shopping for Remington 700 and confused by all the models....

C

Coach Z

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I'm looking for a good target rifle to reach out a bit, 300-600 yds. MAX. Even 300 will be a special trip as I live in the northeast and most ranges are 100. I have a couple friends who have loaned me their .308 700's to try and I love the way they shoot.

My confusion is there are a dozen different 700's that all vary WILDLY in price and I can't see the real differences.

I guess my thought is to start with a "good" base rifle get a good optic and shoot the hell out of it until I get better and then upgrade to the mcmillan stock and the $1500 optic.

Thoughts?
 
Most 700s of the same caliber ex. (308WIN) and barrel length are pretty much the same rifle, its the stock and finish options that can vary and change the price drastically. If you are planing to change stocks later I would probably go with a 700 SPS it about the cheapest besides the ADLs and most have the floor plate/hinged door magazine vs the blind box or no hinged door stocks on the ADLs.

The 700 SPS Varmint http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire/model-700/model-700-sps-varmint.aspx is the model I chose to buy and build upon Dicks sporting goods had these for $499.99 at one time and that was an awesome deal. Mine has been a tack driver.......:)
 
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Remington Sendero in 7mm Rem Mag would be my choice. Kill anything in this hemisphere including brown bear with 175g bullets.
 
Sounds like you already have the right idea. Choose the less expensive rifle and get better optics. It will help in the long run. I put a Vortex Viper on my 700 in 243 win. Love it! Spend as much on the scope as you do on the rifle and it should hold up well. Check Vortex out before you decide on the scope. http://vortexoptics.com
 
I have a SPS Buckmasters in .270 and it is a tackhammer. That would be my suggestion. Of course the Sendero is kind of the Cadillac of the 700 line. Depends how much you want to or can spend.
 

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On the theory of buy once cry once I'm willing to spend quite a bit to get a good platform but even stock this rifle will out perform me so buying an upgradeable rifle fits my needs just fine. I don't need a $5k rifle out of the box but if I spend that much in the long run or end up buying / building a custom gun as I get better so be it. The only thing I'm hunting is paper so...
 
Coach Z, I would go for a fairly basic one in a common caliber, like a few have said. You would be MUCH BETER OFF with say the SPS Varmint in .308 Win than a "700 Sendero in 7mm ultramag" c'mon he doesnt need nor want that, he didnt say 'tell me what you have' or show off your 700., thats a pretty niche rifle right there.

7mm might be reaaaly powerful but he doesn't need to destroy caribous does he?

The SPS Varmint is also $499.99 here at Dick's and comes with a scope. it has a 26" Heavy Barrel and h0lds 5 rounds I believe. And while the scope is no winner nor the stock anything but plastic junk, they shoot damn good for $500. And if you spend $200 on a new stock (from Choate to Bell Carlson whoever, you can get pillar bedded stocks of many designs for less than $200) and when you no longer like the scope (they work, they're not amazing but they'll shoot) heck you can spoend $200 or less, I have a pair of Nikon ProStaff 4-12x40's on my .22's that would be right at home on a 700.

And at $500 +200 + 200 you'd have an amazing 700 all customed to your need, in the most verstatile and popular ( and reasonably priced all things considered bigger caliber in .308 Win.. that will kill anything in the USA, will be both a hunting rifle and/or a "sniper/tactical" rifle and will be decent priced.
 
The 700 is a great start on a custom gun. I have not yet practiced enough to shoot better than my 700 BDL. My groups keep getting smaller though. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the new models. And starting with a basic, stock rifle could be a very smart choice. As you develop your skills and shooting style you can add the stock that fits your needs, new trigger and all the bells and whistles as needed. You will likely end up with a super accurate, custom rifle that fits you better than it does anyone else.
 
Another shout for the 700 SPS Varmint. I have the .308 version, with a Vortex Viper 6.5-20 x 50. Excellent combo.

Was out shooting it tonight after work, nailed the 600 yard gong at my range frequently!!
 
I was in the same boat and did what these folks are suggesting and have no regrets. I got the SPS Varmint in .308 with the intention of upgrading but haven't yet. Currently my groups are right around .68 with handloads and no modifications to the gun yet.
 
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