Author Topic: Opinions on the new '08 700 VTR (Varmint Tactical Rifle) (Read 15701 times)

sniperVLS · « **Reply #90 on:** March 23, 2008, 05:48:27 PM »

Quote from: corbanzo on March 23, 2008, 04:56:40 PM

The chances of a VTR being used as a sniper or combat rifle are about 0. That isn't what it was designed for.

Actually, Police Depts. are buying the .308 models like crazy so.....

They might end up slapping on a better stock but people here at this forum and sources I have confirm that LE snipers are indeed adding them to their inventory.

corbanzo · « **Reply #91 on:** March 24, 2008, 01:09:17 PM »

Well, I guess I could see police using it...

I was thinking military uses, where it doesn't have the speed for close quarters or the chambering for long range.

sniperVLS · « **Reply #92 on:** March 24, 2008, 01:51:16 PM »

I can't see the Army or Marine snipers abandoning their M24 or M40 rifles for a VTR.

As far as chambering, the .308 is still by far the most used for reaching out and touching someone as far as I know, although most of them would love to use something that suits their needs better, such as a .338Lapua(which is being used a lot more recently). Better yet, that .408 Cheytac would bring a smile to all their faces

NONYA · « **Reply #93 on:** March 24, 2008, 02:14:00 PM »

The US army considers the 308 a man killer out past 800 yards,thats long range in my book.

sniperVLS · « **Reply #94 on:** March 24, 2008, 02:27:35 PM »

Indeed. An Army sniper got what I believe was the longest registered kill with his Remmy M24 .308, something like 1,180 yards? Remington had it on their Military site for a few months, I'll see if I can dig up some info....

Ok so it was 1,250 meters. There are many calibers much better suited for such a distance but if someone says 800 to 1,000 yards isn't long range, give me their name and # so I can ask them what they consider long range

http://www.remingtonmilitary.com/images/ss-ad.jpg

gee that stock looks familiar

If you like M24s...
http://www.snipercountrypx.com/c-835-m24.aspx

If the store was on the west side of PA I'd visit, unfortunately it's on the far eastern side

bigjeepman · « **Reply #95 on:** March 24, 2008, 02:38:34 PM »

It reads ... 1250 meters ... isn't that more like 1350 yards?

bjm

sniperVLS · « **Reply #96 on:** March 24, 2008, 02:39:57 PM »

Yep, already edited to read "meters", my bad.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #97 on:** March 24, 2008, 03:43:29 PM »

Boy that is way out there!!!!!!!!!!!!

By the way how far is a mile in yards?

Dale

sniperVLS · « **Reply #98 on:** March 24, 2008, 04:29:54 PM »

1,760 Yards/1,609 Meters

jvs · « **Reply #99 on:** March 24, 2008, 10:05:06 PM »

I remember reading that Carlos Hathcock had a confirmed kill with his M-40 in Vietnam at a Mile and a Quarter. I could be wrong. I won't have to worry about those distances though, Deer hunting isn't like that here. More like 200 yds... tops.

Anybody read anything on when the second run of the VTR .308 will be available? I have been told that the initial run of .308 is completely sold out.

sniperVLS · « **Reply #100 on:** March 25, 2008, 10:46:31 AM »

jvs, if the 2nd run is done like the VSF model in .308, it'll be every fall and spring so keep your eyes and ears open come September/October.

And I thought Carlos used a Winchester, not Remington. Time to do some Googling

Ok, many sources are saying the same thing so here goes....

He started out using a Winchester model 70 and a 10x power Unertle scope, later on he used a Remington M40 in .308 with a Redfield 3x9 scope. His 2 longest kills were at 2,500 yards with a .50 rifle with the 3x9 Redfield for a scope.

jvs · « **Reply #101 on:** March 25, 2008, 11:16:22 AM »

I believe Hathcock had one with the M40 at a Mile and a Quarter, whether he had longer confirmed with a .50, I'll take your word for it. He had the skills to do it at a Mile and a Half (2,500). What I find intriging is that he preferred Redfield 3x9's.

As far as the VTR goes, I got mine already in .308. But I do know people who want one when they come out again, as long as it isn't a once a year production schedule.

I also wonder if the price will move upwards, now that the initial run of .308's sold out so fast.

sniperVLS · « **Reply #102 on:** March 25, 2008, 11:37:16 AM »

The price shouldn't go up as far as retailers are concerned, and if it does it probably won't happen until they set 2009 prices. If the .308s get harder and harder to find, expect higher private sales prices.

I can't keep track of who got the VTR and who didn't

Regarding Carlos, I don't see how the .308 can have enough energy at that distance to kill a rabbit let alone a human, that's 2,300 yards. If it was done using a 7.62, we'd all know about it.

