Most important 700 modifications for a precision rifle?

[ar15barrels]

??

The last pic with the wood stock is an early PSS 24" 308 receiver for comparison.

I thought it was the one you cut the hump out of after refinishing...

[kendog4570]

I thought it was the one you cut the hump out of after refinishing...

Nah. The lumpy one is on the brown truck on its way back to it's owner. The parked one in the wood stock is a very early PSS that has been converted to my High power Hunter silhouette rifle in 6mm International. The original 24" 308 factory tube NEVER shot well, even after rechambering with a match reamer.
The OP is well advised to listen to you guys and get the 5R and shoot it as-is and wear it out. Then he will know more about what to change.

[sigstroker]

Great info here guys. Thank you.

I found a like new 700 XCR Compact Tactical in an HS Precision stock plus a Timney trigger...for less than 1k for the package...so my wallet just about broke the sound barrier jumping from my pants.

It's a 20in .308, but at that price I couldn't resist. It looks like a rebarrel is in my future but only after I shoot the barrel out. Doing the touchdown dance now.

What glass in the sub $1k range will be best? I am currently looking at a Vortex Viper PST Gen 2. Thoughts there? Also, looks like 175gr is the best load for distance in the 1:12 twist?

Now I just need to find a place in CA that I can learn to shoot it. What match is good for newcomers to long range precision rifles in NorCal?

Thanks again. Love you guys.

That's like a police sniper rifle, where they don't shoot any further than 100 yards. You want a 1000 yard rifle. It's like a hammer and a table saw, both good tools, but used for different jobs.

[pancakes go]

does your rifle NEED to be 308?

[Citadelgrad87]

This parallels what we are seeing with our NRA midrange (600yd) and long-range (1K) matches at Camp Pendleton. The novice competitor with an "out of the box" 5R in 308 is able to effectively shoot decent scores.

This is true.

I wanted to dip my toe in mid to long range, so with Randalls advice i grabbed a 700 5r 24” in .308 from a calgunner, NIB.

I put on a 20moa rail, a Bushnell HDMR2 scope, had Randall put on a takticool bolt handle and brake, and dropped it in a Grayboe ridgeback stock. I put on a harris, and called it done.

I shot mine at a 600 yard f class, way up at “burbank” rifle and revolver club, although its up near Magic Mountain.

I had sighted it in at 100, loaded my first try at an accurate recipe, and had never shot this rifle at paper beyond 100y.

I used a phone app and was in the black on my first sighters at 600.

Despite the wind, I shot 177 2x, 177 2x, and 176 1x.

I am hooked but with a daughter that just started college, i havent been able to get to a smmc match since last winter.

It is WAY more accurate than i am.


Wind is the enemy now....

[fish45]

Sac valley is good for some things, but practicing is not one of them. They may be helpful for those trying to start out, but not for those that want to practice. You will have to jump through hoops to be able to use the range for anything longer than the 300 yard public range, and getting practice time on a range longer than 300 without someone breathing down your neck will be almost impossible. Ranges 3 and 4 are great overall, but anything further than 300 is a huge pain.

[smoothy8500]

I found a like new 700 XCR Compact Tactical in an HS Precision stock

Vortex Viper PST Gen 2. Thoughts there?

That's like a police sniper rifle, where they don't shoot any further than 100 yards.

The Vortex PST is a good scope and can be found 2nd-hand for well under $700. I agree that the XCR is a bit short, but will work fine at NRA Midrange distances (600yds). It very well may shoot accurately enough at 1K for F-class, but you won't know until you get there.

It'll be on the edge of maintaining bullet stability. Good enough for steel plates though.

[John Browning]

The Vortex PST is a good scope and can be found 2nd-hand for well under $700. I agree that the XCR is a bit short, but will work fine at NRA Midrange distances (600yds). It very well may shoot accurately enough at 1K for F-class, but you won't know until you get there.

It'll be on the edge of maintaining bullet stability. Good enough for steel plates though.

Maybe the price was too good to be true. I figured at $675, I bought the stock and the trigger and got a barreled action for free. I have a Harris bipod and Leupold Vari-X III Tactical 4.5-14x50 that I can use for now, too. I guess the 20in is more of a problem than I thought, but lesson learned.

Eventually, I'll probably have someone put on a threaded 24in Bartlein. I might bed the stock. At least now I have my foot in the door.

I'm going to try and make it out to Sac Valley for some 600 yard stuff. Reno has a nice range with steel out to 987 yards that I'll visit, too.

Thanks everybody!

[tmorse]

My son an I bought a Remington 700 Long Range in 30-06 a few years ago. Getting it to be accurate has been a challenge. Used several different factory ammo including match and couldn't get better than 1.5 to 3 MOA. Replace trigger with Timney. That helped a little, but seemed like there was a delay between pulling trigger and firing. Took bolt apart, cleaned out gunk, new lube and heavier spring. Helped a little but still not great. Went to reloading bench and loaded many different recipes. That helped a little. Then found the chamber is a little long. So this thing like a heavy bullet (208 to 220 gr) and likes to be loaded long at something like +0.01. Still working on velocity, but middle of the road seems to work. My son then put 4 holes touching. I think the rifle is capable, but a lot of work and disappointing out of the box.

[LynnJr]

Get a used Nightforce 12-42X56 but not for a precision rifle.

[smoothy8500]

I have a Harris bipod and Leupold Vari-X III Tactical 4.5-14x50 that I can use for now, too.

It's a good scope, I have one on another rifle. As is, get a 100yd zero and you are good to go for 600yds.

[sigstroker]

Doh, mis-clicky.

[divingin]

Nix the idea of slapping a Pac Nor barrel on. At least until they get up and ruining after the fire. Figure at least a few years (assuming it happens at all.)

[pratchett]

I took Randall's advice and got Remington's 5r Milspec (29663) in .308 with the stainless 24" barrel. I replaced the trigger with a Timney, and got a screaming deal on a 5-25 ATACR (SFP). I'm going to take a class and start reloading for precision and I'll let you know.

[Dave Hoback]

These threads are funny. Thirty-seven some odd different opinions in the span of a day or two. LOL!

Truth is for the VAST % of all of us, it simply doesn’t matter what rifle you start with. Whether a Remington, Winchester, Savage, Tikka, Howa..One of the quality smaller companies or Custom Actions...They can all be a quality distance shooter. A quality rifle off the shelf with some trigger work, decent optic & hand loads will get you a UNDER 800yds no problem. When talking about 1000yds or even greater, things like 20” barrels, and using 308, are already a handicap.

Serious consideration of extended ranges, you should be thinking 6.5mm, 24/26” or greater length barrel & reloading.

What package you do it in is a question of personal preference and budget.

I have always been a Savage enthusiast. I chose to pick up a used 10 Action for next to nothing, stripper it down for the old “home” blueprinting, then did a complete build in 6.5-08. Stuck it in the Chassis I liked with my own custom made butt stock, and topped with Athlon Glass.

Not others cup o’ tea, and that’s fine. But I do what I like & can afford. Is it a really good shooting rifle? Yup! Not best ever, of course not..but it’s a far cry more accurate than I am! (Or anyone else here!)