Rem 700 SPS Varmint

[russ69]

The gun shop just called. They found me a 700 SPS Varmint Left Hand 243. I'm loading some rounds while I wait out the delivery. I hope I get a half decent barrel.

[2shotjoe]

I got one in 308, just gotta shim the receiver a little bit to get it free floating until I get a new stock.

[NorCalFocus]

Yup replace the stock and you'll be shooting sub MOA

[Khromo]

The SPS Varmint in .243 looks like a really fine arrangement of features.

My SPS LH Varmints (.223 and .308) came with "pressure pads" molded into the tip of the fore end, bearing on the bottoms of the barrels. I sanded them out when I broke the guns down for their initial cleaning.

I also had to shim the rear of the scope bases on both of my SPS Varmints.

The .308 shoots well under 0.5" groups, even peering through cataracts the size of grapefruits. The .223 is at about 0.7" after only a couple of range sessions. I'm expecting to handload that one down under 0.5". Wish me luck!

I've been experimenting with reduced loads using H4895 to try to extend the barrel life of an SPS Stainless .243 (with the sporter barrel). If this pans out, I may try to snag one like Russ' for an all around shooter.

[Yerman]

Congrats. 700 varmints are nice guns.

[russ69]

Yup replace the stock and you'll be shooting sub MOA

I will if I have to.

....My SPS LH Varmints (.223 and .308) came with "pressure pads" molded into the tip of the fore end,...

I've done a lot of this kind of work before. Some guns shoot good with fore-end pressure and some don't. I'll play with different torques first. Then free float if I need to.

I also had to shim the rear of the scope bases on both of my SPS Varmints.

Was the receiver warped or did you shim to get more elevation? I have seen a few warped receiver tubes before (like all of them). A bedding block doesn't do any good if the receiver is warped.

I've been experimenting with reduced loads using H4895 to try to extend the barrel life of an SPS Stainless .243 (with the sporter barrel). If this pans out, I may try to snag one like Russ' for an all around shooter.

Yeah, I'm already on this idea. I'm shooting a 95 grain Sierra match bullet with 4895. No need right now to get max velocity, just fast enough to better a 308 down range. I'll have to look at the charts to see where that puts me velocity wise.

[Khromo]

...Was the receiver warped or did you shim to get more elevation? I have seen a few warped receiver tubes before (like all of them). A bedding block doesn't do any good if the receiver is warped...

The rear base bed was about 0.020" too low on both receivers, if memory serves, and there wasn't enough elevation adjustment in my scopes to get a 100 yard zero. The two guns were different by only +/- 0.002 or less. I measured and put a few shims under the rears of the bases and everything straightened out.

A gunsmith buddy blamed it on hand finishing of the rear beds, versus machine finishing on the front beds. He said it was pretty common on these Remingtons. Brownell's had the shims pre-drilled for the Remington screw spacing. Aside from that I really love the .308. It shoots as well as anything I've ever shot, it cleans very easily, and except for a loooong throat, it is a favorite of mine.

The jury is still out on the .223. If I can get it under 0.50" pre-cataract surgery, I will keep it.

I am intrigued by the .243, though. I can't find any info on what to expect from the greatly reduced H4895 loads as far as velocity, but I'm chasing a mild load for up to 300 yards. There doesn't seem to be much chatter about it on the internoogie, so I guess I will have to figure it out for myself.

[russ69]

...A gunsmith buddy blamed it on hand finishing of the rear beds,...

It's the receiver tubes. They are heat treated after machining and that releases the stress and they warp. The bench guys will sleeve the receivers and that makes the outer sleeve straight for good level bedding.

The jury is still out on the .223. If I can get it under 0.50" pre-cataract surgery, I will keep it.

I have a 223 PPS heavy barrel. It shoots OK. I use the Sierra 55 grain Blitzking. I have a picture here somewhere...

I am intrigued by the .243, though. I can't find any info on what to expect from the greatly reduced H4895 loads as far as velocity, but I'm chasing a mild load for up to 300 yards. There doesn't seem to be much chatter about it on the internoogie, so I guess I will have to figure it out for myself.

You don't want to cut down the loading density too much, the burn will not be consistent but using the starting load will reduce the heat and the erosion quite a bit. It's the full power loads that are raising temperatures and causing all the problems. It doesn't take much of a powder change to go from 50,000 psi to 60,000 psi.

Here it is:

[Khromo]

I've just loaded up a few 70 grain SMK's using H4895 and the 60% rule. If the weather clears up down here I will try them out this week.

Might be taking the "reduced load" too far, but I keep dreaming about extreme medium range accuracy and long barrel life, in a package that can be loaded up to .243 velocity when the situation calls for it.

We will see! Good luck with your new rifle!

[winxp_man]

I think you should be ok with accuracy.

Got mine out of jail about 10-15 days ago. It's a .308 win. While in jail I ordered a choate stock, and also decided that a trigger was needed. So I ordered a Timney 510 with safety lever installed. When it got the rifle I bought a blue box of federal 150 SP ammo and one of Federal Gold Metal Match 168. I got home and already had the stock but not the new trigger. So I installed the stock and the scope base no shimming was needed it was a perfect fit. Took off to the range the next day. With the federal ammo it was all garbage where as my last rifle a SPS Tac .308 did pretty good with them. Then I started using the FGMM 168 ammo and the worst group came in at .4 something and the best was .2 something. I then decided to take a few shots at 200y and it came out at 1.5 could have done better it was all me. All of this was with a original trigger. I just don't like then X-mark triggers I can't get them adjusted worth crap. So I just changed it out as of now and will be at the range Tuesday.

Over all I never ever got a m700 rifle that shot bad and I have owned m700 that were dated from 1968 up till now. Not saying there isn't a bad on in the bunch. For me it's been really good.

To Op enjoy it have fun and be safe out there

[russ69]

My rifle came in today. Now I'm in jail for 10 days.

[2shotjoe]

here's mine, just need new rings, new stock.

http://imageshack.us/a/img18/2162/lnnu.jpg

[winxp_man]

My rifle came in today. Now I'm in jail for 10 days.

Get a choate stock at least ordered you will thank me The stock it comes with plain and simple sucks!

[russ69]

Get a choate stock at least ordered you will thank me The stock it comes with plain and simple sucks!

I was thinking about a little fiberglass work.

[russ69]

Just got it out of jail: