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Help me build my budget Remington 700!
Hi everyone this is my somewhat botched attempt at building a Budget precision Remington 700 precision rifle for budget minded people. I originally had a budget of $1000, but my research along the road has steered me elsewhere. I hope that this post will be informative to others. I'd also like to thank everyone who has put their input and given my advice along the way, especially those at the CAPRC, whom are veterans in the field and knowledge has been most informative and helpful.
Necro update: 8/19/2014 - I have learned a lot more about precision rifles -BUDGET doesn't belong in this game (if you are serious). My rifle has evolved and I love going to matches. Removed useless information and edited for mistakes. If I could redo everything... I'd probably go trued-700 custom build from the start using a donor action, didn't know I would enjoy bolt guns so much...
Rifle is going to be chambered in .308 because the ammo is more widely available, and shouldn't break the bank to shoot. Please keep in mind I'm on a budget. Right now I'm looking at these options, if you have any advice on the parts, better value substitutes (or lower prices elsewhere), I'd appreciate it greatly.
Rifle:
Remington 700 SPS Tactical (internet price ~$650)
Places to check: Budsgunshop, grabagun, Riflegear
-Check for rebates at remington.com/rebates
Pros:
Cheaper price
Threaded Barrel
Cons:
20" Barrel - loss in Muzzle Velocity
Lower resale value
Crappy Hogue stock
The better option if you are serious is the remington 700 5R 24" (internet price ~$1100)
Places to check: Riflegear & budsgunshop
Pros:
HS precision stock worth roughly ~300
24" 5R Barrel for that extra reach
Cons:
Higher price tag
Barrel does not come threaded
Not ideal for hunting
Deciding your rifle at this point is important, think about what your end goal really is before purchasing.
-If you are the guy who enjoys leisure shooting, occasional range time, hunting. The SPS tactical is probably better for you.
-If you want compete in local matches, shoot out to 600+ then the 5R would be a better choice for you.
-If money is not an issue, and you really want to travel to big matches, and are CERTAIN AND COMMITTED then go with a custom rifle using either a trued/blueprinted 700 action or a defiance/surgeon.
OPTIC:
DON'T CHEAP OUT ON GLASS - cant hit what you cant see.
I found a nice deal on an open box Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 FFP here: ($150 off)
These units come with lifetime warranties that are amazing from what I've read. There are more expensive scopes, but I believe this to be the best bang for my dollar considering my goal of wanting to try competitions.
Another great option is a SFWA SS scope, I've heard great things, but personally have not looked down one yet.
Base: You want a 20MOA base from what I've learned from Randall, you want steel, because steel can accept any kind of rings. The best bang for dollar is TPS
which can be found:
and:
Rings: Lowest should be Burris XTR rings, TPS would be best value, and their are nicer ones that hold good resale value like Seekins.
Base + Ring Combos at SWFA - This is something that was not easy to find on the website, but they have combo deals that makes buying sets cheaper, I heavily recommend the TPS set as you save something like $25, also the rings are steel.
&
Stock:
SPS comes with a piece of junk
5R comes with a HS precision stock, decent resale value, good for hunting
Best thing to do is go to a local match, and ask some of the guys if you can get behind their rifles, its like buying a car or shoes, you have to try it in order to know if you like it or not. CAPRC has monthly matches with super friendly people, I got behind at least 3-4 different stocks before going with an AICS with viper skins. I sold off the HS precision because the internal box magazine capped me off at only 5x Rounds.
Bipod: Cant go wrong with Harris S-BRM, buy once cry once my fellow CGers have reiterated to me
Try CG and SH forum for used ones to save money. I got really lucky. Resale value on these are also pretty good.
Trigger: UPDATE 8/19/2014
This is something I never addressed in my original post because I didn't think it was important. I upgraded to a timney, and it makes a world of difference. the x-mark pros are just terrible terrible triggers.
Muzzle Brake:
if you get the SPS tactical, you can make use of the threaded barrel by getting an MB
Ross Schulers muzzle brake is the most affordable option and works.
If you got the 5R like I did, you will need it threaded - AR15barrels did mine.
Randall is a friendly and informative gunsmith that does excellent work, he threaded my barrel at a great price and timed it perfectly.
I'll start posting pictures as everything starts coming together. I also wanted to note that Sniperhide the CAPRC(local) forums are GREAT resources for precision shooters and for looking for used gear. Thank you to those who have taken the time to educate me and answer my questions. -Especially AR15barrels & Iloveguns.
