700 XCR vs. 700 Milspec vs. 700p + new stock

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armagedon41

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First of all I am going to mention that I am just getting in to the precision game and this will be my first rifle capable of doing the task.
I am well aware that any one of these rifles out shoot my abilities for some time but my main objective is to get a good rifle that will not not frustrate me when learning and that I don't have to upgrade until I either get the skill to be worth it or after waring out a barrel or 2.

Ideally I would like to pick up my first package deal (gun, scope, some ammo and an accessory or 2) for under or at least around 2K. (the 700p I know will toss that idea out the window).

I like the 700 action (old as dirt, LOTS of aftermarket) so I'm going to go with Remington for this rifle and I was set on getting the Milspec after some initial research but I have started doubting my decision when looking in to the XCR Long range and a package deal for a slightly upgraded 700P.

And one last thing I have not gained access to the exchange section yet (brand new member and I guess I have not been approved yet) so there may be something lurking in there to take my attention.

Now on to the nuts a bolts of my conclusions and research:

Remington 700 5R Milspec - .308
Best Price: ($1199.00)
Stock: HS Precision
Barrel: 24" 5r
Trigger: x-Mark
Finish: n/a
Floor Plate: Internal box
My summary:
Good stock, Does not really need to be touched but its just your basic stock.
Barrel is shorter then the others but I like the idea of the fast twist (research says it will stabilize just about anything fired from it so it would be good for some one starting out)
Stainless finish, prefer black but that is just looks not performance.
Floor place does not matter to much but i would be nice for a hinge or mag.


Remington Model 700 XCR Tactical Long Range Rifle - .308
Best Price: ($1307.00)
Stock: Tactical Bell and Carlson
Barrel: 26" fluted
Trigger: X-Mark (40-x?)
Finish: TriNyte
Base Plate: hinged floor plate
My summary:
Nice Stock, wouldn't need any work or replacing.
Good sized barrel and the fluting would be nice but for a precision rifle not really necessary (I'm not gonna put that many quick shots down it).
One listing (the cheapest) said it was the X-Mark pro but Remington's says it is the 40-X so it may just be an old listing or they have old stock at that site (so possibly another $100 for the next dealer on the list). I have heard the 40-X is more desirable over the X-Mark.
TriNyte coating may be overkill but it would mean even if I have incorrect maintenance procedures it will be more tolerant until I learn better practices.


Remington 700 Police w/AICS - .308
Best Price: ($1999.00)
Stock: AICS
Barrel: 26"
Trigger: x-Mark
Finish: Parkerized
Base Plate: Mag
Accessories:Rail, case
My Summary:
This is a Rifle that has been updated from just the 700p with a AICS stock, and also comes with an installed rail, and a hard case.
Most of the impressions of the 700p are very similar to the mil spec (out of the box performance) but it does have the longer barrel and with the VERY nice stock ($850 range to buy it alone) it comes with removable magazines and it has color choice on the stock.


So the major questions are:
1) All things being equal which will shoot better (factory rifle luck of the draw aside)?
2) Does the 5r (even with the shorter barrel) live up to the hype?
3) Are any of my information or summaries off the mark?
and the big one
4) Mil spec vs XCR or should I break the bank and go for the taticool (and hopefully some advantages) of the AICS 700p?
 
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Welcome to the forum. There is usually some pretty good information given on here.

The 5R has a alloy floor plate similar to a XCR. Don't think I have heard to many that were not happy with the 5r. And there is always a few 700p/5r or LTR on the exchange. You could likely get a 700p for somewhere around 800-850, then add accessories.

I don't think one will outshoot the other. Depending on what condition the 700p with the AICS stock is in, I would personally go for it. I am not a fan of the palm swell on the Remington stocks, and both are very similar. It is likely cheaper to rebarrel to a top notch barrel (kreiger, lilja, hart) down the road than to buy the AICS stock, bottom metal and magazines.

To bad the 5R wasn't in the AICS...
 
All those rifles are in the same range. The AICS does stand out and will have good resale value if you don’t like it or realize long range isn’t your thing.

My advice is get what you like or want, the differences in the rifles are small details. If you like the AICS spend the money. A few months from now after you've been shooting and having fun a few hundred extra won’t ever cross your mind.

That being said, I would go with the 5R and chop the barrel to 20inches. ;)
 
I'm extremely happy with my 5r. The statements about the fast twist being able to stabilize just about anything are pretty much true. I find that Federal Gold Match 168gr (~$40/box) and Winchester 180gr ($20/box) perform best, if you're not into reloading.

If it were up to me, I would spend the $1200 on the 5r, and put the rest into the best glass you can afford. A Bushnell 4200 6-24 AT MINUMUM.

If you're inerested, check out my 200yd range report on my 5r here: http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=384646
 
Having owned more Remington 700s then I can conveniently remember, my recommendations for new shooters is always the same. Get the best glass they can afford - (Leupold Mark 4 series is usually what I recommend but everyone's budget is different) and the cheapest accurate rifle and lots of ammunition. A lot of guys end doing the exact opposite (get a really nice rifle and cheap glass). Looking at your list I would recommend getting the police with no AICS. I can tell you confidently that unless you know exactly what you want which will come with experience, you may end up buying something you don't like - thumbhole stocks are not for everyone. The 700 police has a solid action and stock. When you have shot enough and you decide to upgrade you can simply sell the HS Precision stock (they fetch a nice price on the EE) and upgrade the stock (I like McMillan stocks). The barrels on all 3 are pretty much standard factory offerings - your best bet is to shoot out the factory and get a better barrel spun on when you figure out what calibre and twist you like. Everything on a rifle is upgradeable and frequently factory offerings aren't exactly what the individual wants - which is why I recommend the cheapest rifle to start with. Optics are not upgradeable and if you try to sell a used one to upgrade you can expect to take a larger hit. Just something to consider.
 
