![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Remington-700-9.jpg\" "\\"Improving")
<\/a>The Remington Model 700. There are hundreds of variants, but the core has remained consistent for more than half a century.<\/p><\/div>\n
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Buy one on GunsAmerica:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/Search.aspx?T=remington%20700<\/a><\/p>\n Check out more at Remington:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.remington.com\/rifles\/bolt-action\/model-700<\/a><\/p>\n Sometimes I stand back and look at my guns and realize I’m missing something. You might think that’s odd for a gun writer–but most of the guns I shoot tend to stay in the safe a couple of months and then go back to their manufacturers. It hit me recently that I didn’t have a serious long range rifle. So I started looking around. After considering my options, I decided I would have to build my own to get exactly what I wanted. So I went for the old stand-by–the Remington Model 700.<\/p>\n I know…. Very few of you have to ask this question. If you know guns, you know Remington. If you know Remington, then it is without-a-doubt you know and have probably even lusted after the Model 700 in one form or another. If there had to be one gun that represented all bolt action rifles, it would be the 700. It is praised as the most accurate affordable sniper rifle in existence. The 700 has built a legacy on being rugged, reliable, and with the 700’s reputation for sub-MOA accuracy right out of the box, these guns set the bar high for the competition.<\/p>\n A Remington 700 ad from 1963.<\/p><\/div>\n The Model 700 has been chosen by countries all over the world as either the sniper rifle of choice or the base that such rifles are created from. Beyond its honorable military career, the Model 700 has proven to be equally, if not even more popular, in the civilian world. Used by hunters, hobbyists, and competitive shooters, the 700 serves as both a benchmark and a base. We will get into more of that later in the review.<\/p>\n Created by Mike Walker of Remington, the Model 700 came to market in 1962. Walker took much his inspiration from a competition rifle Remington was fielding at the time called the 40-X. Remington wanted a rifle that was easy to produce, reliable in the field, and accurate, and the Model 700 design fit the bill.<\/p>\n Though the origins are clear enough, tracking the way forward for the 700 is tricky. There are numerous branches on the family tree. With a walnut stock, the gun becomes the iconic symbol of the American whitetail hunter. Dressed up in tactical black, the 700 becomes the benchmark for law enforcement sharpshooters. And there’s every variation between. Like Remington’s other cornerstone workhorse, the 870,<\/a> the 700 has proven to be both timeless and limitless.<\/p>\n With more than 50 years of production, the guts of these rifles have more or less stayed the same and are still just as popular as they were in 1962. All in all, more than 5,000,000 Model 700s have been built and of those 5 million, more than 70 different variants of the old faithful 700 have been released in over 35 calibers.<\/p>\n So what makes your grandfather’s hunting rifle the best choice for your needs now?<\/p>\n Suppliers like Brownells<\/a> sell actions for those who want to truly start from scratch.<\/p><\/div>\n At the heart of every Model 700 is the rifle\u2019s action. Generally constructed of either carbon steel or stainless steel (and in some cases titanium), these actions are the reason the 700 has been so successful. The action is accurate, reliable, and yet easy to produce. A properly cared for 700 action will out-live you and possibly your next of kin.<\/p>\n The bolt is a simple two-lug design. Part of what makes the 700 inexpensive is the push-feed that usurped the old Mauser style controlled-feed. The bolt rides out over the round, which is then pushed up in its return path. When you slam the bolt home, the round is pushed into the chamber. While critics of this system deride the lack of direct control over the round, the system works. It is easy to produce, operate, maintain, and repair. If those selling points aren’t enough, the fans of the push feed note that the bolt face completely surrounds the case head of the cartridge which adds an element of safety in the event of a case rupture.<\/p>\n As there are numerous calibers out there, it is futile to break out a list–but there are two main variants to the action. The .308 and smaller cartridges are typically short actions, and the .30-06 and most magnum calibers require long actions. The guns can run from magazines housed within the stock, or from detachable box magazines.