Author Topic: This is by far the best shooting rifle I have ever owned!!!!!! (Read 3565 times)

DalesCarpentry · « **on:** July 12, 2010, 04:59:57 PM »

I have to say this is the best shooting rifle I have ever owned. It is a Remington 700 SPS Varmint 22-250 with a Vortex Viper 6.5x20x44 scope on top. Here is a link to the scope I have. I bought it from Camera Land they are a site sponsor and will give members of GBO special pricing. I can't say enough about the folks there. I payed for it over the phone in the morning and it went out the same day. So if you plan on buying a scope like mine ask for Doug and tell him DALESCARPENTRY sent you. I received my scope in just 3 days.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-viper-6-5-20x44-pa-riflescope-mil-dot-reticle
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexviper6-20x44
I started hand loading a couple months ago for it and here in the last couple weeks this rifle has shown me what it can do.

I was begining to wonder if It was ever going to get it to shoot well under 3/4" consistently. Prior I would shoot 3/4" groups and sometimes I would get a group that was about 3/8" or so. Now it shoots 3/8" or less regularly. I even get one hole groups on a regular basis now.

It's favorite load is Winchester brass, CCI 200 primers, 55 grain Sierra HP BT bullets and 35.7 grains of Varget powder. I think it puts the MV at about 3,700 FPS. I have taken 16 Groundhogs with this rig so far this summer with the furthest being 350 yards. I have busted several of them at about 300 yards and this thing shoots like a laser now.

I am posting some pictures of some of the targets I have shot while developing loads that is why they are only 3 shot groups. They were all shot at 100 yards. The small squares in the targets measure 1"x1". So what do you think is it a shooter? Take care Dale

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #1 on:** July 12, 2010, 05:04:07 PM »

Here are a few more pictures. Dale

Ex 49'er · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2010, 09:21:38 PM »

Looks like you've got a keeper to me. Congrats!!!!

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #3 on:** July 13, 2010, 02:20:23 AM »

You are officially ruined. From now on every rifle you buy will be expected to shoot like this one

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #4 on:** July 13, 2010, 02:11:58 PM »

Quote from: Hairtrigger on July 13, 2010, 02:20:23 AM

You are officially ruined. From now on every rifle you buy will be expected to shoot like this one

LOL!!!! I was already ruined because I never thought I would find a rifle that shot as well as my 243 Remington SPS Varmint. I am very with this set up and plan on never selling this rifle. When I shoot the barrel out of this one I think I am going to have it rebarreled to a 243 AI.

I would like to shoot at 1,000 yards some day and that should get me there for sure. I have included some pictures of some of the Groundhogs I have taken this summer with this set up. Take care Dale

wareagleguy · « **Reply #5 on:** July 13, 2010, 02:50:22 PM »

Did you do anything to the rifle? Bed the action? adjust the trigger? anything?

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #6 on:** July 13, 2010, 03:13:24 PM »

Quote from: wareagleguy on July 13, 2010, 02:50:22 PM

Did you do anything to the rifle? Bed the action? adjust the trigger? anything?

All I have done to the rifle is adjust the trigger down as far as it can go and still be safe. I do plan on putting a Bell and Carlson Medalist stock on it some day. I was planning on doing it to improve my groups by it free floating the barrel but now I kind of hope it does not mess up my groups. Here is the stock I want to put on it.
http://www.shootersdiscount.com/cart/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=111

Thanks and take care Dale

wareagleguy · « **Reply #7 on:** July 13, 2010, 03:24:30 PM »

I have that same rifle in a 308. I used two part epoxy from the auto parts store and bedded the action. I also removed the two contacts at the end of the stock and this gave me a free floated barrel.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #8 on:** July 13, 2010, 03:39:31 PM »

Quote from: wareagleguy on July 13, 2010, 03:24:30 PM

I have that same rifle in a 308. I used two part epoxy from the auto parts store and bedded the action. I also removed the two contacts at the end of the stock and this gave me a free floated barrel.

