So I guess I give up, I’m looking at Remington.

[libertyman777]

Some may be old enough to remember the Tareyton cigarette ads, “I’d Rather Fight Than Switch”.
That sums up how I felt about Savage. For years they were the easiest to work on, at least with regard to switch barrel. And I still love the floating bolt head design and ease of swapping there too.
But with the advent of Remage, the barrel thing is not as important. And Remington is the king of aftermarket, which really chapped my hide but that’s Savage’s own fault.
So I’m sitting and looking at everything but Remington, (Howa, Tikka, etc.) and I head over to the stock I want to get for whatever I choose (KRG Bravo) and the durn thing is $100 cheaper for a Remington. So I ask myself, why are you doing this.
So I start browsing Remington. My head is spinnning with thoughts of all the cool stuff that I’ll have access to with Remington.
So caliber wise I’m looking at .223. It does nothing great but most things well. Easy and cheap to load for and plink with. I hunt deer with it here in Alabama in my AR (65 grain SGK over VV N133). Good hog medicine too but I’ve been think about taking up bow hunting so that may all be moot.
If I decide to do anything like the PRS or F-TR I can rebarrel.
So I’m sure some things with respect to out of the box 700s are more desirable than others. I’ve looked at the 5r rifle with the HS Precision stock. I’ve also seen some other heavy barrel models for less. So what’s the scoop. Most of everything I’ve seen thus far has been 1/9 twist. Does Remington sell any 1/8 or 1/7 from the factory? Do they use a Wylde or similar chamber? There also seems to be a few different factory triggers or versions of the same trigger. So what’s the scoop?
Thanks,
Paul

 

[XLR308]

I really like my 700sps varmint but honestly by the time you buy a trigger put it in a better stock and it sounds like you are allready considering a barrel with a different twist rate.
I would say look elsewhere and set it all up the way you want from the start.

 

[_Raining]

You mention Remage but you want to use the factory barrel? How about a NSS Trued Rem 700 with a Criterion Remage Barrel in a KRG Bravo with a Trigger Tech Rem 700 Special.

Or save up for a Nucleus/Origin that way you can more easily swap bolt faces if you "decide to do anything like the PRS or F-TR ".

 

[libertyman777]

I really like my 700sps varmint but honestly by the time you buy a trigger put it in a better stock and it sounds like you are allready considering a barrel with a different twist rate.
I would say look elsewhere and set it all up the way you want from the start.

I forgot to mention that price is an issue. I’ll have to shoot something pretty much as is for a while. It’ll either be a stock 5r or whatever is recommended from the factory and dropped into the Bravo chassis.

 

[libertyman777]

You mention Remage but you want to use the factory barrel? How about a NSS Trued Rem 700 with a Criterion Remage Barrel in a KRG Bravo with a Trigger Tech Rem 700 Special.

Or save up for a Nucleus/Origin that way you can more easily swap bolt faces if you "decide to do anything like the PRS or F-TR ".

Isn’t Remage what you need to do a Remington once a barrel is shot out? Makes it like a Savage right?

 

[_Raining]

Isn’t Remage what you need to do a Remington once a barrel is shot out? Makes it like a Savage right?

Remage is just a barrel with threads that match the Rem 700 receiver and it attaches using a barrel nut.

 

[MarinePMI]

Were it me...Tikka. I'd be stuck with whatever bolt face it has, but aftermarket prefits are common these days. Stocks and chassis are really starting to get common as well.

 

[fdkay]

Howa prefits with the savage nut are also available.
Keep in mind, if you go .223, your stuck with that bolt face unless spend the coin for another bolt
If you wanted something more flexible, more capable at distance but still easy and cheap to load for, look at the 6.5 grendel in a Howa mini action.
Comes with a very good trigger, add scope and your ready to go.
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...table-stock-pistol-grip-black-682146390087.do

 

[spife7980]

I did the stock remington thing for my first 223 with the intent to slowly build it up over time. I went with the 16" tactical as it had a threaded barrel and the tighter 9 twist.
As she sat for her first virgin shots

First things first, the stock sucks ass and the trigger isnt much better. Those were swapped out posthaste with a manners and trigger tech primary (Or just Trigger tech when they first came out, now known as primary) when it first came out. You dont have to go full on manners, the bravo would be a fine stock and probably what I would do if I were to do it again (I just bought a bravo myself a few days ago ) Unfortunately I found that the 9 twist wouldnt shoot anything bigger than 69 grains very well. Still made some good groups but it was more work to get it to do so than my aftermarket tube.

