Is it ok to use a Heavy (Varmint) Stock with a standard barrel on a Remington 700?

Question

I bought a Hogue stock that came off a Remington 700 SPS Tactical and want to use it on non-Tactical SPS. I installed it and of course there is a small gap around the barrel on both sides, but other than that will it effect accuracy?

Answer 1

It won't matter.

The issue is pressure on the barrel that could affect the point of impact.

You should have supperior accuracy with no pressure on the barrel.

Answer 2

In thin barrel 700s, Remington does not free float them.  Remington uses what is called pressure bedding.  The 26" barreled laminated thumbhole stock rifles are an example.    If you attempt to free float a rifle with a long thin barrel, you can add more problems than you are fixing.   The only way you are going to know for sure is to shoot it.  Shoot it with both stocks and compare point of impact and group sizes.  It may look goofy, but it may work just fine.

Answer 3

The scope is mounted to the receiver, not the stock. So, at least in theory, as long as it's solidly built, the stock shouldn't matter.

Answer 4

Yes.*