I have thought about bedding the action like you have but I really like the B & C stock. How does your 308 shoot? Thanks Dale

wareagleguy · « **Reply #9 on:** July 13, 2010, 04:12:05 PM »

Here is a three shot group.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #10 on:** July 13, 2010, 04:16:35 PM »

Nice group. It would seem that most all the SPS Varmints I have heard of soot very well. I had one in the 243 that I shot a group at 300 yards that you could cover with a quarter. Now that I have some good loads worked up I am going to try that with this rifle. Dale

4given · « **Reply #11 on:** July 13, 2010, 04:17:23 PM »

Nice shooting! Thats a keeper for sure. I just bought a used Remington 700 VS FS Thumbhole in .223 and I hope it will shoot like that!!

You say were not getting these kind of groups in the begining so what change? Just found the right load? What twist is your barrel? 1 in 12?

Here's mine. Haven't shot it yet....

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #12 on:** July 13, 2010, 04:25:37 PM »

Quote from: 4given on July 13, 2010, 04:17:23 PM

Nice shooting! Thats a keeper for sure. I just bought a used Remington 700 VS FS Thumbhole in .223 and I hope it will shoot like that!!

You say were not getting these kind of groups in the begining so what change? Just found the right load? What twist is your barrel? 1 in 12?

Here's mine. Haven't shot it yet....

I saw your rifle on another thread and have not stopped drowling yet. I really like it a lot. The rate of twist is 1 in 14" and when I got the rifle the trigger pull was about 8 pounds. Really no kidding. The groups tightened up a little after I got the trigger down to what is really pretty decent. Even after that though I was not real happy with the way it was shooting. I really wanted it to shoot as well as my old 243 SPS Varmint and that was my bench mark. I just ended up shooting many many many bullets in different weights and different powders. Then I tried Varget powder and all the past bullets even shot better. Then I tried some Sierra 55 grain HPBT bullets and BINGO that was it.

Thanks and take care Dale

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #13 on:** July 13, 2010, 04:32:23 PM »

Also I am going to look at some other 55 grain bullets like the ones with the plastic tip. What I don't like about the Sierra 55 grain HPBT bullets is the low BC of them. It is only .189 and at very long ranges the bullet drops like a rock. I want a plastic tip bullet that weighs 55 grains with a BC of at least 224. I feel I maybe able to change bullets and still get the groups I am getting. Dale

Swampman · « **Reply #14 on:** July 13, 2010, 04:36:37 PM »

I love my Remington 700s.

wareagleguy · « **Reply #15 on:** July 13, 2010, 04:59:37 PM »

After looking a little more mine is a VTR which has a triangle barrel but the shock is the same.

sniperVLS · « **Reply #16 on:** July 13, 2010, 05:53:34 PM »

That Vortex scope only helps matters, awesome scopes. If I recall your last scope wasn't in the same league as this one. Congrats on the package!

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #17 on:** July 13, 2010, 06:03:02 PM »

Quote from: sniperVLS on July 13, 2010, 05:53:34 PM

That Vortex scope only helps matters, awesome scopes. If I recall your last scope wasn't in the same league as this one. Congrats on the package!

Yea that Mueller 8.5x25x44 scope does not even come close to this scope in any way shape or form. I have had this scope for a couple months now and I crank on the elevation turret every time I am out Groundhog hunting. I carry a drop chart in my pocket and know where my bullet is going out to 600 yards with it. I just range it and look at the chart as to how many clicks I have to come up and start cranking. When I am done I return it back to zero and it shoots where it should every time. This really is a great scope and recomend it to anyone who is shooting long range. Dale

4given · « **Reply #18 on:** July 13, 2010, 06:37:42 PM »

Quote from: DALESCARPENTRY on July 13, 2010, 04:32:23 PM

Also I am going to look at some other 55 grain bullets like the ones with the plastic tip. What I don't like about the Sierra 55 grain HPBT bullets is the low BC of them. It is only .189 and at very long ranges the bullet drops like a rock. I want a plastic tip bullet that weighs 55 grains with a BC of at least 224. I feel I maybe able to change bullets and still get the groups I am getting. Dale

Thanks for the compliment on my rifle. I really like it too! I drooled over it myself in the three long months I saved my money until I had enough to buy it! I was worried someone else would come along & buy it before I had the chance! LOL!! We get like little kids when it comes to our toys sometimes don't we!

