Remington 700 SPS Varmint and Police.

[ScottG1911]

I am trying to decide whether to buy a 700 SPS varmint, or go straight to the Police line. I have heard that the Varmint uses the same action and barrel as the police line. I called remington and they confirmed that thought, but they pretty much told me the police is taken better care of, such as beeter finish and polishing and what not. So my question is to you, Would it be better to buy the Police model or buy the SPS varmint and put a nicer stock on it, like a B&C Medalist or something?

Rifle will be in 308

 

[Tarvis]

The only reasons you would buy the SPS and not the police is you want a different stock or you don't have the cash for a police. Remember, the SPS has the new X-Mark trigger or whatever it is, and is NOT fully adjustable, only the trigger spring can be adjusted, while the "old" rem trigger can have the over travel, trigger spring and the sear engagement adjusted. Also, the face of the new trigger is different, possibly worse but it's a personal preference thing.

Read this. That has a link to the 700 varmint review, which has a link to the 700P review , so you can read them all .

 

[Cougfan2]

Have you considered the Savage 10FP? The one in the following link is on my "to get" list.

http://www.savagearms.com/10fpmcmillan.htm

 

[ScottG1911]

I have a Savage 12 which is the 10fp but 26" barrel. And yeah I am tight on budget with th police. being that the police is gonna run me $900 and a scope $450. and i got $1100 right now lol.

 

[KHawk]

Hi ScottG1911! Three years ago I was contemplating a similar purchase. I bought the REM 700 VLS in 223 Rem. It comes with a varmint stock. At that time it cost $695. MSRP was around $900. I spent another $500 on pillar bedding, trueing the action and a jewell trigger. It now shoots better than I could ever have dreamed of. Last week I shot 2 .200" 5 shot groups at 100 yds. And actually shot a .400" 5 shot group at 200 yds. I'll put pics of the targets up tomorrow.

 

[Horsemany]

I just picked up a 700 P in 308 last month and it's the best shooting rifle I've ever owned. And I've owned some really good stuff like Cooper,Kimber, Weatherby,Browning, Winnie and several other heavy barrel Remmy's. I like the new trigger much better than the old and it's easier to adjust. I also prefer the softer trigger face. The guns performance speaks for itself and I've posted pictures of the groups on another thread on this forum titled "Savage vs. Tikka for out of the box accuracy". I would buy another in a heart beat and I REALLY like the large palm swell of the Police stock. It turns your trigger finger perfectly 90deg. to the trigger face. I'd definately get the Police again. I shoot @ 1" circles @100yds and it's surprising if one gets outside the circle. I've loaded 2 different bullets for it and it honest to goodness shoots all 3 under 1/2" CONSISTENTLY. Either I just got a really good one or they do a little something extra for the Police models. I own other heavy barrel Remmy's that don't shoot as good as the Police.

 

[ScottG1911]

New Direction

I have now decided that I will build my own rifle. I am going with a 700 short action. For a barrel I have not decided quite yet, Though McGowen is looking pretty good right now. Gonna throw a Timiny trigger in it. And probably the Bell $ Carlson Medalist stock. if yall have any suggestion on any other barrels, stocks, ect. let me know

Thanks,
Scott

 

[mlw332]

i would suggest you get the sps tactical for the 1-9 twist. i had the varmit for a few months very accurate out of the box but the 1-12 twist turned me off of it.

 

[skinewmexico]

I have now decided that I will build my own rifle.

Go with a Savage, you can do that all yourself, in the garage, in an hour. A guy on the Savageshooters site stocks pre-fit McGowens too. And actions.

 

[Tarvis]

you can do that all yourself

Not as well as Lilja can. Lilja got into barrel making because he didn't think anyone could make a match barrel the way it's supposed to be made, so I hear. As far as the stock, get what you like. I recommend not compromising for cost, save up and get what you want so you are happy with what you have.

Honestly, without knowing what kind of shooting you do or what your skill level is at or how many rifles you already have to shoot, I would have to say you'd almost be better off getting the SPS with really good glass (read Nightforce), then changing the stock as money comes, then the trigger and finally the barrel after you get some use out of it. You will save a couple hundred bucks if you just buy the action (should sell for around $400 or less) but if you buy the SPS, you'll have a rifle you can shoot and some time to save for a custom barrel and action truing. It's up to you, but that's what I'd do .

