Advice on First Bolt Action

Sadosubliminal

Sadosubliminal

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So I was looking at a Night Train at Cedar Valley Hunting Supply. The rifle came with a scope and a bipod for $470. That sounded like a *potentially* crazy deal, so I searched for some reviews here.

Needless to say, after reading what many here have to say about it, I no longer want the Mossberg. I'm leaning more towards a Remington 700 SPS Varmint in .308. The one I'm looking at is bare bones. Here's the spec:

Newly designed SPS Varmint stock with vented beavertail fore-end
Sling swivel studs included
26" heavy-contour barrel (0.820" muzzle O.D.)
Legendary Model 700™ action
Drilled and tapped for scope mounts

I know that the Rem 700 is a popular choice for military and law enforcement use (though I would assume theirs are tweaked heavily), so I'm pretty confident that the $600 price tag is reasonable and the rifle is tried and true. To my questions:

1 - I don't know if there are model variations that are less desirable. I only found the 700 SPS and the 700 DM. From what I can tell, this is just a distinction between the heavy and lighter calibers. Is that true? Or is there a mother-of-all model 700's out there for less than $800?

2 - Anyone know what the better options for scope mounts are on this model? Price range: as inexpensive as possible without being cheap. Under $100, I guess.

Thanks in advance!
 
The varmint model has a heavy barrel and isnt really suitable for carrying long distances. its good for sitting in one spot. You'll need a bi-pod or set of shooting sticks at the leat to go with it.

Get the standard SPS. its better as a first rifle
 
I would take a look at the Rem LTR, I like 20" barrels. As far as mounts/rings go its " buy once, cry once" if your mounting any decent glass, solid rings and a base are a must.
 
blasted_saber said:
The varmint model has a heavy barrel and isnt really suitable for carrying long distances. its good for sitting in one spot. You'll need a bi-pod or set of shooting sticks at the leat to go with it.

Get the standard SPS. its better as a first rifle
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I most likely would only be sitting in one spot, so weight isn't a huge concern. Any other downsides to the heavy barrel?

As for bipods, any recommendations? Without a rail for mounting a bipod, I'm not sure what to look for or how it would be fixed to the stock.

mildot said:
I would take a look at the Rem LTR, I like 20" barrels. As far as mounts/rings go its " buy once, cry once" if your mounting any decent glass, solid rings and a base are a must.
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Well, I want a good scope, so solid rings and a base is what I'm looking for. Unfortunately, I really don't know what is available for the Rem 700. I lack experience in all things bolt action.

As for the Rem LTR, in your opinion what makes it better than the 700 i.e. different action, trigger group, etc etc.

I appreciate your patience with all my questions. It's the best way to cure ignorance.

EDIT: Some further background on the situation: I am only 3 years into firearms in general, with very limited range time. My collection says it all. I do want to try my hand at hunting, but I am concerned about precision. I want to be able to humanely kill the target, so I will be starting out on paper 100m - 300M. When I have reached a respectable level of proficiency with that, then I will see about joining a hunting camp or something to that effect. So this rifle will likely be an intermediate trainer for me. Maybe in 3 more years I will have determined that it is not right for the style of hunting that appeals to me, but right now I don't even know what that is. So really, I just want a reliable, accurate rifle in .308 that will not break the bank and is suitable for entry-level precision training and all around hunting purposes.
 
Have you looked at the used rifles on the Equip Exchange forum?

I think you should look at that; many nice fifles, sold by CanadianGunNutz, at fair prices. I bet you will get a better deal there, and you should be able to get a really nice rifle at the same time.
 
Model 700P LTR (Light Tactical Rifle), chambered for .308 Win., .223 Rem., and .300 Rem. SA Ultra Mag.; features a slimmed down stock to improve portability and reduce weight. The flutes in the 20" LTR not only assist in weight reduction and heat dissipation, but are engineered to enhance barrel rigidity for pinpoint accuracy.

The 20" barrel is lighter, the stock is some what "slimmer" and lighter.
Believe me a 14lb rifle gets heavy fast, even with a sling.
Try TPS rings, when it comes to bases, I use a one piece.
I like Atlas bi-pods, however Harris is good and cheaper.
You will find out quickly that there all kinds of opinions on accessories.
Take you time, and the best advice I have is "buy once, cry once" LOL
 
Demonical said:
Have you looked at the used rifles on the Equip Exchange forum?