<\/p>\n From the factory, these rifles are well built and very accurate. However, if you are craving extreme accuracy there are many gunsmiths around the country that specialize in tuning the action of the Model 700–and there is an entire subculture dedicated to aftermarket upgrades.<\/p>\n If you want something more from the trigger, aftermarket drop-ins are available. This is a Timney.<\/p><\/div>\n https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/remington-fix-triggers-model-700-rifles\/<\/a><\/p>\n While Mike Walker did create the ultimate bolt action rifle, he did make one debatable design flaw when with the Model 700. There’s a defect that can occur in Model 700 rifles. If the trigger is adjusted incorrectly or is not properly maintained, it can result in accidental and unintentional discharges. Though the instances have been rare, Remington did issue a voluntary recall of every Model 700 on their dime.<\/p>\n Beyond the drama of the recall, the trigger is more or less a crowd-pleaser. From the factory, it is a light 4-pound pull with a crisp break. Trigger snobs may criticize it as being on the heavy side for a bolt gun but, in reality, it works just fine. The triggers are adjustable but–in my humble opinion–if you want a better trigger pull, go ahead and pick up an aftermarket trigger. Adjusting the trigger on these rifles should really be done by a competent gunsmith. Most of the cases of accidental discharges have been linked to the over-adjustment of the triggers, so beware.<\/p>\n Enough about the generic qualities common to most of the 5 million Model 700s. Let’s talk about this one. I wanted something affordable. This is a primary concern for almost everyone–and even more so when you start adding optics and making modifications. So the rifle had to be functional in its original form, and have the potential to grow. There’s no better starting point with those objectives than the 700.<\/p>\n [full_width]<\/p>\n The SPS Tactical, as it came to me. It is a decent package gun for $650.<\/p><\/div>\n [\/full_width]<\/p>\n For this review, I found myself a nice used Remington 700 Special Purpose Synthetic<\/span> Tactical on GunsAmerica. I paid $650.<\/p>\n This SPS Tactical has a 20 inch heavy barrel and is chambered in .308. With its 1\/12 twist rate, the barrel will stabilize most bullets. This is a multi-purpose gun able to shoot loads ranging from 147 \u2013 180 grains with extreme accuracy. As long range rifles go, it offers a wide range of options and isn’t going to be as finicky about the perfect load as some rifles.<\/p>\n Beyond the barrel, this rifle is what you could call average. Mechanically, the rifle is great. And that was the most important thing for me. But that\u2019s where the buck stops. I’m not so sold on the rest of the design.<\/p>\n The Oculus scope is a fine place to begin, though I’m looking for something with more consistent long range potential.<\/p><\/div>\n The rifle uses a Hogue over-molded stock and came wearing a direct thread scope mount. The Hogue stock is not actually free floated. If pressure is out on the front of the rifle, the stock starts to bend and makes contact with the barrel. The stock also has a rubberized coating that is nice, but once it is exposed to the elements and heat it can start to fall apart and become overly tacky. They stick to your hands and to the dirt, sand, dust–great for a good grip and effective camouflage, but not really what I’m looking for.<\/p>\n The bipod is a reproduction of a Harris sling mount type. It does fairly well, but doesn’t adjust gracefully and is easily knocked off to one direction. It’s also very short which makes shooting from prone harder in high vegetation.<\/p>\n The scope is made by Oculus<\/a>. It is a 3-9×50 and sits up on direct-thread scope rings.<\/p>\n The rifle is more or less a plain canvas to work with and that is the exact reason I chose to buy it. Why pay for extras if they’re not the extras you really want to live with long-term?<\/p>\n Looking at how my rifle performed, I\u2019ve got to say it: the hype surrounding the Remington 700 is real. This rifle was able to produce 1-1.5 inch groups at 100 meters with ZQI M80 ball 147gr ammunition and just under \u00be inch groups at 100 meters with IMI 175 grain match ammo. 1 MOA with ball? Sub MOA with the first box of match ammo I ran through it? That’s not bad for a used rifle. Think of what it could do with the perfect ammo pairing.<\/p>\n [full_width]<\/p>\n This is my first group with the ZQI match grade .308<\/a>. This is off of the bipod from 100 yards using the Oculus 3-9×50. Not bad.