Seeking thoughts on a Remington 700 in .223

[GetmeoutaCT]

Hello all -

New member here.

i spent the first three months of 2013 buying way too many AR rifles and high capacity pistols, for obvious reasons (I live in CT). Now that the guvner and his legislature have seen fit to put a stop to that particular pursuit, I'm now ready to broaden my horizons.

My local boomstick purveyor has a Remington 700 in .223 that has intrigued me. It is relatively short; about the length of an M4 carbine, with a fluted bull barrel and synthetic stock. It is capped with a Leupold glass. Price is about $1600.

I've always fancied a 700 series tactical-style rifle for the too-few opportunities to do longer-range target shooting in these parts. I'd always assumed the inevitable purchase would be in .308; however, this rifle has charmed me. Again, given that the only thing I will probably shoot with it is targets, .223 starts to make a lot of sense. Plus, it is a relatively compact package

What are folks' thoughts as to price, desirability, and finally; practical range versus .308? Thank you in advance.

 

[Babarsac]

What type of Leupold is on it? A bare bones Rem 700 in .223 will run you a little under $600 from Buds.

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

Not sure. It was one of those instances where you look at the gun quickly and the itch starts after you leave, so I did not take a close look. The scope was fairly large; I'd say about a foot long.

 

[Reloadron]

This really depends on the actual rifle. The $1,600 is a big chunk of change. For example a Remington® Model 700™ SPS™ .223 REM Varmint Rifle typically retails new for around $600 to $700. To really define a fair price the entire model number would be needed. I don't know what would make this a $1,600 flavor? An older Remington 700 VSSF in 223 typically runs in the $1,000 to $1,200 neighborhood. The Leupold scope, if a high end one could drive that price up a little. So it all comes down to exactly what rifle and scope are?

I have an older Remington 700 series rifle in 223. It was originally a Remington 721 I believe years ago and was converted by me from 222 to 223 as a project gun. I love that rifle. I also have a Remington 700 in 308 another old gun.

Ron

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

Yes, I'm going back tomorrow to get more info. Will post numbers, etc; when I have that.

Any thoughts on .223 as a worthwhile long-range target round in these guns generally?

 

[YZ]

Getmeout:

These have much to recommend. Heavy but well balanced off-hand. (If you want a bench shooter, you could spend your money better than this) Very good adjustable trigger. I would warn against a Hogue stock. It tends to look dirty even when it's clean, and worse, once you take it off, it may be hard to screw back on.

On the price: depends on the scope. Just plain 3-9 Leupold - no, too much. The rifle itself today should be roughly $1000 with a threaded muzzle. I am confident because I shopped around a few months ago when it was $1100+. (I ended up getting a competing Browning for less)

 

[TwoEyedJack]

Regarding the .223 as a long range target round, there are lots of people shooting 1000 yard courses of fire with a .223. Make sure the barrel is at least 1:8 to stabilize the heavy bullets like 69-80 gr (most bolt action Remingtons I have seen have a 1:12 or 1:9). The short barrel on the rifle you are looking at is not going to do you any favors for initial velocity. If I were building a rifle to your requirements, I would use at least a 22" barrel.

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

Thanks, YZ - this did not have a threaded barrel; bull barrel with fluting.

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

Thanks, TEJ - Yes, I think this may be an instance where I'm letting good looks override my common sense - dangerous with guns and with women. I may need to step back and reconsider this, especially for that many pesos.

I'll post tomorrow with more info on this gun after I go back to give it a closer look.

 

[justice06rr]

It seems quite pricey for a 223. My roomate had the Rem700 bbl in 308 he just sold last month for $650 with a basic optic; I almost bought but I don't shoot long range. IMHO if you are gonna spend that much money on a bolt rifle you plan to shoot long range, why not go ahead and get the 308. Esp if you already have other 5.56/223 rifles.

 

[rcmodel]

You could get a target or match grade upper and a Geissele trigger for one of your AR-15's and probably shoot as well or better with it.

For less money.

rc

 

[YZ]

He is in CT rc

 

[Chuck R.]

Was the stock green or black?

