Remington 700 Tactical 16.5" 308 (85538)?

[BoilerUP]

Picked up one of these 16.5" 308 factory threaded shorties off Gunbroker last week.

First precision 700, first 308, first shorty bolt gun...oh lawdy. Planned use (if I end up keeping the thing) will be <650yd steel and paper targets, along with whitetail hunting.

Seems a few Hiders have these rifles, and I'm curious to hear what folks who own this specific rifle think about it. Accuracy and velocity with factory ammo, handloads, etc.

I've got some Hornady TAP 155 & 168 ammo on the way and am hoping one or both of these shoots well.

 

[MLC]

I saw one out in Utah. Handy as all get out. It almost followed me and my buddy out of the store.
Is the barrel melonited?
It looked like it on the one we fondled.

 

[Papa Zero Three]

Picked up one of these 16.5" 308 factory threaded shorties off Gunbroker last week.

How much did you pick it up for? Finding those models seems to be like finding a needle in a haystack.

 

[docdredd]

When my glass gets here on Wensday Ill be happy to give you my thoughts. One thing I will say is that what ever they coat that bolt with makes for a rough ass bolt through. I sat through a few netflix movies with it liberally coated in white lithium grease and worked the bolt several thousand times and it is much smoother.

I would suggest you also pick up a good flash hider ( I went with Vortex) because a full power .308 out of one of these makes amazing fireballs a night.

Also if yours is the same 1/10 twist as mine those 155s might be a little light unless they are longer than average. Most of the reading I have done has shown that these like the heavier loadings. (Have not shot for groups yet this is just speculation on my part)

 

[BoilerUP]

How much did you pick it up for? Finding those models seems to be like finding a needle in a haystack.

Remington 700 SPS TACT 308 TH MZ GRN $660.00 SHIPS FREE

http://grabagun.com/remington-arms-co-guns-85538-700-sps-tact-308-th-mz-grn.html

I paid a bit less than that, shipped.

I like the "ghille green" color of the Hogue stock, but man is that thing a pile of shit - I get barrel contact by placing a single finger on the forearm of the stock. Even Savage tupperware stocks aren't bad in that regard. I'd need to go to town with a dowel rod and some sandpaper to make it even useable, but I've got an M40 Medalist on its way.

 

[docdredd]

Yeah the stock is the biggest thing to upgrade.... Im having the hardest time not running out and getting something, instead Im pinching my pennies for a chassis in the future,

 

[glock270]

I'm shooting Berger 185 juggernauts out of mine,chrono'd with my buddies new magneto speed.2405 fps with 43.3gr of varget and lapua brass.Seems to be about a 3/4 moa gun so far.Mine is in a mcrees folder,when folded its jus over 27" long,makes for a very portable setup.

 

[onethousandmeters]

Nice rig, and I'm sure you'll love it. Looking forward to a range report when you get it all set up.

 

[Ajax2112]

I have one and the 168's are ok for 100-200 yards. Mine really likes the 175 Sierra match kings I picked up a couple of months ago from South West Ammo.
As others have said the Tupperware stock is a piece of garbage. I picked up a used HS stock not to long ago for 150 bucks. Keep your eyes on the classified section of this forum along with any other forums your a member of.

 

[AK4900PA]

I just ordered one off gunbroker recently also. Should be here soon and I'm excited to see how it shoots. I'd really like to do a folding chassis setup like the Mcree or XLR, but I'm having difficulty justifying the expense. I may just do a B&C M40 style stock and put some more money towards the glass.

 

[UrbanSi]

Buds has them at $660 shipped, of course add their package protection + non-cash BS and you are still under $700 before FFL. By that time add a stock and you could have just bought any standard 700 and just had the barrel chopped and re-crowned.

Its a nice concept but they need to put an HS stock on it like they do with the PSS, everyone and their mother knows the Hogue stock is worthless

 

[Papa Zero Three]

By that time add a stock and you could have just bought any standard 700 and just had the barrel chopped and re-crowned.

True, but you are also getting a 1/10 twist threaded barrel, most standard 700s don't come with that setup.

 

[BoilerUP]

My B&C M40 won't get here until Friday, but until then...

