On 308 Remington Tactical, a work in progress

[Niles Coyote]

Since the 308 tactical seems to be popular I decided to journal the path I have taken with mine for future reference when posters ask about a 308 Remington Tactical

I will skip the pic what it looks like new as I sure you have seen them.

First upgrade was the stock, switched to a HS precision PSS style, and dropped in a rifle basix trigger.

That was ok but I was never fond of the feel of the stock. So I moved on to a McMillan A-5

That was nice but wanted something a little lighter so I tried a Manners T-4

Then I decided I wanted to use that stock for something else so I looked for a good replacement and fell head over heels for the B&C light tactical. Decided to bed it first.

Spreading a little devcon love.

Roughing it up

A little shoe polish, clay and tape

A smear here and there

Press, press, fling… whops no fling just press

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: On 308 Remington Tactical, a work in progress

Dang, what did the daughter do with my electrical tape???

A little clean up

The finished creation now with a timney and a little stock love from Triad, sitting in the sun, working on a tan

And a little shade

This has been a quick review over three-four years’ time. Along the way I found I didn’t need the extra OAL a badger M-5 offered to shoot well. 2.825 OAL seems to work with just about every SMK be it 168, 175 or 180 and even the 168 a-max. The berger 168 VLD like to be seated a little deeper at 2.815 and Varget seems to be the preferred powder. I tried IMR 8208 but never fell in love with it until I shot a few 155’s but the speed at which I could send those did not warrant further use.

My best loads to date have been:
175 smk seated 2.825", varget 44.5g, Winchester brass and primer. 2546fps ES=14

168 A-Max seated 2.825, varget 45.8g, Winchester brass and primer. 2624fps ES=15

168 berger vld seated 2.815, varget 45.8, Lapua brass and Winchester primer. 2645fps

180smk seated at 2.825, varget 44.4g, Winchester brass and primer. 2530fps

The 155’s I have tried without pushing into the unknown were good for ~2740ish. I have used bullets as heavy and long as the 190 Berger VLD and the 12 twist has been fine down to 30 degrees at 740ASL. Accuracy was awesome at 300y where I did my testing but I wanted something a little faster and moved back to the 168-175 weight range.

Now while the velocity I get from this barreled action isn’t something that will turn heads, the accuracy is. If I told you it is now a consistent .5-.6 MOA shooter would you believe me? How about if I said that was the norm with occasional groups in the .3’s? It is. One of these days I will do a 5 groups of 5 shots just to prove it but until then you will just have to take my word for it. But this is what I pulled off this week at 900y and 1000y. One thing to note, I am a terrible wind reader, but I had almost perfect conditions this day. The wind was 10-14mph but coming straight down range at me.

900y

Had a little gust at 600 (1/4 value)on this one which took one 168 A-Max for a little ride by the time it reached 1000y

That’s it for now, but I am sure there will be more

 

[S_Lunsford]

Re: On 308 Remington Tactical, a work in progress

Nice rifle and nice bedding job. Does is have the factory barrel on it?

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: On 308 Remington Tactical, a work in progress

Yes the barrel, recoil lug, action, and bolt are all factory. I have replaced the stock, trigger, and firing pin assembly.

The firing pin on this did not need to be replaced but I bought it to convert another Remington that had a J-lock on it and the replacement assembly and that particular action didn't like each other. It was just a little too tight so the pin assembly that came with my tactical went to that rifle and the tactical got the new pin assembly. Which for whatever reason fit flawlessly in the tactical.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: On 308 Remington Tactical, a work in progress

Oh, and almost forgot, the 168 berger VLD load above in this rifle brought me this critter home last fall. One shot from about 175-185 yards. More on that and the berger bullet can be found here:

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...shing/101387-montana-2011-mule-deer-trip.html

 

[shooterman_zero17]

Re: On 308 Remington Tactical, a work in progress

I feel like my 700 Tactical had some serious potential sofar as being a rather accurate all-factory barrelled action. (I however only used factory loads.) The member on here I traded it to said it was one of the more accurate factory guns he had shot. Part of me wishes I had held onto it as my .22 trainer came along, and I probably would have found the elusive consistent at-or-sub Minute rifle that I would've been content with. Nice writeup and nice rifle. Makes me miss mine. Or want another.

 

[Furtaker_.223]

Re: On 308 Remington Tactical, a work in progress

Looks like a job well done. And also looks like it is a shooter.

 

[jagged77]

Re: On 308 Remington Tactical, a work in progress

Good write up Niles, I like what you've done with the stock rifle and clearly its a shooter!

I've got an SPS tact in .308 too (as well as a .223) and almost gone down a similar route, however mine wears an AICS, rifle basix trigger and has been screw cut for a mod. Like yours, velocities aren't ground breaking but accuracy is right up there. These things just shoot!

 

[whitebearsniper]

Re: On 308 Remington Tactical, a work in progress

Niles thank you for this post!!!! I have a LTR at the Smiths getting pimped like yours and he said he will be finished this weekend. Man, I can hardly wait to see what it can do!!!! I am so pumped!!!! THANK YOU! Whitebear

 

[leadbullet]

Re: On 308 Remington Tactical, a work in progress

I love work in progress, having project is an addiction. Seems that other than changing stock the scope progressed as well.
great work and awesome shooting.

 

[Mike0341]

Re: On 308 Remington Tactical, a work in progress

thats one hell of a project. i don't have the balls to do a bedding job myself lol. one of these days ill have the courage enough to hope it works out

.

 

[Ken1911]

Re: On 308 Remington Tactical, a work in progress

is it necessary to bed a b&c stock? great job btw!

 

[SRSDriver]

Re: On 308 Remington Tactical, a work in progress

Looks great! Total weight?

 

[reximus]

Re: On 308 Remington Tactical, a work in progress

I've lucked out and wound up buying my first long range rifle that wa already tricked out!

Having missed the process of tac-ing out the rifle myself, it's nice to see some of the work that goes into it!

Thanks!

 

[Jrogers05]

Re: On 308 Remington Tactical, a work in progress

you ever want to get rid of the mcm A5 let me know. I am in love with that stock.

 

[Niles Coyote]

is it necessary to bed a b&c stock? great job btw!

No but it doesn’t hurt anything either and every stock Ive bedded with an aluminum block has shown a improvement in consistency.

Looks great! Total weight?

As configured with the B&C and DNZ mount but minus the optic right around 9.2 pounds. I had an Mk4 on it for awhile and that weighted in around 10.5 and with a NF just over 11

I am in love with that stock.

I love the A5 stock but hated the adjustable cheek saddle and sniper fill for my purpose here.

Not a bad little rifle. I have right around a grand in it with the B&C stock , Timney trigger, and DNZ 20moa mount.

 

[mydogsmonkey]

great looking rifle and great shooting! can't wait to get my rifles built up to shoot. very inspirational

 

[Niles Coyote]

Some up dated pics after installing some flush cups and a PT&G DBM that uses AI AE mags.

On the DBM I only needed to file a little off the front of the mag inlet and it dropped in snug. I did need a longer mag latch to keep the bolt from riding over the cartridge and I found I needed to slightly enlarge the notch in the front of the mag for it to feed 100%.

Links to colorfully DBM discussion and install tips here.

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...ent/210138-ptg-bolt-bdl-dbm-remington-sa.html

Installing flush cups

Drilled and tapped

Installed and cured

Overall view

Flush cup DIY link
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/snipers-hide-d-i-y/181354-diy-flush-cup-install.html