I think you should look at that; many nice fifles, sold by CanadianGunNutz, at fair prices. I bet you will get a better deal there, and you should be able to get a really nice rifle at the same time.
Click to expand...

Actually, I have been looking there, and there is one rifle in particular that I am seriously considering. I wanted to address my questions about it in another thread, but seeing as were on that topic:

There is a custom .308 built off a Mauser action. I'm guessing because it is a custom build, finding replacement parts might be problematic. Is this a real concern or am I worried for nothing? Can anyone think of any other reasons a novice should not buy such a rifle?

mildot said:
Model 700P LTR (Light Tactical Rifle), chambered for .308 Win., .223 Rem., and .300 Rem. SA Ultra Mag.; features a slimmed down stock to improve portability and reduce weight. The flutes in the 20" LTR not only assist in weight reduction and heat dissipation, but are engineered to enhance barrel rigidity for pinpoint accuracy.

The 20" barrel is lighter, the stock is some what "slimmer" and lighter.
Believe me a 14lb rifle gets heavy fast, even with a sling.
Try TPS rings, when it comes to bases, I use a one piece.
I like Atlas bi-pods, however Harris is good and cheaper.
You will find out quickly that there all kinds of opinions on accessories.
Take you time, and the best advice I have is "buy once, cry once" LOL
Click to expand...

Cool, thanks for all the info! Any idea who has any in stock right now (the 700P LTR, that is)?
 
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Mausers have been around for a long time so parts aren't an issue, but if you get the bug to customize a rifle there is a huge source of aftermarket stuff for the Rem 700 . I have 5 Remington 700s with 2 being dead stock and 3 being customized to some degree or another.
 
Sadosubliminal said:
I most likely would only be sitting in one spot, so weight isn't a huge concern. Any other downsides to the heavy barrel?

As for bipods, any recommendations? Without a rail for mounting a bipod, I'm not sure what to look for or how it would be fixed to the stock.



Well, I want a good scope, so solid rings and a base is what I'm looking for. Unfortunately, I really don't know what is available for the Rem 700. I lack experience in all things bolt action.

As for the Rem LTR, in your opinion what makes it better than the 700 i.e. different action, trigger group, etc etc.

I appreciate your patience with all my questions. It's the best way to cure ignorance.

EDIT: Some further background on the situation: I am only 3 years into firearms in general, with very limited range time. My collection says it all. I do want to try my hand at hunting, but I am concerned about precision. I want to be able to humanely kill the target, so I will be starting out on paper 100m - 300M. When I have reached a respectable level of proficiency with that, then I will see about joining a hunting camp or something to that effect. So this rifle will likely be an intermediate trainer for me. Maybe in 3 more years I will have determined that it is not right for the style of hunting that appeals to me, but right now I don't even know what that is. So really, I just want a reliable, accurate rifle in .308 that will not break the bank and is suitable for entry-level precision training and all around hunting purposes.
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I would NOT get a heavy barrel for a general hunting rifle. They get heavy fast.

Just buy a normal sport weight. .308 is a good calibre and will be more then accurate for your needs in 99% of hunting situations you will ever encounter. As for Bi-pods, look into Harris.

My suggestion would be to go to a gun shop and handle a heavy barreled rifle. They're heavy. I have a 700 SPS Varmint. It doesn't get used for hunting very often because its simply too heavy to use in most situations. Its also long and ungainly in the bush.
 
blasted_saber said:
I would NOT get a heavy barrel for a general hunting rifle. They get heavy fast. Just buy a normal sport weight. .308 is a good calibre and will be more then accurate for your needs in 99% of hunting situations you will ever encounter. As for Bi-pods, look into Harris.
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OK. I've started looking for a lighter Rem Model 700P LTR, as per Mildot's advice.

hunter5425 said:
Mausers have been around for a long time so parts aren't an issue
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Here's where my lack of practical knowledge is evident. I don't know which parts on the Mauser-based .308 would be customized. Obviously the barrel would be a .308 one-off, but I'm not so worried about replacing it as it would take a hell of a lot to trash it. What about other parts like the bolt and magazine? They will see some mechanical wear and tear and I would assume that replacement Mauser parts would require modification to make compatible with the .308 cartridge. Is this something I should be concerned about? I will PM the seller of the custom .308 Mauser and ask him all of this, just wanted a second opinion as well.
 
