Here's a review of my crappy remington

[Skinny Shooter]

Ok, some of you know that I picked up a factory stick VSF in 308win earlier in the year. After posting about it on here I never realized how much of a piece of crap these factory guns really are.
Decided to try a modified break-in procedure and so far have shot 88 rounds. 60 of those have been with the Wildcat 169.5gr ULD RBBT HP. They're shooting nice. Real nice. Will be trying them on groundhogs this Saturday if the weather cooperates.
Accuracy loads are 45grs of VARGET with a WLR primer and 44.5grs of VARGET with a 210M primer. The bolt handle hasn't fallen off yet. Both loads run about 2700fps. Also tried 175gr SMK's over 44grs of VARGET and 210M primers early in the break-in process. They shot well but not quite 1/2 moa. I'll try them again later. Had some 3 shot 2 hole groups and then got nervous on the 4th and 5th shots and ruined my groups. I know the gun can shoot better than me. Fouling has dropped off considerably since the beginning.
The new palm swell and stock overall are a great upgrade over the standard VS stock on my 22-250.
Remington's new stock color is great and has some cool factor. The bolt handle hasn't fallen off yet. Utilitarian-wise, it'll blend well into the farmlands where I hunt for predators, etc.
The front sling and bipod stud are a wee bit close together. The sling fits into the rear stud but you have to almost remove the bipod to get the swivel off. Like my VS 22-250, the rear sling swivel stud (on buttstock, not forend) came loose too easily when the sling would get twisted. A few drops of loc-tite takes care of that issue.
The barrel fluting is sharp looking but am unsure just how useful it really is. You can slip a dollar bill all the way down under the barrel. On my VLS it would get stuck partway down. The throat is cut short and I load from the magazine so that may or may not be a hindrance. Probably not.
A front-focal plane LR Leupold w/tactical milling reticle would go nice on it but I'll have to settle for the "older" model for now.
For a factory gun this is worth the money I spent on it. Where was this rifle a few years ago when I was buying my VS :confused: When I re-barrel the VS, I may look for a similiar stock to mount it in.
Here's a photo that I got a little carried away with in photoshop.
Btw, to get this shot I had to remove the sling, photo the rifle perched on a chair, then photo the sling by itself. After that you extract the rifle and sling seperately from their backgrounds in Pshop. Then add the sling back onto the rifle. Walla
And after all that the bolt handle still hasn't fallen off... ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/xm15e2/VSF2.jpg

[fabsroman]

Are you sure the bolt hasn't fallen off yet? I am quite surprised.

[muledeer]

Looks like a Chevy to me.:eek:
muledeer

[wrenchman]

I have never seen a bolt fall off and i have had a few 700 rifels and no a few guys that have them.
I do no a couple guys that had to have triger work done on theres but its the same with guys i no that have rugers.
That is a nice looking gun lets see a couple dead things with it

[fabsroman]

I think we are kidding about the bolt falling off, right Skinny? Please tell me you were kidding!!!!!!!

I think we had a debate at one point about what was the better gun, etc. and Remington didn't come out on top. Of course, this is all based on memory and I don't remember exactly what the thread was about, but I think that is why Skinny kept saying the bolt hasn't fallen out yet.

[Skinny Shooter]

Guys, I'm just having a little fun with this topic. After hearing from some you guys on here about how bad Remington is with QC lately and abandoning the American hunter, I was concerned about forking over cash for a new gun. Fortunately I haven't had much to worry about. :cool:
Hey Fabs, it's been mentioned on the web about the bolt handle being one of the weak links in the 700 action.

Forgot to mention up above, I recently purchased the Lyman digital trigger gauge from Cabela's. Actually with bonus points though. The trigger is 4lbs and a little rough. If I can't get it safely down to 2lbs or a little less, the factory trigger will be replaced. That is part of my accuracy problem at the moment.
Hey Muledeer, even my Chevy is green... :D

get it, Remington = Big Green ;)

Allen

[Evan03]

it should go down to 2.5 easy. both my 700 270win and 700 vs sf are set at a safe crips 2.5lbs.

that is a great lookin rifle. tobad they dont chamber it in any cool calibers like they used to.

[muledeer]

I have a confession. I sold Big Red and bought a Chevy Duramax diesel and it's dark metallic Green
muledeer

[wrenchman]

4 pounds is nice on a hunting gun my brother in law had a ruger that he could pick his gun up buy the triger and it would not go off.

[Skinny Shooter]

Big Red was a Ford wasn't she?

