Newbie needs help - Remington 700 SPS Varmint .223

Bonjour43ma

Bonjour43ma

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One of the local stores has a mint second-hand 700 SPS Varmint in .223 + Bushnell Banner 6-18x50 scope package for $600 + taxes, and I'm really tempted to pick it up as a "first rifle". From what I've gathered in EE and in this forum, that seems to be a good price and is perfectly suited for a newbie like me. What are your thoughts on this "starter kit", and, if there's other alternatives or recommendations, what are they? :)

Here's some info that I hope will aid you in providing me with your opinions:

Experience of shooter: Plinking with a .22 rimfire rifle under 100 meters.
Seriousness: Just for fun (for now)
Purpose of this rifle: Target shooting during daytime, 100~200 meters, longer when I get better at it.
Budget: Including a variable-powered scope, about $800
Future modification: Maybe a better stock

Thank guys~!:D
 
Not a bad deal and a good calibre to start off with. If it is with Reliable ask Shane to check it out for you - he won't steer you wrong. Consider upgrading scope in due course.

If you shoot at PoCo either myself or some other CGN regulars that shoot there will be happy to help out with advice etc.

Cheers,

Bob.
 
I would never buy a used gun and expect much of it.

I was talked into a used .223 that "was barely even used"... "maybe a few boxxes of ammo" I never asked how many shots came in the boxxes they used because it must have been lots! They said I had 30 days and I could bring it back for a refund if it wasn't as good as they said. After almost a month of every different kind of ammo I could get my hands on I realized it couldn't shoot.

One thing to consider is that not many people out there will sell a rifle that shoots really well.

Personaly I would save up abit more. The buy a Savage model 12 FV or somthing along those lines. Then save up for a quality scope. Maybe something that costs more then the rifle it self. Learn to reload with that barrel and once you got a handle on it then think about ordering a after market barrel.

But thats just me.
 
I disagree with K0na a bit. Not every used rifle is a bad rifle and some people do sell good shooting guns for various reasons. Such reasons are, too many guns, need money, too many of one calibre, want a different twist rate etc... Sometimes, people are not into reloading or much for target shooting and end up selling a tack driver. I ended up witha lazer beam .223 because the fellow that sold it to me didn't shoot it much.

With a factory gun, buying new or used is a crap shoot. There is no guarantee from Savage that they will take the gun back if you BEST group is .900 or so.

If you are just starting out, take a chance. You might get a great gun. Does this store have a range? Will they let you take 3 shots with it?

Either way, new or used, it is a gamble if you are looking for a .25moa gun. If you are looking for a 1moa gun to plink with and learn to shoot, the odds are more in your favour than against.
 
DsrtRat said:
I disagree with K0na a bit. Not every used rifle is a bad rifle and some people do sell good shooting guns for various reasons. Such reasons are, too many guns, need money, too many of one calibre, want a different twist rate etc... Sometimes, people are not into reloading or much for target shooting and end up selling a tack driver. I ended up witha lazer beam .223 because the fellow that sold it to me didn't shoot it much.

With a factory gun, buying new or used is a crap shoot. There is no guarantee from Savage that they will take the gun back if you BEST group is .900 or so.

If you are just starting out, take a chance. You might get a great gun. Does this store have a range? Will they let you take 3 shots with it?

Either way, new or used, it is a gamble if you are looking for a .25moa gun. If you are looking for a 1moa gun to plink with and learn to shoot, the odds are more in your favour than against.
Click to expand...

I agree with your disagreement.

There are lots of good shooters that are sold used. I was just giving him something to think about.

Before you buy the gun. Ask about what happens if it doesn't shoot well. Maybe they only have a 5% restocking fee.
 
It's not really that good of a deal.

You can get a brand new SPS for $550 + tax if you find a good sale.

Del Selins has a sale on all SPS models right now! $580 + tax I think.

The scope only costs $150 + tax brand new.

So you are really only saving $100.

I wouldn't be jumping at that deal, and it's not just because I am a savage fan. LOL
 
Thanks for the info guys! I haven't been able to find an SPS V in .223 that's cheaper than $650 (haven't checked all of the CGN vendors' yet. I thought Del Selins had this one listed for $620?)... Wholesale Sports has it on sale for $570 but it's in a different caliber. I like .223 because it's cheap to shoot and a lot of people told me that it's a good caliber to start with.

As to the condition of the rilfe - it LOOKS very new, and apparantly the guy traded it in because he wanted a .308 instead. Found the .223 to have too little kick. That's what the shop guy told me. It supposedly only had 200 rounds through it and the shop guy said it looks like it. I do have 30 days of warranty but I don't think they'll take it back... have to ask again.

No, the store doesn't have a range, and honestly I'm not sure if they've test-shot it either. It certainly looked very new with almost no marks on the body, but you can tell it's been fired by looking at the bolt face.

Is that scope really that bad? I won't be shooting in dim lights or longer distances... and yes, I'lll be plinking with it just to test the waters to see if I like it, and if so I'll get something better.

Thanks for all the feedback so far. Keep 'em coming :)
 
I purchased one of these NEW back in 08 and had a Bushnell Dusk & Dawn 4-16x40 dressed on her, had it for 3 weeks and got rid of it, the stock is flimsy in the centre and believe it or not you could see/feel the flex in the stock when shooting. The action was as rough as a logging road and the trigger was less than desirable. The best grouping at 100yards from 250rnds was 2.5" - A friend of mine who is on the RCMP ERT team also tried it and he even said it was a piece of ####e, Ive been shooting for 20 some odd years for fun, competition and served in the Army so Its not me lol.

For what I paid for it and what I expected of "The Best" Bolt action platform on the market was not one in the same. I sold it and brought a Savage Model 25 - The best .223 Ive ever owned even better than my HOWA 1500 and that was a good rifle.

Personally, Id steer clear of it, look around at others..........every Remington Ive owned over the years have left a sour taste in my mouth, there are guys here that swear by them, Im a Savage man - but that goes back to a Chev vs Ford vs Dodge debate.

Personally after owning the HOWA Id go spend the money on a Weatherby Vanguard package (Same barrelled action as the HOWA different stamping & $500 cheaper)

Dont jump into the first thing you come across, there are plenty of good used .223's out there, shop around and good luck!
 
Bonjour43ma said:
...and apparantly the guy traded it in because he wanted a .308 instead. Found the .223 to have too little kick.
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Jeeze, I've never thought that too little kick would be a bad thing. "Hmm this gun doesn't kick at all, I better find something that almost hurts my shoulder"

Hehe.
 
Thanks guys! Sounds like I should keep shopping and don't rush into it. The sales guy did a great job talking me into it, though... I almost walked out with it but I knew I wasn't an impulse buyer and fortunately I was able to control my urge to make the purchse... lol.

Thanks!
 
For that price point, why not consider a Rem 700 SPS Tactical (shorter with a 20" barrel), but the barrel is a 1 turn in 9" twist for greater variety of reloaded (another hobby in itself) heavier bullets for longer ranges down the road. The Hogue Overmolded rubber coated stock is not bad (I did not say; super great) for getting started and shooting inside your suggested 100 to 200 yards ranges. Epps (CGNutz Sponsor/dealer) has them for the low $ 600 price point (give or take).

Hope this helps. Enjoy the hobby!

Barney
 
That's awesome. Thanks for the suggestions.

What would you guys recommend as a "starter's scope"? I know the price ranges from $100 to $5,000, but I'm looking at something that is:

- between 5~18 power
- around $300
- target shooting only, not for hunting/extreme weather or condition
 
I'd go for it. I just picked up the same rifle and got sub MOA results off a crappy rest with surplus FMJ and a cheap 3x9 scope. Point out the price of a new one and maybe see if you can get a box or two of ammo thrown in with it.
 
Scope wise you could get the Bushnell Elite 3200 Tactical. It's a fixed power with a Mil dot reticle and adjustable tactical turrets, and they are on the EE now and then for $200.00. New at WSS $229.95. They are a great little scope. I have one on my savage 223 VLP and out to 400m it's great, after that the magnification is a little low but I am still making .75 to 1 MOA out to 600m.
 
Bonjour43ma said:
That's awesome. Thanks for the suggestions.

What would you guys recommend as a "starter's scope"? I know the price ranges from $100 to $5,000, but I'm looking at something that is:

- between 5~18 power
- around $300
- target shooting only, not for hunting/extreme weather or condition
Click to expand...

What are you looking for in your scope?

Just something that will hold a zero and be clear enough to see your target?

I have a Vortex Crossfire 6-24x50. It was $239 locally. It held its zero on my 6 pound 270win.

The crossfire does track ok. Not super good but close enough to get you onto the target at ranges 500 yards and under from a 100 yard zero.

Vortex does make a Crossfire 4-16x50 but it doesn't have big turrets like the 6-24.
 
Yes, I have their Strikefire red dot sight and it is well made and a great value. I will look into their scopes as well as it seems to be quite decent for the price range for sure.
 
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