Remington LTR vs. XCR Compact Tactical vs. SPS Tactical

[Benelli Shooter]

I want to buy a 20" heavy barreled .223 rifle for coyote shooting and paper punching. I want to buy the gun and shoot it as is without doing upgrades to the stock and trigger.

How would you rate the three above guns and which would you pick?

1. I am concerned about the Hogue stock and the x-mark trigger on the SPS Tactical. How do you like these the trigger and stock?

2. Which is a better gun if I was to go the high end route - XCR compact or LTR?

 

[YodaVader]

I have the LTR and it has been my favorite of all the .223 bolt actions I have owned. I did upgrade the trigger to a Jewell.

I am concerned about the Hogue stock and the x-mark trigger on the SPS Tactical.

I also have a 26" SPS Varmint that came with the X-Mark trigger and actually found it to be quite good for an out of the box 700. Better than any of the 700s I owned with the old style trigger. Although many fans of the old 700 trigger still hate it.

Though I will admit that the X-Mark trigger was replaced even before the first range session. Still , I believe it was very "shootable" for many just the way it was. But when one is used to shooting a benchrest Jewell no factory trigger really compares.

With the price of current LTRs and XCRs if I was without a short barrel .223 today I would probably just buy the SPS and upgrade the stock later. I know you want to buy the setup without any upgrades.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

I also have an LTR, my trigger, I upgraded to a Rifle Basix varmint trigger. It breaks about 12 oz. I also upgraded the LTR stock to an HS Precision, black with green webbing that is typical to the MilSpec 5R 700.

As long as I do my part the rifle does it's part.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

No matter what, you're going to have to pay for a better trigger. The only question is, buy it yourself or pay Remington to upgrade it. That's basically what you'd be doing buying the XCR.

There was a nearly identical thread comparing these 3 rifles here on THR within the last month or two at most. I posted in it. Good info there.

As far as accuracy goes, they're all equal (referring to barrel/action). Trigger? The SPS and LTR are equal, the XCR has a better trigger - but I doubt it is better than buying an aftermarket. Like Dryhumor, I have the Riflebasix varmint trigger and it is excellent.

Stock, the SPS has a Hogue, the LTR an HS Precision, the XCR either an HS or a B&C I can't remember. Basically, the LTR and the XCR have "real" stocks. Rigid stocks that free-float without issues and that have aluminum full length bedding blocks. This improves accuracy. So the LTR and XCR will beat out the SPS simply because of their superior stocks.

Finish - the LTR and XCR have a quality finish. The SPS has an inferior finish. It won't rust, but it isn't as durable nor as forgiving of lesser care. You definitely want to keep the SPS oiled.

I own the SPS. I upgraded the stock to the HS Precision (used) from a PSS and bought the Riflebasix trigger. Came in cheaper than the LTR, which is cheaper than the XCR. Have just as good of a stock, and a better trigger. Barrel and action are all the same. Only thing I do not have is a higher quality finish.

Rifle shoots 1/2moa.


SPS is the best choice for a budget. You'll save at least $100 that can go to a quality base and rings. However, you have to do some more buying and swapping. LTR is somewhat middle of the road. You get a good stock, and a good finish - but the trigger is not the greatest. The XCR is pretty much a one-stop-shop. You get a good finish, good stock and an adjustable trigger that should be good enough. Of course, it costs the most. But you avoid having to buy after market parts and doing anything extra.

I like to tinker, so the SPS didn't bother me one bit, I got the same results for a little less money. People who want the total package without any fuss should just pay the higher price for the XCR.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

Yep, I agree with the tinker part.

I was patient and built what I've got over several months. Of course, having all sorts of bits and pcs helps a little. I seem to hang onto all sorts of stuff.

You never know when ya might need it.

If I could just stand to part with all the extra stuff, I could probably buy another rifle...

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I have an SPS Tactical in 308... I adjusted the X mark trigger to 28 ounces (breaks like a glass rod) and "worked on" the cheap Hogue stock to keep it from making contact with the barrel on the fore end when using a bipod (took about 5 minutes and a pocket knife).

$569 for a sub .5 MOA rifle. (It did have a problem that Remington is working on as we speak...but accuracy was not the problem and the X mark trigger is better than the old one IMO, dig the fore end of the Hogue stock out some so the barrel don't make contact and you've got a decent stock)