Heres how she sits today, still my favorite rifle to shoot. Manners, Bix, remage etc. The only thing untouched from stock is the receiver.

Honestly I would probably go with a Howa barreled action in a bravo if I were going to keep the whole thing under 1k bucks for the rifle. Better twist rates and less stuff to throw away after. Some say you can sell it all but I didnt find anyone that wanted a crap hogue stock and crap xmp trigger so I sold the plastic bottom metal for 15 bucks to a member on here and then I dont know what happened to the rest of it. Plus the howa has an 8 twist so you can shoot the factory 77 grains stuff if you dont reload and are wanting to try and make hits past 550 reliable.

 

[LawnMM]

Buy a Bighorn Origin and build the rest, by the time you spend the coin needed to get the Remington to shoot you'll have spent as much anyway.

 

[Rust]

Remington so far has been uninterested in faster twist barrels for .223. You'd have to go with an aftermarket barrel if you want to shoot heavies. Whether you would want to try a Remage or regular smithed barrel would be up to you. A few years back there was some talk of a bolt with interchangeable heads to fit a Remington but I don't recall seeing it come to market. Pretty much leaves you needing a separate bolt if you want to play switch barrel from .223 to say a 6.5 CM or other .473 base diameter chambering with a Remington. Leaves the Savage as the least costly method of switch barrel between the two, just need a new bolt head.

 

[libertyman777]

Remington so far has been uninterested in faster twist barrels for .223. You'd have to go with an aftermarket barrel if you want to shoot heavies. Whether you would want to try a Remage or regular smithed barrel would be up to you. A few years back there was some talk of a bolt with interchangeable heads to fit a Remington but I don't recall seeing it come to market. Pretty much leaves you needing a separate bolt if you want to play switch barrel from .223 to say a 6.5 CM or other .473 base diameter chambering with a Remington. Leaves the Savage as the least costly method of switch barrel between the two, just need a new bolt head.

Well.…crap. I saw that about the Remington barrels in .223, Howa seems to be the same Now I see the Savage 110 line but it has a bottom mag release.

 

[fdkay]

Well.…crap. I saw that about the Remington barrels in .223, Howa seems to be the same Now I see the Savage 110 line but it has a bottom mag release.

The Howa mini action has a 1-8 twist barrel, fast enough for the 77's

 

[Lowlight]

I have APO doing an SH Training Rifle, that is a lot more do-everything vs being a true Training Rifle.

We are using Remington based barreled actions, the biggest difference is, APO adds a second layer of QC to the mix.

We see a lot of inconsistencies with Remington over the last few years, but if you add in a bit of extra Quality Control, then put it in an APO Chassis with a Trigger Tech Trigger like we are doing, it's a very good package that will retail for $2k

Think of it as a chassis/package rifle ala: Tikka Tac A1 or the RPR, we are coming in a competitive priced but using a Remington action.

It's a Remington you can get behind, FYI, this same rifle with a different stock (Magpul CTR) is available for $1400 from Cabelas. Different trigger but basically we are doing an upgraded version of that $1400 APO rifle.

 

[spife7980]

It's a Remington you can get behind, FYI, this same rifle with a different stock (Magpul CTR) is available for $1400 from Cabelas. Different trigger but basically we are doing an upgraded version of that $1400 APO rifle.

OP just an FYI: that lesser cabelas model is actually on sale now for 1k if the chassis tickles your fancy and you were going to get a stock remington anyway. Only thing is its 308 and 6.5 only. https://www.cabelas.com/product/sho...cision-bolt-action-rifle/2553955.uts?slotId=0

 

[Tx_Aggie]

I have APO doing an SH Training Rifle, that is a lot more do-everything vs being a true Training Rifle.

We are using Remington based barreled actions, the biggest difference is, APO adds a second layer of QC to the mix.

What an awesome idea. APO puts out a top notch product. I'm sure this will be no different.

