308 Cal ....Rem 700 VSF or Rem 700 R5 Milspec

G

Gunsmoke

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
122   0   0
Location
Cranbrook, BC
I am looking into a 308 cal rifle ("out of the box"), to be used primarily for target out to 300 m (for the time being) and as a back-up to my 223 Rem F-Class target rifle. Hey; I'm a 'nut and have always wanted to play with a 308.

My preference is Remington and I am considering the two rifles listed above. Both have HS Precision stocks - the primary differences in the two rifles being; barrel length/configuration, barrel steel type, rifling and twist.

Any opinions, thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Gunsmoke
 
I would stay away from the vsf. I just can't get into flutes, at least on a production gun. I would go with a 700P, or even a VLS, although quality is not as good in my experience.

R5 vs a 700P is a tough call. One costs more, and is missing part of a barrel.
 
I've got a Mike Rock 5R barrel on a stainless 700 action and had the project completed about 6 months before those Remington 5R's started making their way here. I own a VSF in .308 as well and I like it.

I don't know if you'll see a measurable difference in accuracy between the 5R and the VSF. Hard to say really. It all boils sown to cosmetics and wether or not you prefer stainless to chromoly steel. I know my Rock 5R cleans much faster and fouls much less than my VSF but that's to be expected considering the differences in barrel quality. I've heard similar comments regarding the Remmy 5R but don't have first hand experience with it.

If I were to choose between the VSF and 5R, I'd pick the latter.
 
Jason Yuke is a good person to talk to about the 5R. He had one and shot it quite a bit with all kinds of rounds factory and hand loads and was not all that impressed considering the hype.
 
Steve David said:
Jason Yuke is a good person to talk to about the 5R. He had one and shot it quite a bit with all kinds of rounds factory and hand loads and was not all that impressed considering the hype.
Click to expand...

Jason's experiences are the exception rather than the rule. I feel bad for Jason. No one should spend big money like that only to have a rifle that doesn't live up to expectations. Not sure what his problems were. Might have been the rifle, might have been him. I'm sure he could give us the skinny on what he found with his.

I suggest you search some of the more popular US boards such as snipershide.com, 6mmbr.com, snipercentral.com, ect...ect... Guys there seem to be reporting better results.
 
2bad4u2 said:
Jason's experiences are the exception rather than the rule. I feel bad for Jason. No one should spend big money like that only to have a rifle that doesn't live up to expectations. Not sure what his problems were. Might have been the rifle, might have been him. I'm sure he could give us the skinny on what he found with his.

I suggest you search some of the more popular US boards such as snipershide.com, 6mmbr.com, snipercentral.com, ect...ect... Guys there seem to be reporting better results.
Click to expand...

Well it certainly is not him or his ammo, I have seen him shoot with other target rifles, and with both factory and his reloads and he is a very good shot. He told me just tonight that the 5R did not at all live up to all the hype. I have read several threads on other boards and there are mixed feelings, but most seem to think for the money the P series are just as accurate but a better value.
 
2bad4u2 said:
I've got a Mike Rock 5R barrel on a stainless 700 action and had the project completed about 6 months before those Remington 5R's started making their way here. I own a VSF in .308 as well and I like it.

I don't know if you'll see a measurable difference in accuracy between the 5R and the VSF. I know my Rock 5R cleans much faster and fouls much less than my VSF but that's to be expected considering the differences in barrel quality. I've heard similar comments regarding the Remmy 5R but don't have first hand experience with it.

.
Click to expand...

The 5R barrels that Remington uses are NOT made by Rock Creek.
Mike Rocks barrels are cut rifling the Remingtn 5R is not. Just another illustration of a big manufacturer using another makers buzz word to sell rifles hoping that the consumer does not realize the difference. Rock Creek did not invent 5R rifling, but has made it popular.

I agree 100% with your finding the Rock Creek barrels to clean far easier than most, this is what we have found as well as the fact that they shoot incredibly well.

As for the Remington 5R versus their standard button rifled barrels, like anything else that is purchased by a large manufacturer from an outsource supplier based strictly on the price, you either get a good 1 or crap, as they are not hand picked at the factory, just built and shipped.

I am not a fan of the fluted nonesense, so would opt for the 5R simply for that reason, given the 2 choices, given a 700P into the choice, I would take it.
 
My experience was good and bad the rife would hold its own I developed a load with 44.0 grains of varget and OAL at 2.810 and it shot ok!

I shot 25 shots into an honest inch and a quarted with some of the grouped bullets shooting .7s and .6s.

I shot a 200 yard target at about the same.

My big issue is i found the stock short and I could neve get or find a comfort spot behind the rifle and did not like the palm swell at all. The gun would shoot, but it was no Rock 5 R m24 barrel.

I also hated the new trigger it was limited to the adjustment.

I have no doubts some are better than others just as the police or the sps as far as it goes i doubt the barrel has anything to do with the extra costs I have shot some sps varmints that shot as well as the Milspec.


I traded it away there is no use fighting a rifle you dont fit well behind

Sure i could have shipped it to rick and have him tweek it, but i was not looking to spend anymore on it.

maybe someone will have better luck with it.

Cheers
 
Last edited:
http: //accurateshooter.wordpress.com/2008/05/19/reviving-a-remington-700/

An interesting article that shows no matter how much you spend on a factory rifle - particularly a Remington - it is still a mass-produced factory action with all its quality inconsistencies.

