Which Remington 700?

[bob barker]

I want to add a bolt action to the collection. I want one chambered in .308 and have read that the 700 action is the way to go. The only problem is they make a ton of models of the 700!:banghead:

I want to be able to shoot paper or varmint at 500-600 yds. I dont mind swapping out the stock, and spending a little extra. Should I go cheap and just get the 700 SPS Varmint, with the 26" heavy barrel, and change the stock? Are the actions and triggers the same between all the models?

I figured by saving money here I could put a really nice piece of glass on it.
Thanks!

 

[Geno]

Go direct to the M700 Police in .308 Win. This rifle is 100% parkerized...even the chamber and bore. Mine is extremely accurate. Simply buy the base, rings and scope and you're set.

Geno

 

[CmdrSlander]

Buy a Savage, just as accurate, generally cheaper, easier to modify and with a large and growing selection of aftermarket parts.

For paper/varmint at that range I'd recommend the Savage Long Range Hunter, about the same price but comes with an adjustable comb, better trigger and muzzle brake.

 

[kennedy]

I like my 700 VLS in .308(laminated stock, 26 in bull barrel)

 

[bob barker]

I like my 700 VLS in .308(laminated stock, 26 in bull barrel)

Are all the VLSs bull barrel?

 

[Geno]

bob:

Remington's "V" model M700s (V meaning Varmint), have heavy barrels, usually 26". Older model varmint M700s had a 24" barrel. The Tactical models also have a heavy barrel, but measure only 20". One other factor to consider is that the Remington "V" models will almost certainly have a 1-12 rate of twist in the barrel. That twist will stabilize up to 178 grain projectiles without too much difficulty (mine do anyhow). That twist also will serve you well with 130 grain projectiles, perfect for 300 yard varmint shots.

I would never again purchase an "SPS" model of the M700. The finish is basically painted on to look like a parkerised finish. When I removed the base form my SPS in .223 Rem, the finish also removed from the steel. No, SPS had a bad taste in my mouth.

Geno

 

[bob barker]

bob:

Remington's "V" model M700s (V meaning Varmint), have heavy barrels, usually 26". Older model varmint M700s had a 24" barrel. The Tactical models also have a heavy barrel, but measure only 20". One other factor to consider is that the Remington "V" models will almost certainly have a 1-12 rate of twist in the barrel. That twist will stabilize up to 178 grain projectiles without too much difficulty (mine do anyhow). That twist also will serve you well with 130 grain projectiles, perfect for 300 yard varmint shots.

I would never again purchase an "SPS" model of the M700. The finish is basically painted on to look like a parkerised finish. When I removed the base form my SPS in .223 Rem, the finish also removed from the steel. No, SPS had a bad taste in my mouth.

Geno

Thanks Geno, I really like the look of the VLS. WIll also save me money from buying the cheaply finished action, and putting on a nice stock. Sounds like the route I am going to go.
Thanks

 

[Winston Wolf]

I would look at an 700 LTR. The balance is better, and the HS Precision stock is nice for a factory gun. The trigger adjusts down to about 3 lbs, and it doesn't have that stupid L-locking safety (since it's a police model) Mine shoots .6 moa 5 shot groups with handloads and .5 moa 3 shot groups with Fedaral Match ammo. That is in 100% box stock condition, no bedding or modifications of any kind.

 

[jogar80]

Go direct to the M700 Police in .308 Win. This rifle is 100% parkerized...even the chamber and bore. Mine is extremely accurate. Simply buy the base, rings and scope and you're set.

Geno

Agree. Mine is ridiculously accurate, I love it. Get one, you won't regret it.

 

[lyrikz]

I want to add a bolt action to the collection. I want one chambered in .308 and have read that the 700 action is the way to go. The only problem is they make a ton of models of the 700!:banghead:

I want to be able to shoot paper or varmint at 500-600 yds. I dont mind swapping out the stock, and spending a little extra. Should I go cheap and just get the 700 SPS Varmint, with the 26" heavy barrel, and change the stock? Are the actions and triggers the same between all the models?

I figured by saving money here I could put a really nice piece of glass on it.
Thanks!

Bob, some quick advice. I was in the market for a brand new 30-06 in the remington 700. I tested the remington, tikka, savage, and winchester. Remington felt like junk compared to the other three. I had a tikka in my hand that i was going to purchase when i saw a USED 700 on the rack. It was about 5 or 6 years old in mint condition. It felt like a COMPLETELY different gun.

Before you buy the 700, go hold the winchester/tikka/savage and you will see what im talking about. Im sure the new 700s are still nice guns, they just felt way cheap compared to the other 3.

Good luck.

 

[joed]

I have a hard time believing the finish on the SPS is painted on. My friend has the blue version and we cleaned that rifle with lacquer thinner when he bought it. I can say without doubt nothing but oil rubbed off.

My rifle is a stainless edition of the SPS VS that I purchased for $480 at Cabelas last year. Changed the stock and trigger and still under what a premium rifle would cost.

The SPS is an economy version of the the 700, handicapped by a terrible stock. Other then that it's the same as any other 700.

Out of the box my SPS Stainless VS in .22-250 was good for 1" groups at 100 yards. For a heavy barrel rifle that's not what I call good. After changing the stock for a b&c medalist and adding a Timney trigger groups run 1/2".

 

[Sin City Shootist]

I bought a SPS Varmint 26" in 308 a few months ago. I haven't done anything to it yet with the exception of bedding the scope rail and putting nice glass on it. Its a 1 moa gun. The stock is pretty flimsy but the gun shoots solid.