OP just an FYI: that lesser cabelas model is actually on sale now for 1k if the chassis tickles your fancy and you were going to get a stock remington anyway. Only thing is its 308 and 6.5 only. https://www.cabelas.com/product/sho...cision-bolt-action-rifle/2553955.uts?slotId=0

That is an incredible deal.

 

[Stooxie]

Were it me...Tikka. I'd be stuck with whatever bolt face it has, but aftermarket prefits are common these days. Stocks and chassis are really starting to get common as well.

I'm in this camp as well, although no one could argue with the obvious size of the Remington aftermarket.

The OP mentioned that the KRG stock was $100 less for the Remy. Who knows why, but I'll say this. People spend a tremendous amount of money solving problems that come from the factory. I don't consider it a "bonus" when there is a huge aftermarket to replace rubbish OEM parts that should have never been spec'd to begin with. Sadly with many gun makes throwing away the trigger and stock before you've even brought it home is expected. Sometimes that includes the barrel as well. Then people "true" the receiver because.... shit wasn't true to begin with? So what have you got? Then people spend $1,200 on a custom receiver to avoid having to true it.

That's what I like about Tikka, they don't have those issues. Even the synthetic stocks are darn good from the factory. Replace it with a GRS (or whatever), get the $10 trigger spring, and you've got a sub-MOA shooter with fantastic trigger for $1,000.

The big downside with Tikka right now is that-- for the most part-- it helps to pick a caliber that fits one of the existing bolt faces. Even that's not really true, as it's not hard at all to open up a bolt face and adjust the extractor depth.

There is one BIG upside to the Tikka as a builder's platform-- the fact that it's a relatively simple and universal push feed design means that it's wonderfully reliable even if you start messing with it. For example, I am building a 6.8 SPC II Tikka. The 223 mags work just fine, and so do the 308 mags. So if I someone wanted to load very long loads it's a non-issue. Basically it will feed anything that fits in the mag.

-Stooxie

 

[ilmonster]

I have a Rem 700 SPS Tac in .223 with the 20" 1:9 twist barrel. It shoots Hornady 75 gr. BTHP's really well with that twist (not the newer 73 gr. ELD's though). I took off the orig. tupperware stock and dropped it in a B&C Medalist, added a Timney 510 trigger, rail, rings and scope. Including the rifle, aftermarket stock and trigger, I have around $850 into it. It will shoot those Hornady heavies at 0.5 MOA all day long out to 300 yds (don't have a longer range nearby). Tikka's, etc. sure are neat rifles, but my run of the mill 700 bought 5 or 6 years ago shoots as well as I can. And everyone and their mother as you observed makes aftermarket stuff for it.

 

[cook1536]

I have a Rem 700 SPS Tac in .223 with the 20" 1:9 twist barrel. It shoots Hornady 75 gr. BTHP's really well with that twist (not the newer 73 gr. ELD's though). I took off the orig. tupperware stock and dropped it in a B&C Medalist, added a Timney 510 trigger, rail, rings and scope. Including the rifle, aftermarket stock and trigger, I have around $850 into it. It will shoot those Hornady heavies at 0.5 MOA all day long out to 300 yds (don't have a longer range nearby). Tikka's, etc. sure are neat rifles, but my run of the mill 700 bought 5 or 6 years ago shoots as well as I can. And everyone and their mother as you observed makes aftermarket stuff for it.

I have the 700 SPS Tac in the 20" .223 as well, however mine still has the POS Hogue furniture but i installed an older 700 trigger when i broke mine. Its nice to see someone has had success with 75 gr pills...i have only went up to the Hornady 68 gr BTHP with Hodgdon CFE223

 

[ilmonster]

68 gr. BTHP Hornady's shoot equally in mine to the 75 gr. pills.

 

[rookie7]

Bergara HMR Pro, 223, 1/8 twist, 20” barrel

 

[sabrecross]

nothing wrong with a Remington.

 

[PAYDIRT]

Here's my stock action/barrel, 510 Timney 700 223. Here's 5 at 350 with 73 eld's.

 

[Maxim0]

Checkout the remington 700 PCR. I'm actually plesantly surprised how it stacks up against the two guys I shoot with (tikka 1 tac forget specific name 6.5, ruger rpr .308) and mine was the cheapest out of the group. I did put a trigger and muzzle break on it which turned it into a great shooter. Message me if you have any questions about it.

