Remington 700 SPS Varmint or SPS Tactical AAC-SD Or VTR?

[fskjester]

I believe I have narrowed down the rifle I want to these four rifles. .308 cal

- Brand New 700 SPS Varmint $580.52

- Brand New 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD $657.52

- Brand New 700 VTR $688.52

- Pre owned 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD $600 with $70 Harris bipod. Owner claims it's never been fired.

Goal - short term
Basic Remington 700 with bull barrel capable of 500m target fun.

Eventually I will shoot steel at 1000 yds. I know any of these will do that with little to no work.

My concern with the Varmint is it's a 1/12 twist vs 1/10 twist. I've read the 1/10 is more favorable for long range. I've also read the 26 in barrel on the varmint will be better than the 20 though because it help increase velocity.

The VTR is nice because of the muzzle break however it's again a 1/12 twist and will that barrel fit in an aftermarket stock? I know the muzzle break really make is more like a 20 in barrel also.

I'm leaning towards the sps aac-sd but which one new or pre owned?

Please help me choose which route to go. I'm trying to make sure I spend my $$$ the best way possible.

I will hunt with whichever I pick.

 

[RyeDaddy]

I would buy the used AAC-SD and a new stock. $600 is a good deal considering it includes a Harris bipod. HS Precision stocks taken off other Remington models routinely sell for $250. The factory plastic stock sucks, and flexes if you use a bipod. The 10" twist works well in my experience with all bullet weights down to 150. The threaded muzzle allows you to choose any brake or use a suppressor if you want too.

The 26" barrel of the Varmint is a bit long for hunting, heavy, unbalanced and with a 308 it doesn't really translate to much more effective range for the disadvantage in handling in the woods. 20" 308's can make it to 1000 yards and will kill game out to 500 without issue.

The VTR suffers from the same crap stock, barrel is not free floated and it heats up fast and walks around. My father in law has a VTR in 243 that shoots very well with 95 VLD's but groups wander up and right after 5 shots. Gotta let it cool and goes back to original zero. Not a good thing for paper punching at the range. The built in brake is effective, but the triangle shape limits your options as far as aftermarket brakes/threading, I would say it has no advantages over the AAC-SD.

 

[flirtinwithdisaster]

Deffinately the AAC-SD. The used one sounds like a good deal. I love mine. I put a B&C A3 (hook stock) on mine and it's everything I need. I bought it from red hawk rifles who now will inlet it for a DBM system for a few extra bucks. Wish they did that when I ordered from them!

I also agree with RyeDaddy. He pretty much sums up the differences.

 

[EasyGravy]

.

Sps varmit in b&c. Been happy for a cheap gun too.

 

[crowsniper1]

I prefer the 26" varmint ,I picked up the 20" AAC-SD a while back and the short barrel just had too much snap to it and louder as well.

 

[arocholl]

I would buy the used AAC-SD if it were my money. The barrel has the appropriate twist for your long term goals. It's already threaded, allowing a muzzle brake or suppressor to be used (if that's important). Finally it comes with a Harris bipod.

Does the stock suck? Hell yeah but like RyeDaddy said you can routinely pickup HS Precision stocks on here for not a lot of money. Or you could always get a bell and carlson from somewhere and stay on the lower cost end.

My #1 life rule applies here though: Buy once, cry once.

I wasted a lot of money upgrading an SPS Varmit with what I could afford at the time. Learn from my mistakes, pick quality components and buy them when you can afford to.

 

[RyeDaddy]

In fact, here is a good deal in our classifieds on a Bell and Carlson stock:
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...edalist-3-w-hook-sa-rem-700-sale-reduced.html

Don't know the guy selling, but the stock is good and is already bedded and inletted for a detachable mag. So for $295, plus the cost of an AICS mag and a $99 PTG flush mount M5 bottom metal you'd be ready to rock. Sell your stock and bottom metal from the AAC-SD to offset the cost some. That's exactly what I'd do.

 

[Bender]

I have the AAC-SD .308 in the houge stock. stock is horrid, but it is shootable. I am getting an XLR element for it. I was going to go B&C and bottom metal but ad it all up and you are right near a chassis. Bolt it up and go. I decided I was going to end up in one anyway, so i just saved time and money by skipping over all the "try" crap and get to where I am going. I went through back surgery last week so that cut into budget and time working on a load. I have over 750 175g SMK for loading into it and 500 new IMI match brass. I am committed to the .308 for a while now.

 

[fskjester]

How much do you think the houge stock on it would sell for?

 

[RyeDaddy]

$50? Just a guess.

Bender's suggestion of a chassis is a good one, too. I have an XLR Carbon and am very satisfied. Only downside really is the aluminum is cold to the touch in the winter.

 

[fskjester]

Thanks for all the advice. I picked up the SPS tactical aac-sd used. $625 with a harris bipod, nice cheek pad and a surefire tactical light. (For my 870 tactical)

Now to find an optic and a trigger since this hasn't been repaired since the recall and I don't feel like waiting months to shoot it.

 

[navyvet1989]

Just put a Timney 510 trigger on my 700 AAC-SD, pretty happy with it.

 

[DRAGON64]

The used M700 with a Timney, you will be happy! Here is a great deal on an SWFA 10X42M scope:

Classifieds Airgun(Kitching): FS: LNIB SWFA SS 10x42 Scope

 

[MosesTheTank]

You made the right choice. I vote for the Timney. Five builds in a row with the 510 thin shoe and a 6th coming up. Obviously I like them.

 

[fskjester]

The used M700 with a Timney, you will be happy! Here is a great deal on an SWFA 10X42M scope:

Classifieds Airgun(Kitching): FS: LNIB SWFA SS 10x42 Scope

That's very nice. I'm really looking for something variable because I will use it for hunting (a few times each year) and mainly 500m range and a few times a year a 1000 yd range.

 

[flirtinwithdisaster]

+1 on the Timney 510. Absolutely love mine.

 

[3one5]

Another for the Timney 510. I recently put one on my AAC-SD and love it.