Remington varmint/target rifle

[Marc5000]

Hello,

I've been thinking about getting a varmint/target style bolt action rifle in .223. I will use it mostly for informal target practice (100, 200 and 300 yards) with factory ammo. I may start reloading in the future but for now I'll use factory ammo. I like the Remington rifles in general so I'll probably limit my choices to Remington guns. I checked Remington's website and three models caught my attention: 700 VLS, 700 VSF, and XR-100. I have no first hand experience with any of those rifles. I wonder if anyone here has experience with these rifles and could tell me how they compare. What I'm looking for is a rifle that hopefully will be accurate out of the box without the need for modifications. Any comments will be appreciated.


Thank you,
Marc

[sniperVLS]

Oh boy, where to start 

They should all be accurate out of the box unless you get a lemon that snuck thru. The XR-100 is a single shot if I remember correctly so there's something to consider.

The VLS and VSF also have their differences. VLS doesn't have the palm swell the VSF has(some like the palm swell, others dislike it, I like it myself), it doesn't have the fluted barrel the VSF has, and it does not have the alluminum bedding block the VSF has. The stocks are different making the VLS the heaviest varmint model Remmy makes.

**NOTE: The VLS by design is not free floated. A few owners have said there's came free floated but it shouldn't be. It has a pressure point up by the front swivel stud. Some have removed that pressure point with positive results, others with not so great results. Mine shoots sub MOA with the pressure point so I'm leaving well enough alone 

Does one make you drool a little more than another? If someone tells you looks shouldnt be a determining factor at all, they are liars. They are all known for their outstanding accuracy. If I were you, I'd be thinking about *single shot versus 5+1*, *price*, and overall *appeal/looks*.

The XR has the thumbhole which I love, I held one and putting it down and walking away was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I'd write more but just came off a 11 hour shift and need sleep.

Let us know what you decide on!

[Graybeard]

I've owned all three and owned all three in .223 Remington even. I really prefer wood and laminated wood is my first choice so naturally I prefer the VLS and XR-100 to the VSF with it's plastic stock. But I must admit that the last VSF I owned was probably the single most accurate Remington varmint rifle I've owned.

Unless the single shot is an issue you can't deal with I'd suggest the XR-100 as the best choice of them. I love gray laminated stocks more than the brown laminated so that stock really looks and feels good to me. But the trigger is really the main reason to own it as it's the same trigger that the 40X guns use and is externally adjustable if you find a reason to adjust it. I do normally adjust my Remington rifle triggers which is easy enough to do if you know how but on the XR-100 I found no reason to touch the factory setting it was to me PERFECT in all ways.

All of them should easily give prairie dog accuracy beyond 400 yards and in fact I killed them out to at least 450 yards with my XR-100 and VLS both and as I said the VSF was even more accurate than they were.

[Marc5000]

SniperVLS and Graybeard,

Thank you very much for your comments.
I too prefer laminated wood. I didn't know that the XR-100 had the 40X trigger. That's certainly a great feature. I probably overlooked that detail when I checked Remington's website.
Single shot would not be an issue. I guess I'm leaning towards the XR-100. Is the XR-100 barrel free floated? Or does it have a pressure point like the VLS?

Note: From the pictures I've seen, all three models are very good looking rifles. But the VLS is really beautiful. I just love brown laminated stocks. I wish I had the money right now to get both the VLS and the XR-100. Or better yet, a safe full of Remington rifles!


Thanks again.
Marc

[sniperVLS]

The XR has a free floated barrel. I thought the XR got the newer Pro trigger? Checking...

Nope, it still has the renowned 40X trigger 

[hellacatcher]

I have a XR in a 223 and a VLS ina 243 love em both. The XR is not a carry rifle.

[drdougrx]

I traded my VLS for an LVSF.  I really like it.  It shoots as well as my VLS but is lighter and more handy.  It's in .223.

[lucky guy]

I haven't had all of those models  but I have the xr100 in 204 and it's the most accurate rifle I've ever owned.  I'm what you call a hobbyist and not a br shooter, but even I'm getting .2's with the xr100 at 100yds and factory HSM ammo.

[sniperVLS]

I haven't had all of those models  but I have the xr100 in 204 and it's the most accurate rifle I've ever owned.  I'm what you call a hobbyist and not a br shooter, but even I'm getting .2's with the xr100 at 100yds and factory HSM ammo.

Very impressive, both you and the rifle. Don't underestimate yourself, you're doing everything right to get such small groups.

[lucky guy]

Thanks. Notice I didn't say "all the time" or "regularly" but I do hit 'em some so I know they're in there!