Gunsmithing So, I picked up a new Rem 700 SPS Tact 20" 308

[Big Al]

I won a dirt dirt cheap bid on a new Rem 700 SPS Tactical 20" 308 Win. I want to use it as a base for a tactical rifle. I have the optics (Mk4 4.5-14x50 M1 TMR) and am getting a Nightforce soon.

Am thinking 260 Rem, 260 Rem AI, 6.5x47 Lapua or leave it in 308 win. Any other possible calibers?

What would you do with it to set it up as a tactical rifle? My pockets are not deep, so please be nice!

Alan

My post account # does not reflect the truth. I lost my previous email addy when I was laid off last year and had to re-register as "Big Al".

 

[deadly0311]

Re: So, I picked up a new Rem 700 SPS Tact 20" 308

shoot the piss out of it for a while. Then slowly acquire your parts, I.E. barrel, stock, dbm, trigger, and such then once you get ready send it off.

 

[el gordo2]

Re: So, I picked up a new Rem 700 SPS Tact 20" 308

Last year I purchased a NIB 700 SPS V 26"bbl in 308 win for the action, cost me $360 out the door. Well I decided to shoot it and find out what it would so. The rifle literally shoots great right out of the box just like Remington's Ads say. The stock is garbage but this thing has no problem shooting 1/2moa consistantly.The only mod I have done is to bob the barrel back to 20 inches and recrown. I have a new stock for it coming this week.

My thoughts are to give it a whirl, you dont have much to lose. Might just have a shooter on your hands.

 

[flyboy]

Re: So, I picked up a new Rem 700 SPS Tact 20" 308

Give it a chance before you go to crazy on it. Both my sps Tac's will consistanly hold under 3/4 inch and 100, and the limiting factor on that is me. You will need to do something about the stock but its a great platform to start will. My goals were the same as your's but honestly they shoot very well and no real reason to fix somethihng that aint broke.

 

[4Rail_Gunner]

Re: So, I picked up a new Rem 700 SPS Tact 20" 308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Big Al</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Am thinking 260 Rem, 260 Rem AI, 6.5x47 Lapua or leave it in 308 win. Any other possible calibers?

What would you do with it to set it up as a tactical rifle? My pockets are not deep, so please be nice!

</div></div>

For A Tactical Rifle,

I would go for 260 Rem, 6.5X <span style="font-weight: bold">55 </span> Lapua, Or 6XC.

Yeah 260 AI is faster, but you give up some reliablity in mag feeding.
6.5x47 is good, 6.5x55 is better.
6XC gives you a chance to throw some of those Sweet 115DTAC's downrange with better barrel life than .243 win

Till you decide, shoot the Crap out of the 20" barrel you already have it will do you good.

.02

 

[Big Al]

Re: So, I picked up a new Rem 700 SPS Tact 20" 308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">6.5x55 is better. </div></div>

Got me thinking! It seems that the action opening is long enough to clear empty 6.5x55 brass. With a Wyatt's 3.06" long mag box it wouldn't hinder the seating depth any significant amount.

Would/could this really work in a Rem 700 short action? Not saying i'm going to do it. Just food for thought for a future project.

Running equal pressues, bullets, powder as the 260 Rem, would the Swede out run the 260 Rem in a short action?

Alan

 

[sr15match]

Re: So, I picked up a new Rem 700 SPS Tact 20" 308

My vote is to restock it and shoot that stick! I put a McMillan HTG on my wifes SPS-T 308, tuned the trigger, added a muzzle brake for her, and it's a shooter.

Todd

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: So, I picked up a new Rem 700 SPS Tact 20" 308

Do you have a .308 now?

If not, like the other said, restock it and burn out the barrel. Why waste a perfectly good tube.

If you go to .260 or 7mm-08 you will even be able to use the same brass once you neck it down.

 

[4Rail_Gunner]

Re: So, I picked up a new Rem 700 SPS Tact 20" 308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Big Al</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">6.5x55 is better. </div></div>

Got me thinking! It seems that the action opening is long enough to clear empty 6.5x55 brass. With a Wyatt's 3.06" long mag box it wouldn't hinder the seating depth any significant amount.

Would/could this really work in a Rem 700 short action? Not saying i'm going to do it. Just food for thought for a future project.

Running equal pressues, bullets, powder as the 260 Rem, would the Swede out run the 260 Rem in a short action?

Alan </div></div>

Check out this Topic from back in May, Lots of good talk about the 6.5x55

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1162701

 

[Twisted]

Re: So, I picked up a new Rem 700 SPS Tact 20" 308

I shoot an SPS-T in .308 and have had great luck with it. It is sub moa no problem and a few months ago I was successful out to 1200 yards with it. I was on the target in 3, my first time ever past 1000. You've got good optics, similar to what I had, just throw a stock on it and shoot it.

Here is mine with a B&C Medalist from stockystocks and the Leupy Mark 4 4.5-14x40. It has since got swapped out for a PH and the bipod is a different one now but you get the idea. The $200 for the stock is one of the biggest improvements made to this rifle.