It really depends upon which model REM 700 you’re talking about. Pictured is my 700 XCR Tactical Compact, which meets your description, which also describes the SPS. The XCR Tactical has the 40X trigger, stainless barrel/action with Black TriNyte finish and goes for about $1200 for the rifle alone.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...+700+XCR+Compact+Tactical+.223+20"+GreenBlack



Chuck

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

It was black.

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

YZ - actually you can still buy additional uppers in CT. Can't assemble a new complete "assault weapon" though; that would be illegal

 

[YZ]

Glad not all is lost in CT. More choices then, won't go wrong either way.

 

[Reloadron]

Regarding the .223 as a long range target round, there are lots of people shooting 1000 yard courses of fire with a .223. Make sure the barrel is at least 1:8 to stabilize the heavy bullets like 69-80 gr (most bolt action Remingtons I have seen have a 1:12 or 1:9). The short barrel on the rifle you are looking at is not going to do you any favors for initial velocity. If I were building a rifle to your requirements, I would use at least a 22" barrel.

Once you know exactly what this rifle is you may want to heed what TwoEyedJack mentions in post #8.

The 20" barrel flavors are usually a 1:9 twist which is suitable for the heavier bullets. However, you mention a fluted barrel and that would lead me to think a Remington 700 VSSF having a 26" barrel and the 1:12 twist. Mine that I mentioned earlier has the 1:12 twist. While it is great with lighter bullets (53 and 55 grain) it sucks for long range accuracy with the heavier bullets like the 80 grain Sierra flavors. If I want accurate long range target I look towards one of my AR rifles with a 1:7 twist.

Thanks, TEJ - Yes, I think this may be an instance where I'm letting good looks override my common sense - dangerous with guns and with women. I may need to step back and reconsider this, especially for that many pesos.

I'll post tomorrow with more info on this gun after I go back to give it a closer look.

Good idea as you don't want to be too quick to squeeze the trigger on a rifle you may not want or won't do what you want it to do. Let the excitement die down and allow common sense to prevail.

Ron

 

[30 dirty 30's]

Plus one on two-eyed jack's comment about the .223 barrel length and twist rate. But really, if you're interested in long range shooting at all, go with the .260 Remington (with a 1-8 twist rate) or 6.5 creedemore also with 1-8 barrel. With the 140gr Amax or similar bullet they make .308 shooters like like they're throwing stones. And they fit in the .308 sized action.

 

[Sav .250]

$1,600 ? Keep looking.

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

Okay, back from the gunshop-

According to the clerk, it is a used Remington 700 .223, LTR model with a 20" fluted barrel.

Scope is a 10x Leupold Mk 4 Long Range Tactical. Bolt is very slick, the face suggests it was never fired, or very few times.

Buds lists this exact rifle new for $999; figure about $1030 with FFL fees.

Does the price still seem too high? Also, anyone know the twist rate for this rifle?

 

[YZ]

I'd ask to come down to $1500 out the door if cash not a problem.

Is the scope 10x fixed you said or more like 4-10x? A variable power scope would serve better.

 

[Reloadron]

Remington 700 .223, LTR

OK, seeing them used in the $800 to $1,000 range.

The scope is far from a cheapie as can be seen here. Depending on the exact model.

The rifle with the 20" barrel should have a 1:9 twist rate so the longer range 69 grain bullets should do fine in it.

If this is what you want I would do as YZ suggest and offer $1,500 out the door.

Ron

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

YZ - It is a variable scope, 4-10x. Thanks.

And thanks, everyone, for the responses. I'll chew on this over the weekend and make a decision Monday.

 

[sixgunner455]

The LTR is a very nice, very accurate rifle. A kind man at the range let my 13yo shoot his - my son's first bolt action centerfire shooting - and later told me he hadn't ever fired the rifle before himself. (!)

Son centerpunched the target repeatedly, and liked the gun. I liked it, too.

Good luck with it, if you decide to get it.

 

[tuj]

I shot one as a bench gun with a 1:11 twist rate. Anything heavier than 50gr shot terrible at 100 yards. Twist rate is crucial for your shooting, I would suggest a 1:8 and using the 75 or 77gr projectiles if your goal is long-range. You will also want a MUCH more powerful scope for that kind of distance shooting, along with a very good spotting scope.