Rem 700 .308 Range trip and issues

[Kolo589]

I finally got a chance to take my Rem 700 .308 out to the range and while I had fun, I did have some issues I was wondering if anyone had possible solutions to.

Here's the rifle:



I was testing out a few different rounds from a couple manufacturers. I was shooting 100 yards from prone. Indoor range so no wind or anything like that. 20" heavy barrel, scope is zeroed at 100 yards.

First off was HSM 168gr HPBT (link here). It seemed to shoot a little high:



Next up was HSM 175gr M118LR (link here). Much better performance:



The last set of rounds were PWN 175gr "Sniper" ammo... totally overpriced and just happened to be a spur of the moment "might as well try a box" type purchase. (link here)

I didn't get a picture of the group for this one because on the 3rd round a spent case got stuck in the chamber and wouldn't be picked up by the extractor no matter how many times I worked the bolt. That ended the range trip prematurely so I packed up and headed home.

Overall I'm happy with the precision of the rifle... I'm definitely the weak link in the system as far as accuracy. I did have some issues though:

1. Sometimes during loading the bolt would not pick up the next round from the internal mag. I'd either have to manually manipulate the rounds with a finger to get them to seat correctly or I'd have to drop the bottom metal and eject the rounds and reload the rifle. That happened with all the different ammo types.

2. Sometimes, not often but more than once, the bolt would not extract the spent casing from the chamber when I'd work the bolt. The first couple times that happened, the second (or third) attempt would extract the casing. The final time it didn't budge even after ~10 attempts with varying force. I finally had to use a brass rod and pop the spent casing out from the other end when I got home.

For issue 1, I think the solution might be adjusting the spring/follower combination and just tweaking it until it's consistent.

I'm not sure what to do about issue 2, I doubt it's a bad extractor (the rifle has only had ~30 rounds through it total). There was some gunk in the bolt face when I cleaned it when I got home but would an extractor foul that quickly during a normal range trip? Any suggestions on what can be done to improve extractor reliability?

[ar15barrels]

The zero will be different with different types of ammo.
That is NORMAL.

#1 is likely from cycling the bolt slowly/weakly.
If you get on it, it should feed fine unless you took it apart and re-assembled it incorrectly.

#2 is hard to troubleshoot over the internet, but could be an ammo problem or just that the gun is so new that it needs to break-in and smooth out a little.
Failure to clean a new rifle could also cause it as the guns come with preservative oil/grease in them that you need to clean out before you shoot a new gun.

[Kolo589]

The zero will be different with different types of ammo.
That is NORMAL.

#1 is likely from cycling the bolt slowly/weakly.
If you get on it, it should feed fine unless you took it apart and re-assembled it incorrectly.

#2 is hard to troubleshoot over the internet, but could be an ammo problem or just that the gun is so new that it needs to break-in and smooth out a little.
Failure to clean a new rifle could also cause it as the guns come with preservative oil/grease in them that you need to clean out before you shoot a new gun.

I knew the ammo difference would change the POI, but I didn't know which ammo type was used to zero the rifle before I got it (it was a package deal via the internet, all the customizing was done and rifle zeroed before sending back to me). It was interesting to see the significant difference between the two even though there's only a 7gr difference in bullet weight.

I'll work on bolt manipulation the next time I'm out. I have some .308 snap caps but the lip on the base of the round is starting to wear so I'm not sure how well they'll lock up anymore.

I did clean the rifle before taking it out to the range. I'll see if this continues to be an issue as I get more rounds through it. I do enjoy shooting the gun though.

Thanks for the reply.

[werbepeo]

good,The zero will be different with different types of ammo.

[scotty99]

I had the extractor fail in a 700cdl after only about 50 rounds. I think it is the weakest part of the 700 action, which is why you see people paying to have different extractors installed. Was the stuck round hard to remove?

I replaced the extractor that failed, and the new one has worked fine through 150 rounds so far. I also have a 700sps with maybe 300 rounds through it, and have had zero extraction issues.


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[CSACANNONEER]

I finally got a chance to take my Rem 700 .308 out to the range and while I had fun, I did have some issues I was wondering if anyone had possible solutions to.

Here's the rifle:



I was testing out a few different rounds from a couple manufacturers. I was shooting 100 yards from prone. Indoor range so no wind or anything like that. 20" heavy barrel, scope is zeroed at 100 yards.

First off was HSM 168gr HPBT (link here). It seemed to shoot a little high:



Next up was HSM 175gr M118LR (link here). Much better performance:

Actually, the HSM appear to perform better. What are you basing your opinion on? The fact that they are shooting a little high at 100? That's just a matter of conditions and scope adjustment.

