Rem 700 5r milspec question...What precision rifle to buy or build?

Duffk21

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Ive been looking in the EE for a new(to me) long range 308 and i see alot of 700 builds but not many 5r milspecs. Is the 5r milspec significantly better platform to start with or what are the main differences? Also where does the TRG22 stand in the precision world, always liked the look, not so well educated on them. Price range would be around the 3-4000 mark w/o scope. any suggestions appreciated
 
Generally a build is more accurate than a factory rifle, but has lower resale value. I can't speak to the Remington question though as I've never owned one. I've never read anything bad about the Sako.
 
I'd go with the Sako if your looking for a Factory rifle.

If you do a build, you can go with Remington, Savage, Stiller, Sturgeon, Defiance....almost anything you want to use.

With your price range you have a lot of good options for a build, or Factory.
 
the 5r tends to be a 3/4 - .5MOA gun with nothing more then a bedding job and hand loads, good rifle for the money, that being said if your just after a doner action then any 700 will use the same action and cost a fair bit less.

if your serious about long range, for 4g you can build somthing much better to start off with, and if your like me, dont have to worry about resale, just rebarreling down the road.

for example check out Seans, (juanvaldez) thread in the EE http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=675872
 
ok so the 5r action is the same as the 700? its just the barrell tolerances that are different? so hence if i was to rebarrell like you said, it wouldnt matter to start with a 700 or a 5r?
 
5R is in reference to the 5 rifling grooves in the barrel rather than the more common 6 grooves in most rifles. Some claim they are more accurate and foul less, but that's up for debate. The Rem 700 5R is a great rifle, I've had one in 308 and 223, and if you're just doing informal long range shooting, it will definitely suffice, IMO, as it's accurate out of the box and has a good stock already(HS Precision).
Remington doesn't use these barrels on any other civilian version of the 700 and rumors are that they're extra Military sniper barrels, but I have yet to find definitive proof of that. I don't believe they do any accurizing to the action at the factory over other long range 700's, like the LTR or Police, but they are probably a better starting point than an SPS action, which are pretty rough.

For around $1200 new, the 5R is pretty hard to beat though.
 
Ive been looking in the EE for a new(to me) long range 308 and i see alot of 700 builds but not many 5r milspecs. Is the 5r milspec significantly better platform to start with or what are the main differences? Also where does the TRG22 stand in the precision world, always liked the look, not so well educated on them. Price range would be around the 3-4000 mark w/o scope. any suggestions appreciated

Factory 5R runs around 1100-1400. Good rifle can reach out to touch targets or give a subMOA group.
 
My experience with the 5R is they are sub .5 moa out of the box with Federal gold 168 ammo. This has been on a couple of them. The one I shoot is sub .4 moa. Some have even closed this up a bit with 175 SMK reloads.

I personally prefer the bead blasted "subdued" stainless steel action and barrel over the parkarized. The stock fits me well and it's an HS.

I see a lot of people quick to spend their money on upgrading the 5R. I've found a firearms torque screwdriver to be the best upgrade. Torque down the stock to receiver screws to the proper specs and let the aluminum bedding block do it's job.

The 5R rifles I have are in the 5 to 6 year old range now. I've had very good luck with them. As have many others. The 5R is the worst kept secret on the net.

Spending more won't guarantee a better shooting rifle. I mentioned the 5R to a gunsmith I knew. I received the rolled eyes and the you need an aftermarket barrel response. Showed him my targets and that stopped. A few years later I was back. His Father had a 5R and gave it to him. He did bed it before shooting it. His response to me this time was you're basically getting a custom barrel for free.

There is also a rumour that the first KAC AR10 style rifles used Remington 5R barrels. A semi auto renown for accuracy and very expensive. If this is correct then I think it says something about the barrels.

The main advantages are the stainless action/barrel, the 5R barrel and the 1:11.25 twist rate. I love that twist rate for 168 and 175 ammo. The HS stock is also decent if it fits you. Bottom line it's a cost effective rifle for a complete ready to go out of the box rifle. Also they tend to shoot very well. Especially for their price. Last they shoot off the shelf match ammo exceptionally well. You don't need to reload to have a very accurate tactical bolt rifle.

Spend the money you save on a good scope and rings/base. These rifles warrant good glass and rings.

There are lots of decent options out there. Find the one you like the most. With reloading they can all shoot well.
 
I now the twist rate should not be compatable Epoxy7, but have you tried 155 Scenars our of your 5R barrel?

just curious

I haven't tried 155. Others on here have and there have been some good results. I'm partial to the 168 and 175. Also I have a Conquest with 1000 yard reticle on mine. The 168 ammo seems to match the reticle exceptionally well. It's dead on at 100, 200 and 300. I haven't tried further yet since I shoot mostly on a range.
 
I appreciate the feedback Epoxy7. I'm pretty sure the factory barrel is going to be replaced on my 700 Varmint. As of now it's just barely an MOA shooter with carefully worked up handloads. I'm presently leaning towards a 5R pipe, most likely in 24".
 
the 5r tends to be a 3/4 - .5MOA gun with nothing more then a bedding job and hand loads, good rifle for the money, that being said if your just after a doner action then any 700 will use the same action and cost a fair bit less.

if your serious about long range, for 4g you can build somthing much better to start off with, and if your like me, dont have to worry about resale, just rebarreling down the road.

for example check out Seans, (juanvaldez) thread in the EE http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=675872

I'd seriously consider this option, There seems to be an abundance of Tac Drivers built by him being posted by happy customers. All are pretty easy on the eyes aswell! I have one on the way myself! Great guy to deal with!
 
I'd go with the 5r to start and spend the extra $2500 -$3000 on the best scope and rings you can get for the $$. (NF, March, S&B, etc.)

If you have lots to spend, get the sako and a top scope.
 
before you go dropping 4 grand on a shooting iron, i suggest you ignore the banter here and take a trip down to calgary and check out the shooing at the alberta fullbore rifle association matches that come up in the fall. you will learn pretty quick that a sporter stock is not very good for prone shooting. You will also hook up with fellows like henry rempel that can build you one helluva gun and have lots of room left over for a scope. Talk to the guys that make guns, not sell them and ask them what is the best out there.

you will see there are not very many guns you can buy off a shelf that have everything you need to get going. Sakos are good guns off the shelf but it may not be the best caliber choice for learning. i think 308 is a poor choice for getting started myself.

talk to henry and the fellows he shoots with and let them SHOW you why they shoot what they do, and lots of them are cheap too and learned a lng time ago that you don't have to spend that kind of money. I would get reloading equipment and a cheap gun to amuse yourself before you buy a nice rifle and wear it out learning bad habits
 
Everyone has a different need and a different story. Yes, been to Bull Meadow and Homestead. And I welcome the challenge that goes along with utilizing a .308 Winchester. Certainly there's better options out there. But then it would not be my own choice now would it? And I've seen wonderful results with a good friend that shoots a 6mmbr. Now that's one great little round for 1000 yard targets indeed!
And I suspect someday I might have another good rifle in this metric chambering.
In all honesty I already have a NF NXS 12-42x56 already well mounted on a Remington chassis. So in actual fact a custom barrel is the only factor that has not quite yet been properly addressed by me.

Cheers!
 
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Alright folks thx for the opinions and responses. I bought the 5R for $1099 and put a trijicon 5-20x50 accupoint on it that i already owned. I never hear anyone talking about trijcon scopes other than the ACOG. Are they considered terrible or what? I guess ill shoot this setup for now and it sounds like reloading gear may be the next purchase.
 
Alright folks thx for the opinions and responses. I bought the 5R for $1099 and put a trijicon 5-20x50 accupoint on it that i already owned. I never hear anyone talking about trijcon scopes other than the ACOG. Are they considered terrible or what? I guess ill shoot this setup for now and it sounds like reloading gear may be the next purchase.

Great choice. Please let us know how it shoots 5 shot groups after you 'break it in'.
 
ok so the 5r action is the same as the 700? its just the barrell tolerances that are different? so hence if i was to rebarrell like you said, it wouldnt matter to start with a 700 or a 5r?

A gun shop employee who is quite knowledgeable recently told me that the 5R barrel is a mil-spec barrel that was a bit off mil-spec standards so sold on the civilian market rather than being disgarded.

Does anybody know it that is true or not?
 
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