Remington 700 SPS varmint

[russ69]

The stock itself is not strong enough to be free floated.
They actually use the barrel to support the stock.
Any attempt to open up the stock to float will find the stock drooping more until the stock is touching the barrel again.

If you don't have money now, save up some until you do.
Then, replace the stock.
Even a $100 wood stock would be better than those SPS plastic stocks.
A $200 HS Precision take-off stock from a 700 5R or a 700P would be even better.

Randall is right. I haven't taken out my new rifle yet (I've been out of town). So I thought I would skip the first step of shooting the rifle in the stock condition and just Dremel out the barrel channel and see if that would work. Well, as others have said the stock just isn't stiff enough to be useful. Without the barrel to support the stock the stock can be flexed too easily. Stiffeners might help but it has a long way to go. I give up. So I ordered an Accuracy International stock. I put it on rush delivery so maybe I can shoot it this weekend. I'll post up the results.

[ar15barrels]

Remington 700 SPS varmint

I ordered an Accuracy International stock. I put it on rush delivery so maybe I can shoot it this weekend. I'll post up the results.

Torque the front screw to 30in ounces.
Then 30in ounces on the rear screw.
Then 60in ounces on the front screw.
Don't take the rear screw past 30-35 on an AICS as it bends the unsupported tang.

[NordicDave]

Some thoughts:

Do the free stuff first like suggested above;
1) make sure everything is torqued down correctly
2) ensure proper shooting technique (Sorry don't mean to insult skills)

Low Cost fixes:
1) epoxy bed the action
2) get a quality shoot rest or harris bi-pod

Investments:
1) Buy a QUALITY scope. I have yet to meet a person whose groups did not improve with a quality scope
2) Start hand loading
3) Replace/upgrade the stock
4) True-up the action
5) Re-barrel

Think in this approximate order. Others will have strong opinions. This is roughly the path most of us follow.

One last item, and this cannot be stressed enough, practice. You will find repeatable patterns that are indicative of specific issues to fix.

-NordicDave

[JMP]

1:10 would be a tight twist that likes "heavier ammo from 168gr-200+ grain ammo.

1:11 or 1:11.25 "tactical" rifling by remington seems to really like the 158-177grain ammo.

1:12 or slower twist is going to be the 130-155grain area.

These are just general blanket statements that TEND to be true, but there are very drastic real world differences that people have with their personal rifles and different use. I've seen Tikka T3 rifles shoot ammo that wasn't intended for their twist rate with ridiculously great results, and vice versa.

Where are you getting this information? It is false.
Greenhill's Formula, the Miller Twist Rule, and real life experience will all suggest that 168 grains is excellent for 1 in 12" barrels.

[Raptor1Ronin]

168'S Work wonders in my REM 700 SPS tactical 1/2 MOA easy at a 100.

[bombadillo]

Where are you getting this information? It is false.
Greenhill's Formula, the Miller Twist Rule, and real life experience will all suggest that 168 grains is excellent for 1 in 12" barrels.

You missed the last part of what I said.

[<IXOYE><]

Where are you getting this information? It is false.
Greenhill's Formula, the Miller Twist Rule, and real life experience will all suggest that 168 grains is excellent for 1 in 12" barrels.

Truth

[damndave]

What are your real expectations with plinking ammo? Get some FGMM 168gr and shoot .5 moa groups all day long if you do your part.

Get rid of that stock and get a HS take off or a B&C. Either can be had for around $200.

[6mmintl]

The SPS stock is very flexable but you can rework it to work well.

Sleeve front and rear stock bolt screw holes with aluminum tubing to help resist twisting/torqueing of action.

Remove barrel tension pressure pads on stock on tip/front of barrel channel.

Rough up recoil lug recess with a Dremel and radius recoil lug edges to ease removal after bedding which will eliminate action torqueing/twisting.

Take bolt apart and firing pin assembly and polish firing pin, clean and use light oil after assembly, moly paste on striker cam and bolt shroud threads.

File/polish/match magazine box front (feed ramp radius) to action/receiver cartridge ramp.

If you in bay area I can help you out with this.

[tpc13]

Tnks guys I just bought 168 grain bullets..Gonna reload soon and try them.. I will work up the powder to find the sweet spot..

[tpc13]

Well guys I reloaded some 40.5 grains of Hornady 168 BTHP. I was able to get .75 at 100 yards. I tried other power grains, but that was the best. I think I'm going to try to a Boyds Tactical stock in black. I like the stock for one 125 otd. Its a very reasonable stock for the price. I'll bed the stock and try it. My goal is .50 at 100 yards consistently.
If that does not work then I'll buy a Manners or Bell and Carson stock. Anyone have any luck with Boyds Tactical Stock?

[NorCalFocus]

I have the Boyds Thumbhole and love it. I pillar bedded mine and the gun will out shoot me.

[tpc13]

Ok, guys I shot 168 grain Hornady at 100 yards. Let me tell ya the 700 is a dream. It shoots so nice and I hit the bullseye. I did upgrade the stock to a Bell and Carlson Medalist though. It heavy, but a great rifle stock for the bench. That's why I bought it for bench shooting not field carry. I then shot out to 200 yards, adjusted the scope and BAM.... I was able to consistently hit the 1" red dot in the center of the Target. The range was limited to only 200 yards so I couldn't shoot any further.

[piratebike]

What scope did you go with? Pics?

[winxp_man]

Ok, guys I shot 168 grain Hornady at 100 yards. Let me tell ya the 700 is a dream. It shoots so nice and I hit the bullseye. I did upgrade the stock to a Bell and Carlson Medalist though. It heavy, but a great rifle stock for the bench. That's why I bought it for bench shooting not field carry. I then shot out to 200 yards, adjusted the scope and BAM.... I was able to consistently hit the 1" red dot in the center of the Target. The range was limited to only 200 yards so I couldn't shoot any further.

No such thing as heavy in a mans world

I hike with mine on regular hunts anywhere from 2-6 miles and could manage no worries. Mine is in @ 14 lbs. As for bullets My best group was a 2.52" @ 550 yards and a scope that is no where near as good as my SWFA 5-20 HS scope I now have on it now. (This was with my old SPS Tac the 20" barrel model).

The newest one I'm working with is a SPS Varmint 26" barreled .308. So far so good. Factory 168 FGMM shoot the best. In my old 20" Tac the 168's did great but also the Federal 150 SP cheap ammo. The new one how ever does not like the Federal 150 SP cheap ammo what so ever. (Both rifles had 1-12 twist rifling)

It in the reloads for me. I would not have it any other way when I shoot .5 consistently with 175 SMK reloads and cheaper