700 .308 20" heavy barrel

[berettabattler]

hey guys.

I'm in the market of an bolt action.

I saw the 700 today and is $499 before tax and dros.

my main purpose for this rifle will be 400-600 yard paper drilling.

has any one had problems with their 700's?

at $499, I'm considering it for my first bolt gun.

if not the 700, what would you guys recommend around this $$ range?

thanks

[toby]

Only the bolt handle falling off.

[Rothenfield]

[TMB 1]

20" barrel is fine for 400 to 600 yards. The guys recommending long barrels are shooting 1000 yards.

[JMP]

At 400 yards, you will have no trouble with a 20" 308. At 600 yards, you may start to feel some wind drift. After that, the 20" barrel starts to kill you.

As far as a first bolt action, it is a solid choice. The two things I'd recommend are an upgrade in the stock and the trigger.

[vliberatore]

In before Randall talks about 20" barreled rifles being for Miata drivers

[1859sharps]

nothing wrong with a 20" 308. that is plenty for most typical uses.

Needed barrel length is governed by intended use.

for example to win in competitive shooting where the smallest group on paper wins, 20" will become an issue much sooner than other shooting goals or needs.

[jrpowell3]

I shot a Rem700 in .308 with a 20" barrel recently. Easily drilled targets at 600yds.

[ExtremeX]

I have a R700 SPS Tactical, which is a 20” 1:12 twist barrel…

Good rifle, and in the distances you mentioned OP you would be good to go, especially if it’s just for paper punching. Inside of 600 yards I find it VERY accurate. Great groups on paper.

I shoot mine out to 800-900 yards regularly and makes for a fun day at the range when you got some wind to fight.

The rifle loves 168gr Hornady Amax, so that’s a good place to start if you want accurate ammo to pair with it.

I did ultimately end up with a stock and trigger upgrade, which will be a running theme with anything entry level from Remington in the 700 line.

[Diesel12]

Only the bolt handle falling off.

Please elaborate??? I believe it's a one piece bolt handle.

[jeremyro]

I actually use a 20" bolt in 308 for 1000yrd from time to time. With 178 or 185 bullets it works just fine

[ExtremeX]

Remington bolt handle brazed onto the bolt... its not 1 piece.

That said, never had a problem with mine... I only neck size my brass and run zero cartridge headspace for a few firings. Its a stiff bolt and that puts a lot of stress on the handle, but no problems to date.

You can google the issue, it has happened, but it seems pretty rare.

[BisDak]

$499 is a good price. What model is this? Bull Barrel?


.

[webcruzzer]

I have taken my 700 20" to 1120 yards with 178 amax. It can be done.

[jpx0123]

I went with a 20" rem 700 with a 1:10 twist. after doing some research on here. I am new and not even close to doing past 100 so I went with the 20". it can get to 1000yards from what ive read from people who have done it. but it is also very well stated that its easier to get out to 1000 yards with a 26" barrel. I decided to get the 20". get better and then when I wear out the barrel put a new longer one at that time. 500 bucks for a rem 700 in a 308 is a good price if that is with a heavy barrel.