And now your a Chevy guy :confused: ;)

wrenchman, if I put a timney or jewell trigger in, it will be adjusted down to a pound. That will be one less thing to blame after I miss long range groundhogs. :D

[Brithunter]

Hi All,

Well Skinny Shooter there is still time for your bolt handle to fall off ;)

If you are happy with your rifle then that's all that counts, the fact that I would not buy a new Remington is besides the point :rolleyes: but I wonder how many of your US based Remington lovers would pay $1300 US for a .308 Police Remington or how about $1258 for a S/H remington .233 PSS. and I had to search hard through a Gun mag to find a new Remington offered for sale. Even the S/H ones are not easy to find as peple here just don't buy them. I wonder why?

[Skinny Shooter]

Hi Brit,
Yeah I know, I crack the gun case morning and evening to make sure it's still attached. :)
Btw, what is S/H?

Here's a link for a $1,025.00 police tactical: http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976245221.htm
and another link for a $1,850.00 40XB-KS 223 http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976578283.htm
and this link for a $775.00 LTR 308win http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976542414.htm
US gunowners do pay high dollar for some Remingtons.

Or were you trying to say that the exchange rate with our dollar does not favor Remingtons over there? If it doesn't then isn't that irrelevant to my post? How much are the import fees, etc. because that is an area I know nothing about.

Don't remember the last time I saw a Remington ad in a gun magazine but I usually only read our two monthly NRA magazines.

Just to be clear, I'm not losing any sleep because some folks refuse to buy Remington. There are plenty of other brands both foreign and domestic for them to choose from and I don't feel any less adequate in the field. But I am disappointed that you won't have the chance to see this new rifle over there. They really did come up with something nice this time.
One of our adminstrators has a sweet lightweight Browning Hornet that I tried out. Would I buy one? Probably not. With that gorgeous wood stock and it's wonderful finish, makes me afraid of scratching it. :D
As long as gunowners continue to slam Remington, I'll be right there talking them up with "my" good experiences.
Have a great day.

[Rocky Raab]

Psssst, Skinny....

They now make it in a Micro HUNTER - matte finish metal and plainer wood. And they shoot just as sweet.


Temptation, thy name is Browning Hornet.

[Mike Moss]

Nice report on your new rifle. My first good gun was a 722 and I have many good memories of match shooting with my 40X's.

Today I seem to enjoy buying and shooting sporters more than anything other kind of gun activity. I feel that the Remington design while good six decades ago has not really been improved much. It was the least expensive good gun then and today there are other choices.

Back in 1957 I bought my first m70 and I have not bought another rifle for hunting from Remington since. There are nicer guns.

My last comment is that did I read that someone is going varmint hunting with 169 gr bullets? Watch your background. They might richocet.

[Evan03]

why fix what aint broke. remington is the best thing going other than the bolt handle but thats been the same way since the 1800s


remington is one of your best bang for your buck rifles out there. that goes hands town without asking.

Evan

[Skinny Shooter]

Mike, as with any bullet we fire downrange we should watch our backstop. Also, these aren't match bullets. :)

[Evan03]

getn read to go varmiting with the 300win pushn 180gr pills. ohhhh yeah ill be watchn those rock chucks in the back ground:D

[Brithunter]

Hi All,

Well I am not sure about how much is import taxes etc, but if I see a price advertised in the US in Dollers it will be at least the same price here in Pounds. What with the rates just now it means we have to pay nearly twice the price :( and that puts it squarely in the same price brackets as Blaser, Heym etc and more expensive than the Sauers :eek:

Oh Skinny, S/H is second hand........... i.e .. Used;)

[TreeDoc]

Skinny, what a POS! Box it and ship it to me, I'll put it in my safe next to the limited edition 700VLS in .223 and the 700 Custom in 6mm Rem. None of those have lost their bolt handles....yet. It pains me to see you suffer with such inferior equipment so let me do you the favor. :(

Your's will be safe. ;)

Oh, BTW...leave that crummy scope on it and make sure you send the data for your best load along with it! Any extra brass you have would be fine.








:D

[BILLY D.]

SKINNY,

WAS JUST VISITING ANOTHER FORUM AN ONE OF THE POSTERS "SEEN" A REMMY RIFLE, AND THE BOLT HANDLE FALLEN OFF. I ABOUT FELL OFF MY DESK CHAIR, LAUGHING. :eek:

IS YOURS STILL INTACT?

I'M SORRY, THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT. :)

[Skinny Shooter]

Yep it still is but now you have me worried :eek: ;)
Btw, should have made the title of this thread "I pimped my Remmy, check it out!" :D

[BILLY D.]

HI ALLEN

MY MAUSER ENDED UP ABOUT THE SAME WAY. PIMPED OUT. ANGLE COSINE INDICATOR, PULL OUT BALLISTIC CHART, ANTI CANT LEVEL, FAJEN VARMINTER STOCK, TIMNEY TRIGGER.

I HAVE A QUESTION THOUGH. I LOOK AT OTHER FORUMS AND ALMOST EVERYONE THERE IS SAYING 168 GR HPMK ARE NOT THE BEST FOR 1K SHOOTING.

