5R's are simply rejected M25 barrels slapped onto a regular 700 action and a two tone stock. Better off buying a SPS and Shilen barrel IMHO.
There's a lot of speculation on that one. They currently make their own run now of barrels. Perhaps the first batch of 5R rifles were from M24 but that is only a maybe. I'm pretty sure it hasn't been that way since the first few released. I believe they make them specifically for a 5R run now. Some of the rumours also say they are put together in the custom shop although they are not "custom" rifles. I've heard some reports of people who have had the actions trued and they were very close to perfect right out of the box.
many of us have found them to be sub .5 moa rifles right out of the box with no changes required, or if you wish only the trigger lowered. I've shot a number of 5R rifles and with Federal Gold 168 ammo and had sub .5 moa with a few being sub .4 moa rifles out of the box without reloading. I haven't tried 175 yet but It wouldn't surprise me if this worked even better, especially with reloading.
The 5R is bead blasted stainless in a HS stock with the aluminum bedding block. It has a thicker palm swell which I like since it makes it easier to bring the trigger straight back and helps eliminate any left or right movement. Not all will like this. It has the 1:11.25 twist rate which I love. My DND AR10 DM rifle also has this twist rate in a 24" barrel. It's my favourite for .308.
Personally I prefer the 5R over the other Remington 700 rifles. I like the bead blasted stainless finish, I like the 24" barrel length, like the twist rate over the 1:12 or 1:10 and even 1:11 of the Tika rifles. The stock fits me like a glove, and the darn things just shoot. I also happen to like their looks along with the fit/finish.
I once told a gunsmith about these rifles up in the Peace Region area when I was up there. I got the old look, oh ya sure a factory rifle they're all the same blah blah. I could see it. He puts together custom or semi custom rifles for a living. I went back a few years ago. His father gave him a 5R that he wasn't using. He went out and shot it. His results were the same as mine with these rifles. He bedded it, worked on the trigger and made sure it was trued/blue printed. His comments. You're basically getting a custom barrel for free.
If you get one of these rifles. Use a torque screwdriver and set between 55-65. Your choice. 65 is the overall recommended however having equal torque seems to be more important than the actual setting after 55. Put on a good scope with good rings/bases. Make sure this is all torqued to spec. Then sight in with 165 Federal Fusion. Click one up on the scope and go to Federal 168 Gold. Now come back and tell me how the rifles are all the same.
I have no issues with the police model. I just prefer the 24" barrel for handiness and I'm not really a huge fan of the 1:12 twist, along with the parkarizing. I find the finish on those gets dinged up pretty easy. If the 5R didn't exist the 700P would be my choice. Who knows maybe I'll get one later on anyways. There's also the 700p LTR with a 20" fluted barrel that's considered to be very accurate. Of course there is the newer XCR tactical as well which is coated stainless and similar to the P and 5R offerings. The SPS tactical AAC also holds my interest although the twist rate again not my favourite at 1:10. Lots of choices along with Savage, Tikka and more expensive rifles.
I have one in the same stock only with tan/black webbing from a VSF. It looks pretty cool in Tan with the bead blasted stainless. Sorry I don't have pics around of it yet.