I temporarily robbed the Weaver GS Tactical 3-10x40 in Burris Signature Zee 1" Medium rings off my FV-SR 22LR trainer. I also slightly opened up the barrel channel with a dowel & sandpaper and did the 8541 Tactical 'coke can' shim mod; don't think it'll will work with a loaded bipod but should be fine for shooting off a rest.

The more I handle this rifle, the more I really like its handiness. The only way it could be better would be as a 260, pushing 140s around 2550fps. Hey, now there's an idea...

 

[kenndapp]

I need a new rifle for the ny lake house..... Ever since the safe act my ny legal M14 is all out the window. This 700 16.5" looks like it fits the bill perfectly. Does it come in left handed variations?

 

[BoilerUP]

Couldn't help myself, I snuck out to the local 100yd range a couple hours to try out the shorty.

Weaver 3-10x40 mil/mil, Weaver 20MOA base, Burris Signature Zee 1" mid rings with 0MOA inserts, 3 "coke can" action shims between recoil lug and front action screw, action screws to 60 in/lb. I used a Caldwell Rock Jr. rest & sand sock rear, 500' ASL elevation, 90°F+, direct sunlight, biting flies, a DNR shooting bench that's WAY too high, etc. Now all that is out of the way...

I initially fired three shots of 155gr TAP to get sighted in; one off the target left, the lone shot lower left, with the third shot the one at 12 o'clock just above the center red target. I then fired three more shots at the center target, resulting in the shots at 1, 9 and 5 o'clock of the center red target.

I then let the rifle cool a few minutes, and fired a 5-shot group using 168gr TAP at the lower right target. The left-most shot was the first shot of this group.

Let the rifle cool again, then fired another 5-shot group at the upper right target using 168gr TAP.

One last short cooling period, then 4 shots of 155gr TAP at the upper left target.

20 rounds total, 10 each of 155gr TAP and 168gr TAP.

Average velocity across my ProChrono, about 8' in front of the muzzle:
2581fps for 155gr TAP
2524fps for 168gr TAP

This is my first 308 and I generally don't like recoil, but I didn't really find this rifle off-putting in that regard, though it does have a lil' bark from the short barrel even without a brake. I also think the accuracy potential is greater than reflected in the target - the guy pulling the trigger did it no favors, and I generally like a higher power optic than 10x when shooting paper groups. I do have 14mil+ of up elevation from my 168gr 100yd zero, so I've got that going for me, which is nice.

Excited to try this rifle out at Rockcastle this weekend with the M40 Medalist.

 

[BoilerUP]

2524fps with 168gr Hornady TAP verified on steel at 900yd.

 

[docdredd]

Awesome!. My LGS never ordered my rail so now that is the last piece needed to get mine mounted up. I really dont want to get started in reloading but finding 175 grainers around here is proving impossible. So we will see how she does with 168s first and go on from there.

Also thanks for the chrono data, finding hard numbers for shorter lengths isnt easy.

 

[wricksta]

I've had mine for 3 weeks now. It seems to like 175gr lake city xm118, my son and I have shot 1/2 moa groups @ 100yrds with it. It shoots moa @100yrds with 180gr sellier & bellot range ammo. It shoots terrible with every 150gr I've put through it except fiocchi, where it will shoot 3/4moa @100yrds for some reason. I am waiting on my LGS to receive their shipment of Federal Gold Medal Match to test out 168gr and 175gr of that. Then it's off to stretch her legs to see how she shoots at longer distances.

FWIW, my rem700 16.5 is equipped with:
Accuracy International AX chassis
Surefire socom 7.62 muzzle brake
Timney trigger
Warne Tactical 20moa base
Seekins Precision xtra high rings
US Optics LR17 3.2-17x scope

 

[cav1993]

mine likes fgmm alot!

 

[aac_shooter]

You are right about the stock being junk. Mine sat in it for about 20 minutes. I haven't worked a hand load up for it yet, but here is a pic.

 

[Biggerhammer50]

Bought one too. Stock was junk so I put it in a McRee's

"ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ"

 

[swamp2]

Nice rifle. Not to be too much of a stickler but are you sure that OnTarget is calibrated correctly. Your lower right group looks a bit larger than 0.88 MOA. It looks closer to 1 MOA. Didn't really look carefully at the others.