 

[dan46n2]

Re: So, I picked up a new Rem 700 SPS Tact 20" 308

6.5 Lapua, man I want one of those!

 

[species0113]

Re: So, I picked up a new Rem 700 SPS Tact 20" 308

Stock it and shoot it. I could not be happier with the performance of my sps .308. sub 1/2 moa groups is the norm at 100. I've been stocking up on 20" take offs that people have been dumping. If you dump yours, let me know.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: So, I picked up a new Rem 700 SPS Tact 20" 308

I must be snake bit! Where do you guys buy the "good ones"? I bought a Remmy SPS Tactical in 223 about a month and a half ago. Got her home and cleaned it good. Got out the Stoney Point case and tryed to see about some OAL readings. No worry there because all bullets pushed out of the neck b4 engaging the throat. Sized a piece of Lapua brass and tryed closing the bolt on it. No go. Looked thru the bore with a bore scope and found the chamber was all f***kd up. Shoulder was rough and a big piece of metal was missing from the chamber area where neck and shoulder meet. Sent rifle back to Remington thru their authorized repair center (they would not accept direct shipment) and just got it back yesterday. The ARC charged me $30 to ship it to the factory to fix a problem that never should have left the factory. Chamber looks better but still a mile of throat. I don't see how it has a chance to be a shooter at this point.

 

[Big Al]

Re: So, I picked up a new Rem 700 SPS Tact 20" 308

Well, it's shooter. Using Varget, 1x fired FC cases, F210M primers and 3 different bullets (168 & 175 SMK, 168 Berger VLD), neck sizing via Lee collet neck die, I ran the full powder range of 42-26 (45 max for 175)grs in .5 increments, and both Federal 168 and 175 FGMM, it's agg ave was .885" with several 4 shot groups in the .4's.

These were shot off a Harris Br bipod with a Mk 4 4.5-14x50 TMR M1 (just sold it too since I just ordered a NF 5.5-22x50)with 3mph winds from 2 o'clock at 40 deg F and 25 baro.

BUT, my best friends just bought/surprised me with a Kreiger 6.5mm barrel so I can turn this thing into a 6.5? Tactical rifle. So, unless someone offers me a nice sum of $, it's life as a 308 is near term.

Alan

 

[SPDSNYPR]

Re: So, I picked up a new Rem 700 SPS Tact 20" 308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shoot4fun</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I must be snake bit! Where do you guys buy the "good ones"? I bought a Remmy SPS Tactical in 223 about a month and a half ago. Got her home and cleaned it good. Got out the Stoney Point case and tryed to see about some OAL readings. No worry there because all bullets pushed out of the neck b4 engaging the throat. Sized a piece of Lapua brass and tryed closing the bolt on it. No go. Looked thru the bore with a bore scope and found the chamber was all f***kd up. Shoulder was rough and a big piece of metal was missing from the chamber area where neck and shoulder meet. Sent rifle back to Remington thru their authorized repair center (they would not accept direct shipment) and just got it back yesterday. The ARC charged me $30 to ship it to the factory to fix a problem that never should have left the factory. Chamber looks better but still a mile of throat. I don't see how it has a chance to be a shooter at this point. </div></div>

Quick answer? Go shoot it. You'll know pretty quick.

 

[huntingohio]

Re: So, I picked up a new Rem 700 SPS Tact 20" 308

if you do rebarrel it please for the love of all that is holy do it in 260 or 6.5x55, not that lapua is bad it just has ultra short barrel life and has no balistic or velocity advantage over th 6.5x55 on a side bar the 6.5x55 has a larger case capacity than that of the 6.5 creedmoore jus some food for thought

 

[sgtbutt]

Re: So, I picked up a new Rem 700 SPS Tact 20" 308

Big Al, good purchase first off! I've got my SPS-T and love it. Its wearing a Leupold Mk2 3-9x40 w/MilDot. And even though I only got 10 rounds down the tube before going back to the sandbox I love it. Its a great gun for the price.
Now I have a question for you.... When you say that you want to make it tactical what are you mean? Do want to get every accessory possible or just make it "practical"? With mine I bought a decent sling, Mamba from Texas Hunt Co (hunting versions of the SpecOps brand slings) and use my Harris Bipod. Just by spending an hour or so anyone can find a plethora of "tactical" gear out there.
I suggest buying a sling that works for you. Get a Harris Bipod, I personally like the swivel 9-13 incher with leg notchs. I did buy myself an HS Stock, but for a steal off Gunbroker. Honestly though, I love the Hogue stock. Alot of people rip on it but it can be fixed. There are several pages on here about bedding it and "fixing" the forend. I love the grip that it provides. I'll be using it as my project stock for bedding experience (I was about 12 when I help my dad bed my 7mag so it's been a while).
The biggest reason I ditched the stock was because I want to camo it up and DuraCoat isn't recommended on it. What I will do is Duracoat the rifle and HS stock and use Krylon Fusion on the Hogue to match the HS, just for shits and giggles.
Get yourself a sling, bipod, spotting scope, range finder, build up your dope for the load you use, camo it up, buy a stock pad to get good cheek weld, etc etc. There are alot of more pratical things you can get and use for any guns that you own. If you are trying to make your gun "tacti-cool" to where you can mount everything imaginable on it buy yourself an AR. I'm not knocking all the cool kid gear, it's just better suited for me personally on one of my AR's.
I did get a bold knob installed on mine though. AZ Precision did mine. Excellent work on it and well work it for the practical/tactical aspect. HOpe this helped you out.