Advice on Remington 700 modifications

[P.W.]

I'd vote to chop the Barrel to 18" and my reasoning is based of off personal experience as it does not affect the accuracy of your weapon and or range as most people think. Here is some light reading to back up this rationale.

http://www.sniperschool.com/sniper-rifle-barrel-length/

http://forums.sniperschool.com/barrel-length-revisited

As far as squeezing the most out of your stick when it comes to accuracy I would put the list in this order:
1. Barrel (18 or 20" with a Good Crown)
2. Stock (Bedded and allows the barrel to be free floating)
3. Trigger (2.5-3lb Range)
4. Glass (Get the best glass you can afford)
5. Ammo (Buy/use quality ammo and or get a recipe loaded up that shoots)

[Capita159]

Definitely don't want silly/ineffective. I've seen you shoot, and definitely take your word that heavier is better (as long as it's not so heavy that it's hard to actually hold the sights on the target)

Holy moly, how can I miss your user name ???
I had problems shooting and holding my old 26" 700 standing, because it was front heavy. And also my left arm is a little weak. It's easier to shoot a heavy rifle as long as it's balance correctly for the shooter. 14lbs on a 20" heavy barrel or 24" fluted barrel is my perfect weight.

If you cut 6" off your barrel, you'll probably shave off about 1lbs.

[AM9000]

I chopped my PSS down from 26" to 22". The actual amount of weight that was chopped, I dont know, but the main benefit is that it shifts the balance back towards the shooter, instead of having it weighed down towards the muzzle. Very effective mod. The rifle feels much better all around.

As far as the target crown and muzzle device- Get in touch with Randy at RD Precision.

In regards to your stock, not many stocks worth a damn are going to be lighter weight than the HS Precision.

[RuggedJay]

22"-20" is fine and will reduce weigh up front. Out to about 600yds the reduce MV wont matter much. Practicing is also a good idea. Now if you want to shoot past 600 then I would reccomend another caliber(.260/.243/etc.) Are there any ranges in SoCal that are over 600?

[DirtRacer151]

Optics I've got. Reloading equipment is in the works.

You have 26" barrel? Standing/kneeling, the thing is just way too heavy to shoot accurately.

You need more practice with a sling. I shoot my 18# rifle standing, kneeling, unsupported prone all the time.

Don't chop the barrel as a crutch. You're still gonna suck at those positions until you practice.

Buy a Timney. I have 5 of them

[DirtRacer151]

It shoots .5 moa or better now. You think the fabled Bartlein 5R barrel will improve that?

Bartlein barrels are the best. You will not find another more quality barrel maker. Your factory barrel is junk compared to a well built/hand lapped stainless barrel.

[707electrician]

I'd vote to chop the Barrel to 18" and my reasoning is based of off personal experience as it does not affect the accuracy of your weapon and or range as most people think. Here is some light reading to back up this rationale.

http://www.sniperschool.com/sniper-rifle-barrel-length/

http://forums.sniperschool.com/barrel-length-revisited

As far as squeezing the most out of your stick when it comes to accuracy I would put the list in this order:
1. Barrel (18 or 20" with a Good Crown)
2. Stock (Bedded and allows the barrel to be free floating)
3. Trigger (2.5-3lb Range)
4. Glass (Get the best glass you can afford)
5. Ammo (Buy/use quality ammo and or get a recipe loaded up that shoots)

Shoot an 18-22" barrel at 1000 yards and tell me it doesn't affect accuracy. At short to medium range it will be fine but not at long range

[DirtRacer151]

Shoot an 18-22" barrel at 1000 yards and tell me it doesn't affect accuracy. At short to medium range it will be fine but not at long range

But 18"-20" is so much better for those CQB scenarios

[james758]

Changing the stock is a good idea, but here is something to consider.
You want something that is going to have an adjustable cheek peice.
If you get a Mcmillan stock, you are going to have to also buy the bottom metal and do some trimming and some glass bedding, which you COULD do yourself, but you are best to leave that work to someone who does it for a living. So a super stock with the hardware, and installed will cost about the same as one of those chassis systems that free float the barreel (most of them) and can by installed by YOU if you have a torque wrench and the right allen sockets.
So, if it were me, I would (and did) get the AICS. worth the money. But it did require a little trimming to get the Jewell trigger to fit in it. The AICS was kinda made to just drop a stock 700 into it.

[707electrician]

But 18"-20" is so much better for those CQB scenarios

And with an 18" you can practically put it in a holster

[redcliff]

Maybe it's upper body strength or technique, or not using a sling.

Your main problem in bold imho. A good trigger wouldn't hurt either. If you're shooting .5moa now with your barrel I'd leave it alone until you wear it out.

Gear will not replace skill. Practice with a sling.

[Chontkleer]

22"-20" is fine and will reduce weigh up front. Out to about 600yds the reduce MV wont matter much. Practicing is also a good idea. Now if you want to shoot past 600 then I would reccomend another caliber(.260/.243/etc.) Are there any ranges in SoCal that are over 600?

There's one that I know of but they shoot from a pad that sits behind the other line so it can only happen if there aren't other shooters out there. Long Range is a desert sport here for the most part.

[Chontkleer]

Great info here. Thanks to all. 264Charlie and RkSimple, if you're lurking, please weigh in to if you've got anything to add/correct.

[t0kie]

Your main problem in bold imho. A good trigger wouldn't hurt either. If you're shooting .5moa now with your barrel I'd leave it alone until you wear it out.

Gear will not replace skill. Practice with a sling.

+1 on this. Practice more & then you'll know exactly what you need. It is a progress...

[Legasat]

I have shot my 700P LTR 20" out to about 800yds at Pala. Seems fine to me. Accuracy is around .5 MOA (probably better with a better shooter). Chopping 6" off will cost you around 250fps or a little more in velocity. You will have to decide whether or not it is worth it.