Opinion?

[moochaka]

I'm buying a Remington 700 soon, but I'm having some trouble deciding what model. I'm between the SPS and SPS Tactical. I was wondering what everybody's opinions are on both of them. If it helps, I'm pretty new to shooting but I'm trying to get better.

Another thing, I know I will need optic mounts. Do you recommend integral or a picatinny with mounts? I'm not really sure what optic I'll be using, but I want to use the R700 for some plinking and hopefully some long-er range target shooting(4-600 yds)

Thanks in advance!

[ExtremeX]

Which caliber?

[moochaka]

.308 most likely.

[CK_32]

Go 1 piece mount 20MOA

Bushnell 3200 tactical

The 700 is a good rifle. Plan on ditching the stock tho only downfall of the tactical IMO.

[ExtremeX]

I have a preference towards heavy profiled barrels, especially for target use… So I would pick the SPS Tactical between the two. 20” should be sufficient to get you out to 600, but a longer barrel generating more velocity is always going to help…

If this is going to be a bench rifle, why not look at the SPS Varmint? The AAC-SD is another 20” option.

Keep in mind there is a difference in twist rate between the SPS and SPS Tactical, and the SPS Varmint and AAC-SD. Both the SPS Tac and SPS Varmint share the same twist and the SPS and AAC-SD share the same twist supporting use of even heavier bullets.

[ExtremeX]

Go 1 piece mount 20MOA

Bushnell 3200 tactical

The 700 is a good rifle. Plan on ditching the stock tho only downfall of the tactical IMO.

I agree on the scope base.

SWFA Fixed 10x or 16x is also another option.

And yes, the stock leaves a lot to be desired. It was the first thing I changed on the rifle about 2 days after getting it.

[moochaka]

I'm not too knowledgeable on the Varmint. What makes it different from the others? same with the AAC-SD. The local shop has the SPS and Tactical in stock right now, that's why I was looking to those.

[ExtremeX]

Barrel profile for starters… SPS Tactical has a heavy barrel; SPS has a light weight profile.

SPS Tactical twist rate is 1:12
SPS Varmint twist rate is 1:12
SPS twist rate is 1:10
AAC-SD twist rate is 1:10

Is this going to be a dedicated bench rest rifle for target shooting?

[moochaka]

No, not dedicated bench rest. It'll be my first rifle I own so I think I'll be using it for a bit of everything. Kind of an all around rifle for longer distances.

[CK_32]

OP opt for the tactical or standard Varment..

The Varment has a crappier stock so if you plan on replacing its a better option.. But the SPS t has a decent stock if you plan on putting up with it for a few months I have shot out to 400 yards with out a problem around 600 is when it starts to become unreliable..

And you want a 1:12 twist because shooting 175 SMK (most popular long range 308 bullet) 1:11.5 twist is optimal so 1:12 is great for that load..

The AAC is a SPS T with a threaded barrel and different looking stock.. But pretty much the same thing.

Again if you want the longer barrel to Varment for that extra FPS.. But if you just want a starter rifle and want it to look better and plan I getting a serious LR rifle get the SPS t to start with.. After a stock upgrade it can take you to 800 yards which is a skill in its own. Then when you master that you'll be ready for a better rifle and then its been a long while and tons of bullets down range

[ExtremeX]

The AAC is a SPS T with a threaded barrel and different looking stock.. But pretty much the same thing.

The AAC-SD also has a 1:10 twist barrel, if I remember correctly it was selected to help stabilize very heavy projectiles used for subsonic loads... Aside from that and what CK mentioned, it’s the same thing...

No, not dedicated bench rest. It'll be my first rifle I own so I think I'll be using it for a bit of everything. Kind of an all around rifle for longer distances.

OP, I think you should go for the SPS Tactical 20"; I would pick that over the SPS just because I like a heavier barrel. If this was going to be a dedicated bench rifle I would have opted for a heavy profile barrel in a longer length…

Not that I’m trying to push you in a different direction… but if this is your very first rifle have you considered a .223 bolt gun, just to learn about long distance shooting and ballistics at a cheaper cost?

[Anti-Hero]

The SPS 20" Heavy barrel will have no problem getting out to 1000 yards. Whoever says it's a 600 yard gun is mistaken.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZx1hY4VJTI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsllVJdml2k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xesBYKRzqew

[moochaka]

I have thought about .223 but I wanted something a bit heavier caliber. Also, most of my local shops don't carry .223 bolt action rifles. Most of them carry AR rifles. I don't really want to order a gun and most bolt-actions in stock are .308 or .243(not sure why).

[moochaka]

The SPS 20" Heavy barrel will have no problem getting out to 1000 yards. Whoever says it's a 600 yard gun is mistaken.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZx1hY4VJTI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsllVJdml2k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xesBYKRzqew

I think they meant its a 600 yard gun without changing the stock. I think the guys in those videos have upgraded their stocks. One had a Bell and Carlson I think.

[ExtremeX]

No one said it’s a 600 yard rifle… or even a 1000 yard rifle… regardless of what it can or can’t do, at those distances its way more dependent on your optics, ammo and shooter skill. A longer barrel is only going to give you a little extra edge in velocity helping you achieve that goal on a consistent basis.