Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

[NIHILator]

I just purchased my first long range rifle. I previously have only owned AR15's, Pistols, and shotguns.

I am starting with a box-fresh AAC-SD with floppity Hogue overmold stock and all. The only thing I have added was the AAC Blackout flash hider for $89.95.

I am ordering a AICS 1.5 stock in OD Green and 2 10 round magazines in the next week or so.

I am likely going to start with a Nikon M308 Scope and upgrade at a later date. The scope being specifically for the .308 round and with the quick turret appeals to me, and you can get an app for it as well. The scope comes with the M223 mount which I will probably toss on my second best AR later.

My main concern at this point is getting a quality 20 MOA picatinny rail and rings.

I see many people go with cheap Weaver or EGW rails and have to modify or bed them to make them useable. I do not want to go this route, I would much rather get good pieces to start with.

I have been looking at the Leupold Mark 4 rail and rings, they are fairly reasonably priced, being able to get the set for about $230.

Does anyone have experience with these, positive or negative? I have been searching the site, but don't seem to be coming up with search results that are relevant.

 

[number9]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

I'm I'm the same boat and gun as you and went with Seekins base and rings. Haven't shot it yet as my ammo order just came in today. I'm going with a Manners stock but will have to make due with the Play-Hogue stock until then.

...

 

[rbdub474]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

No personal experience with the Leupolds, but I know people that have them and like them a lot.

I went with a set of Badger Ordnance rings and 20MOA base for my rifle. These are extremely well machined and are built solid. They lined up nice and straight when mounting my scope.

 

[CSS]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

I've got a couple of EGW rails and have had no problems with them sitting on the receiver correctly.
I do have Seekins, NF and a Badger steel rails also, no problems.

The couple I have seen personally that did have problems were out of spec receivers.

 

[_Shay_]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

I'd get a different scope with the mil/mil concept, it will be good to learn, but that's my opinion.

Look at the Mil/Mil Super Sniper if you're on a budget.

 

[NIHILator]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

Thanks for the replies guys. Well it sounds like I may be Ok with the Mark 4's as long as I have a true Receiver hopefully.

I did check out the SWFA SS scope, which conveniently popped up in an ad after you mentioned it. I do like the adjustments, and I really like the reticle. How is the quality though? It sure sells for a low price point. I at least want a mid level scope as I will be using it for quite a while.

 

[REL1203]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

I have an EGW 20MOA on my AAC, been perfect since day one, my rifle shoots 3/5MOA with 168Amax every day of the week.

 

[XxMerlinxX]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

I use an EGW HD with Burris XTR rings, never a problem and a much better deal than the "high end" products.

 

[QuietM4]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

LaRue makes a nice 20MOA base...I had one on my 700 AAC. You might want to invest in a different trigger, I was not a fan of the XPro and went with a Timney.

I would also go with a different scope. The "quick turret" or "calibrated turrets" are only calibrated for one particular round, at one exact elevation, with a certain weather condition, with one barrel length.....you get the point.

You would be better served going with a Mil/Mil based scope and learning how to use it effectively.

It took me a while to learn that lesson, and I wish someone would have told me sooner, it would have saved me a lot of money and time.

 

[jackinfl]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

Take a good look at the Nightforce 20 moa base. And their light rings.

 

[NIHILator]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

I've been looking around based on your suggestions. Looks like there are some good sources for rifle accessories in the sponsor sites.

Good points on the scope, I am going to sort through my options on the mil/mil scopes and see what's the best scope toward the max of my price range. The SWFA SS looks like it has good options, I am going to research some more on reputation and scope powers and such, now that I know what to look for. I am also going to look at other scopes with the same concept.

I want something that will be good for 100-800 yards, working from the low to middle of that to start, I have no delusions of being a Recon sniper or anything. I am straight out of the box on this, literally.

I also checked out the Seekins Precision rail and rings. They are right at the same price point as the Leupold Mark 4's, and they look like nice pieces. The company is new to me, so I will look them over. Plan to check out the Nightforce options as well. I had looked at the Larue stuff early on, but all I seemed to come up with were QD. I will take another look.

I appreciate the input, I'm sure these topics have shown up 6 million times. Looks to be a good site for Long Range Shooting info.

 

[rrflyer]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

buy the seekins or badger rings and bases.

skip the aics and buy better glass

you can get some very nice optics in the 1200$ range

 

[tt66]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

I went with TPS rings and bases. I am very satisfied with them, and their price point is pretty good.

 

[Beepy]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

Yup, mil/mil scope, I put one of the SS 10x mil/mil's on my mule rifle....VERY nice glass for the money.