Those Sierra bullets have always shot well for me. I bought some Hornady V-Max 50 gr to try first in my rifle. They have the polymer tip. The have a 55gr bullet too. The price on the Hornady V-Max was about $4- $5 a 100 cheaper than the Sierra Blitz King. That is another reason I thought I would try them first! Can't wait to shoot it but I probably won't be able to for a couple more weeks

It's killin' me!!

Silvertp · « **Reply #19 on:** July 14, 2010, 06:12:00 AM »

Good shooting Dale

...glad to see you got a rifle that works for you.

You have to give yourself some credit as well given the load development time that you put into this scope rifle combo.

I pity those fat old whistle-pigs after the next cutting of hay. Remember...you have to leave some for "seed".

Silvertp

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #20 on:** July 14, 2010, 06:14:45 PM »

Quote from: Silvertp on July 14, 2010, 06:12:00 AM

Good shooting Dale ...glad to see you got a rifle that works for you.

You have to give yourself some credit as well given the load development time that you put into this scope rifle combo.

I pity those fat old whistle-pigs after the next cutting of hay. Remember...you have to leave some for "seed".

Silvertp

Thank you. Did you take your name from the Combined Technology Ballistic Silvertips? The 55 grain bullets of theirs is on my list to try due to the very high BC of them. Take care Dale

Paints-n-cows · « **Reply #21 on:** July 25, 2010, 06:09:03 PM »

I bought basically the same rifle except mine has the camo stock on it.

I found that the 40 gr Sierra Spitzers (moly coated) over 37.0 gr of IMR 4064, Win brass & primers, made a pretty impressive group where all 5 bullet holes are touching. The group got progressively tighter based on the velocity...during load development

This rifle has only got about 100 rds down the barrel so time will tell how it works out. Of course the temp today was around 90 and the humidity was pretty close to 85% as well. There may be a difference when it gets colder.

I am going to run some through the chronograph to see how fast they are scooting along.

The Hornady V-Max 50 gr (moly coated) didn't fair as well. They to get progressively worse as the velocity increased...at least with the IMR 4064. I have some loaded with Varget for tomorrow's session but I just ran out of light today.

Spanky · « **Reply #22 on:** July 25, 2010, 09:14:45 PM »

Nice shootin' Dale and great job with the load development.

Looks like it's a keeper.

Spanky

700xcr · « **Reply #23 on:** July 26, 2010, 05:36:43 PM »

My Remington 700 SPS Varmint in 223rem. shoots very well too. Along with my Remington 700xcr in 270wsm. Also my Remington 721 in 300 H&H All three rifles triggers are set at crisp 2Ibs. trigger pulls.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #24 on:** July 26, 2010, 05:39:28 PM »

Quote from: 700xcr on July 26, 2010, 05:36:43 PM

My Remington 700 SPS Varmint in 223rem. shoots very well too. Along with my Remington 700xcr in 270wsm. Also my Remington 721 in 300 H&H All three rifles triggers are set at crisp 2Ibs. trigger pulls.

You got to love em. Dale

Silvertp · « **Reply #25 on:** July 27, 2010, 05:21:24 AM »

Silvertp
[/quote]Thank you. Did you take your name from the Combined Technology Ballistic Silvertips? The 55 grain bullets of theirs is on my list to try due to the very high BC of them. Take care Dale
[/quote]

Dale...
I earned the name Silvertp long before there was a "Combined Technology" around. The name is a throwback to a fall day in Alaska, the 1980's, when I had an "up close and personal" of the "grizzly" kind. Some folks that know me say the experience turned my hair pure white...in fact more like silver.

Silvertp

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #26 on:** July 27, 2010, 04:14:59 PM »

Now that's interesting. Take care Dale

charles p · « **Reply #27 on:** July 27, 2010, 04:29:34 PM »

A month ago you were complaining about the trigger. Did you tune it or replace it. Most of us encouraged you to tune the Rem trigger.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #28 on:** July 27, 2010, 05:15:09 PM »

I have got it adjusted down as low as it can safely go and like it now. Dale

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #29 on:** July 28, 2010, 03:39:34 AM »

What is the pull weight you ended at?