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 ( due to cost). 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 ( 1 in 12). 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?
Remington 700 conundrum
- Thread starter cote_b
- Start date
ultimate_monkey
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- victoria BC
i say start reloading, its much better in the long run you will be able to tailor ammo to any rifle you come to own, can shoot more for the same cost of buying ammo, (if you shoot the same amount over time the gear pays for it self) and never limits you to what the stores have... personally for me, at any given time i have 1.5-2 years of shooting worth of components for any of my rifles. so i dont worry about shortages
Beretta-Skeet
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Eastern ONT
Start reloading the heavier stuff, it will give you less grief and save you money in the long run.
It's what I started doing and never regretted it since.
It's what I started doing and never regretted it since.
Whoa, easy on the whole looking for a different rifle just yet. Reloading is a must, and I'm willing to bet that fmj stuff won't be impressive in a 700 varmint either. I have the same gun, and have excellent loads worked up for 55 gr. nosler BT varmint and sierra BKs. Both shoot impressive groups. I also have a Howa .223 with 1:12 twist that is nice for playing with lighter stuff around 40grs.
Another thing, compare the heavier stuff you've been shooting to the 55gr. Fmj. Are the heavier rounds "match" ammo? Is the fmj surplus quality?
Another thing, compare the heavier stuff you've been shooting to the 55gr. Fmj. Are the heavier rounds "match" ammo? Is the fmj surplus quality?
triumphstorm
Member
- Location
- eastern Canada
My SPS in .223 with the 1:12 won't group with anything over 55gr
With Hornady 55gr v-max it is 1/2" at 100yd.
When I have more time I would like to learn reloading but for now it's all over the counter stuff. I think I am up to 20 different variations of factory available loads.
With my range being limited to 200yds this is a perfect combo for me, but there is talk that my range will be expanding and going out to 700plus yards. Good excuse to pick up a 308 or something else for the longer ranges.
With Hornady 55gr v-max it is 1/2" at 100yd.
When I have more time I would like to learn reloading but for now it's all over the counter stuff. I think I am up to 20 different variations of factory available loads.
With my range being limited to 200yds this is a perfect combo for me, but there is talk that my range will be expanding and going out to 700plus yards. Good excuse to pick up a 308 or something else for the longer ranges.
You might be better off from a cost perspective to rebarrel to a slower twist than changing out the rifle ... or try going to 62gr FMJ. But the 55gr FMJ 'factory ammo' isn't what I'd call a precision round and your results may be the same, no matter what your barrel twist is. Like the others, I echo 'get into reloading'. I've got the same rifle and it's a tack driver with 55 or 60gr Nosler BTs (makes pink mist out of gophers) and 77gr SMKs in the factory 1x9 twist.
I've got the same rifle, it's a tack driver @ 100m with the following:
Millet TRS (unrelated to your issue, but it's a good scope for the money)
Range pickup brass
Hornady bulk 55gr SP
Regular SR primers
24.8gr IMR3031 (near max, so start lower)
FL resize everytime
If you're shooting factory ammo, it won't help much. You really need to reload. Lee is a good way to get into it without a huge expense. I don't suggest going higher than 60gr (Nosler is really nice, but expensive compared to the cheap hornady 55gr stuff which is around .12c/round). Scope setup is important, if you've never gotten half decent groups, it may also be contributing to the problem. Support during the firing position might also be an issue, I'm using a Harris bipod and a sock around a wet-sand-filled ziplock bag for rear support.
The rifle is more than capable of pushing out those 55gr with stellar accuracy to 100m, so switching up the basic system won't do anything for you. Figure out how to shoot it - which involves a LOT more than pulling the trigger - before moving onto another model.
Finally,
Make sure that the scope is well mounted and very secure. Get familiar with Locktite Blue.
Make sure to use a single piece scope base.
Have someone experienced else try the rifle and see what they say. Weekends at the range should drum up volunteers.
Millet TRS (unrelated to your issue, but it's a good scope for the money)
Range pickup brass
Hornady bulk 55gr SP
Regular SR primers
24.8gr IMR3031 (near max, so start lower)
FL resize everytime
If you're shooting factory ammo, it won't help much. You really need to reload. Lee is a good way to get into it without a huge expense. I don't suggest going higher than 60gr (Nosler is really nice, but expensive compared to the cheap hornady 55gr stuff which is around .12c/round). Scope setup is important, if you've never gotten half decent groups, it may also be contributing to the problem. Support during the firing position might also be an issue, I'm using a Harris bipod and a sock around a wet-sand-filled ziplock bag for rear support.
The rifle is more than capable of pushing out those 55gr with stellar accuracy to 100m, so switching up the basic system won't do anything for you. Figure out how to shoot it - which involves a LOT more than pulling the trigger - before moving onto another model.
Finally,
Make sure that the scope is well mounted and very secure. Get familiar with Locktite Blue.
Make sure to use a single piece scope base.
Have someone experienced else try the rifle and see what they say. Weekends at the range should drum up volunteers.
reloading can be an intimidating step, with having to have the room in your house, all the initial purchases, and starting something you may not have experience with. but it is definitely worth it. i don't even have time to shoot that much, but what i do it is reloaded ammo. once you start you realize it is not a big intimidating thing, its quite easy. and with the help of CGN reloading guru's and some decent other websites any question you have can be answered within the evening. try buying used stuff, and all my stuff is quite old and cheap, but not unusable. it costed very little because its not as quick and efficient as newer stuff, but at the end of the evening i still have loads to shoot
- Location
- Canada, west
I'm having good luck using the 77gr SMKs in my rem 223 1-9 twist, hits the 250yard gong with way more authority versus the 55 grain stuff. My 700 shoots 2-3 moa using non quality 223 ammo(Chinese, mfs, AE...) but my loads and Hornady zmax all shoot sub MOA. I recommend reloading.
lejarretnoir
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- 162km from Connaught
I have a custom made .223 and it won't shoot 55gr FMJ any better than a stock Remington 700. If you want accuracy you need to handload. There is no rifle out there that will group milsurp under .5 MOA.
My 700 tactical likes 70 grain Berger VLD Match. It works excellent as a fur round for coyotes as well. I have taken 4 with this bullet so far. 3 broadside and 1 straight on, all from 40 to 150 yards. No exits and no splashes so far. One made it 30 yards, (hit a little far back) the other 3 were dead on the spot.
lejarretnoir
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- 162km from Connaught
My Tac .223 really like those 55grs. V-Max or Z-Max zombie bullets. Shot some very tight under .5 MOA groups. I'll be wolf/coyote hunting with those.
Will try some 68grs Hornady Match and 52grs Bergers too once weather gets better.
Will try some 68grs Hornady Match and 52grs Bergers too once weather gets better.
