Remington 700 SPS vs SPS Tactical

[andrewshogun]

Can someone outline the exact differences between these two rifles? the Remington site does not have details on the SPS tactical. Aside from the barrel being 20" instead of 24", I was wondering what other differences there are. Any noticeable differences in accuracy?

 

[wade rigsby]

the tactical 700 has a 1:10 twist rate barrel and the varmint has 1:12. the standard SPS has 1:10 twist to accomodate the heavier bullets.

 

[Gordon]

Tactical has a pillar bedded Houge stock.

 

[andrewshogun]

Is one more accurate than the other? I would almost think the non-tactical sps is more accurate, or easier to control at least with the slightly longer barrel. trying to decide which would make the better long range bench shooting rifle.

 

[benzy2]

Neither is an outstanding long range rifle though if I had to pick I would take the tactical. The ability to stabilize the longer bullets would be my worry and I thought 1:12 worked up to 168gr or so. The 175gr I thought was pushing that twist too far. That said it really depends on what you call long distance. You may be shooting at a range where a 168gr pill out of a 26" barrel is staying super sonic and is all you really need weight wise. If that works I would take the Varmint personally but to clarify I won't be lugging the thing through the brush where a shorter barrel would help.

 

[wade rigsby]

I have the SPS varmint and it came with the 1:12 twist. I have loaded 150s and 168s in it and they did not do to good. the only good load with 150s was with norma powder and that is very hard to find around my parts. about 3 inch was the best with 168s. I finally stuck with 130 grn barnes w/46 grn IMR 4895. last trip to the range produced 3/8 inch group @ 100. the 1:10 will give you more of the heavier bullet ranges if that is what you are looking for. which is better for long range shooting. my SPS varmint did not come pillar bedded

Varnint - 26 inch barrel 1:12, flatened forend pillar bedded

. crap stock, replaced mine with a boyds thumbhole, pillar bedded and free floated myself.

 

[dubbleA]

The tactical model is betterer cuz it has the word "tactical" stamped in the barrel......how cool is that!

 

[Bobarino]

the Varmint ones aren't pillar bedded, or any kind of bedded for that matter. the stock is just a piece of plastic. the barreled action is identical to the 700P. best route in my opinion, is to buy the SPS Varmint for the barreled action and replace the stock with something that has some sort of bedding block or pillars and free floats the barrel. i'm going this route with a Choate Ultimate Varmint Stock. it'll be about $850 for the gun and stock, then of course, the sky's the limit for glass and do-dads.

Bobby

 

[rundm]

The tactical has plenty of barrel and speed to take you to a very long range with plenty of stabilzation on many diff bullets. I just cut mine down to 18.5. With lapua 155gr bullets, I got 2750 fps. I am at book max but many people go over. Especially with rem chambers which are generally very long. My cases show no sign of pressure what so ever. The 175 jlks that I was shooting were at book max also and running between 2500 and 2550. This will take you out to a long range. There are many threads out there expousing the virtues of the sps-t. They are very good guns for the price and shoot like much more expensive guns. They just do not have the refinements of higher end guns. The sps-t which I cut to 18.5 is about the handiest gun that I have in the safe. Those speeds above will take you easily to 800 yards and farther if you do your part.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Both the Varmint and the Tactical have 1 in 12" twist...both will shoot 175 grain bullets just fine.

I have an SPS Tactical (and its for sale here on THR)...the 20 inch barrel is quite accurate out to 800 yards, 1000 yards is a bit of a stretch for it but it can be done.

 

[Oldfalguy]

Go tactical weight with a better stock-I have one of the old Rem 700 PSS with a detachable mag that does consistent .5 with several shooters, so its the rifle as it sure ain't me-
Problem is it is really heavy, too much for carry hunting, a bit long for use in blinds with a 26" barrel.
Ergo, think about where you would be hunting first, cause you gotta get there to make the shot- after that 1 moa will work for most hunting out to 400. At 500 the drop almost doubles with a 308 with a 150gr-
I am thinking of shucking my PSS for a lighter 6lb rifle like a Kimber 84 or Winchester Stealth, to heck with 1/2 or 1 moa and 800 shots for me anymore-
too darn hard- hahahahaha

 

[gotime242]

The tactical is slightly more accurate because the barrel is shorter/stiffer. However the varmint has a big longer range due to the longer barrel. The tactical houge stock is suppose to free-float the barrel, but once on a bipod it touches as its not a stiff enough stock. The varmint has a designed pressure point in the stock.

If you shoot up to 600 or maybe even 800 yards or less the tactical is probably a better choice. But shooting out to 1000 yards the Varmints longer barrel will help you get out there.

 

[Oldfalguy]

Ya gotta remember that a longer barrel can only give you a little more velocity, in .308 roughly 50-60 fps/inch, less and less gain longer you go (Federal Ammo rep)
So longer barrel does not mean more accurate just a little less drop way out there and eventually it cost you range, not accuracy.
I have a short barrel Barrett, with a 6.5 x 20 and a BORS unit and it hits everything out to 1000 (done it twice) and will dial into 1500 yds but it loses velocity vs the 9" longer std M82 there is not enough moa left in the scope for any further. I bought the short one for the same reason I am thinking of for a bolt gun, just plain easier to handle and there are not too many ranges down here in central texas to even bother.