My LTR Arrived! -- 1st range report

C

Chessman

New member
Hello all.

My Remington 700 LTR in .308 finally arrived 2 days ago. The wait was longer than expected but well worth it. Here's what I've done with it thus far. Any advice or comments from the experienced shooters is always welcome.

After I got it home, I cleaned the bore (it was pretty dirty). I tested the free-floating of the barrel with a sheet of paper and it seemed fine -- no binding or touching of the stock to the barrel. So then I disassembled the rifle. I followed the instructions on snipercountry.com to adjust the trigger. Got it down to around 3 lbs using a makeshift trigger-pull gauge (just used a 3-lb weight with a wire tied to it). After fiddling with it a bit I got the trigger to a nice feel with a clean break. Much improved over the factory setting which was around 8 lbs.

Put the thing back together and mounted my Tasco SS 10x40 scope. I used Leupold 2-piece standard mounts and rings. Also used the Sinclair tool to lap the rings. Attached a Harris bipod.

Next day at the range: I have to admit up front that I didn't perform the "shoot one, clean" method for barrel breakin. After reading Gale McMillan's comments on this, I figured it wasn't necessary. The late great Gale knew more about barrels and precision rifles than I'll ever know, so I just followed his advice and shot the dang thing. I did a few cleanings at the range after the first couple groups, but nothing extreme. I *will* follow Gale's advice and not use JB bore cleaner or any abrasives. In fact, I won't even use metal brushes on the bore. After the range trip, the barrel cleaned up just fine using cotton patches with Shooter's Choice and Sweets 7.62. Oh yes, I always use a Dewey rod and a Midway bore guide.

OK, so after a few shots at 25 yards to get the scope sighted in and on the paper, I took the target out to 100 yards. First group using Hornady Match 168g BTHP ammo -- I couldn't believe my eyes looking through the spotting scope. My first four shots were all touching in a nice 1/4" cloverleaf. Fifth shot was a hair over the 4, making the entire 5-shot group 1/2". Dang!

Subsequent groups pretty much matched this. I had a few groups where I didn't do well and they ended up around 1-1.5". But for the most part, groups averaged about 1/2" at 100 yards.

I used Hornady Match 168g BTHP and Federal Gold Medal Match 168g BTHP. The Hornady seemed to group slightly better. On the chronograph, the Hornady averaged around 2550-2560fps and the Federal averaged around 2525-2540fps. My chrony was giving me problems so I hope to have more accurate figures next time out.

I must also say I'm impressed with the Tasco scope. After zeroing, I adjusted elevation and windage 20 click each to see how much the POI moved. Windage moved 1/4 MOA per click, and elevation moved a little more. I'll use the numbers later to figure out exactly how much each click is worth. But after I returned the adjustment knobs back to zero and fired another group, I was right on target again. So repeatability of the scope seems to be right there.

Bottom line: I'm extremely happy with both the rifle and the scope. I'm one happy camper! :D Thanks again to all people on this board who have provided advice and info -- it's greatly appreciated.

OK, now for some follow-on questions:

<OL TYPE=1>
<LI> Do those velocities for 168g sound correct out of the 20" barrel? Has anyone else chronographed the Hornady or Federal out of their LTR? Results?

<LI> Anyone else measured "click" adjustments from a Tasco SS scope, and if so, what were the results? (i.e. were they .25 MOA or something else?)

<LI> Any good reloading recipes anyone have for the 20" barrel? I hear going with a faster burning powder makes up for the shorter barrel. Also, what bullet type seems to work best?

</OL>

Thanks again folks!


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Regards,
Jim, The Chessman
1. e4 c5! 0-1
 
Those velocities sound about right. My 20" barreled SR9T is almost exactly the same.

The Tasco does have 1/4" clicks. A friend of mine has one on a Sako TRG41, and it's 1/4".