 

[ddavis]

Something you may not have considered is that you'll be spending money to upgrade a Remington trigger. You will not need to upgrade the Tikka trigger. Just turn it down to about 2.5 pounds, and if that isn't light enough get the $10 spring to go down to about 1.5 pounds. I still like factory Tikka triggers as much as any of the $$$ aftermarket triggers I've used. So that $100 difference in chassis price will end up costing LESS considering the price of an aftermarket 700 trigger.

ETA: If you've never ran a Tikka, prepare to have your mind blown, especially coming from a Savage. They are crazy smooth like the bolt is riding on bearings.

-Dan

 

[m6z]

The .223 RPR can be found for $800. That's probably the best value right now.

You can still build a Rem 700 for a reasonable price.

700 action $300
scope rail $50
Criterion barrel with threads $400
KRG Bravo $350 or one of those Stocky's LRC stock for around $200

The Tikka triggers are good, but they're no TriggerTech.

 

[steve123]

Ever heard of a 0 percent credit card???

Why people don't spend a little extra now, vs later, is beyond me, good grief it's just money and a year from now you won't need to upgrade.

Balance...

Plus you guys have stuff collecting dust that can be sold to help offset that extra expense.

 

[ddavis]

The .223 RPR can be found for $800. That's probably the best value right now.

You can still build a Rem 700 for a reasonable price.

700 action $300
scope rail $50
Criterion barrel with threads $400
KRG Bravo $350 or one of those Stocky's LRC stock for around $200

The Tikka triggers are good, but they're no TriggerTech.

Honestly I consider the Tikka trigger the equal of my TriggerTech and better than the Huber 2 stage I had before it, though that's apples/2stage apples comparison. I've owned something like 4 Tikkas and shot several others and I just don't think the trigger can be improved. It has no creep or take-up and breaks cleanly every time. I've also never had one fail under some pretty terrible conditions. On the other hand, I break Tikka bolt stops left and right so I don't run in them competitions anymore, but I don't think that's going to be an issue for most folks. If they could beef up the bolt stop I'd probably sell my Mausingfield and go back to them.

-Dan

 

[Bender]

I loooooove my Rem SPS Tac .223.

Even the floppy stock because it grips on my Jeep window when I’m plowing p dogs.

This is a three shot group. Bone stock. I know, just one group, but daaaaaaamn.

 

[MarinePMI]

A gamechanger or commanche bag rides perfectly on a window for PD shooting. Just saying... ;-)

 

[Bayhawk21]

I have APO doing an SH Training Rifle, that is a lot more do-everything vs being a true Training Rifle.

Any word on when the official announcement will be? I haven't heard anything out of Shot yet.

Also what is the distribution expected to be? Only through APO or will this make its way down to places like Cabela's and Bass Pro?

 

[Stooxie]

6.8 SPC II Tikka T3x is complete. Someone tell me that the Tikka isn't a good builder's platform. Bolt will sent off for fluting and Cerakote in the same color as the barrel.

-Stooxie

 

[wade2big]

Honestly I consider the Tikka trigger the equal of my TriggerTech and better than the Huber 2 stage I had before it, though that's apples/2stage apples comparison. I've owned something like 4 Tikkas and shot several others and I just don't think the trigger can be improved. It has no creep or take-up and breaks cleanly every time. I've also never had one fail under some pretty terrible conditions. On the other hand, I break Tikka bolt stops left and right so I don't run in them competitions anymore, but I don't think that's going to be an issue for most folks. If they could beef up the bolt stop I'd probably sell my Mausingfield and go back to them.

-Dan

There are beefier replacements for the tikka bolt stop. I’ve never used them but they are available. Have you broken one of the aftermarket stops?

 

[dkoz]

I’m struggling with the R-prc right now. Base is too high, and something has it off 6” at 50 m. I am out of adjustment on scope (Leopold mark 8 that I know to be tru pep in leupold integral rings). Going to tear it down and retorque everything, change rail and see. Groups great, with 6” offset. A little pissed. Hoping it’s not the receiver you can actually see scope misaligned with barrel if you get a bit in front and look at it....