Want to make my Rem 700 more accurate, where to start?

[streetstang67]

Over the summer I bought a new .30-06 Remington Model 700 SPS DM (synthetic, detachable mag). Its a huge step up in accuracy from my Rem 7400 semi-auto, thats why i got it. Now I'm looking to get this rifle even more accurate, but I dont know where to start. I dont really want to replace a bunch of major components such as the barrel, instead I'd like to 'tune' it as is, maybe a few small parts if they will help. So far, I know bedding the action and free floating the barrel are in order; also, I'll adjust the trigger down to maybe 3 pounds. What do you suggest?

 

[Skywarp]

Reloading.


Tune the ammo to your gun.


My little cheap savage went from quarterish sizedgroups out of the box. to penny sized in an instant once i found out it loves 150gr SMKs with varget in federal cases.

 

[Il Duca]

I think the trigger will make a vast improvement depending on how bad the factory setting is. It made a world of difference with my Winchester.

 

[Karbon]

Start with the trigger and floating the barrel.

 

[orangelo]

Do a search on google for

'remington 700 trigger adjustment'

A ton of do-it-yourself guides will pop up.

 

[vmfrantz]

I agree go with a after market trigger. Maybe a timney.

 

[DnPRK]

The forend of the SPS stock is flexible and will goof up your groups by touching the barrel - free float it. Or replace it with a non-injection molded synthetic or laminated stock.

Google "Remington 700 trigger adjustment" and do it yourself.

A decent reloading setup will cost $2-300, but good ammo makes a world of difference in group size. If you cannot afford to reload, then look for a good deal on Black Hills Match or Federal Match ammo.

 

[Koobuh]

Really, you're on the right track. The only things I'd really suggest are looking into an aftermarket trigger or trigger job, and having your bolt lugs and lug recesses squared-up and polished.
That and rolling your own ammo, if you have the capability; better ammo can yield the largest improvement overall.

If you want to improve from there, however, you're talking new barrel, different stock, match trigger... all of those dollars become fraction of an inch tighter groups downrange.

 

[Legionnaire]

Start by adjusting the trigger. The Remington 700 has a great factory trigger that comes set too heavy from the factory. Get it down to 3# or so.

Float the barrel, or else replace it with an HS Precision. Floating it would be cheaper. Make sure the stock screws are tight. Not sure what they are supposed to be on the SPS, but 65 INCH (not FOOT)-pounds is normal for 700s that come with HS Precision stocks IIRC.

Correctly mount quality glass.

If you don't reload, shoot lots of different ammo until you find the best performing brand/bullet weight/style.

Should be able to do all this at reasonable cost.

 

[WYO]

Before you start fixing anything, you should figure out what, if anything, the problem is. 700's don't usually need a lot of tweaking. What kinds of groups are you getting with what kinds of ammo?

 

[rangerruck]

after brokin in, do a molyfusion treatment on your bbl/receiver/bore.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

A decent reloading setup will cost $2-300, but good ammo makes a world of difference in group size. If you cannot afford to reload, then look for a good deal on Black Hills Match or Federal Match ammo.

Lee makes a rifle reloader for $37

 

[atblis]

Somebody beat me to it

You don't have to spend $300 to get into reloading
The Lee stuff works.
Some Neck sizing dies
A pair of calipers

Much better than buying factory ammo.

 

[jlmurphy]

Bed the action first, once the action is set, relieve the barrel channel of any contact, lighten the trigger. All these steps are cheap, then try different brands of ammo and see what it likes. Fire lapping the barrel might help, depending on the condition of the bore. Next shoot a lot, good technique goes a long way.

 

[Dave R]

The FIRST thing to do is try some different ammo. With factory ammo, my Rem 700 shot 180gr bullets much better than 150gr. bullets. YMMV.

Once I started handloading, I found a 150gr. load it likes.

 

[CZ223]

sell it...

then take the money and buy a Savage. sorryhe made me say it.

 

[ALS]

One Bed the Action.
Use quality ammunition or learn to reload using quality components.
If reloading tune the ammo to get the best groups.
Make sure you use a one piece scope base.
Use a quality scope.
Think about getting a Badger Ordnance Steel Trigger Guard down the road.
It tightens up the gun a lot and helps with the consistency of your groups.

 

[Bwana John]

#1. Glassbed the action
#2. Freefloat the barrel
#3. Adjust the factroy trigger, no need to replace.
#4. Buy GOOD glass... spend at least $400. Mount it correctly with high quality mounts.
#5. Reload with percision in mind, you kind of got to be anal and have a close easy place to test loads, keep good records... it's not going to be cheap.
#6. Recrown muzzle.
#7 "Blueprint" action.

AND Finally.......

Get out and shoot often. Practice position shooting at distance for score.

Take advantage of the inexpensive LC surplus M-2 ammo from the CMP or J&G Sales ~$220/k.

I would advise buying AT LEAST 5k. This is the last of the outstanding quality surplus 30-06 ammo.