I load the same for all my .308s. Some prefer different powders, but I don't vary the burning rate for barrels. Oddly, my Steyr Scout likes H380. Whatever the gun wants, the guns gets.
 
Hi Chessman

Glad the shooting session went well. I've not had the chance yet to shoot my LTR, hope for next weekend springs eternal!

After you were finished with the trigger adjustments and reassembled the LTR did you set the action bolts to a specific in/lbs rating or sort of 'wing it'? The information I've heard states 65in/lbs on the action bolts. You seem to be shooting in great shape so it looks like you've got the action dialed in.

I'll give you a report when my LTR finally goes 'boom'...

Darryl

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"In an age of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." -- George Orwell
 
DarkStar:

I "winged it" when re-torquing the action bolts. Before I took it apart I tried to get a feel for how tight they were. So on reassembly, I simply tried to duplicate the "feel". Low tech of course, I hope I got it close.

Yes, I'd be interested in how your LTR does and your shooting impressions of it.


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Regards,
Jim, The Chessman
1. e4 c5! 0-1
 
Chessman, that was sort of my thought with the action bolts on mine also. I saw a 65in/lbs T-Handle torque wrench at Brownells for near $80. All the little extras, like drivers/adapters/shipping, etc. put it well over a Century note... I would like to obtain one and as soon as I find it for less than the price of a Leupold scope I'll let you know... :)

Darryl
 
Darkstar:

Home Depot sells a really nice "click" type inch/lb. torque wrench for around $60. I've found lots of uses for mine, besides torquing the action screws on my VS. BTW, my Tasco WCTS scope has 1/8 m.o.a. clicks.
 
I hear you Walt. I use a Craftsman inch-pound click torque wrench. I just cannot see getting a torque wrench for one specific job, even if the small T's do fit in a bag better.

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My .223 LTR will give .5 inch 5 shot groups with Black Hills 52 gr match, ditto with 55 gr. IMI 62 gr. milspec gives .75" Black Hills 69 gr. match will not do better than 2.5-3". It is a 1-9" twist.

Otherwise, I think it is a great rifle. Good show Chessman.

Did your Tasco SS10X42 have the large, white garish TASCO logo on the eyepiece? I have seen some of the SS scopes that do. My SS10X42 from SWFA that I sold had no TASCO markings. I was going to get another but will reconsider if it has the large ugly marks. That is my main reason for avoiding TASCO scopes in the past.
 
No, my Tasco SS has no "Tasco" name or insignia markings on it. So a lot of people don't know it's a Tasco. Kind of like hiding in the closet, isn't it? :)

I'll post more results with the rifle/scope combo after I get in some more range time. I must say it definitely looks cool with those 3 turrets. And the clicks are nice and distinct, not mushy. I'm wondering if I should get the 20x Tasco SS for my long distance carrier, the 300WM.


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Regards,
Jim, The Chessman
1. e4 c5! 0-1
 
Chessman. I just spent last week at Thunder Ranch in their Precision Rifle 2 class.
There were 2 LTRs in my class. One belonged to my shooting partner and was wearing a 3.5-15X50 Nightforce scope. The other one had a Leupold Long Range Tactical 3.5-10X40 mounted on it.
Both LTRs were very accurate and held that accuracy out to 700 yds.. After 700 the accuracy of all of the rifles started to deteriorate due to erratic, high, gusty winds.
I recall one of LTR shooters being chastised by an instructor for shooting so well during some 400, 500 and 600 yard drills. He said that the little LTR was going to give the high dollar custom Robars and the ultra expensive AW rifles a complex.
After shooting next to an LTR (and doing some shooting with it) I am seriously considering doing some modifications to my PSS. For the ballistic limitations of the 308 cartridge the LTR seems like the perfect balance of accuracy and portability. After seeing the LTR's long range performance I have to question whether or not the extra length and weight of my PSS are worth it.
One suggestion. Make sure that your scope has enoungh elevation left in it to get you out to your extended ranges. If not you will need to shim your bases.
 
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