The Rem 700 project....

[Gamez235]

Recently in preparation for the up coming spring and epic battle against the woodchuck communist party, I felt it was time for rifle befitting such. I started with the relatively inexpensive SPS Varmint in .223 Remington. Before the rifle came in I procured a H-S Precision Stock. I have smaller hands and never found the palm swell on most "tactical" stocks to fit my hand. Opting for one with a slimmer overall profile allowed a proper fit, as well as, keeping the rifle maneuverable and light.



The 26" barrel in my eyes was a bit much for my tastes. The 1/12" twist was optimal for the 55gr. rounds I shoot. Groundhogs' are issued armor that is highly susceptible to the V-Max round. After a few cups of coffee with the local Armorer we decided on a 21.5" barrel, threaded with the mil-spec 1/2x28 TPI. Why 21? After reading articles and the posted velocities from the 22" VTR and 20" LTR, it seemed like something novel to do, just so I would have no clue as to exactly how fast the rounds where flying. I guess I am just going to have to buy a chrono now?! Darn.. (Wive's are highly confused by meaningless terms such as FPS, SD, and Ballistic Coa-you know what I am saying).. The threads had made a fairly nice home to the JP muzzle brake, bought from Brownells. After a bit of range time I find this thing to be great. It does the job and looks mean on the rifle.



After 3 weeks of parting this thing together, and waiting for what seems a decade, I found myself at the range looking down the scope of this thing and firing the first few rounds... Consequently the trigger was instantly adjusted to 2.8 pounds (Why 2.8? I like odd numbers, and it makes it more unique..)

I spent the next 4 hours slowly going through the "break-in" procedure. I was ready to send 3 rounds down to see if this thing was ready for paint.. Using Winchester 55gr. FMJ purchased at the local big box I was able to squeeze this group out at 110 yds. I shot 15 rounds in total in 3rd groups all keeping about the same as this one. A few better and a few a bit looser. Overall with the basic off the shelf "White Box" Winchester I was impressed. (Usually I run a weight sorted 55gr Nosler BT, with prepped cases, weighed, neck-turned, trimmed, and primer pockets reamed on Benchmark powder. Hopefully the hand loads will keep the accuracy the rifle has displayed if not improve on it.



With the daylight fading and the range master rambling about closing I swabbed the bore and called it a day. Being on the VA's fixed income for the time being has put the projected Leupold 4.5-14 M1 on hold for a few weeks. Till then the Nikon from my Savage is going to have to do the sight seeing.

Brock Bell @ Bell Armor gave the metal a really nice Magpul FDE duracoat, and I handled the stock paint... Here's the post paint photos...



The colors are a bit off in these pics. My wife's camera for some reason doesn't like indoor lighting.. I apologize for this..



I really enjoy the paint. The duracoat is still hardening as the days go buy, but all in all I really like it..


This rifle started out as a 700 SPS Varmint, and turned into this. Aside from the 1/12" twist limiting it to 60gr. bullets and lighter it is an awesome weapon. After a trip to shoot groundhogs over the weekend and putting it to "real" use, I find the muzzle brake is a bit noisy for the shooter. My spotter wasn't thrilled about it either, but it does just what is supposed to.

Saturdays' winds proved to be a task for both my ballistic calculations, and the 55gr FMJ's and V-Max rounds... From 100-300 hitting a 5X7" steel plate was cake... at 400 the group spread but a Human Steel Siloutette was hit 10 for 10. The 500 proved to be the tough one. The 11 MOA (about 59 inches!) of drop and 7 MOA of windage correction had me hitting 3 of 10... My elevation was spot on, but the gusting winds proved too much for consistent hits.

With the barrel length and twist I never intended for this shoot beyond 600m. Right now I couldn't be more happy about this setup. Getting to know how it shoots out to 500yds (457m) thought me a lot, and I look forward to the .308 build coming soon...

[Gamez235]

I thought I might have put together a pretty good thread. I guess I should have posted about my AR instead....

[buckhunterbb]

Nice build, good shooting. Looks like them woodchucks are in trouble!

[hc4sar]

NICE RIG did my tired old eyes see that you actually "broke in" your bbl.? way to go young man .more guys ruin their guns in the first 25 shots than we will ever know by not breaking them . off rant. get a few pigs for me the yotes got all of them around here.

[243rem700]

That is some excellent shooting and a great looking rifle! Where did you get the opportunity to shoot 500 yards? Did you have a chance to shoot the gun pre-upgrade?

[tyler34]

sorry I'm late! nice little shooter you got there, I love the paint job and would love to do mine but I just can't bring myself to right now. and welcome to the bolt action "project" club. just finished mine up(for now) if your ever down in bloomington we should shoot.

[Gamez235]

The barrel went through what seemed like 4 hours of shoot clean...shoot, shoot, clean.... and so on. I shot the rifle out of the box, after the smith worked her over, and now pretty often. I keep a detailed log. I am hoping people get some info out of this, and I am more than willing to share my extensive knowledge on long range target engagement with others....

[techres]

Very, very nice. My only complaint is that now I have to get one too!

[Gamez235]

I have lines on the stocks if you went my route...

[Gamez235]

Originally Posted by 243rem700

That is some excellent shooting and a great looking rifle! Where did you get the opportunity to shoot 500 yards? Did you have a chance to shoot the gun pre-upgrade?

I have access to a 500m range littered with steel silhouettes in varying human shapes and sizes... If I got to know a few people better, and knew of their capabilities I'd share my lanes with a few people..