[Jarhead]

Never seen or talked to anyone who had an extractor problem, fired hundreds of rounds from half a dozen Rem. 700.............it's the weak manipulation of the bolt, plus he needs to settle on a round and zero the scope to that round.

[Kolo589]

Actually, the HSM appear to perform better. What are you basing your opinion on? The fact that they are shooting a little high at 100? That's just a matter of conditions and scope adjustment.

The two pictures were both HSM ammo, top was 168gr bottom was 175gr. The scope was zeroed with 175gr (I assume since the POA/POI was near dead on rather than 1" high). Going to the range I didn't know what weight ammo was used to zero the scope (the gunsmith did it after doing all the other work on the rifle) so those comments were just my thoughts after shooting those groups. Both the HSM ammo types seemed to hold a pretty consistent 5 shot group spacing and I'm sure they'll only get tighter as I practice more behind the rifle.

[CSACANNONEER]

The two pictures were both HSM ammo, top was 168gr bottom was 175gr. The scope was zeroed with 175gr (I assume since the POA/POI was near dead on rather than 1" high). Going to the range I didn't know what weight ammo was used to zero the scope (the gunsmith did it after doing all the other work on the rifle) so those comments were just my thoughts after shooting those groups. Both the HSM ammo types seemed to hold a pretty consistent 5 shot group spacing and I'm sure they'll only get tighter as I practice more behind the rifle.

The 168s group tighter so, they are more precise. Do you know the scope was zeroed for 100 yards? I bet the 168s are more "accurate" and "precise" at 200 or 300 yards. A few clicks on your elevation turret would make the 168s more accurate at 100 yards if that's the ammo and zero you want to use.

[Kolo589]

I had the extractor fail in a 700cdl after only about 50 rounds. I think it is the weakest part of the 700 action, which is why you see people paying to have different extractors installed. Was the stuck round hard to remove?

I replaced the extractor that failed, and the new one has worked fine through 150 rounds so far. I also have a 700sps with maybe 300 rounds through it, and have had zero extraction issues.


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No, the stuck round just needed a nudge from the other end with a brass rod. It didn't take much force at all.

I'll keep an eye on it and work on bolt manipulation like others have suggested.

[Kolo589]

The 168s group tighter so, they are more precise. Do you know the scope was zeroed for 100 yards? I bet the 168s are more "accurate" and "precise" at 200 or 300 yards. A few clicks on your elevation turret would make the 168s more accurate at 100 yards if that's the ammo and zero you want to use.

I'll try both those rounds again the next time I go out. I haven't settled on a specific load I want to run through this rifle just yet. I guess the next trip will probably be out to South Bay to try out the 300 yard range to go beyond the 100 yard mark.

[NapalmCheese]

As others have been mentioning, don't care about where on the target your rounds impact, care about the group they make on the target. Once you find ammo that groups to your liking adjust your scope to zero for that ammo. Zero your scope at whatever range you like.

Little things can affect your zero. Different lots of the same 175 grain ammo could potentially have a different zero, 175 grain ammo from two different manufacturers will likely have a different zero, etc.

You're sure the extractor isn't gummed up and the edges are sharp (at least not rounded or gouged or chipped)?

[Xtracrispy]

My 700 doesn't feed well from the internal mag either. It has been in the stock hogue and not a B&C like yours, didn't change. I don't know if the feed lips in the mag need to be modified or what.

I have not had extractor issues though.

[bsumoba]

Yup...check the extractor. Could be grime in there or could even be damaged.

My friend was cycling my custom bolt action and he was gingerly working the bolt, causing the rounds to bind a little. He made a comment that it wasn't as smooth as he thought. I told him to grow a pair and work the bolt aggressively. After he did that, the feeding felt like butter, and he looked tacticool doing it

Make sure to use a rear bag...

I'll be the first to say it...to get the most potential out of the gun and if you intend on shooting it often, the way to go is handloading. Some 175s or 168s & IMR4064, Varget or RE-15 and you will find a good load that should shoot consistent MOA if not 3/4 MOA groups at 100 yards.

[CK_32]

Nice looking rifle.

For #1, try bending the mag spring a little. When I bought mine I had the same issue. Then found some guys found out if you bent the mag spring just slightly to adjust the pressure of the spring force it makes it more reliable. Did this a few years back and haven't experienced it since.

As for #2 it could be a sticky chamber. Just shoot about 100 rounds and if it continues worry. Or weak extractor. Usually it fixes it self by then cause its a rough chamber.

And in before the Remington haters make their showing.