 

[BoilerUP]

Nice rifle. Not to be too much of a stickler but are you sure that OnTarget is calibrated correctly

It was.

I measured the group CTC with calipers, then the box squares on the paper target with calipers to properly calibrate the software, then let OnTarget do its thing. OT jived with my hand measurement pretty closely.

 

[clayne_b]

Biggerhammer50, That looks sweet man!!!

 

[hahco]

2524fps with 168gr Hornady TAP verified on steel at 900yd.

looks very good, I like it!

 

[swamp2]

It was.

I measured the group CTC with calipers, then the box squares on the paper target with calipers to properly calibrate the software, then let OnTarget do its thing. OT jived with my hand measurement pretty closely.

Cool. You're probably already aware of this feature but just in case not - OnTarget has a calibration feature. For example when I use 3" ShootNC's their OD is exactly 3.0". I draw the calibrate line across it and enter 3 then I am good to go.

 

[pig2pa]

Had a stock 700 in a mcree's and it shot lights out.

 

[7.62-Nato]

I set mine up in a TAC-21 with a Leupold mark AR 3-9x40 with CDS for FGMM 168, Timney 3.5lb.

 

[urmaker45]

Does it seem to hurt the rifle alot when shooting range like say out to 650-700 yards and would you suggest this rifle for leo marksman? what moa are you getting with 168 gold match at 100 yards ?

 

[BoilerUP]

Does it seem to hurt the rifle alot when shooting range like say out to 650-700 yards

Hurt the rifle? No.

Produce less velocity than a longer barrel, which means more bullet drop and drift at extended ranges? Yes.

I'd surmise this is a fine rifle for a LEO sniper, especially given the short engagement distances that are typical.

 

[MDStroup]

Now all they have to do is make a .223 version with a 1-7 twist(Hell a 1-8 would do it) I would buy one of each.

 

[SABuzzard]

Now all they have to do is make a .223 version with a 1-7 twist(Hell a 1-8 would do it) I would buy one of each.

The closest I've seen in Remington model 85549. Impact guns gets them in from time to time... Remington 700 SPS 223 Ghillie Green - Impact Guns

Unfortunately it's a 1:9

 

[SABuzzard]

Picked up one of these 16.5" 308 factory threaded shorties off Gunbroker last week.

First precision 700, first 308, first shorty bolt gun...oh lawdy. Planned use (if I end up keeping the thing) will be <650yd steel and paper targets, along with whitetail hunting.

Seems a few Hiders have these rifles, and I'm curious to hear what folks who own this specific rifle think about it. Accuracy and velocity with factory ammo, handloads, etc.

I've got some Hornady TAP 155 & 168 ammo on the way and am hoping one or both of these shoots well.

Ive had one sitting in my safe for over a month waiting on an HS precision stock to come in and a NF 2.5-10x I just traded another hide member for. I'm glad to see your initial results. Can't wait to get mine together and get some rounds through it.

 

[Swift]

Rings came in today, I'll get her to the range tomorrow and report velocities.

EDIT: Just cuz

 

[urmaker45]

awesome swift i would like to know what you think Im still debating on purchasing one as a leo sniper rifle being a 16.5 barrel just not sure if it will hurt the velosity to much for long range like say 6-800 yards.

 

[crowsniper1]

I have the .223 tactical 20" and it shoots 80 grainers with RL-15 quite accurately. I assume its a 1/9 twist,have not checked it.

 

[Armiger]

Nice looking rifle and I like the additions. I don't believe this model comes in a LH version. The current info on the Remington web site shows only the 700 CDL, SPS Varmint and SPS Compact Synthetic in LH.

I need a new rifle for the ny lake house..... Ever since the safe act my ny legal M14 is all out the window. This 700 16.5" looks like it fits the bill perfectly. Does it come in left handed variations?

 

[Kamkaze]

awesome swift i would like to know what you think Im still debating on purchasing one as a leo sniper rifle being a 16.5 barrel just not sure if it will hurt the velosity to much for long range like say 6-800 yards.

600-800 yard LEO sniper engagements? You must live somewhere wide open.