What to do with 700 in .223

[danheller88]

I just remembered I have a 700 SPS Varmint in .223 26" barrel laying around. It has roughly 200-300 rounds through it, the factory 2 piece base, Warner rings, and a Nikon P223(3-9x40)scope.

I am at a stand still with what to do to the gun. I don't want to spend a ton of money on the gun, because it is a .223, but at the same time it will definitely be a good gun for me to practice on and teach others on. I am considering throwing on a lower end stock(<$300), a good base and rings, and a decent optic on it. Or possibly making it into a .308? However I feel that would cost more than it's worth and I may as well just buy a 700 in .308 instead.

Any insight or advice would be appreciated.


EDIT: After some thought, the gun for now will stay a .223, on the factory 26" barrel. I will be throwing some optics and a stock on it. What type of bedding system should I be looking at? Aluminum, pillar, glass, etc. Would prefer to not have to bring the rifle to a gunsmith. I am handy myself though, so i would be willing to give it a shot on a leftover stock if needed.

 

[ptaylortx]

Re barrel it to a 6.5 tcu. Variety is the spice of life.

 

[Pahntr760]

Re barrel it to a 6.5 tcu. Variety is the spice of life.

I'd vote for a 6x45. A very handy and efficient cartridge, IME.

 

[cjgemm]

.223AI setup for 75g Amaxs.

 

[George Az]

Leave it, shoot it. Put a decent base/rings & scope on it. Really, it can be shot more than 100 yards. There are many that push it to well past 500 yards which is where I figure it finally drops off. For punching paper, coyotes and other vermin, the round is fine. In all likelyhood your twist rate on the factory barrel is what holds the rifle back from shooting the heavier 68grn + bullets. Everyone needs a .223/5.56 in their stable. Be aware there are differences between the two and you will be fine.

If you do re-barrel, think short and fat with a 1/8 twist!

 

[mountainman308]

Rebarrel to 6br, get a good stock, and optics. Proceed from there.

 

[Pahntr760]

Rebarrel to 6br, get a good stock, and optics. Proceed from there.

That would require a new bolt, as well.

 

[mountainman308]

That would require a new bolt, as well.

I thought you only had to open up the bolt face a touch to get from 223 to 6br?

 

[danheller88]

Let me explain a bit more. The gun will be shooting factory ammo, no hand loads(long story short, I will be moving soon and then hand loads will be used for my other rifles). So I would prefer to stay with 223 I am thinking.

The gun will only be used between 100 and 500 yards, and no hunting. It will be more of a learning tool.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Did some one say short and fat...

1:7 twisted m24/m40 contour and throated for heavies in a match 223 chamber
It did well at my first rifle comp... I, however, could have been a better "operator", LOL... and it is 1000y capable with 75-80 grain a-max's and/or VLD's.

If I were to do it over though I go with a lighter contour such as light palma, heavy bull sporter or remington varmint for the heaviest...

 

[danheller88]

Did some one say short and fat...

1:7 twisted and throated for heavies in a match 223 chamber
It did well at my first rifle comp... I, however, could have been a better "operator", LOL... and it is 1000y capable with 75-80 grain a-max's and/or VLD's.

What barrel is that?

 

[Niles Coyote]

Let me explain a bit more. The gun will be shooting factory ammo, no hand loads(long story short, I will be moving soon and then hand loads will be used for my other rifles). So I would prefer to stay with 223 I am thinking.

The gun will only be used between 100 and 500 yards, and no hunting. It will be more of a learning tool.

If you stay with a 223 or 223 AI go ahead and use a freebore that will allow the longer bullets (75-80's) it has been my experience that 69's and 77's will handle the jump well. That way when you do start hand loading you will have the option available. A 1:8 will work for most but I had concerns about using it in freezing temps near sea level with the long 80 grain bullets and that was the reason for the 7 twist.

 

[Newtrick]

That's a nice firearm. Don't short sell it. I would put it in a decent affordable stock. H-S for example. Have it bedded, and lighten up the trigger. Get some 69 gr smk's ammo, and have some fun. If you like it, you can upgrade your optic later. That IS a nice rifle though.In the right hands, with the correct ammo, it is capable of very tight groups.

 

[danheller88]

That's a nice firearm. Don't short sell it. I would put it in a decent affordable stock. H-S for example. Have it bedded, and lighten up the trigger. Get some 69 gr smk's ammo, and have some fun. If you like it, you can upgrade your optic later. That IS a nice rifle though.In the right hands, with the correct ammo, it is capable of very tight groups.

