Rem700 accuracy expectations?

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yidava25

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Howdy.

I'm just out of school and I've got the itch for a rifle of my own. I've been using a Winchester M70 Super shadow in .25 WSSM with the good old Bushnell Elite 3200 and we've had some good times:), but I want something a little beefier and easier to get reloading components for. I've almost decided on a Rem 700 SPS in .308 under a Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10x44 tied together with Leupold quick-release rings and bases.

Before I drop $1600+ on this setup I was just wondering (in your opinion),

-what kind of accuracy can I expect?
-any negatives on any of these things I should know about (I've never even held a 700 or looked thru a Zeiss)?

Thanks in advance for any advice/comments.
 
What sort of accuracy? The same as most factory rifles, about 1"-1.5" if you do your part off sandbags.

My advice would be to get the rifle, and some others, in your hands before making a decision.

Leupold rings and bases are good, although I would go with STD just because that is my preference.

Zeiss has great glass and clear optics, but their scopes are not a great bang for your buck. If you got the money though you can't go wrong. Again, I would look through some others before you drop the $$$$.

Personally I would knock a few bucks off your scope budget and sink them into your rifle budget. Some people say to spend the same on each but I think one is better off spending $1000 on the rifle and $500 on the scope as opposed to $600 on the rifle and $900 on the scope. There is a big quality gap (to me) between the $500-$700 rifles and the $1000-$1200 rifles. That same quality gap isn't there between the $500 scopes and the $900 ones (for hunting at least).

Again this is all subjective and my opinion. YMMV.
 
cam1936 said:
What sort of accuracy? The same as most factory rifles, about 1"-1.5" if you do your part off sandbags.

My advice would be to get the rifle, and some others, in your hands before making a decision.

Leupold rings and bases are good, although I would go with STD just because that is my preference.

Zeiss has great glass and clear optics, but their scopes are not a great bang for your buck. If you got the money though you can't go wrong. Again, I would look through some others before you drop the $$$$.

Personally I would knock a few bucks off your scope budget and sink them into your rifle budget. Some people say to spend the same on each but I think one is better off spending $1000 on the rifle and $500 on the scope as opposed to $600 on the rifle and $900 on the scope. There is a big quality gap (to me) between the $500-$700 rifles and the $1000-$1200 rifles. That same quality gap isn't there between the $500 scopes and the $900 ones (for hunting at least).

Again this is all subjective and my opinion. YMMV.
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Sounds like good advice. I definitely will handle the rifle and continue to consider all options until I'm holding the receipt. As far as the rifle goes, I really like the looks (matters to some, not to others) and 1.5" sandbag groups are good enough for me. As for the scope, I've always wanted to own the name, I have the money (right now, anyway!), and like you said, you won't go wrong with Zeiss.

What rifle would you (or anyone) recommend in the $1000-$1200 range? and what scope in the $500 range?
 
No normal production sporting 700s come with a top notch stock,so if it were my money,I would buy a 700 SPS,then add a Mcmillan stock and proper bedding rather than buy a more expensive 700.I would go with a 3x9x40 Conquest as they are on for great prices right now.
 
I've only owned two 700's, a .30/06 and a .35 Whelen and both shot under MOA. A friend has a .300 Win. Mag. and he gets around .75 inches at 100 yards with handloads. All three had factory stocks so I don't see any reason to swap stocks personally. These are 3 shot groups, a good indicator of accuracy under field conditions.
 
stubblejumper said:
No normal production sporting 700s come with a top notch stock,so if it were my money,I would buy a 700 SPS,then add a Mcmillan stock and proper bedding rather than buy a more expensive 700.I would go with a 3x9x40 Conquest as they are on for great prices right now.
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I'm a wood guy for hunting rifles. If you're not than go with this advice.
 
stubblejumper said:
no normal production sporting 700s come with a top notch stock,so if it were my money,i would buy a 700 sps,then add a mcmillan stock and proper bedding rather than buy a more expensive 700.i would go with a 3x9x40 conquest as they are on for great prices right now.
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x2!



