Author Topic: Opinions on the new '08 700 VTR (Varmint Tactical Rifle) (Read 15697 times)

sniperVLS · « **on:** January 03, 2008, 03:30:12 AM »

Fellow Remington brethren, Please post ALL 700 VTR related info in this thread. I am partly to blame for having VTR info scattered across several threads, I apologize.

This model seems to be striking a chord with members here so let's keep this thread going

Here is the direct link...

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_vtr.asp

At first I kind of laughed when I saw the barrel shape but now it intrigues me. We need some serious hands on time with this model. If anyone is aware of this VTR and has their eye on it, let us know. I doubt Remington would dabble 2 much with barrel harmonics but that just doesn't look normal, maybe because my eyes aren't used to it?

And who knows how much Cerberus has to do with this, that *could* be a factor as well.

I do like the inclusion of the muzzle brake. I just learned it's a 22" barrel, I assumed it was a 26" tube. Hmmmmm

$805.00 List so $650.00'ish might be the going price for Dicks/Gander/whoever.

** Click on the smaller pics to the right of that page, you get a little Flash based view, gives a good vantage point of that funky barrel. In time I may learn to love it, stranger things have happened.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #1 on:** January 03, 2008, 04:47:54 AM »

I think it is pretty cool looking. I hope I can scrape enough money together this summer to buy one in the 308. If I do and it shoots well I would consider getting one in the 204. I just don't understand why they would put a brake on the 204 though. It would be like shooting a 22 LR I would think. If I end up with one I will let you know how it shoots for sure. Dale

sniperVLS · « **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2008, 04:54:25 AM »

Excellent news Dale. I also wondered why they offered the brake in those smaller calibers

It's already available on some sites and is going for $625 to $660.00(I did some digging after I posted this initally). Not bad, not bad at all.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2008, 05:22:40 AM »

Yea I have been looking at them on Gunbroker for over a week now. Not a bad price at all. I myself would like to see one in person. I would also like to hear from anyone that owns one. Dale

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2008, 05:58:26 AM »

Just one more in a long and continuing stream of new fangled ideas intended to stimulate sales in an industry that has a shrinking number of folks to buy an ever increasing number of products. New hunters and shooters in general are not being added each year to the potential market for guns as fast as older folks are dropping out. As a result gun makers and ammo makers are finding the market for their products is dwindling.

Businesses in general feel they must either grow or die and as you might have noticed gun makers are dying off quite regularly in the last couple of decades. So they come up with all kinds of wild and mostly useless gimmicks designed to convince you that you just gotta buy this new one as it just totally and completely makes all that came before it out dated outmoded and useless. It's a some what effective strategy and does spur new sales and that is what it's all about really.

How many guns do any of us REALLY NEED? How many of us really have a gap in our arsenal if you wish to use that term that truly NEEDS filling? Darn few I dare say so what they must do is appeal to our wants not to our needs and that is why they keep on coming out with things that even they know up front are not gonna last. They don't have to last in fact they don't even expect them to last as next year they plan to come out with yet another gimmick to grab your eye and your attention and hopefully get some more of your money.

With me it seldom works really. I do keep buying guns but seldom the new gimmick stuff I just keep buying more of the same old stuff I always have that actually appeals to me.

sniperVLS · « **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2008, 06:39:29 AM »

That's my problem, I buy what I want, not what I need. If I only bought what I needed, my safe would have a single .223, a single .308 , a 12 gauge and my Sig 226. But life isn't that simple and I adore most Remmy rifles and shotguns, hence why I have several models in .308, a couple in .223 and several 870s

The scary part is that most of us here are very much alike in that regard and is there a cure? If someone finds it Please let me know

As far as gimmicks, I can't think of one I've fallen for lately(I surprise myself sometimes). I like the new triggers on the 700s so to me that's not a gimmick. Fluted barrels were the new thing back when but they have since proven they don't interfere with accuracy so that turned out well.

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2008, 09:53:47 AM »

For those familiar with the LTR and the three wide shallow flutes it has, isn't that barrel almost triangular then? At least on the fluted part? If you draw a circle and shave three flats on it, it's a triangle, albeit, not a pointed one. Maybe Remmy is taking it a step further now, I'm sure that they way they make the barrel on the VTR is more economical that the way they flute the LTR.

700xcr · « **Reply #7 on:** January 11, 2008, 05:52:06 PM »

I am interested in the Remington 700 VTR 223 rem. with the 1 in 9 twist. Would make a good calling coyote gun using Berger's 70gr. VLD bullets.

PDR · « **Reply #8 on:** January 14, 2008, 05:31:14 AM »

I’m in the UK and have a “slot” (permission) on my Firearms Certificate buy a .223 rifle and I just can’t decide between this Remington VTR (which would be even better with a detachable magazine) or the CZ 527 Varmint Synthetic. I already own a .22 CZ 452 Varmint & .308 CZ 550 Varmint Laminate… so do I stick with what I know?

jvs · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2008, 11:34:44 AM »

I wonder if aftermarket stocks will be available for these 700's.

I was trying to see if the barrel channel is squared or if the bottom of the barrel is still round to fit in most other stocks.

I have to admit that this new 'gizmo' from Remington has caught my eye. I would guess that the triangle barrel will discipate heat faster due to more exposed barrel area.

I like the idea and I will probably seriously look into one of these.

But what caliber......