Glock4ever said:
Having owned more Remington 700s then I can conveniently remember, my recommendations for new shooters is always the same. Get the best glass they can afford - (Leupold Mark 4 series is usually what I recommend but everyone's budget is different) and the cheapest accurate rifle and lots of ammunition. A lot of guys end doing the exact opposite (get a really nice rifle and cheap glass). Looking at your list I would recommend getting the police with no AICS. I can tell you confidently that unless you know exactly what you want which will come with experience, you may end up buying something you don't like - thumbhole stocks are not for everyone. The 700 police has a solid action and stock. When you have shot enough and you decide to upgrade you can simply sell the HS Precision stock (they fetch a nice price on the EE) and upgrade the stock (I like McMillan stocks). The barrels on all 3 are pretty much standard factory offerings - your best bet is to shoot out the factory and get a better barrel spun on when you figure out what calibre and twist you like. Everything on a rifle is upgradeable and frequently factory offerings aren't exactly what the individual wants - which is why I recommend the cheapest rifle to start with. Optics are not upgradeable and if you try to sell a used one to upgrade you can expect to take a larger hit. Just something to consider.
Click to expand...
:agree:
Couldn't be better stated.
 
I've got the 5R, it outshoots me by a mile. My fellow shooters who know what they're doing (I'm still a beginner) say I made a good choice. Looked at the XCR as well but I'm partial to the SS look in rifles so I went with the 5R. I like the 308 so much I think I'm going to buy the 223 to get a bit more practice at the 100-300 range with a bit less recoil. My 308 has way less kick than a buddies T3 Lite but still can get to you after a couple dozen rounds during a game of shoot the chicken at the range.

Having said that I agree with the comment on glass!!! I've got a Vortex and 3200 elite on other rifles but I ponied up and bought a NF 5.5-15 for my 5R. All I can say is WOW!! On full magnification I can see to the end of our range with crystal clarity while my other scopes anything beyond about 200M is sketchy.

I'd go with the 5R or XCR, save the customization job for a year or two from now when you really know what you want, then you can get EXACTLY what you want, not someone elses dream rig.
 
Have you considered getting a nice Leupold Mark 4 (~13-1500) and upping your budget a little and getting a 700 SPS Tactical? The action is the same as the above three (less the fancy finish on the XCR) and go out shooting. The fact is that if you can't see it well you won't be able to hit it. When you have more money available order a nice aftermarket stock to swap out the stock one. When you get good at knowing dope and you want hit consistently at further distances, true the action, get a better barrel and trigger. None of the factory triggers are fantastic but the triggers on the SPS are the same as the rifles you are looking at (except the 40X trigger) The 40X is an alright trigger but when you choose to upgrade you will see a major difference when you move to aftermarket as well.
 
So I had a chance to wander by P&D Enterprise (one of the site sponsors) and fiddle with some of the rifles on my maybe list (the 5r and xcr) and after talking to some of the people there (really helpful) and running in to another guy there that was going through almost the exact same decisions I am.

Between the visit through the store and the comments here on the board I think I am going with the 5r. This will let me get a good rifle that will be well over my skill for some time and still leave me enough room for a scope.

I'm gonna try to keep my self around the 2k mark so I will still have $800-ish for an ok scope (hopefully I can find either a rifle or a scope in the exchange section to open the budget more for a better scope).

Once I am given access to the exchange section I'll be on the look out for a 5r but if I don't seem to find anything in the next week or two there is a very good chance I will be dropping by P&D and put one on hold for me (Still waiting on my pal so not in a big hurry but P&D looks to be running low on stock).

Either way I think the only work I will do to the rifle right away is adding a break, Make it easier to spot my own shots and make it a bit easier to get good habits with less recoil.

I'm also figuring after the first couple of months depending on how often I make it out to the range (if I manage to make it out 2+ times a month) I will get in to reloading as well.
Even if it does not end up saving me all that much I I just like the idea of being able to do it all my self and it I think it will be kinda fun (you know in a monotonous sorta way =) )


One question to the guys that where mentioning scopes; is there any stand out scopes at the under the 1K mark? (I don't think I will jump over 1K unless there is one that I just have to have, or If I manage to get a real deal in the Exchange).
The ranges I will more then likely be shooting at are probably in the 100-300M. Although I think there may be one out to 600M in Edmonton that I will hit up once I get consistent at 300M.
 
Once you get on the EE you may find a good deal, right now several rifles are priced just under new price, but you may be able to get a set of bases/rings or some reloading dies/brass etc included for the same price as a new rifle.
There are several 700p, 700ltr and the odd 5R on the exchange all the time.

I think you should be able to get a rifle (possibly NIB never fired) for somewhere around 1100 with a rail/rings. That would leave 900 for a scope. With your budget you have many options, you may need to stretch your budget a bit but the Sightrons have gotten good reviews. They hover around a grand or slightly over for the top models. I don't have one myself, but no one has put anything bad on the forums either. I have a bushnell 6-24x50 tactical, it tracks well and the glass is decent, it can be had for under $700.

I highly recommend shopping with the site sponsers here, MysticPrecision (Jerry aka Mysticplayer on this forum) and Frontier Firearms have given me some very good service.
 
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