I recently acquired this weapon through a trade, It is a 700P chambered in 308, 121 rds fired. Has a Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x40, Mark 4 rings, Mark 4 20 moa base, and a Harris bi pod. I am torn as to what I want to do with this rifle, I am wanting to get into LR shooting, but am also a avid hunter. The average shot in my deer woods is 0-300yds. I am thinking of getting the barrel cut down to 18"-20" with a break to make the rifle easier to handle/carry in the deer woods. My question is for the guys who have similar rifles with 18-20 barrels, what is the weight w/ optic and no bi pod? In its current configuration as pictured it weighs in at 11lbs. Basically my options are keep it as is and buy a dedicated hunting rifle, or make this 700P my Target/Hunting rig with a 18-20" barrel w/ a break… When target shooting my goal is to work my way out to 1K yds, but will be shooting more around 300-600 yds. Thoughts/opinions?
I would suggest you buy another rifle more suited to hunting and use the 700P as it was intended. You’ve already got a great beginners setup for LR shooting. Lugging a 700P with a big giant Leupold target scope around in the woods is going to suck, especially if you’re dragging a 120lb deer.
I would pick up a used Remmy 700 or Winchester 70 in 308 or 30-06 with a pencil barrel and top it with a cheap Nikon or Bushnell scope. It will be way way lighter, and more suited to hunting. Lots of features on a dedicated LR rig you just don’t need or want on a hunting rifle.
My $0.02 as someone who once tried to drag a 700 SPS in an AICS with a Nightforce 3.5-15x50 scope around the mountains of Colorado on a Sheep hunt. :suicide:
It is, thank you sir. I dont guess I did too bad on this deal. I traded a sig Scorpion and 986rds of 45auto fmj for the rifle as it sits in the picture…I hope not anyway…lol
[QUOTE=southernZ;1708696]It is, thank you sir. I dont guess I did too bad on this deal. I traded a sig Scorpion and 986rds of 45auto fmj for the rifle as it sits in the picture…I hope not anyway…lol[
I have a pss just like yours, i like it a lot so far , i would not cut it up for hunting, you will appriciate that extra 6-8 inches out at a 1000m. You are about to find out long range shooting can be very frustrating and time consuming, but its tons of fun… enjoy your new blaster and be patient.
I’d chop it to 18" given that you only plan to shoot to 600. I live in South Dakota and have never shot at anything past 500. Unless you have a 1k range handy that you see yourself using a lot I would just chop it down.
If this is the case just buy a 20’ gun, op since you got the gun in trade not an option, but cutting the barrel is kind of permanent so… My recommendation is shoot it, find a good load and enjoy, if you want it shorter than cut it later once you have some experiences with it. I wouldn’t recommend cutting it based of the fact you don’t have a 1000y range next door. Seeing how it may end up a range gun only the extra length does not hurt you in any way.
A shooting buddy has the same rifle with 20" barrel and he shoots 1,000 yards with it from time to time. Find a good gunsmith to cut the barrel to 20" and install a brake. If you don’t like it, you can replace the barrel with a longer one after your barrel wears out.
I have only been able to shoot it at 100 yds so far. I took it out once, zeroed it, and started stacking bullets. I am in love so far. My last group I compared some Winchester 168 gr. Matchking hpbts and I put 3 bullets in the same hole. I tested the Barns Vortex 168gr. TTSX and it shot less thsn .750. Next week im going to stretch it out to 300. My only complaint is id like for the scope to have a mil fot or TMR reticle, as im wanting to learn how to use that system.
I thought he wanted a shorter barrel to make the rifle easier to lug through the woods. If he does not have the funds to buy a second rifle, shortening the barrel may be an option. He might want to lug it on one hunting trip before shortening the barrel.
Another friend bought a Remington 700 PSS in .223. He had the barrel shortened to 20" and the muzzle crown recut by a local gunsmith for $50. He did not have a muzzle brake installed. When we shot it at 200 yards, sub MOA groups were a breeze. His rifle is not for shooting long range though.
I had a 20" SPS and wasn’t happy with it. 16" is the way to go if you ask me, its more than enough to 600m and beyond that Id rather the .300 win mag or .338 lapua.
I agree with the .300wm but thats a different stiory. The .308 although not the best 1000m gun but is a good choice. As for the barrel if i were patroling with it i would want a shorter barrel, but for stationary use the 24-26 is a good length… Ive seen a few 18" sweet handy rifle no doubt.
I have an XCR Tactical which is basicly a SS LTR with a heavy fluted 20" barrel and the same scope but with Seekins aluminum rings and base. It’s a very accurate rifle but still almost 10 pounds.
My hunting rifles are mountain guns, my Remington’s weigh just over 7 pounds and my Kimber Montana’s weigh 6.5 pounds. Guess which one I grab when I want to go walking all day…
Keep the range gun as is if it shoots and pick up a light gun to hunt with. To me there’s just not enough weight difference to justify cutting the barrel.
I’m weird but I really like a 20-22" barrel on a 308. Unless it’s a pure target range rifle I would never go over 24". That’s after actually using a 26" barreled Sendero for all my hunting for years.
Get a pawn shop hunting rifle and keep the Remington how it is until you know what you want to change.
By the way I look at swapping barrels just like tires. Use em tell they are worn out or the role changes.
