First time out with my new 700 SPS Tactical

[a1fabweld]

I have never fired a bolt rifle before but got the itch lately to build a long range rifle & try to do some longer range stuff. I thought I'd give a bolt action a try. I recently purchased a Remington 700 SPS tactical in .308 & outfitted it with Warne rings, Warne 20 MOA base, & a Falcon Optics 4-14x44 FFP scope. I shot 2-10rd groups using Federal Power-shock ammo to get a feel for the rifle. Then I switched to some Federal match grade stuff which netted me a 1-1/4" group with 1 flyer in a 10 round group. I know that isn't great, & the rifle is capable of better, but I was proud of it! I did notice what a pain it is to load the thing so I may switch to a detatchable magazine setup. who makes them for this rifle? Also, I read that the stock flexes when using a bipod just enough to contact the barrel. Is that really a big issue with a bull barrel? Attached is a shot of my best group. Thanks.

[rg_1111@yahoo.com]

Good shooting. Try Three shot groups and see how tight.

[Gio]

What yardage were you shooting at? Not bad is all I can say, only bolt rifle I have is a 1950's .22 Short and Long Rifle with iron sights Also were you able to zero in the scope before the group youposted up in the pic? Pics of the rifle too would help, I'd like to see what she looks like

-Gio

[buffybuster]

The standard is 5-shot groups. The weak link in your setup is the stock. As you noticed, it flexes too much. Get a HS, McMillan, B&C stock. Badger, Seekins, CDI make DBM systems using the AICS mags.

[a1fabweld]

Sorry, 100 yds. I got it close & went for broke because it was windy, raining on & off, & bitter cold that day. It took all I had not to tremble, it was so cold. Here's a pic of the rifle.

[AndrewMendez]

Why does it flex that much?

[a1fabweld]

It's a pillar bedded Hogue stock.

[pat4wd]

Hey, Awsome... I did the same thing this weekend.. I broke it in friday and shot some groups saturday..

Mine is also a .308, but I ran a Nikon buckmaster 4.5x14x40 with a deadnutz mount

It was real gusty here and was super happy with my results too.. I did take my carbide burr and cleaned up the end of the stock where it meets the barrel, it now clears even on the bipod.. Took all of about 5 minutes to do and came out super clean.. I was worried it would chunk up the rubber or something but it looks perfect..

Today I also took the pull weight down on the trigger too.. And all the haters of the x-mark are smoking crack.. Breaks like glass and now breaks at about 2 lbs

I have never been so happy with a set up as I am with this set up.. It is a low doe gun that shoots like guns that cost way more money.. Keep us posted on your next outings.... I cant wait to go out again since my mods ...

heres a shot of mine sub MOA at 110 yards, 5 shot group.. with the crappy winds too Zero was low since I zeroed it with 150's and switched to 168's

[Jpach]

Good shooting. Try Three shot groups and see how tight.

3 shot groups are deceiving and arent always accepted when boasting or sharing groups w others. However 5 shot groups seem more true and are less disputable.

[a1fabweld]

WOW Pat4wd! Very nice! I like the Hogue stock & that's a great idea about trimming the end. What ammo were you using?

[pat4wd]

WOW Pat4wd! Very nice! I like the Hogue stock & that's a great idea about trimming the end. What ammo were you using?

It is so simple it is unreal.. I love the feel of the houges too.. and they bed the action rather well.. So I am sticking with it.. that group was shot with some federal GMM .. I shot one group of 5 that I pulled the last shot and called it before I saw the paper.. But the first 4 were .36 at 110 yards


What part of Ca are you in?.
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[a1fabweld]

I'm in Sac. I was using the same ammo. I do want a detachable mag though, soon!

[pat4wd]

Sac, Let me know if you want to get together some time.. I live 1.5 hrs north and we have a free range here in Oroville..

that ammo Makes all the differance.. I was shooting some ultra cheap junk ammo while breaking it in and the groups where no where near as close..

[a1fabweld]

I've never been to the range near Camp Far West (Spenceville?). I'd like to go there next time out if you are interested. It's about halfway for both of us. I'm not a great shot, but working on it. The Federal Power-shock ammo I was using at first grouped around 2" in a 10 round group. This is the first time I have shot "good" ammo & what a difference.

[Jon Se]

Some other DBM systems for the 700:
Badger Ordance (steel)
HS Precision (aluminum)
Seekins Precision, there was a thread on the hide where he was taking orders (aluminum)

All of them will be ~$300+

If you intend to swap the stock later on, you may want to hold off with changing to a DBM system. JAE is producing a stock for the 700 for about ~900, if you take out the cost of the DBM you'll only be spending ~500 for a quality stock.

Great 10 round group btw, what type of rest were you using? (bipod etc)