No problems with EGW bases, but like TPS...

Having one of these rifles, change the trigger now... don't even futz with it...

 

[Nisils14]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

I went with Leupold m4 Rings / NF base, and they've been great. 100yd bullseye on cold shots. Think about loctiteing the base, just extra insurance. I've been using a Millett trs1 for a scope, it's decent and it gets me to shoot well. There's definitely better out there, but for what it is it's not bad.

 

[NIHILator]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

Yeah looks like definitely the Mil/Mil might be the way to go.

As far as skipping the stock and buying high dollar glass straight out, here's the deal: The Hogue stock that comes with it is pretty horrible. It feels good and all, but every build I've read on this rifle pretty much says to throw it out. I have some cash for the rifle, and a chunk of good parts for it. I definitely want the AICS. I have an excellent Gun/Pawn shop that I have a good relation with locally who deal Scopes anywhere from Nikon, to Leupold and Trijicon. I can pay on a scope and pick it up when I pay it off, no problem. I cannot do that with the stock.

So my plan is to Get the Rifle, Stock, and Good Rail and Rings out of the way. My target is about 2 grand on this. With 2 AICS mags plus the Rail and Rings, I will probably go over that a bit.

I sold my bike, so technically I could drop a huge wad on a Scope as well, but Holy Crap I would probably have $3200 to $3500 in the build at that point. I am trying to get the setup the way I want it straight out, but I've got some other things I would like to do with the money other than spend every penny on one rifle right now. I've got other things to throw my money at, like my Jeep, Emergency kit supplies, and more ammo.

I figure I can get a really nice Scope and Trigger after the fact. I have a well rounded gun collection as far as practical useage purposes go, and I am pretty much down to gettting a few things to finish them out the way I want.

I am going to weigh my options on the scope thing and see if I want to just get everything in place and leave off the scope until I get a really nice one. That may be a good option. I would like to shoot the rifle soon, but it's not a huge rush or anything.

This gun building thing can cost some serious money! I will be glad when I get this done. But oh man... I forgot. Then I have to get a bipod, bags, a Rangefinder, a Suppressor...

Dammit.

 

[CleanMoostang]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

Man, I must have lucked out with my SPS Tactical since its still in factory stock with a bushnell elite tactical scope sitting on a Weaver 20moa rail and being able to reach 800 yards easily...

Slap a cheek riser on the stock, spend your extra money on quality optics and learn how to shoot it before getting a aics stock and looking cool at the range..

 

[CleanMoostang]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

Just seen your last post also, a scope and trigger for that model gun needs to come first off, not later on.

Xmark trigger will get you HIGHLY aggravated.. trust me..

 

[NIHILator]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CleanMoostang</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Man, I must have lucked out with my SPS Tactical since its still in factory stock with a bushnell elite tactical scope sitting on a Weaver 20moa rail and being able to reach 800 yards easily...

Slap a cheek riser on the stock, spend your extra money on quality optics and learn how to shoot it before getting a aics stock and looking cool at the range.. </div></div>

I don't go to public ranges, "looking cool" isn't a concern. I have considered a Bell and Carlson M40 stock, which I like quite a bit, but I would like to have a 10 round box magazine. Buying the B&C stock, then a Magazine system and mags, I would have nearly the same money in the stock as I would with the AICS, and way too much fiddling about. Plus, the M40 stock is awesome, but I think it looks entirely wrong with a box magazine. It's like a classic muscle car with neon chassis lighting to me. I've looked into the options there. The AICS is just pretty much what I want. I never have been one to care much of what other people think. But I do care what I think about it, and I do like what I like.

 

[Oham1]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

I went with:

REM700 AAC-SD barreled action w/aac breakout
AICS 2.0 (then bought viperskins)
Badger 20MOA Rail
Badger rings
Bushnell HDMR G2
Harris S Bipod
Stock trigger tuned to 2.5lbs (will buy timney)

I really like my setup, it shoots great. I am going to be working on a load to close my groups a little more.

 

[Oham1]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

I shot this 5 shot group at 500yds without a rear bag or monopod. I used Federal GMM 168 smk factory ammo. I could probably do better with rear support.

 

[Raider Power]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

^^^ nice shooting.

I havent gotten to take mine out past 100 yet. I'm kind of following the same philosophy you are with my AAC-SD build. New stock (hs precision vertical grip), and a monarch scope for the time being. I've found the Nikon scopes to be nice for the money. I'm running a night force base and Burris signature rings so I can ring the maximum adjustments out of my scope. I'm going to upgrade my scope eventually, but my setup works for me and shoots pretty well.

