Well you guys are going to laugh at this but I bought a new rifle because I had a free scope from Burris (Full Field II 6.5-20x)that I was not using. I also had a .308 reloading set up with brass, primers etc but no gun. So I saw this Remington 700 SPS in the Black Dog gun shop in Soldotna with a 20 inch barrel. It was love at first sight.
My long range plan for this rifle is to upgrade the scope to a Nightforce 3.5-15 NSX later, then get a good stock that takes M14 mags preferably, then down the road have a smith true the action and replace the barrel. (Not till its shot out) (Any advice on which scope options, stock and smith is appreciated)
I used an EGW mount with a 20 moa cant to it and some 30 mm rings a buddy gave me and some spacers from Larue to allow you to use a 1 inch scope in 30 mm rings. I got the scope mounted and then I loaded 50 rounds with the following loads.
42 grains of RE15 (Sierra manual accuracy load)
42 grains of H335
42 grains of Varget (friends load he recommended)
42 grains of N140 ( I have a lot of this powder on hand)
When I got to the range I started the zero process at 25 yards. I did not bother to bore sight. I just put up a blank cardboard USPSA target with a 2.5 inch post it note in the middle of it. 3 shots later it was centered at 25. Then I moved to 100 yards and 6 shots later it was zeroed at that range. The first load I zeroed with was the H335 load. I had to bottom the scope adjustment out and this load was still shooting .635 above the point of aim. I plan to upgrade the scope around tax return time so I can live with the POA difference for now. After grouping the H335 load I was starting to get disappointed as the groups were nothing to write home about (average of 1.02) but things got better.
The RE15 load was next and it averaged .81. Not bad but I wanted better
The Varget load averaged .734 better and I could have lived with this but then I got really happy.
The N140 load proved to be the best of the bunch with an average of .55 for 5 5shot groups fired. Below are photos of the targets I shot with the chrono data attached as well. I plan to experiment by moving up and down from 42 grains of N140 to see if it can get even better.
It was a great relaxing day at the range. It started out a little rainy but ended up with the sun showing through.
NIce rifle. Love mine, got it about 3 years ago, similar set up to yours with the 20 MOA rail and bipod. Best group during the initial zero process was 0.375" - 3 shots at 100yd with 168gr. surplus ball ammo. My scope is a Nikon 4x18. Have fun with it.
I bought a 700P with the 26" barrel in .308. The action is bedded, it has a Timney 510 and a Vortex Viper PST FFP MRAD 6-24x50. I recently had it cut down to 20" and threaded 5/8x24.
I haven’t shot it since I got the barrel cut but I had no issues shooting less than 1 MOA at 300 yards with 168gr FGMM.
I have the exact rifle too. Warne Base, TPS rings, and a Super Sniper for now. No Bi Pod due to the rumored stock flex with this Hogue thingy.
I’ve only have dope out to 200 yards. I went out to try 500 a few weeks back, but I took a broad with me and she started taking her clothes off in the desert because I wasn’t paying attention to her. TRUE STORY!!
Good get! I prefer a 20" (patrol) length bolt myself and I have found it to be just as accurate as my 26" 700P out to 600 yds. You might want to check and see if your stock is flexing and touching the barrel with your bi pod attached. Some do and some dont so its worth checking especially if you are getting any fliers that leave you scratching your head.
I am running a 20" FN TSR XP with a Nightforce 3.5-15 MLR that I like a lot.
Good shooting Alaskapopo. That Remington should provide you with lots of grins in the years to come. Mine sure has! I shot some prairie dogs in Colorado with mine in April. Watching those little suckers pop at 450yds and do backflips at closer ranges will definitely put a smile on your face.
I’ve had good luck with 168gr SMK’s loaded on top of 43.5grs of IMR 4064. Muzzle velocity is right around 2650fps, and groups hover right around .6 MOA. You might try that out if you get a chance.
As for stock options, here’s my rifle wearing a Choate tactical:
Haven’t found a sps tac that didn’t shoot. Step up to 44gr of varget, it will probably shoot in the sub .5’s.
If you really want it to shoot, replace it with a good stock and bed it. Then replace the trigger. That will likely be all it needs until you burn out the barrel.
I really like the Accuracy Internation stocks for the looks and the detachable mags. I want a stock that I don’t have to bed because I don’t know how. Is the ACS worth the price is what has me held up.
pat
If you were to buy a manners or mcmillan, you would have to buy a DBM and have both the action and the DBM bedded, which would bring the cost of the stock equal to (or more than) the AICS.
I would go with a stock from Tom Manners just based on turn around times, 16 weeks as it stands right now. I use 2 gun smiths right now, but my choice for what you want would be Kevin Cram at Montoure county rifles. He has built 2 rifles for me and one for a buddy.
R15 is my go to 308 win powder best speeds and safe for auto loaders to. It is also the powder used in LR118 by the military. I dont know your twist rate but I would pick a bigger bullet.
