I figured I would show off my first long range build. This rifle is going to be my primary for hunting and also for target shooting at moderate (under 600yd) distances.
The stock must be replaced. Also, I don’t like the all black look. Krylon is in my future.
As it sits, I have spent less than $1800. Here is the pic and specs:
Remington 700 SPS-T
.308 Win
20" Heavy Barrel
LaRue Picatinny Base
LaRue low-profile QD rings
SWFA-SS 3-9x42
Butler Creek Caps
Harris BRM-S
Constructive criticism is welcome. The stock upgrade is priority so I need ideas. I’ll do my best to post a range report.
Look into AICS 2.0 its a mag feed system, that I have never had any problems with. Its also a folding stock with ajustable cheek and L.O.P.
just a thought… The downside mags are about $100 each
As for the rings… Why QD when the rifle doesnt have iron sights? From my experience the last thing you really want to do is remove you scope from a boltgun. Even if the clam return to zero.
Also thread the barrel and but a vortex it, That was one of the best things I did to my 700P.
for stocks you really need to set a price range and what features you want. The AICS system is quality and integrates a detachable mag. Some dont like the thumbhole but some do. Then theres Mcmillan and Manners, they both use a fiberglass/epoxy blend and these stocks are rock solid (i have a mcm A3). I cant say enough good things about my A3. Theres also the option of a HS precision 700p take off stock that you might be able to find in some classifieds. The lowest priced option is a bell and carlson composite stock. Prices breakdown as such:
AICS- $800-1k
Mcmillan- $500-800
Manners- $400-600
HS takeoff- ~$200
B&C- $200-300
The stock pack is a TacOps. It is totally GTG. I keep a calculator and my dope card plus a boresnake in the compartment.
It does add some height. Nice weld. There is so much adjustment available with the straps that you could also add some closed-cell foam underneath it.
Also - The additional comb height of the B&C helps vs the Hogue.
When I replaced my stock I was trying to decide between a Bell & Carlson hook stock or the McMillam A-5. I went with the B&C because it was cheaper and I was ultimately disappointed and bought the McMillan a short time later. My suggestion is to save up and buy once. There are a couple stores that stock them so you don’t have to wait a couple months. Midway USA & http://jwprecision.ca/products.html
Thanks for all the advice on stocks guys. It really helps. I am quickly leaning towards a DBM. I describe why below.
I finally got this rifle out to the range today. I was shooting at 50yd from the bench. I did not have any rests though so I did not have a stable platform. Still, I am very pleased with how the rifle shot.
The one problem I did have though is the hinged floor plate magazine. If the rounds were not completely seated to the rear, and I mean completely, the bolt would not pick up a round and chamber it. It would skip right over top of it. I am not confident that if I were to carry the rifle and then flop down prone or something, that the rounds would stay seated well enough to avoid this. It seems like a flawed design. I spent the afternoon feeding one at a time. This was fine by me but if I were hunting and needed to take a follow up shot, I would not trust the internal magazine design. Maybe I’m doing it wrong.
I was shooting some of the FN surplus 7.62. I know this is not the most accurate ammo. Also, as I said, I was unsupported except for a bipod and my left hand under the stock. The rifle seemed extremely accurate whenever I could stay steady. Here are my targets:
Day two at the range came and went. I’m new to LR shooting as my targets will show but I am having a literal blast so far.
The swivel on my bipod was crazy loose and I improvised a rear rest from a towel and some duct tape. A rear bean bag is on order and I have tightened up the swivel on the Harris. I also ran across a sand colored H-S Precision stock that should get me through until I can get a McMillan or AICS.
My lessons learned so far are:
The bench is okay but prone is where it’s at. Besides fundamentals, stability is causing me the most problems from the bench.
The cheek pad from LaRue is okay but is being replaced with an Eagle large stock pack from Triad.
I should have saved some coin and gotten the 10x fixed power SWFA. The 3-9x will be a very useful hunting scope though, so, I do not feel it was mistake. I’m loving the mil-dot reticle, mil/mil turrets, and the FFP.
Practical math can be extremely fun. I thought I would never need to use a slide rule but the mil-dot master will be great once I have some reliable data recorded. Range estimation and the related calculations are strangely as entertaining as pulling the trigger.
I have a long way to go in this area of the shooting sports and I am glad to have the journey ahead of me.
Here are my 100 yard “groups”. I am humbly putting this out there. I know it is not good but, considering I have shot a total of 150 rounds of .308 in my life, I am pleased. The rifle feels like it could do 1" @ 100 yards consistently. Right now, with me behind it, it is 2" all day long. I am eager to improve
With some minor equipment changes and intense study and application of marksmanship fundamentals, things are going to be looking much better the next time out.
Your enjoyment is evident in your posts. I’ll be following in your footsteps soon. A friend of mine is going to sell me a FN bolt gun in 308. Plus, I’m looking for a R700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD in 308 but they’re selling out as soon as they are put in a box. The Remmy will be a gradual build while the FN will be my training gun as the build goes along.
New stock came in today. H-S Precision PST012. It fit perfect and is lighter than the Hogue. The dollar bill test showed it was free floated all the way to the receiver, even while resting on the bipod (unlike the Hogue). I like the sand color but I’m still thinking about Krylon for the whole rifle.
Remember that mil-surp ammo will rarely do better than 2 MOA. I’ve had poor results also with commercial hunting ammo which was no better than 2 MOA. It will usually take match grade ammo, for match grade shooting.
Good choice in a stock upgrade. I need to do that myself.
As to Krylon…
I did that to my LR rifle as well! When I paint a gun I usually take my time and have some sort of ‘plan’ for applying the paint, not this time, all I did was spray a little here and there and call it done… of course the Savage cost much less money than your Remington!
Yeah, I definitely want to try out some 168gr varieties of match ammo. From research, the 168gr is a good bullet for the 20" barrel in .308. I’ve got a long way to go with fundamentals so $1 per round ammo is not something I want to burn through.
The FN 7.62 is high quality and reliable but as you stated, not super accurate. The price was right for 1000 rounds to get me started. Speaking of which, it is berdan primed so I am assuming the spent brass is unusable for reloading. Hopefully someone can chime in on this question.
My constructive criticism and maybe you disagree, and that’s fine if you do:
Instead of buying fancy bases/rings and paying more for quick detach, spend more money on optics next time. Because really, when is quick detach on a bolt-action without irons going to be helpful? Your optic is one of the more important elements of a long-range shooting system. You can always have an action trued, a barrel replaced, a stock swapped, but your optic cannot be modified very easily and to upgrade, full replacement is necessary.