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2008, 11:47:57 AM »

From the pics I've seen, it looks round on the bottom to me, but the pics have all been a side shot profile. Kind of hard to tell. With all of the aftermarker stocks available, I would hope that Remington would have a barrel that fits them. I can understand that Remington wants to sell it's own products, but they definitely know that one reason their guns are so popular are because of the aftermarket parts to upgrade the guns.

jvs · « **Reply #11 on:** January 14, 2008, 12:18:10 PM »

My guess would be that if this barrel is round on the bottom there wouldn't be much problem with aftermarket stocks.

However, if the bottom of the barrel is flat, there could be big time problems if you don't like the factory stock and nobody is making a flat channel.

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 15, 2008, 02:00:22 PM »

Well, you could always take a rasp and ream a flat channel. Might not be the prettiest, but flat is a lot easier to do than trying to contour a channel to match the barrel.

30-06man · « **Reply #13 on:** January 15, 2008, 04:25:37 PM »

I have to agree with what everyone has said so far. It has caught my eye and I want one in 308. If I only had the guns I needed it would be the Encore or Something similar in a system and a Rem 870 or Browning BPS. But I can't do that its not possible.

bocephus87 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 18, 2008, 12:40:14 PM »

I picked one of these guys up at the last gun show we had here in Dallas (and by picked up I mean handled, not purchased) and it was surprisingly well balanced. To confirm what some of you have said, the barrel is basically just a rounded triangle, and I agree with Graybeard in that I don't think this makes a lick of difference as far as the performance of the rifle. The only advantage I could see was that it was a bit lighter than a regular varmint contour barrel, but then one must wonder if there is enough surface area on the barrel to keep it cool under periods of sustained fire. A heavier barrel would (in general) take longer to heat up than a lighter one.

sniperVLS · « **Reply #15 on:** January 27, 2008, 11:17:57 PM »

Fellow Remington brethren, Please post ALL 700 VTR related info in this thread. I am partly to blame for having VTR info scattered across several threads, I apologize.

This model seems to be striking a chord with members here so let's keep this thread going

I

*I'll sticky it so it remains on the 1st page here

With that said...

JVS, did the VTR barrel have any vents under the barrel? Hopefully not as this would kick up dust/debris when using a bipod. If the only vents are the ones in the pictures, BiG Green did their homework.

wareagleguy · « **Reply #16 on:** January 28, 2008, 03:37:44 PM »

I got one in 308 but have yet to scope and shoot it. The bottom of the barrel is flat to about half way. The stoct was buit to have two contact points toward the front by the sling stud. There are three large slots (ports) in the top of the barrel. Here are a few pics.

sniperVLS · « **Reply #17 on:** January 28, 2008, 04:14:04 PM »

The SPS Varmint stock is the same as far as the pressure/contact points upfront.

poncaguy · « **Reply #18 on:** February 07, 2008, 02:29:36 PM »

Simple............I want one!!!

ollie111 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 09, 2008, 11:59:01 AM »

Got mine on thursday and shot it today. It is well balanced but a little light for me. After breaking in the barrel i got down to serious shooting. with the 175gr bergers and IMR4895 i had 3 shots touching. It only kicks like a 243-maybe. The brake works. When i got home i filled the rear of the stock with sand and foam, I think that it made the feel of it better. BTW with 150gr slugs it was like shooting a 223.
Brad

NONYA · « **Reply #20 on:** February 12, 2008, 02:59:37 PM »

im gettin ready to order one,gun broker has one overpriced one and one for bid,anyone have any other suggestions to order online.SW should be gettin one in soon but they cant say for sure.

NONYA · « **Reply #21 on:** February 12, 2008, 03:25:41 PM »

http://www.gunsamerica.com/907207134/Guns/Rifles/Remington-Rifles-Modern/Model-700/Tactical/Remington_700_VTR_Varmint_Tactical_Rifle_308_cal.htm

corbanzo · « **Reply #22 on:** February 12, 2008, 03:39:37 PM »

I talked to the guys at sportsmans warehouse in wasilla last week, they didnt have a clue what I was talking about. Said... yeah, we usually see new guns up here about a year after they come out... The store has been open for 5 months, how in the hell do you know when you get them in the first place? You order them and they come... even to Alaska... people are pretty stupid most of the time I have to say...

30-06man · « **Reply #23 on:** February 13, 2008, 01:10:53 PM »

Its going to be a while until I can get my hands on one.

NONYA · « **Reply #24 on:** February 13, 2008, 02:28:31 PM »

My buddy who works at SW found me one at another store and had it shipped here,should be able to pick it up Sat,coincides with their %5 sale so i got it for $615,gonna pick up a scope,bipod,brass,bullets and a set of dies and shoot handloads from the start.Anyone have some recommendations for accurate loads,ill probably start off with some bulk hornaday bullets.

30-06man · « **Reply #25 on:** February 13, 2008, 02:56:55 PM »

What are you going to use it for?

NONYA · « **Reply #26 on:** February 13, 2008, 03:36:15 PM »

Yotes,bobcat,antelope,doe deer,PDs,ect

30-06man · « **Reply #27 on:** February 13, 2008, 04:43:15 PM »

This is what I use on bobcats down in the low state. My brother has been reloading for me and I am working on getting into it myself. Anyway I guess you could use it on a doe and take it down. Its a Sierra Varmiter 110 grain HP.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=431004&t=11082005

NONYA · « **Reply #28 on:** February 13, 2008, 08:29:23 PM »

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=705932

sniperVLS · « **Reply #29 on:** February 15, 2008, 07:23:39 AM »

I haven't checked in here for a while, Congrats NONYA!