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Have you looked at Tikka rifles lately, they are very accurate and right in your budget range. Tikka Varmint in a .308 will be about $1000 and there is no guessing with accuracy in those rifles, it's just there.
 
Comment regarding Leupold quick release bases/rings. If you're talking about the cam-locking type, I've owned a set for ~8 years. Loved the set-up and repeatable accuracy. However, the rear cam began to rotate further and further to the point where it would over rotate and no longer lock. I only ever apply finger pressure. I tend to maintain my equipment well, so I sent it back to Leupold for warranty. Very quick response/turn-around. It held for a while, then same problem.
I lost confidence with this set-up and am switching to Leupold QRW (Weaver style) bases and rings.
 
What the hell do you need with quick release rings on that type of rifle!? :confused:
Why are you gonna take the scope off!?:confused:

Every hunting rifle I own, once I get the rings and scope set, they never come off the rifle. I've got rifles that the same scope has sat in the same, fixed set of rings since 1985... with no troubles.
 
Demonical said:
What the hell do you need with quick release rings on that type of rifle!? :confused:
Why are you gonna take the scope off!?:confused:

Every hunting rifle I own, once I get the rings and scope set, they never come off the rifle. I've got rifles that the same scope has sat in the same, fixed set of rings since 1985... with no troubles.
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If you standardize on bases, it's nice to have high power scope for load development and another hunting scope in 2 sets of rings. Also, when I do a thorough cleaning at the end of the season, I really like to get into every nook.

I like Warnes, but they are a little on the heavy side.

And to the OP - your combination sounds fine to me. The nice thing about the Rem 700 is that any gunsmith worth his salt will be able to sort out any problems you may have, which probably won't be any.

Personally waiting on a 700 CDL in 35 Whelen from Epps.
 
Demonical said:
What the hell do you need with quick release rings on that type of rifle!? :confused:
Why are you gonna take the scope off!?:confused:

Every hunting rifle I own, once I get the rings and scope set, they never come off the rifle. I've got rifles that the same scope has sat in the same, fixed set of rings since 1985... with no troubles.
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I definitely don't "need" them. I figured if there weren't any disadvantages from normal rings and bases, why not have the option ready? I'd feel a lot better about transporting or packaging my rifle if the glass wasn't on it. Our rifles have been set up just like yours for years, no problems, but whats the fun of doing the same old thing?
 
I own 2 700's, one in 30-06 and one in 35 Whelen and both can hit pop cans at 300 yds, which is as accurate as I need them to be. If I can offer my 2 cents worth though, having owned a SPS DM in the past, get a a SPS stainless. My blued SPS had lots of rust though it never saw the rain or any other moisture. After I got rid of it I bought a thumbhole stainless and haven't had a problem since.
 
go with the ss sps and a mac stock. looks nice no worry about rusting like the blued sps's. my current 270wsm is the ss sps/ mac combo.
 
my stw came out of remingtons custom shop , don't know if that counts as a "normal " remgington or not . ( it was the first they offered the stw , and all of them came out of their custom shop that year ) .

generally 5 shots group at 200 yards are around 3/4" - 1 " with most bullets

my dads 30-06 rem 700 will touch all 5 shots at 100 yards , he bought it new in the early 70's
 
Yeti said:
I own 2 700's, one in 30-06 and one in 35 Whelen and both can hit pop cans at 300 yds, which is as accurate as I need them to be. If I can offer my 2 cents worth though, having owned a SPS DM in the past, get a a SPS stainless. My blued SPS had lots of rust though it never saw the rain or any other moisture. After I got rid of it I bought a thumbhole stainless and haven't had a problem since.
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That scares me a little... I'm a big fan of the blued barrel, but I was looking @ McMillan stocks and i found a pic of a stainless rifle with and arctic camo stock, looks purdy. i guess stainless looks better than rusty blue...
 
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