I was looking at there website and it doesn't say anywhere that the 700 SPS is free floated. THe reason I ask is that I have a 700 SPS 270 win. and it doesn't seem to be a free floating barrel, I can't get a bill to slide between the stock and barrel. If I need to free float the barrel can I do this myself at home or should I take it to a smith. The rifle shoots ok, but I think it could do better, shooting about 1 1/2-2 inch groups at a hundred. I have tried different ammo and still get the same results, only thing I haven't tried yet is reloading, I may have to do up a few loads.
Remington 700SPS, Free Floated?
- Thread starter Ranger
- Start date
Ishootguns
Regular
- Location
- Acton Ontario
Most times when you float the barrel you also bed the action at the same time. If you are handy with tools there is no reason you can't do it at home. It is easier when you have a barrel channel tool. Try a search here on the site for bedding and see what you find and if you want to get into that kind of work. If you find you don't want to or have questions PM me.
Dave
Dave
I was shooting with a fellow at our local range who has one in .243 I believe. He was also shooting 1.5" groups and also reported that there was a pressure point about 1.5" from the forend tip. If you open up the channel to free float it, here's what I'd do to confirm the pressure point and re-establish it if needed.
Clamp the rifle right side up in a good solid vice. Hang weights in 1/2 pound increments from the forward sling stud. Try to slip a piece of paper under the barrel until you find that it does slide across and through the pressure point. A usual pressure is 6-8 lbs or so, based on what I've heard. It is also sporter barrels that are pencil thin which need a pressure point, such as M70's Featherweights. By doing this, you'll at least be able to determine if it was an intentional pressure point or not.
Best advise though is to check with a good gunsmith like Dave Henry or maybe even Remington before you start opening the channel.
Clamp the rifle right side up in a good solid vice. Hang weights in 1/2 pound increments from the forward sling stud. Try to slip a piece of paper under the barrel until you find that it does slide across and through the pressure point. A usual pressure is 6-8 lbs or so, based on what I've heard. It is also sporter barrels that are pencil thin which need a pressure point, such as M70's Featherweights. By doing this, you'll at least be able to determine if it was an intentional pressure point or not.
Best advise though is to check with a good gunsmith like Dave Henry or maybe even Remington before you start opening the channel.
The Remingon SPS like most Remington has two little bumps at the end of the forend for a pressure point. Some rifle shoot better with, some rifle shoot better without. Before sanding the bumps off to free float it, you can do a quick test by adding some pieces of cardboard or old credit card under the front screw to float the barrel. If it shoots better that way, grind away.
If you sand those bumps out you will be sanding for a long time to get it free floated. My experiance with Remington Synthetic stock pressure points is that even after the pressure points are sanded out you still won't be free floated and after a while of sanding you'll find that your barrel is starting to point down hill. You'll need to bed it at the same time to keep the barrel level and the barrel freefloated.
And skinny barrels don't always need to be presure pointed, I freefloat everything when I bed and always get 1" or better 3 shot groups.
I was wondering about that, skinny barrel and free floating, my Savage model 10 in 243 is free floated so why wouldn't the Remmy be.
lejarretnoir
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- 162km from Connaught
All Sako/Tikka rifles are free floated whether the barrel is skinny or not. Most of them will shoot inside 1" at 100yds. Rem 700 factory guns are all pressure pointed unless there is some custom work or special purpose model like the Police or some Varmint models.
Get a barrel channel opening tool and try it or get a gunsmith. You can always put a pressure point back with bedding compound again.
Get a barrel channel opening tool and try it or get a gunsmith. You can always put a pressure point back with bedding compound again.
