Remington 700

[Classic12]

For the better part of my shooting life I did not own a bolt action rifle. That changed in 2019 when I bought this secondhand Remington 700 SPS Tactical in .308. I really enjoy this rifle, it’s a very good shooter and great value at this price point.

Early last year I acquired a large stock of NOS ammo which included 2300 rounds of 223 Remington 55 grain Soft Point and a few boxes of Hirtenberg

I tried a few boxes in an AR-15 and in an M16. However the rifles did not seem to like this ammo as it jammed more than I like.

So when an acquaintance wanted to sell his late brother’s Remington 700 VTR in 223 I did not hesitate to buy it from him so I can make good use of this ammo

 

[Classic12]

I am curious to see if it shoots as well as the SPS

The pair

 

[ligonierbill]

The 700 has its detractors, but I'm not among them. I have several, and they are all good shooters. Enjoy yours!

I know you are in Switzerland, but I would never post such a stash of ammo in the US. We have more than our share of criminals and overly zealous officials (but I repeat myself).

 

[44 AMP]

You should look into the older 700s, like those from the 60s/70s, back when they were made as hunting rifles, with real wood and bluing, not tactical synthetics and finishes.

Just my personal preference but I've never liked the "tactical" bolt actions so popular these days. Yes, they're virtually impervious to weather, and they probably shoot better groups than the older guns will, but I don't care.

The Rem 700 has its faults (what doesn't??) but they are generally good rifles with a long history of getting the job done.

 

[Scorch]

Like a lot of things, there are people who knock Remington 700s. Over the years, I have found them to be very accurate as a rule, and very reliable rifles. The 700VTR you have there, the VTRs had a reputation as kind of picky on ammo types, one brand/bullet would shoot sub-MOA, another similar or almost identical wouldn't shoot well at all. I own 2 700 Police rifles in 308, both sub-MOA shooters (one definitely better than the other). I use the 700 action in custom builds, and it compares very favorably with custom actions costing 3-5 times as much.

The B&L Elite scope you have on there is pretty good, I have a B&L Elite 10-32X on my 223 benchrest rifle. Not the best scope in the world, but pretty good, and should serve you well for several years.

 

[LAH]

Looks like you have 2 good rifles. Enjoy them.

 

[Classic12]

Great to see so much enthusiasm for the 700

First shots, only 50 meters for now. I adjusted the scope at home by lining up the barrel and crosshairs. When I got to the range I was only abt 6 inches on the right and could adjust in a minimal amount of time with 3 shots

Might need to refine but I was running out of time

 

[ChimpMunk20]

I just bought one of the Remington PCR 6.5 Creedmoor rifles that Midway was blowing out for $699. They have changed something, because this rifle looks great, the lugs are wearing evenly, locks up tight, bolt handle and barrel are threaded, has a M-Lok handguard, and the receiver is even relieved to feed from AICS mags. I had to change the craptastic trigger, but everything else is GTG. I am not a Remington fan, and swore I would never buy one, but fair is fair they did a great job on this one.

 

[GeauxTide]

I have 700s in 243, 280, 308, 30-06, and 338-06. All have Timney Hunter triggers.

 

[McShooty]

Very nice groups there. Good shooting! Of all the bolt action sporting rifles introduced in the 20th century, I'll take the 700 into the 21st. I pillar bedded a 700 in .30-06 with a nice walnut stock and was amazed at the results. Not only are the groups very small, the point of impact never changes.

 

[jrothWA]

Change the trigger to a GOOD commerical one.

Avoid the un-intentional discharge.

 

[Paul B.]

I only have three Remington M a 700s, BDL 30-06. and two Classics a 30-06 and .35 Whelen. All are more than sufficiently accurate for my purpose which is hunting deer and elk.
Paul B.

 

[wjhenderson]

Just make sure that you're on target before you take the safety off. Sorry to the Remington fans. Not being particularly a Rem fan myself, I just had to say it.
A certain experience many years ago with a brand new out of the box 700 turned me against them permanently.

 

[Paul B.]

"Just make sure that you're on target before you take the safety off. Sorry to the Remington fans. Not being particularly a Rem fan myself, I just had to say it.
A certain experience many years ago with a brand new out of the box 700 turned me against them permanently.

Well, you've certainly deprived yourself the pleasure of shooting some nice rifles. I understand your reasoning. However, the price of a replacement trigger would not be all that high for the peace of mind.

My first M700 was my BDL in 30-06. Trigger was not to my liking so I took it to my gunsmith for proper adjustment. In the 61 years I have owned that rifle, it has never given me any problems. Not sure when the 30-06 Classic was made, thinking 1980/81 give or take. First thing I did was have my gunsmith redo the trigger. The same this was was done with my Classic M700 in .35 Whelen. Neither rifle has ever given me a problem regarding the Walker triggers.

My gunsmith is Randy Lawson, a man who has probably worked on more Remington 700s than most other smiths. Think about it this way, how many Remington M700 in all their various form have been made. Throw in the 721 and 722s and IIRC , the total is around 7,000,000+ rifles. The 721 and 722 also have that evil Walker trigger. How many accidents with that trigger have been recorded compared to how many of the above rifles? That's the 721,722,700, all models that have the Walker trigger BTW.

I like the M700s. I use mine on the range. My hunts usually use something based on the Model 98 Mauser because for serious hunting I prefer a controlled feed rifle. The Remington trigger doesn't even enter into the picture. Anyway, I've always pointed my rifles in a safe direction when taking them off safety regardless of make. Don't you?
Paul B..

 

[bipe215]

A few years ago a poster here with a screen name of GGLASS, I think, posted a thread about his quest to shoot a 3 shot group into a dime at 100 yards with a 700 Police. His accomplishment prompted me to purchase a 26” 700P. My goal was a sub 1/2” 5 shot group at 100 yards. Took me a while as I developed a load but I wound up shooting a slightly less than 1/4” 5 shot group. Quite an accomplishment for an average shooter with a $900 rifle.

 

[LAH]

I guess plenty of people have but I've had no problem with a properly adjusted Walker trigger.