Stainless 700 SPS??

[Tallwalker]

I looked at a stainless Remington 700 SPS yeseterday in .308, and liked the weight, and balance of the rifle. How are these shooting thesed days? I did notice that many of the 700's with the new trigger won't cock, or stay cocked if you just lift, and then relower the bolt handle. I don't see an issue with that, but found it different. Some would catch the sear, and stay cocked.

[mattl]

What you are refering to is the Cock on open Safty check.  Remington 700 really have not passed that  check for some time.  It really is not that big of a deal at all since there is really no need to just raise and lower the bolt handle in the field or at the range.  You would never decock the rife on a live round.  If it does not stay cocked after you completely cycle the action, then you have a big problem. 

There are a lot of bolt action rifles out there that do not pass the Cock on open check.  Most gunsmiths just log it and leave it alone.  You can have it fixed to pass this check, but there is no benifit from it. It may increase locktime by a few .00001 of a second, but you could easily do that by upgrading the rifles mainspring and switching to a lighter firing pin.

I see no need to chose a rifle based on this criteria.  I have 2 Rem 700's (one made in the 60' and the other in 2002), a Wincheter 70, and a Rem 798 and all fail the Cock on open check.  I is not a big deal.

[Tallwalker]

I wasn't concerned at all about the cock on opening check, I just mentioned it as an observation in passing. I am more interested in hearing how the current crop of this rifle shoots, etc. I understand that the plastic stocks they use don't have much rigidity, and may need to be free floated to shoot better. I have an older Remington 700 ADL in .223 with a plastic stock that didn't shoot too well until I shimmed under the front receiver ring to float it. If the current crop of Remington barrels, and assembly, etc. are up to snuff, I certainly wouldn't have any problem buying one. I've never had an older one that didn't shoot pretty well.

[sniperVLS]

Go thru the threads here and find one that deals with bad shooting 700s, you'll have to look long and hard to find one. For every negative comment, you'll find 30 positive ones. Quit over thinking it and buy it It's good you're doing research but the 700's, regardless of whether its a bdl, cdl, adl, sps...99.9% of them shoot great assuming decent mounts and glass are used as well as finding the ammo it likes.

I can't stand the stocks on the SPS models but you can always sell it and get a good aftermarket one. The default stocks don't harm the accuracy from what I can tell.

Note: I dislike them for their proportions and overall feel and balance.

[277284]

I would get one, I have 2, the first a 300 Win Mag, the second a 308 win (700 SPS Stainless of course).  Some people comare the 700 SPS Stainless to the 700 XCR. 

[Tallwalker]

Well, I have cancer, and am in chemotherapy so thinking about such things is a fun distraction. I appreciate all the input I get, and like the smiles that come with it. It is all mostly in fun afterall, and doesn't really affect the outcome of our lives that much. Thanks for letting me be a part of this good group.

[sniperVLS]

Oh my word, that makes my everyday problems seem so small. I pray you get thru it soon so that this community gets to keep reading your posts 

Kudos to you for being upbeat and not moping around all depressed. You've already won half the battle by doing so. 

[Tallwalker]

Thanks for the support. I guess this thing isn't going away, so it's a matter of living with it until they come up with a better plan, and it is what it is. Many folks have it much rougher than I. Shooting, reloading, casting bullets, etc. are all still lots of fun, as are the gun trading expeditions. I have some land, and a tractor to play with too, and that gets me out there. Life is good for me, and I'm lucky to have the ability to do many things I enjoy, and just enough means to make it possible too. I'll be around bugging you guys for a long time yet.

[277284]

I hope you pull thru Tallwalker, will be wishing the best for you.

[Lead Poison]

Pray sent for you sir; God bless.

Remingtons are usually pretty good rifles.

[Tallwalker]

Thanks for the good thoughts, and prayers everyone! I am doing well so far, and intend to enjoy things as normal. I bought the 700 yesterday, mounted a scope, and now I'll have to see if it shoots! :-)

[teddy12b]

More prayers are headed your way.  I'll look forward to hearing of your recovery and range report with your new rifle.

[Tallwalker]

I was a little shaky, and weak today, but I warmed the barrel up anyway. I just shot some loads I had for another .308 at 50 yards. The jacketed (150 Remington Corelocs with RL-15, and Hornady 165 sp) shot into an inch at that range. The cast loads, Saeco 180 FN over IMR-4227 didn't do as well, but show promise since the groups are nice, and round. The magazine is shorter than my Ruger so I'll have to adjust the loads for that too. All in all, I like the rifle so far, and am heading out now to make up a few more rounds for it. Obviously, it's not a good plan to mix jacketed, and cast in the same range session, but I was anxious to try it. It will get a good cleaning now, and I'll be good to go.