Rem 700 sps tatical vs varmint

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heavymetaljeff

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Was at my local gun shop looking at sps tactical and a varmint. I have a 700 sps ss in 30-06, and I think id like to get a 223 for target/plinking. I looked at 308 but the price per round and recoil swayed me(recoil for the wife and kids) to stick with the 223. This will be my first target rifle so i'm wondering what the pros and cons are between the 2? I'd like to get into coyote hunting at some point, but for this year this will be my rifle to reach out with as I want to save my '06 for hunting, also my kids seem to find more important things for me to spend my money on than ammo, so price per shot is my reason over 308, so....

so 20" vs 26" pros and cons?

which stock is better out of the box?

I will most like upgrade eventually but will likely for this season keep it stock

which one is more cost effective in the long run?

Any suggestions for rings/bases?

I plan to use some glass I already have and save up for something that's worth the money

Thanks
 
In the 223 the barrel twist is the deciding factor , go with the faster of the two so you can load the heavy bullets and defect more wind age . The houge "tactical" stock is said to have better feel but is more flexible the varmint stock is more ridged but is not free floated , both have no place on a precision rifle but allow lower cost of a proven factory rifle !
 
There are a few things at play here. I have owned both, and now I only own one, the tactical. Like Bakersfield7.62 said, the Hogue stock does have a better feel, but it definitely is flexible (mine is being traded out for a Bell and Carlson soon). The SPS-V stock is cheap tupperware style and definitely is not free floated. But the deciding factor for me was the 1-9" twist of the tactical over the 1-12" twist of the varmint. I planned on using my .223 for target shooting, coyotes, gophers, long(ish) range shooting of gongs. The 26" barrel of the varmint is nice for the little bit of added velocity, but I wanted to be able to shooot heavier bullets (ie. 69gr Matchkings) for longer ranges. I shoot everything from 40gr up to 69 gr bullets from my tactical.

If you're not looking to break the bank, I'd go with and EGW base and maybe some leupold PRW rings. I'm running this on my current setup and haven't had any problems with it.

Both rifles will be capable of good to excellent accuracy. My tactical is currently making some .3MOA groups with my handloads, no other modifications.
 
I owned the Varmint and found it to be a good enough gun, but as stated it is limited to the weight of the bullet it is capable of stabilizing. That said, I sold it and went on to purchase the .223 Tac, the first order of business was to replace the stock (I didnt care for either stock) with an HS precision off of EE and load .69 gr SMK's for it that have and will put 4 rounds thru the same ragged hole at 100 yrds If I do my part. I prefer he look of the Tac over the Varmint however that is just a personal thing. The glass I went with is Vortex PST 4-16 and am extremely happy with it.
 
I'm going to have to resurrect this thread. I currently have a modest 700 Tactical set up in .223. Bushnell 10X tactical scope with a harris bipod. Shoots really nicely with heavier stuff ( 1 in 9 twist), but its not spectacular with 55 grain fmj which is what I shoot mostly. I have lately been thinking about selling it and swapping all my stuff onto a 700 varmint in hopes to get better groups with 55 grain stuff. Would this be a wise choice? Do they shoot the 55 grain stuff well? Or should I just bite the bullet and start reloading heavier stuff for my tactical?
 
I would probably opt for the tactical if I were in your shoes, due to like everyone saying it will stabilize the heavier pills, this being said if your not going to handload at all, ever, then maybe then varmint would be alright because it will be more likely to stabilize the inexpensive lighter bullets Winchester/Remington offers more efficiently.
 
55 gr FMJ? is that cheap factory ammo like winchester white box or federal "tactical"? garbage in garbage out. I'm sure quality 52 gr BTHP reloads or some higher end 55gr factory stuff will shoot OK. Every barrel is different though, gotta find what it likes.
 
I just bought the Tac model. Nice rifle so far. I really enjoy shooting it. I like the stock other than the end is flexible. The LOP is less than the varmint which is great with me. I wanted the 1:9 twist 20" barrel. Good for target shooting and the occasional coyote.
 
Tactical and use heavy grain .223 as mentioned. I have the .308 20" version and it loves 180gr Federals with that 1:10 twist. Definitely change that Hogue stock, the weight of the barrel is enough to cause the stock to flex and touch the barrel, then you lose your free-float. I've suggested to many people that they check out www.redhawkrifles.com, they have a nice selection of Bell & Carlson, HS Precision, McMillan and XLR Industries stocks, most of which are at a decent price even with shipping from the U.S. (yes they ship to Canada, no there are no hassles).
 
Was just tinkering around with my Remington SPS Tactical 20" .223.
The trigger took a little reworking, but in the end I have a nice 1.5 lbs crisp trigger. Who says the X-Mark pro triggers are crap?
As for the Hogue stock, I found just a little removal from the front of the barrel channel was all that was needed to clear the barrel when rested or on bipod.
Really, for the money you don't need much else for good accuracy in an entry level Rem 700. The thing really shoots quite well.
 
Gotta love that 9" twist barrel of the .223 SPS Tac now you can play with the heavier booolits in the winds. Also consider an MDT. LSS stock; now you can use AICS magazines in .223.

Great joy and fun that way welcome to the SPS Tac addiction.

Cheers, Barney.
 
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