You have Google at your fingertips, if I'm wrong let me know. I never read his entire book, maybe I shall do that this spring.

jvs · « **Reply #103 on:** March 26, 2008, 11:28:33 AM »

Quote from: sniperVLS on March 25, 2008, 11:37:16 AM

Regarding Carlos, I don't see how the .308 can have enough energy at that distance to kill a rabbit let alone a human, that's 2,300 yards. If it was done using a 7.62, we'd all know about it.

You have Google at your fingertips, if I'm wrong let me know. I never read his entire book, maybe I shall do that this spring.

I can find nothing in Google regarding a mile and a quarter shot with the M40 by Carlos Hathcock. You're right about .308 energy at that distance, you would have to lob it in. I probably confused his shots with the .50 to the M40.

As for the M40, I saw a NIB, with all paperwork, early last year for sale at Cabelas. It didn't look like much, kind of ugly. And it sported a $1,800 price tag (firm). By the end of summer, it was g-o-n-e.

corbanzo · « **Reply #104 on:** March 26, 2008, 01:13:44 PM »

Well consider me edumacated on the subject.

I always thought the military was into the big bangers for their sniping... I guess being able to carry more ammunition and such is a plus in said situation.

And that 1250 yards is a heeeeellluva shot.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #105 on:** March 28, 2008, 02:35:21 PM »

I was in Greensburg Pa today so I figured I would stop by the local Gander Mountain. I was really hopping to see the VTR in person today. That is the real reason I stopped by there. I asked the guy behind the counter if they had a VTR. He said no. I asked if he had seen one yet? He said they got one in that was a 308 but it sold the next day. That really stinks because I really wanted to hold one. Another thing I had noticed while I was there. It used to be all the guns were behind the counter and if you were interested in a gun you had to ask to see it. They moved the cases so anyone can hold them. Well today after picking up several rifles and shouldering them. I noticed that many of them had dings in the wood and some had the finish on the metal scratched off. I have to think that it was a bad move on their part to make it so everyone can just bang these new rifles around. It just makes me sick. There were several I would not buy without a serious discount because of the condition they were in. Dale

sniperVLS · « **Reply #106 on:** March 28, 2008, 03:38:32 PM »

You sure you weren't looking at the guns in the "Used" section? The Ganders I've been to have their Used section set up the way you mentioned, it would also explain the dings and such. If they have the "New" models setup in a such a way, I feel bad for anyone buying from the store you visited. They will get a lot of complaints and no doubt they'll have to sell at a discounted price if they are getting beaten up.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #107 on:** March 28, 2008, 03:43:05 PM »

Quote from: sniperVLS on March 28, 2008, 03:38:32 PM

You sure you weren't looking at the guns in the "Used" section? The Ganders I've been to have their Used section set up the way you mentioned, it would also explain the dings and such. If they have the "New" models setup in a such a way, I feel bad for anyone buying from the store you visited. They will get a lot of complaints and no doubt they'll have to sell at a discounted price if they are getting beaten up.

Yes I am very sure!!!!!!!!!

I have been to this store many times and their new rifles do look used even though they never had a shot fired through them. They always had their used rifles set up the way you said but now all the rifles are like that now. They have $1,500.00 AR'S and God knows the price of the high dollar shotguns that anyone can just bang around.Trust me on this one. Dale

jvs · « **Reply #108 on:** March 28, 2008, 10:43:34 PM »

They should have a stockpile in the back room. Hopefully if you find one you like, they go back and bring one out, NIB. If they don't have more inventory, it would be time for a display discount, or you get to steppin'.

Display models of any product usually bring discounts. I bought my VTR off the rack because it was the last one he had. When I bought the last .308, he brought out a .223 for display. I didn't get a discount because there were NO scratches or dings. The gunshop I frequent has his display area and rests lined with green Felt.

If there had been one scratch or ding, I would have passed. Even though I plan to use the VTR, I wouldn't have bought a new rifle with blems than I didn't put there.

jvs · « **Reply #109 on:** March 29, 2008, 11:31:59 AM »

I stopped by another local gunshop today, that is also a Hardware Store. I had to have some keys made. As luck would have it, the owner waited on me to make the keys.

I asked him if he had a particular hard to find handgun in stock, which he didn't. While I had him there, I started talking about the VTR. I said... " I hear some of those VTR's are hard to come by, like the .308."

He said "I have them in stock."

I said " You still have .308's ? That is the hardest caliber to find right now. "

"Yup, I think there's still a couple in the back. How do they shoot? "

I said, " From what I hear, if you lighten up the trigger and do some grinding in the stock, they are pretty good. "

Then I paid for my keys and left.

This is the ONLY place I know of that has .308's in stock.

nomosendero · « **Reply #110 on:** April 07, 2008, 03:00:12 PM »

I looked at one at Gander Mtn. in Little Rock last Friday. The barrel looks pretty neat & the rifle felt good. I prefer a stiffer stock that is bedded/pillar bedded & floated instead of the pressure points in the forearm, but that could be fixed. I have a 700VS in 308, so I am not really in the market, but a neat rifle with potential.

