Remington 700 models?

Question

I think I've settled on a Remington 700 as my first bolt action rifle to purchase. I like the .308 as it has enough power to hunt medium/large game but can still provide tight groupings - the recoil is not an issue for my situation.

I like the synthetic stocks of either the VTR Varmint or one of the SPS lines. What are the thoughts on the triangular barrel w/ porting? Does it add accuracy or will I have better luck with an SPS or SPS Varmint?

I'll likely be using this mainly for longer distance target firing (With practice, I'd love to hit 500 to 600 yards consistently) but there may be a few hunting trips down the road also.

Thanks!

Answer 1

The VTR should be your first choice and then the SPS Varmint your second with the standard SPS your third.  The VTR is more accurate and lighter with less recoil than the SPS Varmint out of the box.  This fits your intended use of both target shooting and hunting better.  The SPS Varmint is only slightly less accurate and this is because of the stock.  With a change in stock, the SPS Varmint accuracy will improve to nearly match the VTR.  The porting of the VTR helps keep the barrel from jumping because of recoil and allows for quicker follow-up shots.  

The standard SPS is significantly less accurate than either rifle but its accuracy is respectable.   It would definitely not be my first choice for a 600+ yard rifle.

The cost difference between the SPS and the SPS varmint makes the SPS Varmint the easy choice between the two, and the extra $125-$150 for the VTR over the SPS Varmint is worth the money spent.

Answer 2

G'Day mate go for the sps varmint but if you want to walk around a lot they do get a bit top heavy so the sps might be the one you want.308 are very accurate gun.I own a .223 sps varmint fitted with a Burris 4 x 16 x 44 scope ballistic plex it is fantastic.It is important to have a good scope on it.cheers mate

Answer 3

the round you are looking at will be about the cheapest big game rifle caliber you can buy ammo for.

Savage makes a urban sniper rifle that will shoot extremely tight groups and costs significantly less than most other rifles that will compete with it.

http://www.savagearms.com/10fp.htm

Answer 4

You question calls for an opinion.  This is what I think:

1. All modern rifles are as accurate as the shooter out-of-the-box.

2. For extreme competitive shooting a bull barrel and good optics do give the shooter an edge in the competition.

3. Porting only aids the shooter if he is recoil-shy.  On the down side porting adds to the muzzle-blast & flash and you lose a minute amount of velocity as the bullet passes the porting because some of the bullet's 'push' goes out through the porting. The loss is probably so small that it won't make any difference at the striking end unless it is at an extremely long distance, say 800 to 1,000 yards.

Your rifle and caliber choice is excellent.  That triangular barrel does look cool.  I just don't care for ported barrels unless they are on something like the .454 Casull Raging Bull.  Now that handgun has some recoil!

H

Answer 5

Nice rifle but ammo is quite pricey. The obvious key to a 500 yrd shot is scope selection. good luck and good hunting.

Answer 6

I ama interested in the same rifles.  Good luck!