 

[ScottG1911]

I'll be honest, I really do not like savage. thats why I'm selling mine. I'm more of a remington action guy. Found me a Remington 700VS today in 220. action looks perfect, has a trigger(not sure what make) set at a couple ounces and of course the HS stock. cost for me is $500 but I just have to talk them into selling it that sure would kill 10 birds with one stone. all I'd have to do is Re-barrel. So can anybody tell me how much a Leija barrel would cost? I'd want chrom-moly chambered, threaded, and cut to length.

Thanks,
Scott

 

[Strongbad]

The 220 will require additional work to the bolt face if you're going to switch it to .223.

As for the price on the barrels, I just checked Riflebarrels.com which is Lilja's website, and I believe you're going to be looking at $295 for a chromoly barrel. Then you're going to be paying a gunsmith to fit it, and finish it (it'll have to be blued, as they come "in the white" from Lilja". Lilja does not do any of the gunsmithing/installation. They just ship you the barrel you want in whatever contour and caliber you ask for then a Gunsmith does the rest. The Gunsmith work is going to be a minimum of $200 and that's really a low ball. Considering it'll have to be blued, and the bolt face work, you're probably looking at more like $400+, but I'm just shooting from the hip here.

Within your budget, I'd either go with something that is pre-packaged, or hold out a little more cash and go full out custom.

For just a shade more (about $250) than what you'll be paying for the 220, you cut get a custom Stiller action which will be accurized from the factory, and is going to be one of the best that your money can buy. Then add to that a barrel, fitting etc. The Stiller isn't going to come with a stock and trigger, but it's a Remington 700 pattern action, so the options are plentiful. Obviously this is going to up your price about $500 or so, but when it's done you'll pretty much have a competition grade rig. Just a thought.

Otherwise, I stand by my previous statement. Go with something that is already built to your specs. Unless you're starting out with at $100 surplus gun, going the custom route is rarely going to come out cheaper.

 

[bukijin]

I just picked up a 700 P in 308 last month and it's the best shooting rifle I've ever owned.

Horsemany do you mean the 26 inch barrel ? I have a similar question. I'm thinking about which rifle to buy out of the 700P vs 700LTR vs 700SPS tactical (in .308).

 

[Horsemany]

Yes it's the 26" Police. I've read good things about the LTR too though. I also would look at the special run Remington is doing called the 5R Special. It's a 24" stainless 308 with the 5R rifling that the 40x target rifle and M24 Sniper rifle use. It's said to be one of the best barrels available. They sell for $950-$1050. A real bargain considering a 40X is now over $2000.

 

[Tarvis]

you cut get a custom Stiller action which will be accurized from the factory

You can't square the bolt face to the chamber if the action isn't barreled. They may lap the lugs, but that isn't the end of the accurizing process.

If I was going to have a custom rifle made for myself, I'd buy a 700 action, get a Lilja barrel installed and have the action trued, lugs lapped, bolt faced squared, and all the other stuff they do. I'm not very familiar (yet) with the process but a good gunsmith will be. Next is a stock, base(s), rings and a high dollar scope. No point making an expensive custom rifle if you can't see what you're shooting at.

If I was going the upgrade route, it'd be the SPS.

If I was going the factory route, I'd put my money in the Police, or the 5R that Horsemany mentioned. The 5R rifling has round edges instead of square, so it fouls less and something else. It's high speed low drag .

 

[skinewmexico]

Pretty big step from a 700SPS to a full blown custom with a Lilja barrel.

 

[Tarvis]

How so? We aren't talking a $3000 rifle, maybe $1300 with a nice stock, all of which can be spread out over time. If you're talking price wise, yes you are going to spend twice what you would on a factory gun. At the same time, if the price tag isn't beyond your reach and you want a gun that no one else has, it's not like it's beyond fathomable.

The real question is do you need it?

 

[skinewmexico]

I would have figured truing the action and all would be about $500, and about $6-700 to get a Lilja put on.

 

[Tarvis]

Hmmm, I couldn't tell you on the actual cost so I may be full of it. I haven't had a rifle built yet so maybe you're right. The barrels are something like $400 so you're probably right on that. As far as the action goes, I would have thought it was less than that but if you've had one done before you'd know better than me.