8/19/14 update All in all, I've learned a lot, my mentality has also changed a lot. Matches and competition make range shooting so much more fun. I went to CAPRC clinics, became a member, and now go to monthly matches, shooting alone just isn't nearly as fun. Have fun, and get out there and shoot!
some updated progress pics
Necro update: 8/19/2014 - I have learned a lot more about precision rifles -BUDGET doesn't belong in this game (if you are serious). My rifle has evolved and I love going to matches. Removed useless information and edited for mistakes. If I could redo everything... I'd probably go trued-700 custom build from the start using a donor action, didn't know I would enjoy bolt guns so much...
Rifle is going to be chambered in .308 because the ammo is more widely available, and shouldn't break the bank to shoot. Please keep in mind I'm on a budget. Right now I'm looking at these options, if you have any advice on the parts, better value substitutes (or lower prices elsewhere), I'd appreciate it greatly.
Rifle:
Remington 700 SPS Tactical (internet price ~$650)
Places to check: Budsgunshop, grabagun, Riflegear
-Check for rebates at remington.com/rebates
Pros:
Cheaper price
Threaded Barrel
Cons:
20" Barrel - loss in Muzzle Velocity
Lower resale value
Crappy Hogue stock
The better option if you are serious is the remington 700 5R 24" (internet price ~$1100)
Places to check: Riflegear & budsgunshop
Pros:
HS precision stock worth roughly ~300
24" 5R Barrel for that extra reach
Cons:
Higher price tag
Barrel does not come threaded
Not ideal for hunting
Deciding your rifle at this point is important, think about what your end goal really is before purchasing.
-If you are the guy who enjoys leisure shooting, occasional range time, hunting. The SPS tactical is probably better for you.
-If you want compete in local matches, shoot out to 600+ then the 5R would be a better choice for you.
-If money is not an issue, and you really want to travel to big matches, and are CERTAIN AND COMMITTED then go with a custom rifle using either a trued/blueprinted 700 action or a defiance/surgeon.
OPTIC:
DON'T CHEAP OUT ON GLASS - cant hit what you cant see.
I found a nice deal on an open box Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 FFP here: ($150 off)
These units come with lifetime warranties that are amazing from what I've read. There are more expensive scopes, but I believe this to be the best bang for my dollar considering my goal of wanting to try competitions.
Another great option is a SFWA SS scope, I've heard great things, but personally have not looked down one yet.
Base: You want a 20MOA base from what I've learned from Randall, you want steel, because steel can accept any kind of rings. The best bang for dollar is TPS
which can be found:
and:
Rings: Lowest should be Burris XTR rings, TPS would be best value, and their are nicer ones that hold good resale value like Seekins.
Base + Ring Combos at SWFA - This is something that was not easy to find on the website, but they have combo deals that makes buying sets cheaper, I heavily recommend the TPS set as you save something like $25, also the rings are steel.
&
Stock:
SPS comes with a piece of junk
5R comes with a HS precision stock, decent resale value, good for hunting
Best thing to do is go to a local match, and ask some of the guys if you can get behind their rifles, its like buying a car or shoes, you have to try it in order to know if you like it or not. CAPRC has monthly matches with super friendly people, I got behind at least 3-4 different stocks before going with an AICS with viper skins. I sold off the HS precision because the internal box magazine capped me off at only 5x Rounds.
Bipod: Cant go wrong with Harris S-BRM, buy once cry once my fellow CGers have reiterated to me
Try CG and SH forum for used ones to save money. I got really lucky. Resale value on these are also pretty good.
Trigger: UPDATE 8/19/2014
This is something I never addressed in my original post because I didn't think it was important. I upgraded to a timney, and it makes a world of difference. the x-mark pros are just terrible terrible triggers.
Muzzle Brake:
if you get the SPS tactical, you can make use of the threaded barrel by getting an MB
Ross Schulers muzzle brake is the most affordable option and works.
If you got the 5R like I did, you will need it threaded - AR15barrels did mine.
Randall is a friendly and informative gunsmith that does excellent work, he threaded my barrel at a great price and timed it perfectly.
I'll start posting pictures as everything starts coming together. I also wanted to note that Sniperhide the CAPRC(local) forums are GREAT resources for precision shooters and for looking for used gear. Thank you to those who have taken the time to educate me and answer my questions. -Especially AR15barrels & Iloveguns.
8/19/14 update All in all, I've learned a lot, my mentality has also changed a lot. Matches and competition make range shooting so much more fun. I went to CAPRC clinics, became a member, and now go to monthly matches, shooting alone just isn't nearly as fun. Have fun, and get out there and shoot!
some updated progress pics
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