New to the Site

[3fingervic]

Looking to get into long range shooting, maybe some hunting later. I'm looking to buy a Rem. 700 sps .300 win mag. I want to shoot it as is for a while to get my feet wet. Eventually I'd like to put a sniper style stock on it and a cylinder type barrel as well. as far as optics go you guys will not be impressed. I want to put a Mueller 8.5x25 tactical on it. I will be reloading once I get the rifle. Any advise will be helpful.

 

[3fingervic]

Wow! It seems a little chilly over here. Maybe I'll ask a more specific question. What kind of accuracy can I expect out of the box with the SPS? Anyother equipment I should look into? Any advise on a Sniper style stock. I did look at the Ultimate Sniper Stock. I also hoped to a pac-nor barrel later on has anyone used one of those? Any opinions on loads for this rifle? A little help please.

 

[geargrinder]

Welcome aboard. You didn't get much response because you didn't ask a question.

Sounds like you know what you want to do.

I like to save a little more weight and stay away from the straight bull barrels. Heavy varmints are fine for me.

The Choate stocks are good for the money. I don't care for their looks or feel. I prefer laminate wood or a good synthetic like HS Precision.

I've also heard nothing bad about Meuller scopes. I understand that they are very good for the money.

Welcome to the hobby. I hope your bank account will support all your wishes.

 

[ss7mm]

Vic:

Not chilly around here at all, it's just that this time of year the weather's getting nice and guys are anxious to get out and do some shooting so a person that could answer your question probably hasn't read it yet.

It's hard to say what kind of accuracy you'll get with any factory gun as some do great and some don't. You'll know what kind of accuracy you get when you try yours out. A lot of factory guns with some tender loving care and load preparation will do very well and you may be happy with what your new gun does, especially with loads worked up for that particular gun.

The terminology of "Sniper style" around here may not get you as many responses as you might get if you referred to a specific brand and model of stock. Just a suggestion..

Pac-Nor is a brand that a lot of people use but I'd suggest you try the "search" feature and see what that brings up. You'll find a lot of discussions about barrel brands and preferences.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

Welcome Vic,

Although I'm a fairly experienced shooter I am also new to the LR game. I have been on this site almost a year and have learned a ton and I'll give you my $.02

I dont know what your budget is, but I would suggest considering a Rem 700 Sendero. The Sendero's have a heavy varmit contour barrel with an excellent aluminum bedded stock. They are well known to be tack drivers out of the box. Here's the Rem info on them...

http://www.remington.com/products/f...s/model_700/model_700_sendero_SF_II_specs.asp

I just got a used 300 RUM Sendero that supposidly shoots about .3 MOA with factory ammo and I may be able to improve that with handloads.

There is a ton of info on this site so check out the many threads on rifles, scopes, loading, accuracy etc.

Good shooting and keep us posted.

- MR

 

[3fingervic]

Montana, I'm a huge fan of the Sendero. However, I'm a southpaw and am stuck on a LH action. I did consider looking into a RUM instead of the WM, but a few guys from another site swayed me toward the win. mag. Plus, a RUM in left action is $300 more than a WM. I did find a Rem. 700sps .300wm for about $515. I did consider a Savage 110 in a .300 win. That debate seems to never die. I could get the Savage package for $580, but I'm not sure.

 

[roughneck]

WElcome,

I am new to the site myself, but not new to shooting. Why the 300 win mag though? If you are new to this game, I don't mind telling you that short actions sure beat the heck out of long actions in my book. ---in terms of handling. Also, that caliber is going to kick the snot out of you, which often makes accuracy diminish in the case of novice shooters.

There are a LOT of options out there. Think on it. If you do it right,you only ave to do it once.

Texas

 

[johnnyk]

3fingervic,
Welcome to LRH. I would imagine and hope that the SPS would al least shoot MOA (1" @ 100yds, 2" @ 200yds, etc.) but I don't have any experience with that model. It will allow you to get the feel of the rifle and cartridge though. Savage's are great rifles for the money and usually shoot sub MOA. Remingtons a little pricier, but usually shoot sub-MOA. I have heavy barreled Rem/Win/Sav and they all shoot sub MOA to 600yds with handloads. I'm currently loading the 180gn Ballistic Tip with 69.0gns of H4350 and a Rem 9.5M primer. I'm getting close to 3100fps and shooting 3.6" at 560yds. This from a lightly used Savage 112BVSS in .300WinMag, with a Nikon BuckMaster 6-18X40 (Target Dot reticle). I installed a Rifle Basix trigger and have less than a grand in this setup.
Like geargrinder: not too fond of the Choate type stock's. IMO they're butt ugly. I have a Rem 700Police and I don't particularly like the thick palm swell of it. I owned the first generation of Sendero's and like their stocks better. I also like/gravitate to laminates.
I wasn't sure if, when you mentioned cylinder barrels, you were talking about straight/no taper or heavy/varmint profile. I stick with varmint profile (approx. .820") also. I've read alot of good about Pac-Nor barrels. Don't think you'll have any trouble if you stick with the major custom barrel mfg's.

6br.com: The Best Search Links on the Net

I also haven't heard any bad/good about Mueller optics. It should help you get your feet wet.

