Remington 700

Which Version and Caliber should I get? (Pick 2)

  • Varmint (26" HB)

    Votes: 27 42.2%
  • Tactical (20" HB)

    Votes: 27 42.2%
  • .22-250

    Votes: 13 20.3%
  • .308

    Votes: 41 64.1%

  • Total voters
    64
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Rhyno37

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May 29, 2010
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Location
Central Illinois
Alright, now that I've decided on what rifle I want, now I need to pick the style. I'd Either like the SPS Tactical or Varmint. The Tactical has a hogue stock, and a 20" heavy barrel, where as the Varmint has that vented stock, and a 26" heavy barrel. Also I need to choose a caliber. If I got the varmint, I would like .22-250 or .308, and for the tactical it only comes in .223 or .308. If I got a .20 caliber I would varmint hunt of course, but .308 would only be for target. What do yo guys suggest/think?
 
I'm practical to the SPS Tactical myself. 308 is hard to beat, as you can either take it to the range and throw surplus around for a while or fine tune it to your specific rifle with the load of your choice. Additionally, the stock on the Varmint doesn't impress me whereas the Hogue always seems to fit. I'm a bigger guy (6 ft 1 240) and even though you'd think the Tactical would feel tiny it just feels right when I shoulder it. Just my 2 cents worth, good luck!
 
I'm practical to the SPS Tactical myself. 308 is hard to beat, as you can either take it to the range and throw surplus around for a while or fine tune it to your specific rifle with the load of your choice. Additionally, the stock on the Varmint doesn't impress me whereas the Hogue always seems to fit. I'm a bigger guy (6 ft 1 240) and even though you'd think the Tactical would feel tiny it just feels right when I shoulder it. Just my 2 cents worth, good luck!
Thanks! Do you know what the prices are like for .308 factory loaded ammo now? Because I know .30-06 was costing me an arm and a leg here, which is the thing I worry about.
 
Wally World has Federal 150sp power shock for 14.00 plus whatever tax. I think they had 175sp for a buck cheaper. I bought some Radway suplus 147 fmj for about .49 cents per round shipped. Shoots about the same as the 150sp. Haven't tried the 175sp. By the way I shoot a 700 tac off a bi-pod.
 
walmart's got it for around 16.00. But gun shops usually carry the cheaper american eagle and stuff like that. you can also order a crap load of bulk stuff online. good luck doing that with 22-250. For what it's worth I use winchester more often than not but my savage .308 likes everything. get decent glass.
 
Because I'm pretty sure I saw a box of 20 Remington .22-250 for $10.95 at gander mtn the other day, so I didn't know the comparison. Also, how would the barrel lifes compare of the two rounds?
 
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well 22-250 with its 1:14 twist wouldn't let you shoot heavier bullets so you'll be limited to 50 gr or less, but 308 with 1:12 twist will let you select from 130 - 170 gr bullets...
 
At what ranges are you considering shooting?

If you want to shoot out to 900+ yards, then you want .308 and the 26" barrel of the Varmint.
If you don't see yourself shooting more than 700 yards, than the .308 Tactical with the 20" barrel is probably the better pick. I agree with Navyman - I think that the Hogue is a better stock than the plastic one on the SPS.

If you dont plan on target shooting more than 500 or 600 yards, then .223 is a good pick. And you can get lots of cheap ammo for plinking, or really good stuff for the long shots.
Regarding the 22-250, I agree with DIM. A 1:14 barrel really limits your ammo choice and thus your effective range. Even without considering ammo prices, I think that I would take a .223 in a 1:12 tube over a 22-250 in a 1:14 tube.
 
I have the SPS Tactical 20" in .308, and it's plenty accurate for me. I see no reason why you couldn't use it as a varmint gun. You can usually find some deals on .308 ammo online, i've seen it go as low a 9.50/box (sold out now so no link).
 
I have the SPS Varmint in 308.

I would have jumped on the Tactical in a heartbeat if I hadn't wanted something that would reach out to 1000y.

The varmint stock is kind of cheap, and I'm budgeting to replace mine. The Hogue stock did feel pretty nice in hand at the store, but I'm not sure if it offers any additional accuracy (how is the bedding on the hogue stock?)
 
I voted for Varmint in 22-250 and .308. I like both but it really depends what you are going to use it for. .308 would be a bit better as far as barrel life, but if you don't shoot much or shoot comp. then it would not matter. You could also shoot a wide veriety of varmint with the .308 or the 250 and the .308 would give you a little more at extended range. .308 would be a little better as far as ammo avail. (bit more common). Those two rounds are not very similar so they are hard to compare, but I like both; each have their respective uses for me. Good luck.
 
I got SPS Varmint in .223 it shoots bug-holes at 100, 1" at 300 yards, and I just replace its stock with B&C Medalist Tactical A2
bcrem2.jpg


my SPS likes 55 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips and 55 grain Hornady V-Max

bcrem1002.jpg
 
Houge stock is pillar bedded and my barrel appears to be free floating when shooting off a bi-pod. Grip is excellent, what I don't like is that its to flexible. If you shoot of hand with your hand gripping the for stock or off a bi-pod you can twist the but stock enough to actually change the vertical/horizontal lines of the reticle. Maybe does not change POA but still bugs me.
 
I voted for the Varmint in 308. I have the ADL version that I got at Dick's for $419. With Remington 150gr Core Lokts I get .69moa off a rest at 100yds. Still haven't tried it at 250 or 300yds yet.
 
I have a Light Varmint in .223 rem. that I do most of my hunting with. It is as accurate as my friends 700 tactical, but weighs about 2 pounds less, and is easier to carry in the field. I currently have 3 mod. 700s. I like them. I don’t know if the LV is still being made by Remington, so you might have to look at the used market if you are interested in one.
http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/guns/119793/Remington_700_LVSF_rifle_review.html
 
I bought a 700VTR, my son has a 26" Varmet, both in .308. His rifle is more accurate, but mine is lighter. His will hold 1"@200 yards, mine is closer to 2"@200. Still working on a load (165 SST seams promising, givingsub 1"@100 in the VTR; more development necessary). I like the look of the VTR myself. Both rifles have the same Nikon Buckmaster 6X18 mil dot scopes. More work necessary, as we have only been working on the .308's since last fall.
 
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i had basically the same choice and went with the SPS Varmint in .308. i tossed the stock and put it in a Choate Ultimate Varmint stock. i'm getting similar results to DIM. 1/3 MOA is pretty easy to maintain with match ammo. mine happens to like 155 grain Honaday A-Max's. best group was 7 rounds into 1 1/8" at 300 yards. i don't regret my decision one bit. shoots as good as high dollar guns for 1/3 the price.

Bobby
 
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