Remington 700 varmint vs tactical

[aur0ra145]

Howdy,

I've been considering picking up a .308 for target shooting and I can't decide between the Remington 700 Varmint and Remington 700 Tactical.

Besides the stock (which will be my first upgrade,) is the only difference between the two their barrel lengths?

Also, what is gained or lost from a 20" barrel on the Tactical versus the longer 26" barrel on the Varmint? The added weight of the longer barrel really doesn't bother me. What I'm concerned about is the velocity of the round. Is the 26" leaps and bounds better than a 20" barrel for a .308? This has been driving me crazy.

 

[tigerfan_9]

Re: Remington 700 varmint vs tactical

The trade off is more velocity for more length/weight. Velocity allows it to shoot flatter, Buck the wind better, stay supersonic longer. I'd go varmint if shooting long unless it is a pack around hunting rifle.

 

[hewlett260]

Re: Remington 700 varmint vs tactical

After my experience with the SPS Tactical 20" I would say go with the Varmint. If you really want the 20" go with the 5R because it has the faster 10" twist. PM me if you have any questions about the headache I've been through on my rifle.

 

[UIUCPPQ]

Re: Remington 700 varmint vs tactical

If I were you I'd skip the extra 6" unless you're shooting at 1000+ yds and go with the 700 AAC with the 1:10 twist and threaded crown. Gives you options for cans/brakes in the future and the extra velocity, as I understand it, is not such a big deal at most distances you'll shoot the thing at anyway.

Disclaimer: I've never done a side-by-side comparison personally, I am mostly repeating the answers given to me by others on the topic, and I wish I had the AAC barrel instead of my SPS tac barrel lol

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: Remington 700 varmint vs tactical

I have a post on here, somewhere, on a comparision between those to length's (20" tactical vs 26 varmint) shooting the same exact load from both rifles the 26" was 100 fps faster with 155's and 175's loaded with varget.

<span style="text-decoration: line-through">If I locate the post I will up date this</span> found it

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Niles Coyote</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Barrel length is the only real difference; Stocks are both weak but passable for hunting season shooters... Precision shooters will choose to replace them.

About a month ago I decided to find out what 6" of barrel length would yield with identical loads fired in both of my Remington’s, one 20" tactical and one 26" varmint. Here is what I found, FWIW...



Remington SPS Tatical20"
175smk 44.5 varget load @ 2.825oal = 2550fps
155 lapua scenar varget 46.7 load @ 2.825 = 2750fps

Remington Varmint 26" same loads as above.
175 = 2645
155 = 2850

So in my rifles you gain 100 fps +/- a couple from those extra 6" of barrel. Only you can decide if its worth it.
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