Remington SPS

powdergun

powdergun

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
245   0   0
I know much has been written and said about this rifle but I would like to here some direct info from all of you that own one.

1) do,they provide a reasonable donor action for a possible future build ?
2) is the varmint model MOA or better with good reloads
3) does it have bottom metal or plastic
4) how does it rank in quality to some of these rifles

TC Venture
Weatherby Vanguard
 
I own a couple both are refinished in ceracote. sps blue finish sucks. I find they rust too easy. ss sps are fine.

1 yes there the same action as a bdl but the finish is rougher
2 my 308 tac is capable of sub inch with hand loads. its bedded and the trigger has been adjusted. it shot good out of the box
3 bottom metal
4 my preference is the Remington. this is a good action is your going to build on it. most need a little trigger work and maybe a little bedding
 
1. Yes, but they are a bit rough and it is debatable whether it makes sense to pour money into something that still will be a bit rough after you're done or if its better to find a good used higher grade donor.

2. Yes.

3. Metal

4. Weatherby is a better design. Both will work. Vanguard has an accuracy guarantee.



powdergun said:
I know much has been written and said about this rifle but I would like to here some direct info from all of you that own one.

1) do,they provide a reasonable donor action for a possible future build ?
2) is the varmint model MOA or better with good reloads
3) does it have bottom metal or plastic
4) how does it rank in quality to some of these rifles

TC Venture
Weatherby Vanguard
Click to expand...
 
I've got 2 SPS and a Vanguard so I can comment on those.
The 2 SPS I have are identical 16.5" models, one in .223, one in .308, ghillie green Hogue stocks, threaded muzzles, just like the pic below
clyde_armory_remington_700_308_16_inch.jpg

SPS has a heavy blasted, black oxide finish, looks and feels like black parkerizing is the best way to describe it. Barrels are hammer forged, good recoil pads, stock is decent enough and an upgrade from the basic sps plastic stocks, bottom metal is cast aluminum, same with follower, xmark pro trigger is good when the adjustment works ie light crisp break, no overtravel, no creep, I think they have it sorted out now since the recall. Both are easy MOA shooters, with the .308 shooting a bit better then the .223 so far. They were $625 each about 2 years ago.
Recently picked up a Vanguard Blaze in the $399 sale, .243 win as I didn't have one of those yet. The finish is soft bead blast, satin blue job...very smooth finish, hammer forged barrels as well. The plastic stock is very cheap looking and feeling...but comfortable, bottom metal is milled aluminum and showed several tool marks on mine, follower is plastic, 2 stage trigger is good but there is some overtravel and no way to adjust that, it's easily MOA with the cheap Winchester 80gr psp so far.
Some differences:
Vanguard short action is closer to a Remington long action, much shorter stroke on the 700...it's a much more compact action.
Cocking the Vanguard takes more effort then the 700, the firing pin travels much farther on the Vanguard so slower lock time.
Both are equally smooth to operate back and forth with no binding and minimal wobble.
Vanguard has an "M16 type" extractor that looks pretty durable, although I've never blown out or had any issues with a 700 extractor.
Vanguard has the recoil lug built into the receiver, 700 uses a washer type sandwiched between the receiver and barrel.
Vanguard uses torx action screws, 700 hex.

If both were the same price...SPS Varmint and Vanguard, I'd flip a coin.....the Vanguard is a bit better finished but with a terrible stock, the 700 has a few more pluses IMHO and is the better "gun" overall, but not as pretty...more utility like. I like the SPS 16.5" like above MUCH better then my Vanguard.
 
20min of polishing and a fresh bead blast you can't tell a stainless sps from any other "higher grade" 700. I have done a few and it's very easy to do. I haven't had the blued version so I can't comment on them.
 
Depends what kind of build you're planning. If it's a general purpose user, then it'll do fine. If you want to build a higher end rifle there are better choices that will require less work to get the finish to where it needs to be.
 
Love my SPS SA RH actions. I've got THREE of them right now. Two of them are .223's ... one with a spotter barrel and 18.5" cut and crowned for coyotes and groundhogs. The other is a factory barrelled .223 in 16.5" AAC SD for heavier booolits out to 600m.

Then I've got a SA RH action with a 0.473" bolt face for these barrels: .308 , 22-250, and .260 :)

All those barrels are set up for that action and depending on the season/game/critter , I can switch barrels / calibers. Life is great. :cool:

Buy what works with your budget / game/ hunting needs/ self esteem/ LCV (looks cool value), barrel availability (Remmy 700 Take off barrels often come up for sale since donor actions are popular to source) :evil:

Cheers :wave:

Barney
 
I had a Rem 700 Tactical 308. The stock had to be chucked in garbage can it flexed so much causing erratic accuracy. $350 for aftermarket stock to replace. Trigger didn't adjust well, so $250 for Timney Calvin Elite trigger. Should have just bought a Tikka Varmint, Savage 12, or a 5R. I would have been ahead of the game for sure.

Having said that, a buddy bought a Rem 700 Varmint in 308. With careful load development, that thing is an absolute tack driver when he does his part.

It really seems to be luck of the draw with Rem 700. They can all be made to shoot, but at what point are you fighting the law of diminishing returns?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom