Rem 700 DM vs SPS tactical

Penrx

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I am hoping to get my first centerfire rifle this year, and am looking at either the Remington 700 SPS DM or the SPS tactical.

The DM version is almost $100 cheaper at my local shop and I am wondering why? Is there something about the actions on these which are inherently less accurate?

If I went with the SPS Tactical, can I add a magazine later?

Cheers,
Sean
 
actions no, well depends what calibre . long or short action. i have the sps tactical . the barrel on the tac is a heavier contour. I like a heavy barrel more. you can do whatever you want to the rifle as far as upgrades go, just depends on $. what do you want it for? precision ? there are many options for DM upgrades. i'd say go with the tac and slowly upgrade it as you go. stock first then DM if that what you want. the stock is pretty flimsy . if you want to improve the action take it to a gunsmith and get it trued and lugs lapped

cheers
 
Sheesh, I am such a total noob here. I meant to sat that I want to get the .308 in short action. Yes, I would be looking for precision, even though I think the longest local range is 300yds.

I am pretty sure that an action truing and stock would be the first changes I would make, but I need to get started somewhere.

I just think that it is weird that the detachable mag from the factory is less expensive than without.

Thanks,
Sean
 
.308 is a good calibre. when it comes to a DM i'd look at the ATRS bottom metal and a surgeon bottom metal. there are many more though.. something that accepts AI mags.
the sps tac would be a good start for reasonable $ for what you are looking for i think.

good luck bro
 
There is no inherent difference in accuracy between a factory DM action and an SPS action. Action truing will require barrel refitting. Paying to have a factory barrel refitted doesn't make sense unless the barrel is outstanding to start with. Truing the action and using a run of the mill factory barrel doesn't make sense.
Aftermarket detachable magazine systems are not inexpensive. They do not improve accuracy one iota.
The factory injection moulded stocks can be stiffened up by bonding aluminum tubing, etc, in the barrel channel. Cheap improvement.
 
tiriaq, thanks for your insight. I agree that using a factory barrel after disassembling the action is probably not the best plan for accuracy, but I am going to have to build the gun over many many months.
I also agree that a detachable mag system does not contribute to accuracy, but I don't see the purpose of not having a replaceable mag on a gun. I don't personally like the hinged floor plate (mostly because I have never used one).
In the past much of my shooting was shotgun and .22's with mags so it is just something that I am used to.

I would probably start by lapping the lugs on any new gun that I get to ensure smooth engagement and a larger bearing surface. That is what I meant by an action truing, I am at a bit of a disadvantage as I do not know the lexicon of the shooting society just yet.

I was also looking at the AAC version of the 700, but that looks to be nearly the same as the Tactical but with barrel threading, seems to me that if one is going to eventually swap the barrels why pay for the threading. You can get a muzzle break installed on your new barrel if you wish.

Cheers,
Sean
 
Here is the basic procedure for lapping in the lugs (assuming that they need to be lapped at all).
Remove the barrel. Use a lapping tool to true up the lug seats in the receiver. Strip ther bolt completely. Install the bolt, and use a tool threaded into the receiver threads to load the bolt against the lugs. Lap until the lugs evenly engage.
If any amount of metal is removed, headspace will be affected, and will need to be adjusted.
The foundation of an accurate rifle is an accurate barrel. The barrel is the limiting feature in a precision rifle.
Perhaps the best starting point would be to get the SPS Tactical, stiffen up the forend, install a decent scope, and learn to shoot it. Learn to load quality ammunition along the way.
 
I have the DM and love it.... but it is a hunting rifle not a sniper or range queen.... the problem you will have with the DM is that it is much harder to replace the stock.... there are some available but not with the selection you can get for the hinged floorplate models.... also, as other have said, the heavy barrel on the tac version is inherantly more accurate.... but if you plan on replacing teh barrel anyways this may not be a factor for you....
 
Superbrad, thank you that is what I was looking for in an answer. I am pretty sure that I will go with the tactical assuming that I can get my PAL soon and get the required funds for the gun, scope, rings, ammo, range membership.

tiriaq, thanks for the explanation. I watched a couple of midway usa videos on this last night and it looks pretty easy really. I am sure that it is not as easy in practice as it seems though, most things aren't.

Cheers,
Sean
 
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