Certainly not short selling it. I have had some suprisingly good groups from the gun as is. Any suggestions on stocks? Looking to stay below the $350 mark.

 

[Pahntr760]

Certainly not short selling it. I have had some suprisingly good groups from the gun as is. Any suggestions on stocks? Looking to stay below the $350 mark.

I have B&C, HS and have shot a Bobby Hart. All work well, for me. Keep an eye on some classifieds for a Take-Off stock. Many good'uns around.

 

[Newtrick]

Gosh, I think you're going to have to keep your eyes open. Watch for sales. The reason I suggested the H-S is because I've had very good luck fitting that stock. It is also pretty adaptable to various bottom metals. Remy of course uses them for 5R's. I'm shooting 69 SMK's with 24 gr of Varget into a nickel if I pay attention. For me however it is more difficult to hold consistent groups with my .223 Remy than my .308. I have to really concentrate to hold that bugger still. Once I do however, the holes touch.

 

[danheller88]

Guess I need to find myself a stock. What type of bedding system should I be looking for?

 

[BoilerUP]

.223AI setup for 75g Amaxs.

This, and I'd personally go with a 7.7 twist, no heavier than a Rem Varmint contour, and no longer than 22".

Though a 24" 6x45 or 6TCU throated for 105 Hybrids would be intriguing as well.

 

[danheller88]

Rifle will stay a 223, time for some stock options.

 

[dinc]

Check and make sure what twist rate the barrel has. Then you won't get frustrated trying to get it to shoot too heavy a bullet.

Keep it as a .223, don't mess around with the bolt. Sooner or later you'll want a .223 for something. Just bed it in a decent stock, cheap B&C or Boyds' and shoot it.

If you want a .308 pick up a cheap Dicks heavy ADL on black Friday and then stock and bed it.

Go shoot.

 

[RTH1800]

Doubt it needs a stock either. Just shoot it. Have fun.

 

[danheller88]

Doubt it needs a stock either. Just shoot it. Have fun.

Main reason for the stock is this one is hideous and cracked up.

 

[danheller88]

Is it worth it? Bell & Carlson, Medalist Style 3 "hook" stock. With a Seekins Precision SRS Rail attached to the front forend. Stock appears to be in good condition, seems pretty firm on the $240 price.

 

[lobo56]

Not trying to steal your thread, but would he benefit running a 20 MOA rail versus 0 MOA on a 223 rig like this?

 

[danheller88]

Not trying to steal your thread, but would he benefit running a 20 MOA rail versus 0 MOA on a 223 rig like this?

Was actually something I was wondering too, but I think I need to figure out what optic I am going to use and see how much elevation it can dial in.

 

[Niles Coyote]

It depends on your scope and the distance you shoot if you need one, but I use them on everything thats going long range. It keeps you closer to the center of your scopes operating range where everything tends to be at its best.

 

[diggler1833]

After reading your update I suggest glass bedding it in whichever stock fits you best. I'd even skim bed the aluminum chassis stocks like H-S, and B&C. It is a bit easier to learn how to bed a rifle by skim bedding it in an aluminum chassis stock anyways.

Good luck.

 

[HOGTOOTH5R]

Just go with a 20 MOA since you're going to buy one anyways. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. It won't hurt you any if you get a 20MOA from the get go.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Load up some 53gr Vmax's for it. For their weight they have a great BC and you can drive them fast. It's going to be the best bullet you're going to get to stabilize in a 1:12 barrel. It will run right with the 69gr and 77gr bullets due to the speed. The 75 and 80 Amax edge them out a bit but you need a 1:8 to stabilize them.

 

[Pahntr760]

Load up some 53gr Vmax's for it. For their weight they have a great BC and you can drive them fast. It's going to be the best bullet you're going to get to stabilize in a 1:12 barrel. It will run right with the 69gr and 77gr bullets due to the speed. The 75 and 80 Amax edge them out a bit but you need a 1:8 to stabilize them.

As will the 55 gr Sierra Blitz King. Very good bullet, and a bit more slippery than the 53 VMax in my testing!

 

[redneckbmxer24]

As will the 55 gr Sierra Blitz King. Very good bullet, and a bit more slippery than the 53 VMax in my testing!

I've run the blitzking and it does good but at distance the vmax is better. It runs faster from the same barrel and has a higher BC.

 

[Pahntr760]

I've found the 55 BK to drop less at distance. Not ballistic calculator or published BC, but on paper. YMMV.

 

[shdz-762]

I chopped mine down to 18" and had a surefire brake installed. I picked up a LTR stock painted it with my son and gave it to him. He has a decent collection for a 10 yr old lol.