remington 700 vtr in 308

[ddelorme68]

Hello I have a 700 vtr in 308,I use it for deer and never shoot over 150 yrds with it and its a nice shooting gun however this winter I will be shooting coyotes over long fields and was wondering if floating the barrel etc was a good idea. Normally I would switch stocks and get a heavy barrel but this gun has a triagular barrel if you have any suggestions , please.

 

[Lojak]

Free-floating the barrel and bedding the action will result in improved accuracy. Find a gunsmith a good reputation for such work though. A new barrel probably isn't necessary, unless its shot out. Maybe re-crown the barrel, but your gunsmith can assess that.

If you're just shooting for minute of coyote, you don't need to spend too much. Get to know your rifle, shoot off a bench at the distances you think you'll be shooting. If you reload, work up an accurate load.

All that said, .308 for coyote is more than enough. Don't expect to have any decent pelts. The .22 centre-fires and .243/6mm are typical coyotes rounds.

-- L.

 

[sunray]

"...will result in improved accuracy..." May improve accuracy. Not all rifles like a floated barrel. The only way to find out is to try it. Not a big deal to put a pressure point back in. Bedding will help with consistency though. Adjusting the trigger to 3 or 4 pounds isn't a bad idea either.
You may want to think about working up a load with 150 or 155 grain match bullets too. Wiley isn't very big. Match bullets are ok for varmints. Not for large game though. Hornady makes a 155 A-Max. Sierra makes a 150 and 155 grain Matchking. IMR4064 gives consistent accuracy.

 

[rookie wildcat]

I just worked up a coyote round for my Mossberg 100 ATR Night Train. 110gr Hornady VMax bullet, Federal Cases, Winchester Primer, 46.5gr H335, 3200fps. Groups 5/8" at 100yds.

VMax's are great varmint rounds since they don't wreck as much of the pelt. Very similar to Barnes' Varmint Grenades.

OP, give them a try. I like them, doesn't mean that you will, but I do.

 

[DiSmAnTLeR]

why would you switch out the barrel?

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire/model-700/model-700-vtr-desert-recon.aspx

"The Model 700™ VTR™ Desert RECON (in Digital Desert camo) features our patent-pending triangular barrel contour that offers reduced weight over traditional heavy barrels, yet delivers optimum heat dissipation and rigidity."

 

[Lojak]

"...will result in improved accuracy..." May improve accuracy. Not all rifles like a floated barrel. The only way to find out is to try it.

You are right, but I didn't want to bring up the topic because it might lead to confusion. I know there are a lot of folks who believe you shouldn't shove anything under a free-floated barrel that will not shoot right, but I've seen it work personally, and it gives me some ideas about eventually using a tuner to adjust the harmonics..

-- L

 

[pricedo]

Hello I have a 700 vtr in 308,I use it for deer and never shoot over 150 yrds with it and its a nice shooting gun however this winter I will be shooting coyotes over long fields and was wondering if floating the barrel etc was a good idea. Normally I would switch stocks and get a heavy barrel but this gun has a triagular barrel if you have any suggestions , please.

I'm in the process of having a Remington VTR in .308 Winchester rebuilt/modified to get rid of that ridiculously redundant, ear drum rattling, "Star Wars" flip compensator.

I'm free floating & pillar bedding the barrel in the factory stock which I like despite declarations by many detractors that it is weak, flimsy and "crap".

I have replaced the factory trigger with a Timney.

I'm anxious to see how the "new" VTR will shoot. It should be lighter, handier, faster pointing & hopefully less noisy and more accurate than it was before it's reconstructive surgery.