Barrel and stock choices for a target rifle.

[Stormrider]

When (i have no idea when) i build a medium to long range rifle I'm planning on a Rem 700 short action in 308. I'm undecided on the type of 700, as i know the 700P comes with a H-S Precision composite, and the regular 700 SPS comes with an unnamed synthetic, as does the Varmint model, and the SPS tactical comes with a Hogue. It seems like the 700P H-S stock is well liked by most, and it should considering that model costs the most. It also seems that most people think the Hogue stock is too soft, so it pushes up on the barrel with a bipod attached. I'll be using a bipod with this rifle, so this is a concern. I'm wondering about the stock on the regular SPS, it looks a lot like the one on the 700P so i wonder if it's just as good.

I don't care what the brand name is, i just want a decent stock to start out with. Later on i may upgrade it of course, but i want a good baseline with the rifle first.

Now, barrels. The 700P is available in 20" and 26". The regular SPS comes with a 24", Varmint version is a 26", and the SPS tactical is a 20". I'll be shooting from 100-300yrds most of the time but I'd like this rifle to be able to reach 500-800yrds accurately. I've read that the 20" will shoot just as accurately at these ranges as the 26" but anything more than 800yds is a serious stretch. I've also read that 26" is supposedly the optimum length for the .308 round.

I want this rifle to be a "tactical" rifle so the 20" would be nice but not if the 24" or 26" barrels would be that much better. What are the differences in loudness? Recoil? Barrel life?

Any comments please, and thanks.

[RONNIE77]

http://www.mannersstocks.com/Tactical.html

these guys do some awesome custom work...(for some ideas)
http://laneyscustomrifles.com/Gallery.aspx

[Jay5oh]

I have a SPS-V with the plastic stock. The barrel is not free floated, it has a pressure point (two pads) at the very end of the stock. Attempts to free float the barrel by sanding down the "pads" and opening up the barrel channel worked for approx 3 rounds in the hot sun while shooting with a bipod. The stock flexes. This can be cured if you love the looks of the stock or don't have the money for a better stock. I re-stocked mine but I'm going to tinker with the OEM stock to make the forend stiffer.

[Stormrider]

I should have put in some kind of a budget... I'll probably put as much into the glass and mounts as the rifle as that seems to be the acceptable norm. Depending on how life goes i think $2000-2200 will be my limit for the whole project. That may be cutting it tight once i decide on the glass, mounts, bipod etc... but when i build the rifle i'll probably want to get into reloading, and I'll need ammo, a safe, other guns etc...

[Seventy4Blazer]

i just picked up a rem 700 SPS Varment with a 26 incher.

it shoots nice, but could be MUCH nicer.

stockysstocks.com has kept my eye as well... i am still looking around, and like you looking for input... and money... lol

[Dextrimental]

I just purchased a 700 Tactical, and I'm very happy with it. The target below was shot at 100 yards ( ASK SFN she was there ), and I know it can be much better but I was only able to purchase Winchester 150g super x ammo at the time. Even with the lighter ammo it performed well to my surprise and I was pleased with the group I had shot.

[K31]

I picked this H.S. Rapid Deployment Rifle a week ago and another NightForce 5.5-22x50 NSX scope, NF rings with HS base!!!!! This rifle is an absolute tack driver and I'm very happy with it, very well made. It will bust your budget of 2200$ as it did mine, DAM NIGHTFORCE... On your budget I would shoot for a Rem 700 LTR 20" fluted bbl it comes with a HS stock and a good trigger right from Remington and are great shooters right out of the box. It can be had for about 800-850$ range Leupold MK4 6-20x50 or 8.5-25x50 for 1050-1100$ 50-65$ for a bipod. That leaves you with about 150$ for some ammo.

Here are some specs and porn.

308 Win tight chamber
Pro-Series 2000 Stainless steel short action
Pro-Series stainless steel floorplate with detachable magazine
Pro-Series 10X Match grade stainless steel barrel Fluted 20" varmint contour, Teflon Finish
Pro-Series synthetic tactical thumb hole stock with full length bedding block chassis system Adjustable Length of Pull and Cheek Piece





First load I shot!!! I couldn't be happier. At a super crisp 3lb the trigger is still a bit heavy for me im going to bring her down to about 1lb. Going to play with the 168 Nosler's this week and also fool around with the seating depth a bit. After that its off to my smith for a big Badger bolt knob and muzzle threading for the SWR Omega!!!

[Stormrider]

Originally Posted by Dextrimental

I just purchased a 700 Tactical, and I'm very happy with it. The target below was shot at 100 yards ( ASK SFN she was there ), and I know it can be much better but I was only able to purchase Winchester 150g super x ammo at the time. Even with the lighter ammo it performed well to my surprise and I was pleased with the group I had shot.

Is that a Leupold Mk4 scope? What bases/rings? Do you find the Hogue stock to be soft/flexible enough to make contact with the barrel when bench rest shooting on a bipod or sandbags?

Thanks for your input everyone. Nice rifle K31!

[K31]

Thanks. The M700 Tactical is a nice gun and good shooter as you can see from Dextrimental target pic. My bud has one and we both agree that it needs a better stock. You can save yourself about 200-250$ on that rifle but if you decide to restock it later with a HS your going to end up spending more money then you have too. You could probably find a used HS on line?

[Dextrimental]

Originally Posted by Stormrider

Is that a Leupold Mk4 scope? What bases/rings? Do you find the Hogue stock to be soft/flexible enough to make contact with the barrel when bench rest shooting on a bipod or sandbags?

Thanks for your input everyone. Nice rifle K31!

The scope is a Leupold VX -1 Scope with Leupold base and rings ( this will be replaced when funds allow ). The stock is soft and flexible at the front, and will touch if you place it on bags or a bipod. When I shot it from the bench I made sure to place the bags at the halfway point on the stock so it didn't touch the barrel. I personally plan on changing the stock but for now this will do.

Brad