Remington 700 Choices

Braddock54

Private
Minuteman
Dec 19, 2010
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Hey there, new to the forum, somewhat new rifle shooting/hunting in general. Since you all seem so knowledgeable, looking for some insight into the myriad of options of R700's available.

I am looking for something for range shooting (thinking about 300-600 range)and for bigger game as well (moose, caribou). I am in law enforcement as well, and might be throwing this in the trunk as well from time to time.

I am leaning toward a .308 as opposed to 30-06 for a bit less recoil and having the short action. So far I have short listed the following.

SPS Tactical (seems like a good bang for the buck, around 580 Canadian)
SPS DM, or the VTR, all in .308

What are your thoughts on the VTR??? On 20" barrells as opposed to say 22, 24"?

Thanks!
 
Re: Remington 700 Choices

Welcome, I'm gonna bet money that your heading into the "use the search" territory. There are metric shit tons of info backlogged about these questions.
 
Re: Remington 700 Choices

If your NOT wanting to dump a TON of money into a rifle but wanting one that is VERY accurate and HIGHLY accessorizable...

Then go with the REMINGTON 700 Tactical AAC... its the threaded version of the SPS...

It will give you the opportunity to play with and modify it endlessly...

Matt (LEO SOUTH GA.)
 
Re: Remington 700 Choices

Im not sure how well the .308 will handle the moose and other bigger game. Have you thought about 300WM?? But yes the sps tactical is a damn good buy for a beginner to start a build with!
 
Re: Remington 700 Choices

I just sold a Remington 5R in .308. That's what I'd recommend based on the criteria you listed. Google "Remington 5R" or do a search here and you'll find a ton of info. In my area they are hard to find, NIB they seem to go for around $1,100 these days.
 
Re: Remington 700 Choices

I would snag a 700 AAC in a second, HOWEVER, canada's gun laws are not quite as liberal as the US, so anything threaded for a suppressor, can, whatever, is classed as prohibited and would only be available to military/police...

I am thinking that I am better off to pick up the 700 SPS Tactical in .308, and spend the rest on optics....as opposed to dropped another 300 more on the 700 VTR with the A-TAC's camo...I definately dig that stock, but not for that much! Appreciate the help!
 
Re: Remington 700 Choices

My vote is for a 700p or 5R milspec. They both have great stocks from the factory. They are HS Precision stocks on those models with aluminum bedding blocks. The cheaper, flexible stocks on some of the other 700 variants are a limiting factor for accuracy.
 
Re: Remington 700 Choices

Moose and caribou are frequently taken with a 308. Bullet selection and placement are critical. A heavy, controlled expansion bullet is preferred. I use a 180gr Barnes tsx. All you have to do is get through both lungs and it's over.
 
Re: Remington 700 Choices

My vote would be for the LTR or XCR Compact Tactical in .308. They both come with the same 20" fluted barrel. I prefer the metal and finish better on the XCR Compact but besides that the two rifles are very similar. A 20" barrel would come in handy for the trunk of your cruiser and still easily get you out to 300-600 yards.

It sounds like your department firearms policy is lightyears ahead of mine for what you can get away with. But still, a .308 round is a commonly accepted LE cartridge, which I think would up your chances of being able to carry it as a work gun. Not to mention, there are tons of commercially available match grade ammo choices. I've never quite understood how people get around the liability of using personal loads in a duty weapon. Seems like a can of worms that could be avoided by using a commonly accepted duty caliber and commercial round.

Just my .02 for what it's worth.
 
Re: Remington 700 Choices

$0.02:

Id very, very highly recommend the XCR Compact Tactical - the colour and texture of the stock grows on you in a big way. Nice to have an off the shelf rifle different from all the EBRs (evil black rifle) out there.

p.s. - re barrel length - jesus I love having a 20" barrel.. my XCR easily out performs my mates 700 SPS varmint with the 24" bull barrel.. and it weighes a tonne!! I can jump in a truck with my rifle, even with the huge Nightforce on top, and be very agile with the weapon. You'd be very suprised how light the weapon is having factory flutes in the 20" barrel. I'd say mine weighes less with all the Nighforce gear than the SPS Varmint. The VTR, on the other hand, I really have an issue with the appearance but that's just me.
wink.gif
 
Re: Remington 700 Choices

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jedi5150</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
It sounds like your department firearms policy is lightyears ahead of mine for what you can get away with. But still, a .308 round is a commonly accepted LE cartridge, which I think would up your chances of being able to carry it as a work gun. Not to mention, there are tons of commercially available match grade ammo choices. I've never quite understood how people get around the liability of using personal loads in a duty weapon. Seems like a can of worms that could be avoided by using a commonly accepted duty caliber and commercial round.. </div></div>

Heard of the Federal Premim TRU HP Law enforcement rounds? They'd be great for police duty - no over penetration but hugh velocities for very modest pricing.. They are common the US in .223 ( see here ) but not sure about .308 - someone from a whole saler import company told me they were developed for the Australian market, so maybe they're not around over there. They're designed for semi-autos in that they have thicker brass and crimping around the HP round and primers but I love them for varminting.. cheap and devastating.

some pics of them here:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2165280
 
Re: Remington 700 Choices

Hey man, I was in the same boat you were acouple months ago. I was looking at the sps tactical and sps varmint. I ended up with the varmint and then putting it in a mcmillan a4 stock. But it shot about 3/4th of and inch at 100 yards out of the box.
 
Re: Remington 700 Choices

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jdgray</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been totally impressed with my LTR! Most accurate out of the box shooter I've ever had. </div></div>


2nd on the LTR. she's pretty accurate, with good optics it's a hard to beat platform.
 
Re: Remington 700 Choices

A .308 for Moose and Caribou? If it were me, I'd be looking for a caliber with more knock down power.

Judging by what you want to do with the rifle, I'd be buying a 5R in 300 WM.