I've also ditched the stock trigger for a timney and the difference is dramatic. that upgrade is money well spent, for sure.

 

[Inzaneriderz]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

Great Shooting!

 

[fdkay]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

The X mark pro trigger, while not great, is not that bad.

I did change the trigger on my 5R, only because I like the original wide, grooved trigger shoe.

I had my x mark adjusted to 3.5 pounds and shot many sub .5 moa groups with it.

The reason you see so many people bedding their bases on remington actions isn't so much about the base, it is the action.
I have seen Ken Farrel steel bases (about 115 bucks) require bedding.
I have seen 39 dollar weaver extended rails fit perfectly with no bedding required on a savage action.

 

[NIHILator]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fdkay</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The X mark pro trigger, while not great, is not that bad.

I did change the trigger on my 5R, only because I like the original wide, grooved trigger shoe.

I had my x mark adjusted to 3.5 pounds and shot many sub .5 moa groups with it.

The reason you see so many people bedding their bases on remington actions isn't so much about the base, it is the action.
I have seen Ken Farrel steel bases (about 115 bucks) require bedding.
I have seen 39 dollar weaver extended rails fit perfectly with no bedding required on a savage action. </div></div>


Yeah I have seen evidence of that in some posts I've looked through, I really hope I get lucky on that count. I ordered a Larue Tactical 20 MOA base last night. I will choose rings once I figure out what I am doing with the scope.

I will look into a trigger at some point, I will try this one out and see what kind of accuracy I get with the setup first.

 

[NIHILator]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

I received the Larue Tactical 20 moa rail today. I checked the mount according to the method described in LonewolfUSMC's budget build video. I snugged the front, and used a flashlight, but saw no gap. Then did the same with the back and saw no gap there either. I just barely tightened the screws for now, am picking up a torque wrench to properly tighten them. I have no scope yet anyway, so no rush.

The tolerances seem tight, and no burrs on the holes. It's probably my imagination, but the rail seems to have a small sideways tilt to it though. Hard to judge, I'm used to dealing with AR's which are easier to tell if they are sitting level.

My first time ordering from Larue Tactical, they gave me almost an equal value in free stuff as the mount costed. Even got the fabled dillo dust.

 

[QuietM4]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

That Dillo Dust is habit forming...I think they give it away just so you will have to buy more stuff when you run out.

 

[sumbeach75]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

i just put a weaver tactical 20 moa rail on it and i am happy with it. it does everything for me and i didnt have to break the bank. went with a pws muzzle brake and put my leupold mark 4 3.5-10 on it. i like my setup

 

[NIHILator]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: QuietM4</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That Dillo Dust is habit forming...I think they give it away just so yo will have to buy more stuff when you run out. </div></div>

Yeah I read a thread where some guy was about to buy a Larue mount. Another guy was saying to buy a different one, but he said "I need to order from Larue, I am out of Dillo Dust." Must work. My wife grilled up some T-bones with it last night. Pretty good stuff. The mount was nice, I didn't want to go low end as I like to have good quality stuff. I feel alot better about it with the scads of free swag too. Who else really does that anymore?

Anyway, got the mount Torqued up with a Snap-on Torq-O-meter. I think the perceived tilt was just an illusion, the sloped and Irregular surfaces of this type of rifle throw me off a bit. AR's are pretty much symmetrical.

 

[NIHILator]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

Behold the Glory!!! Well, behold the basically stock rifle... but whatever. Here she is. I like it anyway.

 

[QuietM4]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

Looks good...but you need to get rid of that stock. When I got mine, I did before and after test groups. With the factory stock I averaged a 1.12" group at 100 yards (four 5-shot groups). 1 hour later with the action in a new HS Precision stock, I shot the same test and averaged .76" groups. I installed the new stock at the range, but let the barrel cool back to ambient temp to be fair.

A major change with just a simple barrel change...worth every penny for the better stock.

 

[Shooter_308]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

I personally run Nightforce 20moa bases on both my AAC and SPS-V. They both fit perfect and needed no bedding. Also, i religiously use Seekins rings, they're a perfect combination of high quality parts and low price. The only issue i had was with Burris XTR rings sitting canted on them. Could have just been the bases though.

 

[Jp762]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

Nightforce 20moa and Seekins here also , dropped in a McMillan a5

 

[NIHILator]

Re: Starting with a fresh Remington 700 AAC-SD .308

Yeah I will have the AICS 1.5 otw as soon as my buddy gets back from deployment and buys my Sportbike.

Will likely go with Seekins rings. Have considered Mark 4's and Badger.