DO YOU SHOOT 1K AND WHAT IS YOUR BULLET CHOICE?

I'VE BEEN GETTING BETWEEN .5 AND .75 GROUPS AT 100YD WITH THE SIERRA 168GR HPBTMK'S AND DON'T KNOW WHETHER I SHOULD CHANGE OR NOT. BEEN USING RL-15 ALSO. BUT I HAVE A VAST ARRARY OF POWDER SO 4064, 4895, VV550, AND JUST ABOUT ANY OTHER POWDER IN THE INVENTORY IS NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION.

I HAVE BEEN MEANING TO ORDER SOME OF THE BULLETS FROM THEN CANADIAN COMPANY THAT BOUGHT OUT STARKE BUT HAVEN'T GOTTEN AROUND TO IT YET.

ANY WAY 168'S OR 175'S FOR 1K SHOOTING. WHATCHA THINK?

THANX!

[TreeDoc]

WOW...this is almost scary!

While reading this post I heard a loud, clanky noise coming from my gun safe. I just went to open it and noticed that the bolt handles on BOTH of my 700's just fell off and were laying on the floor of my safe.

Crappy guns!

[Skinny Shooter]

Hey Billy, that Mauser sounds like a phatty ride. :D
You need to post some photos.
I'm not a 1K shooter like Boyd Heaton who moderates the Beyond 500 Yards forum. He is the guy to go to for info that works.
Only shot one "match" and that was with Boyd's 300 RUM.
Kewl rifle btw...
I do try for groundhogs though at that distance like last Saturday. It was quite fun on a running hog and got 3 rounds off before he made it to cover.
One reason I've been told the 168gr SMK isn't as good at 1K is due to it not staying supersonic out to that distance. When the 168grainer slows down to the speed of sound, there is some "turbulence" which causes the bullet to become in-accurate.
So 308win shooters switch to the 175gr SMK instead and that bullet is supposed to stay supersonic to 1K.
During break-in, the new 308 shot the 175gr SMK well at 100 yards. Haven't tried them since and have been using the 169.5gr Wildcat ULD RBBT HP instead. Btw, I nailed a chuck at 162 yards broadside across it's chest and that Wildcat bullet ripped open it's chest. Richard at WC Bullets is making me some special 169.5gr hollow points that have more of an open meplat to test for him. Can't wait to get them.

If your rifle is shooting well with the 168gr SMK, then try them first. What velocity are you getting?
I do like VARGET because of its tolerance to temperature. I can use the same load in Summer and Winter.

On a side note, after installing the tapered Badger base on the 308, I was able to get 75moa in elevation adjustment from a 100 yard zero with the 4.5-14x50LR scope. That should be plenty for the caliber.


Allen

[Skinny Shooter]

Originally posted by TreeDoc
WOW...this is almost scary!

While reading this post I heard a loud, clanky noise coming from my gun safe. I just went to open it and noticed that the bolt handles on BOTH of my 700's just fell off and were laying on the floor of my safe.

Crappy guns!

Sounds like a call for "Pimp My Rifle! :D

[Cal Sibley]

My last three rifles have been Reminton 700s, 2 BDLs and a Classic. They all shoot quite well, as good as my Remingtoins of the '70s, but and this is a big "but", I've had to shell out in excess of $250. on each for glass bedding, barrel floating and trigger adjustments to make them shoot as well as my older Remmys. I guess they are no different than the other manufacturers in this respect. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

[SuperMagnum]

Oh yea both of my rem 700s are POS' the best my VLS 22-250 does is .245" 5 shot groups with 50 gr v-max. And my BDL 300 winmag can only do .615" groups with 180 gr nosler ballistic tips. Both are bone stock without any barrel work or anything with the exception of a timney trigger on the VLS. I consider this really good for an out of the box rifle.

[PJgunner]

Originally posted by fabsroman
I think we are kidding about the bolt falling off, right Skinny? Please tell me you were kidding!!!!!!!

I think we had a debate at one point about what was the better gun, etc. and Remington didn't come out on top. Of course, this is all based on memory and I don't remember exactly what the thread was about, but I think that is why Skinny kept saying the bolt hasn't fallen out yet.

I think he might be referring to the bolt handle. Remington only brazes the handle to the bolt, and while they work most of the time, a few have come off. The Remington 788s are notorious for this. I worked as a part time apprentice to a local gunsmith for a couple of years, until he passed away. During that time, we had about 20 Remington 788s come in with the bolt handle off. I can only remember two model 700s though. Both were in magnum cartidges and both had been fired with very hot handloads, freezing the bolt. Their attempts to open the guns by beating on the handle with some heavy object, probably a hunk of 2x4, knocked the bolt handles off.
Probably not a too common occurrance with the 700, but yes, it does happen.
Paul B.