30-06man · « **Reply #111 on:** April 07, 2008, 04:27:58 PM »

Quote from: DALESCARPENTRY on March 28, 2008, 03:43:05 PM

Quote from: sniperVLS on March 28, 2008, 03:38:32 PM
You sure you weren't looking at the guns in the "Used" section? The Ganders I've been to have their Used section set up the way you mentioned, it would also explain the dings and such. If they have the "New" models setup in a such a way, I feel bad for anyone buying from the store you visited. They will get a lot of complaints and no doubt they'll have to sell at a discounted price if they are getting beaten up.
Yes I am very sure!!!!!!!!! I have been to this store many times and their new rifles do look used even though they never had a shot fired through them. They always had their used rifles set up the way you said but now all the rifles are like that now. They have $1,500.00 AR'S and God knows the price of the high dollar shotguns that anyone can just bang around.Trust me on this one. Dale

The one I go it is just like that. They had a $3000 shotgun that was all scratched up. All of these guns will be discounted if they don't have a new model in the back. These are new guns.

corbanzo · « **Reply #112 on:** April 13, 2008, 08:38:41 PM »

There was a shop up in wasilla that had one sitting on the counter for a couple of weeks... don't know if it is still there. The 308's don't sell up here like they do down in the 48. I gave it a good fondle though.... Definitely gonna have to find me a .22-250.

jpbar · « **Reply #113 on:** June 24, 2008, 07:20:33 AM »

I herd that the new barrel doesn't help the accuracy compared to the sps varmint

sniperVLS · « **Reply #114 on:** June 24, 2008, 02:01:31 PM »

Quote from: jpbar on June 24, 2008, 07:20:33 AM

I herd that the new barrel doesn't help the accuracy compared to the sps varmint

I shouldn't think so, the SPS-V is as accurate as the other heavy barreled 700 models, which = VERY. It's a gimic which worked, it got people to say "hey that looks cool". At the same time, the design doesn't harm barrel harmonics or cooling, so they nailed this one dead on

NONYA · « **Reply #115 on:** June 24, 2008, 02:33:36 PM »

Lighter + same accuraccy + built in BB = a winner in my book.

NAM70 · « **Reply #116 on:** June 26, 2008, 03:06:25 PM »

Quote from: DALESCARPENTRY on March 28, 2008, 02:35:21 PM

I was in Greensburg Pa today so I figured I would stop by the local Gander Mountain. I was really hopping to see the VTR in person today. That is the real reason I stopped by there. I asked the guy behind the counter if they had a VTR. He said no. I asked if he had seen one yet? He said they got one in that was a 308 but it sold the next day. That really stinks because I really wanted to hold one. Another thing I had noticed while I was there. It used to be all the guns were behind the counter and if you were interested in a gun you had to ask to see it. They moved the cases so anyone can hold them. Well today after picking up several rifles and shouldering them. I noticed that many of them had dings in the wood and some had the finish on the metal scratched off. I have to think that it was a bad move on their part to make it so everyone can just bang these new rifles around. It just makes me sick. There were several I would not buy without a serious discount because of the condition they were in. Dale

The only way I could find one and hold it in person was to order and buy one myself. I bought one in 204 and have just got some rounds loaded up and will shoot on Sat morning. I am really looking forward to shooting this gun. Dave

30-06man · « **Reply #117 on:** June 26, 2008, 03:30:36 PM »

Still haven't seen one. My gunsmith ordered his son one and he showed me the groups that were all almost in the same hole but one flyer. He sold his SPS-V for this gun and kept the scope. I am going to try to talk him into letting me shoot it.

surveyor47 · « **Reply #118 on:** June 28, 2008, 09:55:55 PM »

I got the pleasure of shooting one of these rifles, a 308 Winchester today. It was fitted with a high powered scope and a bipod. Shot it from a benchrest, using Winchester 150 grain ammo, helping a fellow sight in the rifle. My first group was 3/4" at 100 yards. The trigger is the best I have seen on any Remington. I also shot it from standing position. Every shot into the gong. Nicely balanced. Not so heavy that it couldn't be carried as a woods gun. The barrel shape is odd. I don't know what purpose the muzzle brake serves if any. But this rifle is a really serious shooter! I don't think that this rifle is any sort of gimmick at all. Remington did something very right in this model.

NAM70 · « **Reply #119 on:** June 29, 2008, 07:22:43 AM »

Just got back from the range. This was my second time out with the VTR. Mine is chambered in 204 and am still doing load developemnt for it. I was mostly shooting Midway Dogtowns but I also had some 35 grain Bergers loaded up. I had 3 pennies in my pocket and at the end of the session soI taped them to my target. 3 shots-3 pennies at 100 yds. 27.8 grains of IMR4895,Rem cases, BR-4 primers with an OAL of 2.306"