Looking at the Varment in 308 Cal. DICKS Sporting goods has a sale. With Scope & Rings, after rebate $ 442. Will dump the stock, 26" barrel seems kind of long, twist is 12. What are your feelings about a 26" barrel. I will use it only for benchrest shooting. Have the 700 LTR with a 20" brl. and it shoots great, never shot a 26".
Remington 700 Varmint
- Thread starter cw308
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allaroundhunter
New member
I paid $550 for mine. It regularly shoots 1/2" groups at 200 yards with the standard stock and a Millett TRS-1 scope (I haven't had a chance to upgrade yet); with it's best group being under .25" at 200 yards (all with Federal Gold Medal Match 168 gr). I intend to upgrade the stock and trigger at a later date, as well as cut the barrel back to 24"; or possibly 22" and have it threaded.
....I would pick another one up for the price that you are looking at...
....I would pick another one up for the price that you are looking at...
It's a good deal if you consider you're paying for the barrel and action. The stock and scope are junk. I got the same deal 2 years ago and added a good 40X varmint scope and laminated stock. It's shooting sub MOA now with handloads and will only get better with bedding. I also recommend getting an aluminum trigger guard so you can get the action screws good and tight.
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Thanks for the input. I thought the trigger was the same as my LTR, thanks for the heads up, will check it out. I'm would only use the rifle for target shooting,I would try 155 gr. Sierra HPBT pulma round with a 26" barrel. Need some pros & cons on the barrel length. Never shot a 26. Have a Bem. 700 LTR 20" brl 308 Cal. with a jewell trigger One piece Iron brigade scope mount, Bushnell 6x24 scope. The rifle is nuts on at 200 yards. Its my one gun for the last 5 years.The 26" varmint is the same action, the 26" barrel has me thinking of what would shoot better, 26 or 20. Thanks Chris
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allaroundhunter
New member
No, it is not. Longer barrels reduce accuracy *slightly*, but they increase muzzle velocity. The lighter Palma rounds need a longer barrel length (typically 30") to consistently remain supersonic out to 1,000 yards.
My 700 Varmint likes the 168 gr SMKs a lot, and once I start handloading I will keep it between those, and 175 gr SMKs and A-Max.
As said, barrel length is not relevant to accuracy.
It is to velocity, with some calibers being more sensitive to "fps loss (or gain) per inch" than others; the .308 is relatively insensitive and most say about 20 fps per inch, or so...
There are a lot of long range shooters running 20" (and shorter) barrels on .308's, but if it's a bench gun (like mine is), the extra length isn't an impediment, it's an advantage- as is the extra weight of the barrel.
Natch, if you're shooting long range, why not get all you can...my new barrel is 26" on my 7-08, and I'll get a chance to chrono the same loads I was getting 2600 out of my 20" barrel next week. Still trying to get used to the feel of the rifle with a 5-1/2 pound barrel on it...
Only possible downside on that barrel is the 12 twist, I prefer a 10 on the .308. But, unless you intended on playing with pills heavier than 190 or so it shouldn't be an issue.
It is to velocity, with some calibers being more sensitive to "fps loss (or gain) per inch" than others; the .308 is relatively insensitive and most say about 20 fps per inch, or so...
There are a lot of long range shooters running 20" (and shorter) barrels on .308's, but if it's a bench gun (like mine is), the extra length isn't an impediment, it's an advantage- as is the extra weight of the barrel.
Natch, if you're shooting long range, why not get all you can...my new barrel is 26" on my 7-08, and I'll get a chance to chrono the same loads I was getting 2600 out of my 20" barrel next week. Still trying to get used to the feel of the rifle with a 5-1/2 pound barrel on it...
Only possible downside on that barrel is the 12 twist, I prefer a 10 on the .308. But, unless you intended on playing with pills heavier than 190 or so it shouldn't be an issue.
4runnerman
New member
No, it is not. Longer barrels reduce accuracy *slightly
Not according to the Swat team that tested a 308 all the way down to a 18 inch barrel. Shorter barrel gain no more accuracy. The only benifit was easier manuverability. From a 22 to a 26 inch barrel there was a 32 fps gain in bullet speed. While they said there is no benifet of a longer barrel unless you want to propell a heavier bullet faster with a slow burning powder. Test by them indicated that a 22 inch barrel showed 100 % powder burn, But no gain in accuracy was seen an no lost in accuracy was seen by going to a 26 inch barrel
Not according to the Swat team that tested a 308 all the way down to a 18 inch barrel. Shorter barrel gain no more accuracy. The only benifit was easier manuverability. From a 22 to a 26 inch barrel there was a 32 fps gain in bullet speed. While they said there is no benifet of a longer barrel unless you want to propell a heavier bullet faster with a slow burning powder. Test by them indicated that a 22 inch barrel showed 100 % powder burn, But no gain in accuracy was seen an no lost in accuracy was seen by going to a 26 inch barrel
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
Barrel length as the single variable has no affect on accuracy. The trouble comes in making a longer tube as perfectly as a short one.
All else being equal, length does not affect accuracy.
All else being equal, length does not affect accuracy.
.300 Weatherby Mag
New member
I like my 26" Remington .308... I lose sleep at the thought of lost velocity 
Alright, I have an 11 page article called: "The Making Of A Rifled Barrel" by Geoffey Kolbe that states on one of the paragraphs:
"Many think a slight choke at the muzzle end of a ten thousandth of so will improve accuracy". It goes on to say that "bench rest shooters have shown that parallel barrels seem to win more matches than choked ones. The exception is barrels which shoot lead bullets, like the .22 Rimfire barrels and air rifle barrels". Go figure. I was perplexed when I happened across this info myself. This is the only time I have ever heard of choking a rifle
"Many think a slight choke at the muzzle end of a ten thousandth of so will improve accuracy". It goes on to say that "bench rest shooters have shown that parallel barrels seem to win more matches than choked ones. The exception is barrels which shoot lead bullets, like the .22 Rimfire barrels and air rifle barrels". Go figure. I was perplexed when I happened across this info myself. This is the only time I have ever heard of choking a rifle
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
No reputable gun maker does that on purpose. Good barrels are held to very tight tolerances, end to end. Down to .0001" end to end variance.
If anybody does, I've never heard of it. Most companies brag about the exact OPPOSITE.
I don't agree that match rifle barrels don't often have slight constriction at the muzzle. It's not caused by manufacture as much as inspection and gunsmith lapping from the larger end.
Before cutting the barrel, you should slug it with a lead slug to determine if it's uniform, or whether there may be a loose or tight spot near the proposed cut location. If there's a tight spot, cut it there. If it's tighter at the muzzle, leave it alone unless it doesn't shoot well.
Before cutting the barrel, you should slug it with a lead slug to determine if it's uniform, or whether there may be a loose or tight spot near the proposed cut location. If there's a tight spot, cut it there. If it's tighter at the muzzle, leave it alone unless it doesn't shoot well.