Range Report New Remington SPS Varmint

[jpistolero02]

So I finally received my handload supplies and had the opportunity to work up a few different loads after doing a little research on this site. Since my goal is to get out to 1000 yards, I decided on the 175 MatchKing for my first load. I already had a bunch of Varget for my .223 so I figured what the heck. Last week I fired about 40 rounds of some cheap store bought Winchester ammo and came away very nervous about the future performance of this rifle. Granted, I was just trying to break in the barrel, but I could only manage to keep things in the 1-2 inch range. Luckily, I was a in a little better mood today after firing a few handloads. All shots were fired at 100 yards using a bench, bipod and rear sandbag.

The first picture is my two fouling shots followed by my first 3 shot group with 43 grains of powder. I had to walk down to the target because I couldn't believe my eyes.

This next picture is my first 5 shot group using 43.5 grains of powder. As I stepped up the powder my groups really started to open up. By the time I got to 44.5 grains of powder the groups were hovering around an inch or slightly larger.

So far the only thing I have done to the rifle is swap out the crappy stock with a McMillan A-5. I have a cheap Simmons Whitetail Classic scope until I can decide on what to get for a better scope. Overall, I am very happy with the rifle and can't wait to see how it performs once I trick it out a little more. Thanks to everyone out there that makes this such a great site. I would have certainly been spinning my wheels without all the knowledge others have provided.

 

[stater61]

Re: New Remington SPS Varmint

I have the same rifle with an HS Precision and timney trigger, Night Force scope. I got a group at 1010 yds. that is extremely good. After much load development I settled on 44.6 gr. varget with 175 SMK. I was working up to that load anyway but read on the reload subsection section that that load shoots very well in 26" barrels. I tried it, and am now a firm believer. It may or may not work in yours but I think you ought to give it a try anyway. Not that there's anything wrong with the load you have now unless you want more velocity for longer distances.

Good luck and good shooting on your target that you posted.
JH

 

[jpistolero02]

Re: New Remington SPS Varmint

Thanks for the info. I will give it a try. My test loads topped out at 44 grains so I might need to revisit the upper end of the scale. It could have just been me, but the accuracy seemed to suffer as I got into more powder.

 

[Queequeg]

Re: New Remington SPS Varmint

I run 45 grains of Varget under that pill and find it to be most accurate. Also great for the 178 AMAX and 175 Nosler CC! No adverse pressure signs either.

 

[Kells81]

Re: New Remington SPS Varmint

I am running 43.5 with Black hills match brass under a 168SMK. Works great. I did the same load on some nosler brass and got some pressure signs, but with Fed, R-P, and BHA its very accurate and no pressure.

I was running the 43/175 combo but I was running low on 175's and had tons of 168's. Glad I switched it shoots much better.

Rem 700 308 stock rifle in an McM A-5

 

[Goose375]

Re: New Remington SPS Varmint

ahh the good ole grandfathered 3 shot groups.... i miss them

 

[desertHK]

Re: New Remington SPS Varmint

You can play a little bit more with the OAL also to see if you can get an improvement on the existing grouping, even though that's a very decent one.

 

[kickinneon]

Re: New Remington SPS Varmint

tag for later