Remington 700 SPS Varmint 26" experiences

[mpstan]

I have an opportunity to pick up one of these new at a very good price. Would you mind telling me about yours? Of course I'm wondering about accuracy, as well as how picky it is with different loads, factory loads etc.

Thank you

[broper]

Can't tell you about the SPS but, I have a VLS with 26" barrel and I love it. It is super accurate. I think you'd be happy with it, I'd say, go for it!

[Volstandigkeit]

My 204 with the oversized 206 barrel should shoot the hair off a gnat's but once I get my 204 barrel on it.

[Tokimini]

My 700 SPS used to shoot sub quarter inch 5 shot groups using hand loads and just over half inch for factory loads. This year my groups have gotten a bit inconsistant. Time for a new barrel I'm afraid.

[Bill K]

I would imagine you have given the barrel and really, really good cleaning first and rechecked the groups, right ? Bill K

[terrace]

Have one in .257 weatherby shoots 3 shot cloverleafs

[hemiallen]

My 700 SPS used to shoot sub quarter inch 5 shot groups using hand loads and just over half inch for factory loads. This year my groups have gotten a bit inconsistent. Time for a new barrel I'm afraid.

Don't toss the barrel with the bath water yet. How many rounds does it have pushed down it, and I would suspect, in this order:


Barrel fouling

Bedding has changed, if you have removed the action before she started misbehaving, especially, or have humidity / storage issues

Muzzle

I would get some foaming Foul- out, let it soak a good day, and look for blue.


I think, unless you fired it really hot, a factory barrel, especially one that shoots that well, should last 2000 rounds or so before accuracy starts SLOWLY decreasing, it shouldn't just go from 1/4" to 1/2" due to a worn/ shot out barrel.

I get to head your way mid December, please hold off on snow until next spring when I come back. for Quarter 2, 3 and 4..lol

Good luck


Allen

[RowdyYates]

I have one in .22-250; one of those Cabela's special stainless models (now discontinued?) with a barrel that makes it probably at least a pound heavier than the blued ones; adding a B&C stock probably added even a little more weight. Mine had one of those first X-Pro triggers that was swapped for a Timney in short order, and also now one of those magazine extenders that adds a couple more rounds capacity without going to the expensive detachable mag kits. I bought is as a backup rifle for my .204s and maybe a longer-range coyote rifle, so as of now I haven't even bought dies. It shoots surprisingly well with almost any factory ammo tried: the best (3-shot) "group" so far was 5/8" with 55 gr. Federal Nosler B-tips; I have some Superformance and Black Hills 50 V-Maxes that I'll bet will get close to that, too. There's a ton of aftermarket stuff for the iconic 700, but knowing when to stop before getting into, say, Cooper prices is the question.
Haven't heard too much negative on the Varmint SPS's; seems like Rem. is still doing this one right.

[204cat]

doh how do you delete a double post ?

[204cat]

first shot out of the barrel after having been sitting all winter.

32 grain vmax
24 grains rl 10x warning under charge
69 f temp
29.4 bar
0.0 wind
**.** **.** location gps
cold bore shot
200 yards zero
244 yards to target
br4 primer
case has been reloaded 4 times
winchester brass
rem 700 sps varmint purchased 2002 26" bull
1 in 12 twist

edit crt has some great cleaner.

[mpstan]

Is your 26" Bull barrel the original factory? Do you expect 1/2" groups? Thank you for the post

[204cat]

best i have done .14 and worst .69 with the average being between .2 and .35 . have only had one box of factory loads. everything else has ben hand loads. i keep a detailed record of every single shot.

factory trigger still with the 4lbs pull. same factory barrel. the only prob was and is with the clip. loading her through the bottom the cases get really scratched up. so i only load her one shot at a time through the top and use her like a single shot. also no clip just drop in the cases and close the panel.

[mpstan]

After much deliberation on whether this is the right rifle for me, just before my head was about to explode, I completed an order. I looked at some laminated thumbholes and triggers but my smith wants to see how it shoots before messing with it. I'm undecided on how long I want to keep it as a 204...... I'd prefer a 20VT so if the barrel is accurate I would like to rechamber. This will be a paper puncher and PD gun.

Accessories:
A friend who is into bench rest got me started with reloading a 6.5x55 with Boretech cleaning rod (vs Dewey), RCBS match FL die with bushings, match grade seater; will post another thread asking about these items but if you care to contribute.....

Thank you and wish me luck that I get a good copy.....

[janesy]

My 26" 700 with a heavy barrel really likes 39Gr BK's. I cut it to 23" and I like it much much more. I find its easier to carry and its balanced better.

It shoots better than I do nw that I have it's load figured out. Following are at 100yd, 3 shots.