Once you get rifle/scope/load set-up check out:

JBM - Calculations - Trajectory

Input your load data (bullet/velocity/BC/etc) and this can help you develop a ballistic card. Take it out and give it a try, adjust/experiment till it's right.

Lay back and enjoy the ride! Good luck and happy shooting. JohnnyK.

P.S. I feel like some kinda drug dealer giving you all this info. I know you'll become addicted and come back for more! LOL!!

 

[trlcavscout]

Remingtons are great, but if thats the same stock as the sps varmint has with the vents they are hit or miss. I bought one last year in 308 and couldnt get moa @ 100yds. It was consistantly like 1.5 moa with all different types of ammo. Finally I switched the stock and then it was alot better. But over all they are good guns.

 

[3fingervic]

Thanks for the advise guys. Texas, I was considering a .308 in the SPS varmint. However, many people told me to go with the .300 win. because it shot flatter and retained more ft. lbs. at long range. I did have a Browning BAR Safari in.300 win, and didn't find the recoil too bad. I am a big dude, so I've got a little cushion. That said the .308 is not out of the picture. Did you have another SA cal. I should look into? Also, I have been looking at Boyd's Thumbhole stocks. They are a laminate type that comes in a LH model. They look very nice, and I'm starting to lean toward them. I was curious about the optimal twist and length of a barrel for the .300 and the .308 for that matter? I may be getting a head of my self, but I was wondering. Also what would need to be done to the replacement stock? They claim it's a drop in, but i'm sceptical.

 

[johnnyk]

I've shot/hunted with both (.308 & .300) and I prefer the .300WM. Whatever the .308 can do at 750yds the .300WM does at 1000yds(velocity & energy). The .300 takes more powder, 15-25gns depending on the powder, but that's one of the prices you pay for performance.
A gunsmith friend got one of the Boyds gray laminate, thumbhole stocks for a custom Rem700 6BR build and I was impressed with the stock. He got it unfinished (exterior) and I only saw it after he was done, but it turned out beautifully. It was a drop-in and I'm sure he fiberglass bedded it for a perfect stock to action fit.
Not sure it's optimal but I'd go no shorter than 26" for the .300. The .308, I think can get away a little shorter, 24", maybe 22". Not sure on that, but I like longer barrels anyway. Twist rates for both? I'd say 1-10". JohnnyK.

 

[roughneck]

The above is most correct about the boyd's gun stocks. They do require finishing, but the stock is a drop in. My neighbor and long time shooting partner has one one supporting his 26" pac nor tube, and it looks great. If you want something with a little work in it, get a boyds. If you're ready to start shooting, go with the HS. It's expensive, but it is most certainly a ready-to-go drop in, and it's very well made. If you're on a budget, get a bell and carlson and do a home bedding job.

I will not argue with the fact that the 300 wm out thumps the .308. Personally, i feel that all .308s need to be buried deep below earth's crust and never raised up again.... but, like the 30.06, they have much too loyal of a following (though i think the .06 is more deserving.)

I've culled cow and spike elk with 17 remingtons and 204 rugers on texas game ranches, so the old idea of a cannon being needed to bring down large deer and elk is bogus.

The same people that incessantly brag about their big 30s probably pack a .45 in their pants just like I do, and they will be the first to speak up on behalf of its great power (some 500 lbs of energy.)

YOu don't need a cannon. You just need someting that you can place shot after shot with...but don't get me wrong. I have 4 300 wm rifles, but i don't hunt with them unless its dangerous game... and there's not much of that around.

Other short actions to consider: 260 rem (6.5-08), 243 AI (Ackley Improved), 7mm-08 (my favorite), 6.8 SPC (great at 500 yds.) and even the new 7mm and 270 wsm rounds. They are spectacular for me. I have one of each and they will run .75 moa out to 700 yds.

ANyway... good luck and keep the questions coming.

Texas

 

[3fingervic]

Okay, once again excuse my ignorance, what exactly is glass bedding? Is it fiberglass? I'm guessing it's a compound that makes the stock and action have a better fit. Should I be concerned with that yet? Also i've seen the term squaring the action. I have no clue what this means. Again, do I need to have this done? I looked a little more at the Boyd's stocks. They said they don't recommend them for heavy barrels. Couldn't I just sand the barrel valley until the barrel didn't touch. Also, what is required to finish a stock like that? I was thinking some sanding and a clearcoat. I'm not sure, but the one I was looking at seemed to be finished. Thanks in advance. I'm trying to soak this up like a sponge.

 

[roughneck]

Well, as for the stock. "Some" sanding is an understatement. My neighbor spent 3 afternoons a week...sanding and marking... for six months. Then, he clearcoated it and finished the project. To do it right would take a while. Also, the heavy barrel thought is true. Add another 10-12 hours of sanding and you're there.

Glass bedding is glass epoxy, like acraglass. It is necessary on rifle stocks without bedding blocks. Yes, if you want to know what you're made of, its a must-have. If you will settle for an inch when you could have a half, ignore glass bedding.

Not everything i have is bedded, but all my rifles that i count on are. It does, as you stated above, make a secure, slip-free fit between the action and the stock.

TX

Still wanting a cannon, or are you leaning toward a shorty?