<\/p><\/div>\n [\/full_width]<\/p>\n Fans of the Model 700 know that 100 meters isn\u2019t much of a challenge for these rifles, but for the initial testing of the gun in its stock configuration, it\u2019s more than adequate. In part two of this series, we will stretch this rifle’s legs and see what type of accuracy we can produce out to 600 meters, and beyond.<\/p>\n As I mentioned earlier, Remington’s Model 700 sets the bar high. Point of aim accuracy. Tight groups. No wonder why this gun is so popular. And consider that I’m shooting off of a bipod, and not from a vice. And I’m shooting with the scope that came on the gun. This is a very casual data set–more typical of the type of shooting I do when I’m just getting the feel for a gun and I’m already getting knockout results.<\/p>\n So what will happen when I take the barreled action and put it in a stock that fits me better? While I’m pleased with the performance of the Oculus scope out to 100 yards, I’ve got more in mind for the gun. How much will accuracy improve with better glass? And can I get more from the trigger?<\/p>\n Now, getting to the part of the article I hinted at earlier. The Model 700 may have been just fine in its stock form in 1962. Hell, it was still fine in 2002, but the times change and so do the needs of shooters. Modern riflemen not only want, but need amenities such as bedded stocks, 20 moa rails, removable magazines, adjustable stocks, rail space for accessories and overall just more customizable ergonomics. All this can be tackled piece by piece; by the end of it all, you can easily spend thousands building the perfect rifle.<\/p>\n One option that I’m considering is the light-weight Magpul stock<\/a>. For under $300, I could revamp the feel of the gun pretty easily and come away with an option that will allow for a reasonable amount of customization.<\/p>\n [full_width][\/full_width]<\/p>\n The Magpul Hunter.<\/p><\/div>\n Another way you can optimize and update the faithful Model 700 is buying into a chassis system, such as the A*B Arms MOD-X chassis<\/a>. For a rifle with a heavy barrel, this may be the way to go. The 20″ SPS weighs in at 7.7 pounds naked. I’m not going for an easy-to-carry mountain rifle, so weight is less of a consideration. I’m hoping to keep the whole build under 10 pounds, but I’m flexible.<\/p>\n [full_width]<\/p>\n The A*B Arms Mod-X chassis.<\/p><\/div>\n [\/full_width]<\/p>\n For my rifle and this series on optimizing the Remington Model 700, I chose to go with a tested platform for building a modern precision rifle. The SPS Tactical truly does bring a strong foundation to the table. However, in my opinion, it just seems to lack the ergonomics I want. The good news is that this is a gun that can grow with you–yet it is still fully functional in the meantime. There’s no sitting around with a box of parts, waiting for the money to come in. As you pick up the pieces, you can upgrade. Until then, keep shooting.<\/p>\n Stay tuned for part two of this series where we will take an in-depth look at the A*B Arms MOD-X chassis system and how it brings the Remington Model 700 into the 21st<\/sup> century.<\/p>\n ZQI Ammo:<\/strong> https:\/\/zqiammo.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n Read More about the 870:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/why-does-everyone-love-the-remington-870\/<\/a><\/p>\n Perfect the 870:<\/strong>\u00a0 https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/the-870-perfected-nighthawks-shotguns\/<\/a><\/p>\n Buy one on GunsAmerica:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/Search.aspx?T=remington%20700<\/a><\/p>\n Check out more at Remington:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.remington.com\/rifles\/bolt-action\/model-700<\/a><\/p>\n [one_half]<\/p>\n The bolt on this SPS has been enhanced with a big fat knob on the handle.<\/p><\/div>\n [\/one_half][one_half_last]<\/p>\n The two variants of .308 I used for the initial function testing both proved themselves nicely.<\/p><\/div>\n [\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n [full_width]<\/p>\nWhat is the Remington 700?<\/h2>\n
<\/a>A Bit of Reductive History<\/h2>\n
<\/a>The Action<\/h2>\n
<\/a>The Trigger (and the controversy)<\/h2>\n
The SPS Tactical and why I chose it<\/h2>\nhttps:\/\/www.remington.com\/rifles\/bolt-action\/model-700\/model-700-sps-tactical<\/a>\n
<\/a><\/a>Baseline Performance<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Possible paths for upgrades<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/a>Wrapping things up<\/h2>\n
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