Rem 700 VS .223

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Butcherbill

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Anyone with a 700 VS, what’s the general consensus? Specifically the early 90’s to early 2000’s range, HS precision stock, 26” barrel 1:12 twist rifles. From what I gather 50-55gn bullets will be the heaviest a 1:12 will shoot well, what are the pros and cons with lighter weight bullets in .233? What’s a reasonable price range for a good condition example?

I’m going to be new to the .223 world so bare with me lol. Will be mainly hand loading, primarily a range/target rifle with the possibility of some hunting down the road. Currently I don’t hunt anything that would call for a .223, so paper and steel will be it’s primary use as a trainer easy on the wallet shooter.
 
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You might be able to get some 60gr flat base projectiles to shoot out of a 1 in 12, maybe even Hornady's 62gr fmj, but I can say forget military ball with the 62gr projectile, like SS-109/M855, that stuff would keyhole at 100m out of my Rem 700. You''ll probably get your best results from a 50-55gr flat base bullet. I really like Hornady 53gr match for the $$$, they were exceptional in my Rem 783, 1/2 moa 5 shot groups were common. You can buy them bulk from a few dealers.
 
Had a Rem V in 243 and it was very accurate with 90 gr pills, more than a few coyotes felt the pain, sold it for $850 a couple years ago.
They are a good rifle, some had exceptional woodgrain
In 223 you should have no trouble shooting to 400 maybe with decent accuracy, if not then a pre-fit can be spun on for a good price, the VS is a good base for a build too
 
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Some good bullets designed to operate within those limitations. Berger has a 55gr option, and Barnes has a 52gr Match Burner. Nosler makes a 52gr Custom Comp, Hornady has a 52gr ELD-M, Sierra has both boat-tail and flat base Matchkings that'll work. You aren't hurting for selection there.

They aren't quite as slick as newer designs and will drop off a lot quicker but for punching paper and ringing steel they'll be okay.

Lots of good varminting choices as well if you decide to take that up. And I'll take a 50gr+ bullet out of a .223 over anything out of a .204 for coyotes.
 
Pros of the lighter bullets are that they are generally cheaper.
Cons are they completely neuter the performance of the 223. You basically halved the effective range of your rifle.

If its just a short range target rifle then your fine. If you want a rifle capable of performing at range then your stuck re barreling
 
coleman1495 said:
Pros of the lighter bullets are that they are generally cheaper.
Cons are they completely neuter the performance of the 223. You basically halved the effective range of your rifle.

If its just a short range target rifle then your fine. If you want a rifle capable of performing at range then your stuck re barreling
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Yeah, I don’t think I could go back to slow RoT 223s. 1-8+ just have another level of fun factor.
 
That’s my only hesitation, what range would I be looking at with lighter bullets (40-55gr) with a 1:12 twist and a 26” barrel. Provided wind is cooperating with me lol. I’m not looking to shoot long range, I’m stuck at 200m at my range and easily can shoot out to 500-600m close by. This will just be a trainer for my 30 cal’s, so a Rem 700 or a M77 would be given preference.

Not all that concerned with shooting lighter bullets provided the accuracy and range is there, could always re barrel down the line if a faster twist is called for. I honestly don’t see hunting with a .223 locally, I don’t have any predator problems on the property nor do I see coyotes in the bush. All my small game hunting is covered by a .22lr or 12g, .223 is overkill for grouse and hares as far as I’m concerned lol.


TungstenJohn said:
900 for gun plus tax - included a 1990’s weaver 4x16 target scope made in Japan - nice looking rig - now to see if it shoots
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Thanks for the price check, hope it works out well for you.
 
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Picture is worth 1000 words etc. The extra 500fps that you can push the little bullet isn’t going to come close to the long range performance of the much sleeker 80gn.
 
Remington fan boy chiming in here. Been shooting the Varmint Special back in the 1980’s when 50 and 52 and 53 grain match boooolits were the rage. Then came along the 62 grain or longer booolits and othe rifles were factory supplied with 9” twists. For some reason my beloved M700 only came in 12” twists.

UNTIL the 700 Tac 223 showed up in a 9” twist 20” barrel…. Is that all you can do? :rolleyes:

Just a few years back immediately before the bankruptcy, Gravel Agency released a few 24” barreled factory 223 rifles with 9” twist. I was pleased. My rifle shot aces. I sold it to pay for a 9” twist .22-250 Bergara B14 HMR with ….. you guessed it…. A 9” twist barrel….


I’m still a Remmy fan boy but Tikka puts out a 223 Varmint with an 8” twist. Decisions , decisions! :eek:


All great fun. Today I’m shooting a 223/556 by Ruger, their American Ranch rifle with a 16” ish barrel and tight twist. It loves the 68 grain Hornady HPBT booolits!

Life is Good!!

:wave:
 
If a guy doesn’t care about weight, the Tikka T3x Varmint 223 is hard to beat for a turnkey heavy bullet rig. Especially for a southpaw. ;)

Well, kinda turnkey- the OEM 223 magazines bite. And the retail price is on the high side IMO.
 
If all you can shoot is 55gr bullets, the 55gr or 53gr VMAX should be good out to 400 - 500yards, depending on wind condtions. The older Remmy 700s are great guns. I have a 700VS in 308 and it shoots bug eyes. I've competed out to 1000y with it sucessfully.
 
coleman1495 said:
Picture is worth 1000 words etc. The extra 500fps that you can push the little bullet isn’t going to come close to the long range performance of the much sleeker 80gn.
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Haha, I know how things go and I’ll likely hit the 500m mark and want to shoot further.

Hungry said:
All great fun. Today I’m shooting a 223/556 by Ruger, their American Ranch rifle with a 16” ish barrel and tight twist. It loves the 68 grain Hornady HPBT booolits!
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Being a southpaw is throwing a wrench in the works, you can get a LH Ruger American Predator in .243 or 6.5cm but not in .223 and I’m only interested in a .223 at the mount for a specific reason.

LittleBoyLefty said:
If a guy doesn’t care about weight, the Tikka T3x Varmint 223 is hard to beat for a turnkey heavy bullet rig. Especially for a southpaw. ;)

Well, kinda turnkey- the OEM 223 magazines bite. And the retail price is on the high side IMO.
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I’ve handled the Tikka t3x ctr and it’s nice but I’m hoping for a 700 or a M77 to mimic the ergos of my LH .308’s, still thinking of spending the extra on that Ruger but this VS popped up for a lot less. Gives me a head start on glass budget lol.

RifleDude said:
If all you can shoot is 55gr bullets, the 55gr or 53gr VMAX should be good out to 400 - 500yards, depending on wind condtions. The older Remmy 700s are great guns. I have a 700VS in 308 and it shoots bug eyes. I've competed out to 1000y with it sucessfully.
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Yeah it checks the boxes, I just know I’ll want a faster twist once I hit the limitations of the 1:12 barrel. Otherwise it pretty much identical to my .308, with the exception of a longer barrel.
 
Anyone looking to sell a VS, let me know. Always trying to grow my collection of VS.

The VS models will shoot the lighter bullets better as twist was designed for that. Not to say they won’t shoot so,etching heavier but the newer 223 with faster twist will be better suited if you want to shoot heavy bullets. Sierra makes a 60 gr TMK. You might even get a 68/69 gr to shoot out of the VS.
 
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