Remington 700 stainless?

[asteffes]

Hey, folks. Do any of you know anything about the Remington SPS 700 Stainless?

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_SPS_Stainless.asp

It looks like a nice starter rifle for shooting at the local range. I have no game hunting aspirations, just shooting paper targets at 100-150 yards or so. I know, get a .22LR, right? But how would this 700 in .223 or .308 (I like commonly-available calibers) work out if someone wanted a larger cartridge for range trips?

-Adam

 

[jh504]

Remington 700 is one of the best centerfire rifles you can buy. It has excellent accuracy at very long distances. I own a 700 in 7mm mag and shoot comfortably at 250-300 yards with no problem. The military uses the 700 in 308 as a sniper rifle. I have a close friend who shoots long range comps at 1000 yards with a modified 700. It has proved itself over years of serious use as a highly accurate, durable design. I would say definitly go with the 700 if it is in your price range. You might only be shooting 150 yds now but it will allow you to go as far as your ability allows later.

 

[Haggis]

You can't go wrong with a 700, it's a great rifle. I'd stay away from a .223, not that it isn't a good cartridge for varmits and stuff and can be used to some effect on deer, but if you're going to invest in a rifle you'll want it to be versitle as possible. My recommendations for calibre would be 7mm-08, 308, 7mm STW and the old standby 270 Win.

 

[ntsqd]

If you are thinking that Benchrest or other shorter range Rifle Comps might be interesting I would chose a short action rifle (stiffer than a long action) with the .308Win bolt face (.22-250, .243, 7-08, .308Win, etc.) Would also suggest a heavy barrel version if field use, unless varmiting, is not in the plan. That gets you into an action and stock that will allow for future barrel upgrades should one become desired.

For info overload on Comp rifles, one place on the net is 6mmBR.com

 

[asteffes]

Cool, thanks guys. I guess .223 came to mind because it's so commonly available. .308 is, too, but I've never come across anyone shooting 7mm or even .270. But then I don't know many rifle owners.

The 700 just seems like a simple, reliable Remi rifle, a lot like my 870. I will have to go take a look at one in person sometime.

Any suggestions for a versatile scope setup for the 700?

 

[Ridgewalker]

.223 vs .308 vs 7mm08

If no future big game hunting is in your plans, I'd go for the .223. Much less recoil than .308 or 7mm08. Ammo less costly. Cheaper to reload (if you really get into it).

7mm08 has less recoil than .308, but much more than .223. Less recoil means easier to hit what you are aiming at.

If eventually you build a battery of guns, any one of these is a great start.

Stainless is also a very good way to go. If you go to a humid or rainy climate, it is much less susceptible to corrosion (but don't think nothing on the gun will corrode just because they say stainless).

Rem 700 triggers can be easily adjusted as long as you follow precautions. Best to pay the $50-$75 for a pro gunsmith though if you don't know how. Process is documented on the internet.

Synthetic stocks will not warp in humid climates like wood, but don't have the "warmth" of wood. Warp changes point of impact.

Sounds like a good choice in any caliber. Though for learning it is vastly cheaper to learn with a .22 rimfire.:REOutShootinghunter

In any caliber, purchase a good scope. By good I mean get one close to the same price as the gun. Me, I spend more on the scope than the gun. But I have old eyes.

Best of luck in your new endeavor.

 

[1leg]

I would recommend a 22lr for a first rifle. I do some varminting so my caliber of choice is 22-250. Tekka -T3,

 

[computeruser]

If this is a first rifle, I'd also get the .22. Of all the stuff I own, I get more pure enjoyment out of an afternoon with the .22 than with anything else I own. Even if you want to get the 700, get a .22 also. You can get a new Ruger 10-22 for about $175, or a used version or some sort of bolt action .22 for less than $150. I've got an old but pristine Remington 511 .22 bolt action that is a tackdriver with open sights, and is by far my favorite target/plinking gun.

As for the 700, it is a superb platform with a proven track record. If target work is your goal, the heavy barrel version is worthwhile, but the standard taper barrel is perfectly workable, too.

I'd go with .308, of the calibers suggested. You can find it (if you look) fairly cheap, and it has honest 500+ yard potential.

A buddy of mine has a 700 varmint in .308 with the laminated stock. Leupold VX-III scope, Harris bipod. From a bench it will punch 5 round groups the size of a dime at 150 yards all day long with any brand of 168gr match ammo you feed it. Almost takes the challenge out of things at that range...

 

[ntsqd]

For some reason this hobby generates a lot of know-it-alls, some of the worst are behind the counter. The posts I've seen here are exceptionally remarkable for their lack of that. That is a true indicator of just how good this forum and the folks who populate it are. I spent my many Jr. college years working in a gun shop, both in sales and in repair. With all of that exposure I'd guess that I know maybe 1/11billionth of what there is to know about firearms.

