To buy or not to buy? Rem 700 LTR

[mwsenoj]

EDIT: LTR LTR LTR Light Tactical RIfle! Doh!


The title says most of it. I went to my nearest gun store and found a Remington 700 LTR chambered in .223. The rifle is part of an estate sale and the sale price is $799. The same rifle is selling new at Budsgunshop.com for $974 The only hesitation I had was that I noticed a small ammount of rust on the crown and on the rifling at the end of the barrel; it wasnt much but I dont know how much something like this can make a difference in a bad way.

What would you do?

 

[kis2]

If it's a small amount of surface rust that could be solved with a little elbow grease, I wouldn't stress about it. I once had surface rust on the crown of my 700p (blued on the end) and with some love and oil (sts), it came right off.

Outside of that, round count matters a lot. But depending on that and the severity of the rust, I'd probably pass since I could get a new one on GB for ( my guess) $900

Good luck!

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

the LTR in .308 is fantastic. I don't really see the purpose behind one in .223.

 

[mwsenoj]

the LTR in .308 is fantastic. I don't really see the purpose behind one in .223.

Why not?

 

[dieselgeek]

Cause you need at least a .308

 

[kis2]

there are plenty of good applications for an LTR in .223! Just depends on what you want to do.

 

[mwsenoj]

OK, I am not looking for advice regarding the rounds I am putting in my rifle. I currently reload for .223 and I have several thousand pieces of brass that I didnt have to buy. I am in the market for a .223

 

[kis2]

^^^^ which is one good reason to go .223.

so how bad was the rust? could the gunshop take a peek with a bore light? Did they mention a round count?

 

[Another_Kelley]

...ask about whether or not a little rust along with a price tag for a rifle seems legit and now you're about to get a lesson in how your choice in caliber is an illogical one. I'm loling with you.

 

[Cypress]

Last 2 new rifles I bought had surface(powder) rust in the bore or crown. Not a big deal if it hasn't pitted anything. Look closely though. Pisses you off when its a brand new rifle but not worth the hassle of shipping back.

 

[Skyshot]

Shouldn't be a problem that some JB bore polish wouldn't take care of. If not you could always cut and recrown. I had a Rem 788 in a 22-250 that had the same rust in the crown and pit about 1/8 of inch in the bore. It shot well under MOA for 20 years and I eventually shot that barrel out.

 

[LTR shooter]

Since 2005 I've owned a 700LTR in .223 and actually traded in a 700P in .308 to aquire it. The .223 LTR is easily the most accurate rifle I have ever owned. Unlike some of the 26" "beasts" the LTR is not overly heavy and is actually the same length as my little Beeman R7 air rifle. The 1 in 9" twist barrel has fired 52 , 55 and 69 grain match bullets with exceptional accuracy.

I don't like the idea of rust in the crown area and rifling. If it is extremely light and comes off easily the rifle may still shoot well. I would give the bore a good look too for more rust or pitting.

 

[TonyAngel]

I'd pass on it for a couple of reasons. First, the price is too close to that of a new rifle. Second, since it's a part of an estate sale, you have no idea how many rounds have been fired through the rifle. The one thing about a .223 is that you can comfortably shoot it A LOT.

As far as the LTR itself goes, I'm not a very big fan. It comes with that light HSP stock (hence the LTR) that you either love or hate. Personally, I found it to be too skinny. I like the stock off of the 700P well enough, though. The only other advantage that it has over the SPS Tactical is the finish. My SPS would rust if I didn't keep the outside oiled well, but I fixed that with a coat of Duracoat. You can get into an SPS Tactical for between $550 and $600.

In any case, rust in the bore could be nothing or it could be a sign of neglect. At the price that they're asking, I wouldn't risk it.