Yes - Avoid the heavy barrelled rifle. I've owned several rifles over the years, including Remington 700's. I recently picked up a new-old stock Weatherby Vanguard in 308 for ~ $450, and I must say I was very impressed. Nice walnut stock and blued finish. If one went for the synthetic stock, it was about 100 less. It beats the SPS hands down, and was MOA accurate out of the box.
Oh - and the Mauser is a nice reliable rifle, but it likely has a fixed floorplate. This means you have to cycle the shells though the chamber when unloading the gun - PITA.
 
Savage puts out some nice starter packages, and like Remington there are plenty of aftermarket parts you can upgrade yourself.

As suggested earlier, it's a good idea to buy a used bolt action for less, particulary since only the barrel will have gotten worse with use.
 
I think that you should also consider the 700SPS Tactical in .308. Not too heavy, but heavy enough to be easy to shoot well. Very comfortable stock, which can be easily DIY improved if you have concerns about the flex in it, as many do. It is a 700, so fully upgradeable in the future as you refine your needs/wants. Under $700. I got one as part of a trade, intended to sell it, shot it and changed my mind. A keeper.

At the risk of starting a pissing match here, I'd have to recommend Savage as well. Model 10 Precision Carbine, another 20-inch-barelled .308, nice trigger, excellent reputation for accuracy, under $800.

Check the EE definitely...but check into the prices carefully. There are good deals there, but there are also lots of guys who think that because THEY owned a particular gun, it was suddenly worth more in used condition than a brand new specimen at full retail. Until you have a good handle on what various guns are worth, tread cautiously in the EE.
 
jjohnwm said:
I think that you should also consider the 700SPS Tactical in .308. Not too heavy, but heavy enough to be easy to shoot well. Very comfortable stock, which can be easily DIY improved if you have concerns about the flex in it, as many do. It is a 700, so fully upgradeable in the future as you refine your needs/wants. Under $700. I got one as part of a trade, intended to sell it, shot it and changed my mind. A keeper.

At the risk of starting a pissing match here, I'd have to recommend Savage as well. Model 10 Precision Carbine, another 20-inch-barelled .308, nice trigger, excellent reputation for accuracy, under $800.

Check the EE definitely...but check into the prices carefully. There are good deals there, but there are also lots of guys who think that because THEY owned a particular gun, it was suddenly worth more in used condition than a brand new specimen at full retail. Until you have a good handle on what various guns are worth, tread cautiously in the EE.
Click to expand...

Heavy barreled guns dont lend themselves to offhand shooting very well. For that reason alone they dont make good all purpose hunting rigs. A sporter can just as easily be shot off a bi-pod/shooting sticks, and maintain hunting accuracy further then most hunters can shoot.
 
blasted_saber said:
Heavy barreled guns dont lend themselves to offhand shooting very well. For that reason alone they dont make good all purpose hunting rigs. A sporter can just as easily be shot off a bi-pod/shooting sticks, and maintain hunting accuracy further then most hunters can shoot.
Click to expand...

These guns aren't equipped with long, heavy semi-bull varmint-style barrels. They are mid-weight 20-inchers, and lend themselves to very portable, very versatile all-round rifles...much easier to shoot well from off-hand than ultralightweights. They are a nice compromise. The OP also stated that he was likely going to be shooting from a static location...I'm assuming a target range, formal or casual. A slightly heavier barrel definitely holds steadier from any non-rested position, and heats up more slowly with extended firing. Its ONLY disadvantage is carrying weight, and he doesn't seem overly concerned with that.

Edited to add: I just took a peak at the Remington site. The SPS Tac in .308 is listed as 7.5 pounds...a pretty standard sporter weight rifle, just with a shorter, slightly heavier barrel instead of a longer, thinner one.
 
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