 

[Horsemany]

Many barrel mfg.'s will offer the accurizing with the price of barrel installation. For instance it's not uncommon for the barrel to be $300 and for another $300 to $400 they will square the action and bolt face, lap the lugs and install the barrel. There are other things that are generally included in an accurizing job that I'm not remembering right now. Of course some things are not standard accurizing jobs like sleeving the action and bolt. I know most barrel makers will offer this service though as a combo since they have your action right there already.

 

[bogie]

You can't square the bolt face to the chamber if the action isn't barreled. They may lap the lugs, but that isn't the end of the accurizing process.

Wrong - Jerry's actions are straight, square and true out of the box. You don't -need- to do things like squaring the boltface or lapping the lugs...

Give him a call. Tell him Bogie sent you. He can also put a good select match barrel on for you.

I'd suggest going with a .308 boltface. Order two barrels (and he'll tell you where to acquire a barrel wrench - changing them is EASY after they're set up) - One in something like a .22-250 or .22BR and one in something 6/284 or 6.5/284.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

Depends on what is important to you and what your goals and accuracy expectations are.


1. The SPS and the Police line have the same action, same barrel.

2. The police have a better finish (the LTR has fluting).

3. I believe all new SPS and Police models are equipped with the X-Mark Pro trigger. This trigger IS better than the old trigger, BUT it is not adjustable. So you get a better trigger, but if it is not good enough for you, you can't adjust it like the old trigger.

4. The main difference above all other factors is the stock. The Police models come with kevlar/fiberglass HS precision stocks with full length aluminum bedding blocks as well as being fully free floated barrel.

This is what may or may not be of importance to you. The SPS will shoot very well as is. The HS stocks take the 700 which is a good shooter and it makes them a great shooter. Takes the groups that are 0.75-1.0" down to 0.5-0.75" ..that's quite an improvement just because of a stock. This has been shown time and time again. Virtually everyone who upgrades from the SPS stock sees this increase in accuracy. Now, it all comes down to perspective. You might think to yourself "who cares" a near-moa to moa rifle is good enough. Practically speaking, it is very good. Other people may demand consistent sub-moa performance and not view around 1" groups as good enough.

Beyond accuracy improvement due to the stock, there are other factors. The HS stock has a wider forearm, an extra sling stud for bipod, a wider grip ..it is more rigid. It's a better "sniping" or precision shooting stock from a fixed position. The SPS stock is more handy for field shooting (that's my opinion).


I saw no value in the finish or fluting. What I did was buy an SPS, then replaced the trigger and bought a used HS stock from the police models. I came in less money than buying the Police outright, have a superior trigger (aftermarket, not X-mark or old remmy) same barrel and action, and a good stock. Best of all worlds, a little less money. They can keep the fluting. Rifle is a TACK DRIVER.

 

[Geno]

I bought the SPS Varmint in .223 Rem and am grouping 0.18" at 100 yards. IIRC, I paid $515.00, and got a $30.00 Remington rebate. I am considering the .308 Win now. If I do buy one, it will be the SPS varmint.

Doc2005

 

[skinewmexico]

Hmmm, I couldn't tell you on the actual cost so I may be full of it. I haven't had a rifle built yet so maybe you're right. The barrels are something like $400 so you're probably right on that. As far as the action goes, I would have thought it was less than that but if you've had one done before you'd know better than me.

You've got me, I'm not a Remington guy. I just buy those modular things, that I can do myself.

 

[Tarvis]

X-Mark Pro trigger. This trigger IS better than the old trigger, BUT it is not adjustable.

What is better about it? From the look of the face of the trigger I don't really like it. From what I've heard they aren't very good, and I adjusted the old remmy trigger to 1lb 4 oz or so. It isn't a super match trigger but it's far from factory after the sear engagement is adjusted. I think it's a little bit better than the savage match accutrigger, which won't set properly (mine, anyway) when it's adjusted all the way down.

I saw no value in the finish or fluting. What I did was buy an SPS, then replaced the trigger and bought a used HS stock from the police models. I came in less money than buying the Police outright, have a superior trigger (aftermarket, not X-mark or old remmy) same barrel and action, and a good stock. Best of all worlds, a little less money. They can keep the fluting. Rifle is a TACK DRIVER.

+1, that sounds like a good way to go to me. Where did you get your used stock from?