 

[Geno]

joed:

It might not factually be "painted", but whatever mine was, it peeled the finish all the way to the steel. It could be that mine was an oddball. I would have to call Remington back, to ask the specifics. It is not parkerized, as is the M700 Police, nor is it "blued" as the M700BDL. I do recall the Remington rep telling me that in terms of barreled actions, the sole difference effecting price was the cost to the various finishes, and hand-lapping the Police's barrel. Of course, the quality of stock also effected price. (I'm straying).

Geno

 

[joed]

Geno, after I typed that I was wondering if you were talking about that camo stuff they put on some of the SPS rifles. Then again maybe they've even gotten cheaper in the last year.

Originally I wanted the VSSF II which sold for $1100. Now that is a very nice rifle not needing anything. But I found the SPS stainless for $480. With stock and trigger it was still a cheaper way to go.

 

[Geno]

joed:

I wish Remington had offered the SPS Tactical, or SPS Varmint in stainless when I bought mine. :banghead:

As point of rationality goes (the most gun, for the least money), the Remington rep stated that there shouldn't be a significant difference in accuracy between the SPS Tactical, SPS Varmint and the Police model.

That stated, I have had all three, and wow, that Police model really lays down accurate lead...especially with my handloads, using Vapua projectiles and Lapua brass. I think any of Remington's heavy barreled rifles is going to be a fine rifle.

Geno

 

[minutemen1776]

My SPS Tactical in .308 is the most accurate bolt gun I've ever owned. I used to have a VLS in .308 that was really accurate, too, but not quite as much as the SPS Tactical. The main reason I parted with the VLS was the long barrel length. For the way I shoot, I greatly prefer the 20-inch barrel of the SPS Tactical.

 

[joed]

The only problem I have with the SPS is the stock. I went from 1" to 1/2" groups with the stock change. I like free floated barrels and believe that's the road to accuracy, the SPS stock has a pressure point.

I don't know if Cabelas still sells the stainless SPS. For $480 I got the rifle, and carrying case. Here's a picture of the finished rifle. It will shoot some pretty small groups.

 

[Geno]

joed:

Great looking SPS!! I also purchased B&C stocks for mine, and upgraded to 1.5 pound Timney triggers. For my M700 Police, I upgraded to a B&C fully adjustable tactical stock. That rifle (with scope) now weighs in at 19 pounds.

Geno

 

[bob barker]

Thanks for the input.. I stopped buy Collectors Firearms in Houston today and was WOWED! Their prices are a bit high, but these guys have everything. Over 60 Remington 700s to choose from. I saw a 700 LSS with a black laminate stock that I was really pleased with. I place an order with Midwest Hunters, and cant wait to see it.
I would have bought it locally, but all the had was a LH bolt and in 7mm-08. The guys at Collectors where top notch. They had an assortment of Colt 1911s that was unreal. I am talking about pre WWII guns, that where in 97% shape. They even had a Colt Paterson. Anyone that is a gun junkie like myself, its a must see. The Colt Paterson was $200K btw!

 

[bryank30]

JOED, here's mine in .308, I got mine for about the same price from Cabelas. Put a H&S stock, and wholla its a 700P, I duracoated it in 2011 matte black. Looks good.

 

[Rat Robb]

Go direct to the M700 Police in .308 Win. This rifle is 100% parkerized...even the chamber and bore. Mine is extremely accurate. Simply buy the base, rings and scope and you're set.

Geno

Can not agree with you more. I've had mine for about 3 years now and can hit a nickel at a 100 yds. The trigger just snaps and the bolt glides ride out of the box. I think it gets better every time I shoot it. I have shot out to 600 yds with it and had 10 shots inside a paper plate, danced within inches of a soda can but never hit it.

Wanting to put a Bell and Carlson Medalist Adjustable stock on it but its not like I "need" it but that has never stopped me before, lol.

This is when it had a Leupold Mark IV 4.5-14x40mm, now it has a WOTAC 4-14x50mm


-Robb

 

[Geno]

Rat:

I dropped a 4 ounce Timney into my Police, and topped it with a Nightforce 12-42X56 scope. Every time I go to the farm, I think about long distance being the next best thing to being there for varmints. At 300 yards, on 40X magnification, you can see if it's a flea or a tick what ails a woodchuck. Turn it the rest of the way to 42X, and you can determine the flea or tick's gender.

Geno

 

[carlo1776]

Ah the things you can do with a pillar bedded 30-06.

 

[joed]

JOED, here's mine in .308, I got mine for about the same price from Cabelas. Put a H&S stock, and wholla its a 700P, I duracoated it in 2011 matte black. Looks good.

Nice looking rifle. I was torn between the B&C and HS. I will have to do HS for my other varminter as it is a long action and I want a similar stock.

 

[Bobson]

Buy a Savage, just as accurate, generally cheaper, easier to modify and with a large and growing selection of aftermarket parts.

For paper/varmint at that range I'd recommend the Savage Long Range Hunter, about the same price but comes with an adjustable comb, better trigger and muzzle brake.

+1

I was at the range Thursday, helping my BIL sight in his new .270, and just punching some paper and having fun. A guy in the next lane over had this Savage Long Range Hunter in .308, and was shooting groups of 5 shots into one ragged hole at 200 yards from the prone position. He said the rifle was stock except for the bipod and scope (I forget the model, but it was a Vortex up to 24x).

We were admiring his rifle so much that he let us each take a shot to test it out, and even we both shot perfect bullseye hits at 100 yards with our one try each (and I'm not a great shot, to be perfectly honest). Sitting, with the muzzle-end rested on a carpet-covered block of wood, I was shooting about 3 MOA with my BIL's 270, and he was shooting about 1.5 MOA with it.

I was very impressed with that Savage LRH - moreso than with any rifle I've ever had the pleasure of shooting. The accutrigger specifically was excellent.