"5R" just refers to the canted rifling that was developed by Boots Obermeyer. The barrels used by Remington are not cut rifled, and as such any fluting applied to the barrel has the potential to relieve stresses when the barrel heats up. I agree with Rick, I's stay away from them
 
The 5R barrels that Remington uses are NOT made by Rock Creek.
Click to expand...

I never suggested they were. I was well aware of the differences.

Agreed. Factory barrels from most mainstream manufacturers are hit and miss, though, there are a number of exceptions to this.

An interesting article that shows no matter how much you spend on a factory rifle - particularly a Remington - it is still a mass-produced factory action with all its quality inconsistencies.
Click to expand...

If I were looking for a factory rifle that would rival a custom and cost was of little concern, I highly doubt a Remington would be in the running. Needless to say, neither would a number of other brands.

Though as a side note, I've recently discovered a .308 Win. load that is consistently in the .4's shooting 5-shot groups. Not bad for "a mass-produced factory action with all its quality inconsistencies." Good enough for me, I guess.
 
Last edited:
I say its a crap shoot with factory rifles just like cars you can have 5 good ones but all it takes is one bad one to ruin the party!

I have other remmys that shoot very very well.

The best out of the box rigs i owned were T-3 Varminters or tik Tacs.

I am being for real with the exception of the new savage F-class guns 2 good ones for me but others have had lemons
 
For me the 5R is pefect. The stock fits me, I like the forend of the stock and the palm swell is perfect for my hands. It puts my trigger finger right in the perfect spot, which allows me to squeeze the trigger straight back. The trigger is heavy and feels about 5 pounds, but there is no travel, or creep and it breaks like glass.

Mine has shot .5 moa with Federal 168 grain match ammo. Below 1 moa with Fusion 165 grain hunting ammo. I plan on trying 167 Lapua next.

With my .5 moa. I pulled the fourth shot to the left. I should know better than to look at the target. If I didn't screw up that forth shot I would have had about .3 moa. This was off a sandbag for the front and a flat bean bag for the back. I'm a beginner at this.

From match off the shelf ammo, and a stock rifle. I can't complain. I'll get the trigger weight lowered and it should be perfect.

As has been said there are no guarantees. I've had rifles that should shoot fantastic groups and they haven't lived up to expectations. Plus if it doesn't fit you, then you'll never be comfortable.

As for cost. I don't consider the cost of these rifles to be all that high. You're getting an HS stock which free floats the barrel and has a bedding block (My personal favourite synthetic stock), Stainles action with Jewelled bolt, a 24 inch stainless steel barrel with 5R rifling and a 1/11.25 twist rate. I really do prefer the 24 inch barrel over the 26 inch. With a loss of only about 40 fps I find the handling, weight and look more than makes up for the velocity. Plus a shorter barrel may be more accurate. Overall it's a quality package that delivers fantastic results without the need to handload. IE anyone can go buy the ammo and be up and running.

For me this is currently my favourite rifle although I have a 7mm wildcat to get up and running :D.

Also since the 5R is a limited production run it has some collectability to it. There is also a cult following to this rifle. Mine has lived up to that following.
 
Last edited:
I really like the R5. My friend has one and we put quite a few rounds down range this past weekend out to 500m.

I like the palm swell and as stated, it places my finger right were it should be on the trigger every time. I love the feel of the stock. It looks heavy but when you pick it up its surprisingly light.

The action is very nice and even after all the shooting we did, there was little to no copper fouling in the barrel thanks to the cut of the rifling.

I have no experience with the other rifle but from what I have experienced with the R5, I would buy one if I was looking for a .308.
 
Vsf

I have one and it is a very nice shooting gun.
I installed a timmey trigger and worked out some hand loads. With 168 match grade bullets, it will shoot clusters at 100. My skills at 300 meters is some what limited but I did shoot few groups inside 3"
I have been shooting with few guys thet have 700 Ps. If there is a differance too small to tell.
 
VSF vs R5

I have an R5 that I like very much - very accurate with Remington 168 match and better ( sub moa ) with 42g Varget pushing 168 gr Sie HPBT. Easy easy clean and (to my eyes ) nice to look at with the 24" tube just looking better than the 26". For me, the palm swell isn't an issue but I understand the issue as a buddy of mine can't get comfortable with it so I recommend some careful hands on with the rifle before buying ( true with any firearm I guess ).
 
EC said:
alberta tactical rifle said:
As for the Remington 5R versus their standard button rifled barrels,
I thought Remington's factory barrels were hammer forged, not button rifled.
Click to expand...

Not according to Remingtons barrel maker. Looking inside them with the borescope, they certainly do not look like anything but button rifling.

2bad I figured you knew the difference, many others however....If you are ever talking to the Remington reps please tell them, just the facts. I have been told by several Remington Reps that the 5R barrels on these rifles "Are Rock Creek 5R barrels" in fact Mike says he made only a very few for Remington, probably for demo purposes only and has quit supplying them for the USMC as well.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
casterpollox said:
I really like the R5. My friend has one and we put quite a few rounds down range this past weekend out to 500m.


The action is very nice and even after all the shooting we did, there was little to no copper fouling in the barrel thanks to the cut of the rifling.
Click to expand...

I do grant they do clean easier than most Remington barrels, but the 5R barrels that Remington supplies are NOT cut rifling, just button with a radiused cutter.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom