Playing around with my M700

Furync

Furync

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Allright, so last summer I bought this m700 sps stainless in .308, I shot a few rounds through it to sight it in, maibe 20 rounds? Then I took it hunting, it bagged me a nice doe. Then I put it in the safe and well... it hasn't been out since. I want to shoot more with it.

Mounted on it is a nice 3-10 elite 3200, with grand slam 1 piece base and grand slam rings. I have no plans of changing that.

My question is, what could I do to improve the gun? I know the stock is on the cheap side, and that would probably be step 1. I don't think the barrel is even free floated... suggestions?

I don't have much experience with bolt actions (other than those 21ish rounds shot through this one) so help me out! :)

Also, how long do you wait between shots at the range? (if you're trying to print small groups)


thanks for the help!
 
Furync said:
My question is, what could I do to improve the gun?
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Well firstly shoot it lots.........then shoot it LOTS more.
Tough to judge a Rifle's potential on 20 rounds...also the more you become "familiar" with it likely the better you will shoot it. ;)

Try a few different bullet ammo combos, see what it likes, this often makes the biggest difference over anything.

I bought an SPS last year....it shot pretty good as was but shot very well after the following mods.
-Floated the barrel ( easy to do yourself with a wood dowel wrapped in sandpaper and some patience, you want some good clearance between the barrel and forestock, not a huge Gap )
-Trigger reworked to a nice clean 2-3/4 lbs

Have Fun :)
 
the stock is the poor point of that rifle, try to scrounge up a good handle like a mountain rifle laminate (easy to open barrel channel up) or a Bell & Carlson, or similar fiberglass stock. You'll be looking at spending at least $225 or more for a stock, upwards to $600 depends on what you want

get the rifle bedded in the new stock and have the trigger adjusted to 2-3 lbs

feed it some good handloads with 165 grain Accubonds or whatever over some Varget or RL15 and you should be laughing.

the 700 action is a good platform to build a semi custom off of, that is for sure
 
Don't change a thing until you try several loads in the rifle to give it a good test.I fire three shots one after the other then let the barrel cool before firing another group.
 
I put a Bansner on my 270 SPS. Nice upgrade over the factory stock. I know the Remington factory tuperware is good, but I still don't like tupperware.



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Hello, unless you are trying to impress half-wits with small groups, why bother ? you have already pointed out that you use it to shoot big creatures in the creature and that rifle will do that consistently, just shoot with it.
Regards, J Stuart.

PS, Remington's have no style and look rubbish, however they work, I am on my fourth or fifth barrel on both of my work rifles and thus far I have not had a single problem that I did not contribute to.
 
J Stuart said:
Hello, unless you are trying to impress half-wits with small groups, why bother?
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Most folks that appreciate small groups do so for their own satisfaction, not that of others.

I shoot Remingtons as well, mostly alone.



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I have an SPS in 22-250 and I'm satisfied with it's accuracy. Like a few other guys have said already, the only thing I've done to it is adjust the trigger. I'd suggest putting a few more rounds through your rifle before changing or making modifications to the stock. Rifles don't always shoot better with a free-floated barrel.
 
I thought the attraction of the SPS is that it is a cheap rifle that usually shoots. Since you already have that, shoot the hell out of it. Spend your money on a reloading setup or gunpowder.
 
SuperCub said:
Most folks that appreciate small groups do so for their own satisfaction, not that of others.

I shoot Remingtons as well, mostly alone.



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Most people who are serious about small groups start at stolle then work up from there, not with hunting firearms.
I personally use Remington 40XBR's for my work rifles because Saint Arnold (Jewell) makes very nice 1 1/2 OZ triggers, economic necessity insists that I stack all the odds in my favour.
Regards, J Stuart.

PS, when I actually get off my lazy fat backside and hunt for personal gratification I use a Brno model 21. (snob value and sheer unadulterated pleasure)
 
Well after reading everybody's suggestions, I guess I'll start from the beginning. I'll shoot the crap out of it! :dancingbanana: :D

When I'm done shooting lots of different ammo, I'll get the trigger adjusted. I have to ask though, why is it that when you adjust a trigger to 2-3 pounds, it shoots better? I mean physically it changes nothing in guns harmony. Anyone want to give it a shot? :D


Thanks again!!! :)

PS: can I adjust the trigger myself? or is that a no-no? And actually, should I get it done before shooting lots?
 
Furync said:
Well after reading everybody's suggestions, I guess I'll start from the beginning. I'll shoot the crap out of it! :dancingbanana: :D

When I'm done shooting lots of different ammo, I'll get the trigger adjusted. I have to ask though, why is it that when you adjust a trigger to 2-3 pounds, it shoots better? I mean physically it changes nothing in guns harmony. Anyone want to give it a shot? :D


Thanks again!!! :)

PS: can I adjust the trigger myself? or is that a no-no? And actually, should I get it done before shooting lots?
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your stated actions of shooting the ---- out of it would be your best course, adjusting the trigger yourself ( unless you are au fait with same ), would be a particularly dangerous course of action, not recommended !
As for the trigger I would not know as I have never owned a rifle with a trigger that heavy, the heaviest trigger I use is 10 OZ, the triggers on my work rifles are 1 1/2 OZ, bear in mind that I do not carry my work rifles in my hands, they are carried by 3 tonne of Toyota, also I do not have the cold conditions that Canadians have to put up with, so no gloves, fortunately for we Professional trappers if we are cold we can simply turn up the Toyota heating, God bless Tojo.
Regards, J Stuart.
 
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I would recommend you go to a competent Gunsmith and get the trigger work done FIRST. Lots of opinions on the matter, but for a hunting rifle, 3 lbs. is my preference. Yes, I can shoot well with Canjar, Jewell & Timney's best, set much lighter and off the bench, but a nice, crisp, no-creep 3 lb. pull is quite achievable with the Remington factory trigger, and IMHO, is quite appropriate for hunting.

Just finished doing a little bit of load development work with an "off-the-shelf"
Remington 700CDL (the trigger work is the ONLY modification) in 25-06. Thurday's best 100 yard group was .340", the worst .902" This was with one bullet (Nosler 85gr. Ballistic Tips) one primer (FedGM210M) and one powder
H-4831, with one bullet seating depth - .010" off the lands. These groups are "nothing to write home about" as far as a bench rest or competition rifle is concerned, but are pretty reasonable for a hunting rifle.

For your .308, try some Federal GM308M or GM308M2 Gold Medal Match ammo. I have seen some pretty impressive "one hole" results with this stuff out of a "pure stock" TRG. Although this is factory "match" ammunition, and not suitable for hunting, it may help to let you know what your rifle in it's present state is capable of, without being a hand-loader.
 
J Stuart said:
Most people who are serious about small groups start at stolle then work up from there, not with hunting firearms.
I personally use Remington 40XBR's for my work rifles because Saint Arnold (Jewell) makes very nice 1 1/2 OZ triggers, economic necessity insists that I stack all the odds in my favour.
Regards, J Stuart.
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That true, but this is the "Hunting and Sporting Arms" forum and the basic Rem 7oo is the topic of the question. Most folks here don't use benchrest rifles for hunting, but it might work for varmints.

Any 7oo would benefit from a good bedding job, trigger adjusted, and the lugs checked for even contact. Careful reloading goes far for small groups as well.

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SuperCub said:
That true, but this is the "Hunting and Sporting Arms" forum and the basic Rem 7oo is the topic of the question. Most folks here don't use benchrest rifles for hunting, but it might work for varmints.

Any 7oo would benefit from a good bedding job, trigger adjusted, and the lugs checked for even contact. Careful reloading goes far for small groups as well.

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You are correct, this is a hunting forum, I do stand corrected.
Regards, J Stuart.
 
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