Cool, thanks guys. I guess .223 came to mind because it's so commonly available. .308 is, too, but I've never come across anyone shooting 7mm or even .270. But then I don't know many rifle owners.

The 700 just seems like a simple, reliable Remi rifle, a lot like my 870. I will have to go take a look at one in person sometime.

Any suggestions for a versatile scope setup for the 700?

Buying in any military caliber does mean that you can shoot surplus or high volume mfg ammo. I would not expect to shoot tiny groups with it, but for casual shooting it will be fine.

I'd call Leupold the beginning of a quality scope. Most anything lower priced will be enough lower quality that it is not worth considering. Most likely a scope of theirs will cost close to, if not more than the rifle. My recommendation for a starter target scope would be a 6.5-20 x 50mm. There are other good choices, that's just my recommendation.

One judge of a quality glass is to look at tree leaves at some distance. Note how clear & distinct they are at the center of the lense. That is easy to do. Then, without moving the scope, look at the leaves near the edges of the lense. Compare their clarity & distinction with that of the center. The higher the quality of the scope the closer those will be.

Do the rifle a favor, buy a one piece quality cleaning rod like a Dewey or a Parker-Hale (note that the Parker-Hale's have an unusual thread arrangement). Those cheap Outer's & Hoppe's sectional rods do more harm to the bore than good. One primer on cleaning rifle bores: http://www.6mmbr.com/borecleaning.html

Any particular range in mind? I know a friend of mine in San Jose shoots high power once a month at a range over near Sacramento somewhere.

The .22LR suggestion is a stellar one, even if it's not your first purchase. An older Remington or Winchester bolt action, or a Ruger 10-22 (with eventual modifications) are my suggestions in that area. I found some time ago that I enjoy shooting the .22LR's more than any of the high power stuff. I probably shoot 50 rounds of .22LR for every one round of high power.

The general sense I get from all of these posts is that we're trying to give you a foundation to build on in what ever direction you decide to go without having to immediately purchase better equipment. Unfortunately that makes the start-up costs high.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Like this?

.308, Leupold 3.5x10 Tactical (Mil-Dot ret)

Answer Systems Muzzlebreak Machined down to match the outside dia. of the barrel. Feels like a .223

Tack Driver. The one thing you should remember when buying a gun is that it is a very personal choice. Take the above suggestions as that only. Buy what you want and what feels good. If you like what your shooting your going to shoot it better.

Let me know if I can help you with any other questions.

 

[jh504]

".308, Leupold 3.5x10 Tactical (Mil-Dot ret)"




Nice caliber and nice scope. My vote is for the .308 cal, and Leupold scopes are excellent.

I do have a suggestion on an optical alternative. I started using Sightron scopes recently, and I have to say that the quality is very surprising. I now own 5 different styles of Sightron optics and the quality is comparable to Leupolds and other very nice scopes, but the price is very affordable. These are VERY crisp, sturdy scopes and I would recommend them to any serious shooter or hunter. A 3-9x42 would be a good start on whatever caliber you choose.
http://www.sightron.com/

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Thanks. This combination has worked very well for me.

 

[snipecatcher]

yeah

I sell several guns a day somedays, but if I'm not one of the the so called "experts" (as some of the others who work behind the counter claim to be, lol.) If you are set on something other than a .22, and want something just to shoot, I would recommend a light recoiling rifle, such as a .223, .22-250, or .243. Also, I would recommend NOT buying a gun with a muzzle break until you've actually shot one. To me, the slight reduction in recoil is not worth having your eardrums nearly blown out on every shot. I guess that is mostly personal preference though. I say you go to a local gun range and try out a couple calibers to see what you feel comfortable shooting, but take what the "local gun range experts" say with a grain of salt.
-Dan

 

[Photog]

I agree, about the muzzel brakes. They bring a lot more noise back to the shooter. Because of this, some muzzel brake makers have tried to design the holes, to reduce this effect. They can't go very far with it, because the ATF want to call it a supressor, if it cuts the sound volume by very much. If you are only shooting at the range, and always wearing ear protection, the muzzel brake will only bother the other shooters on the line.

If you are only shooting at the range, and you want to keep ammo costs down, the military rounds are the way to go (.223 or .308). The .223 will give less of a beating.

If you want to improve your shooting skills, buy a good bolt action .22LR, and a good scope. Work on your skills, and then apply them to the highpower rifle.

You are in for a load of fun!!!ROFSheriffHL:

 

[ntsqd]

I can vouch for the nasal clearing experience that touching off a muzzle braked Barrett .50 can be. That is over and beyond an extreme example. I'm glad it's not my gun.......

I can see where a muzzle brake might not be welcome on a full firing line.