, topped w/ a leupold vx-2 3-9?... once you get that mastered, then get your dedicated target gun... i am partial to rem 700 vls's myself, but any heavy gun would be great for banging long targets...

 

[motorep]

I've got two, a .223 with a 3-9 Leupold, and a .308 with a 3.5-10 Leupold. I like these rifles, they fit me just right. They'll also need a trigger tweak.

 

[MLC]

I've shot several deer with my 308 LTR.
They didn't seem to notice that it was a tad heavier.

 

[Jick42]

How much are you wanting to spend on the scope first of all. I always like to ask that. because you dont want 10 posts of scopes of $600+ if your looking for a $200 scope.

 

[sigman4rt]

Rem. 700 LTR

I have used for the last couple years a Rem. 700 LTR for hunting. I have two scopes that interchange. Close up a Simmons Aetec 3-9 power, far off Tasco SS. This setup works for me. It will hold 2" at 200 M. and 4" at 300 M.

 

[Jick42]

600+ range i say go with Leupold 3.5x10M1
200+ range i say SuperSniper 10 power

 

[ocabj]

I agree with Jick42. Leupold M1 3.5-10x40. You'll want the variable for hunting.

Get the mildot. It's only a few bucks more than the duplex model (for the Leupold). You may not use it on the outset while hunting, but after you get the hang of it, you'll put to good use for range estimation.

 

[dave3006]

I was thinking along the lines of the M3 Leupold mildot scope. I didn't know if it would be an overkill though.

 

[JNewell]

Glad someone else noticed that the LTR weighs about the same as many standard (not "compact," "ultralight" or "featherweight") rifles. The balance is really quite good, the accuracy is more than you'd need for many hunting purposes, and it has all the pluses (and minuses) of the 700 action.

Oh, except for the nasty j-lock on the bolt shroud -- Remington doesn't put those on the LE firearms.

For closer, I'd go for a 2x7x or 1.75-6x Leupie VX-3 if I had the cash or a VX-1 if I didn't. I'd skip the Rifleman series because they're very little less money and you can get the reticle changed on the VX-1 if you ever desire.

 

[Mute]

Your choice sounds good. If you decide on the M3, get it from Premier Reticles if you can afford it. Specifically, get the Gen2 Mil-Dot. It comes with ½ mil slash marks and is a front focal plane reticle so you can range at any magnification.

 

[Rocko]

I've used my LTR topped with the Leupy M3 with duplex recticle for whitetail the past few years. Mildot probably not really necessary - most people probably shouldn't be taking shots at the extended ranges where it would be of use. However, I do wish I'd have gotten it as it doesn't hurt and is only a bit more expensive. I've considered sending it to Premier, who will upgrade it to their gen-2 system, but the upgrade is of course more expensive than if I simply went that route in the first place.

Regarding the weight - while an HB rifle is completely unnecessary for such hunting when you'll likely be shooting 1-2 shots at most, and a separate rig would be ideal, if you have trouble humping a 9-10lb rifle up the mountain, you're probably not going to do much better with a 7-8lb rifle, either.

Rocko

 

[MLC]

If you hunt in cold climates you might not want the LTR.
I shouldered mine on a morning that started out at 5 degrees.
The stock was so cold that at first I thought my cheek was burning.
Luckily I had my winter beard growing so it was bearable.