Thoughts on Remington 700's in .223?

[michael_aos]

Just making conversation.

I see 3 models that sort of catch my eye.

The 700 SPS (MSRP $532).
http://www.remington.com/images/products/firearms/centerfire/lgsil_700sps.jpg

The 700P LTR (MSRP?)
http://www.remingtonle.com/images/rifles/700pltr.jpg

The 700 LV SF (MSRP $991)
http://www.remington.com/images/products/firearms/centerfire/lgsil_700lvsf.jpg

The 700P has a 1:9" twist. The SPS and LV SF have 1:12".

The LV SF is neat, but it's a blind magazine which is kind of a turn-off.

Mike

[7idl]

I've got a 700 VS-F which is pretty nice.

I vote for the LTR.

[michael_aos]

I really wanted a 700P LTR in .223 a couple years ago.

But everybody, I mean EVERYBODY told me the 26" 700P was the way to go.

So I bought that one.

It was obscenely heavy (same barrel OD as the 308 version) and an awkward 26".

Shot very well though.

I finally got sick of it and used it as a base for my 700P in 260 Remington.

Mike

[michael_aos]

Is there really anything a 20" bolt-gun does better than a 20" AR-15?

Mike

[<MADDOG>]

Yup, put one small hole in a target instead of five. Have seen factory bolt actions from all the majors do it, can't say the same for a factory AR.

[Colorado Osprey]

<MADDOG> I guess your haven't seen a K6, ServiceMatch, Ultra Match or TargetMatch rifles from Olympic arms with their broach cut 4 land and 4 groove bull barrels. These are the standard at which all factory AR are judged for accuracy. Single holes are the norm., not the exception.

Remington 700 bolt to get bug holes I'de get the P, PS, VS, VSSF or LVS.

If you want one a little cheaper a Savage 10FP or anything in the 12 series, but again get a blind mag.

[BadShot]

Any of those are going to be good... THE PSS is going to have the over all better out of the box performance. The PSS should run you aboout $800 for the base weapon.

[Marlin]

I had a Bushy Varmiteer upper that could pretty much ruin the center of the target at 100 yrds. Was `one of those "it was so accurate, it was boreing" types.

Traded it for a Rem700 in 243 Win, The LV SF. I haven't had a chance to put it on paper yet, I like it though. I was taking out clays at the 75-100 yrd distance,with the 20 rnds I ran through it.

The whole rifle seems much lighter than the Varmiteer upper. :wink:

[motorep]

I've got one in .223 and one in .308. When it's time for .223 I always grab an AR. You can have mine cheap.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/motorep1/700s0032.jpg
the one in front's the .223.

[Gman]

I guess I'm in the camp that prefers .223 in an AR. If I'm looking to a bolt gun for the precision, I'm wanting to put a larger projectile on the target.

[BadShot]

There is a lot to be said for .223 in a bolt gun. It's not something you're going to be reaching out to 1000 yrds with... even the high speed low drag bench rest AR's don't do that well... but for the sub 600m engagements it does the job. I'll stay with .308, but a nice .223 PSS for cheaper practice... any day.

[michael_aos]

but a nice .223 PSS for cheaper practice... any day.

That's EXACTLY what I had in mind.

But...when push comes to shove...and you've already got a nice AR-15...

What does a bolt-gun really gain you? I suppose you could load it a little bit hotter...

Mike

[<MADDOG>]

<MADDOG> I guess your haven't seen a K6, ServiceMatch, Ultra Match or TargetMatch rifles from Olympic arms with their broach cut 4 land and 4 groove bull barrels. These are the standard at which all factory AR are judged for accuracy. Single holes are the norm., not the exception.

As I said, I have yet to SEE an AR match a bolt in terms of accuracy. :D Then again, I haven't seen the Oly rifles you mentioned either.... They look sweet.

And just so you don't thinking I'm picking a fight, I have a "semi-custom" AR that I reserve for the prairie dogs, but the $1k+ I sunk in it still cannot match a Savage I purchased for less than $400. As far as the flexibilty of the Savage, I can load the round to any length and put just about any bullet I wish in it, and it shoots great. I can't say the same for my AR.

Must be something peaking your interest though, you are looking at bolt guns! :D

[Hoser]

There is nothing wrong with a 223 bolt gun. In the wind they are no 22-250 or a Swift. Lizard has a slew of 223 Varmint rifles. Most built up on XPs and Rem 700s. All thats left is the action and bolt. In fact, whenever I see a deal on a 700 action, I always point him at it and he snaggs them up. The caliber really doesent matter as the barrel goes in the trash.

You cant load a bolt action 223 a whole lot faster, but you can use slower powders getting you a bit more velocity. You do have the option of seating the longer bullets out more to make more room for powder and as the throat errodes, the can chase the lands. In an AR, the mags limit your OAL. Bolt guns are much nicer on brass than ARs are. Viper/Stiller actions is making a Remington 700 Action clone out of stainless. Without a doubt the smartest way to go about building up a good bolt gun on a budget.

Lizard built me a 22 BR on a Stolle Panda Action a couple years ago. Equals a 22-250 with less powder. I put a 8 twist barrel on it so I could shoot the heavies.

Keep in mind Remington puts the same barrels on the same actions on all their rifles, short of the stuff that comes out of the custom shop. In other words, a PSS has the same hammer forged barrel that a ADL has. A lot of the $$$ difference is the stock, stainless vs carbon, and CDI factor.