Remington 700 VTR

[Will]

Anyone have any experience with the remington 700 VTR?

https://www.remington.com/rifles/bolt-action/model-700/model-700-vtr-ss-stainless-steel

I have gotten the itch for a 308 bolt gun to play with and cant make up my mind. I really would like for it to be a 22" stainless model due to the high humidity here and rain during hunting season.

So far all I have really found is the stainless remington VTR. I have tried to read about it online but cant seem to find much info. Most forums that I try to glean some info from turn into a savage remington war after just a few posts.

Id like to have something to play with cast bullets at higher velocities and punch paper with the rifle, but also be able to take it hunting should I choose to. Most likely it will just be a paper puncher due to my long line of hunting guns already in the cabinet.

If you have suggestions on another model I would love to hear your opinions. Im looking to stay below $800 for the bare rifle.

 

[Ian]

As long as you have a bore scope to check the neck/bore concentricity I'd say go for it.

 

[Will]

no bore scope Ian. Is that a common problem with remington's ?

 

[Ian]

I've heard about it and seen it enough that it's definitely worth mentioning and looking for before you buy. Not so much a problem with jacketed bullets for a hunting rifle, but if it's bad enough, a crooked chamber will severely hamper your cast bullet shooting when you turn up the velocity.

 

[Rick]

I have and use a borescope, it is an incredibly useful tool but I can't see any way to detect or see a neck/bore concentricity issue with one. A non-concentric issue would have to be quite severe. At least with my scope there is no way to take measurements, I can either look straight into the bore or use a 90 degree angle lens (my most used) but either way no measurements.

 

[Intheshop]

Remington's are built on a sine wave in so many areas.I have old and new,and like them.But for every"success",there's possibly,not.

Last two were;a much anticipated CDL SS fluted,30-06.Would rate it about a 9 on 1-10.Its my avatar (thank Brad for pic).I bought it for a CB predator rifle....plenty accurate enough.And if looks could kill,wouldn't be a varmint left 'round here,it's dang purty.Trigger breaks at exactly how I want hunting rigs...3 1/4#,.020 sear engagement,tiny measure of overtravel.

Problem is,the walnut stock is gonna get trashed and it's too nice for that.And the long action "isn't" needed for smaller than Deer hunting.

So,by a twist of fate,a freeby,new in box 700 SPS,also stainless...24" brrl in my choice of cals drops from heaven.He also left a Luepold 1-4x20.....only thing I had to do was choose the chambering.Got the short action 7-08.The trigger came and was a little too heavy at 4#.No amt of screw turning was gonna get it lower.Earnie Paull sells a trigger spring,found my spot at 3 1/4#,.020,yada,yada.

Since I have no way to post pics,and because it's written in stone that "no pics,didn't happen"....both of the above are figments of the imagination....so any 3 shot,one ragged hole groups that the 7 produces must also be,"didn't happen".I would caution anyone betting on such matters,you know,if that kind of stuff ever happens?

 

[300BLK]

The Remington 700VS in .308 seem to be very accurate with cast. I know a couple of guys with them, and have seen groups shot with them. The downside is that they are so heavy, and the short action doesn't necessarily allow bullets loaded out to touch the rifling to function through the magazine.

Some of the Remington .308s are 1-10" twist, some are 1-12", and I think the 5R rifling are 1-11" twist.

 

[Will]

Wow forgot about that. Now that I think about it the model 700 243 I had would not allow me to use VLD's because they were to long for the magazine.

That could be a deal breaker.

Wish savage made the hog hunter with a stainless barrel. Then I'd just need a stock and good glass.

 

[Ian]

I have and use a borescope, it is an incredibly useful tool but I can't see any way to detect or see a neck/bore concentricity issue with one. A non-concentric issue would have to be quite severe. At least with my scope there is no way to take measurements, I can either look straight into the bore or use a 90 degree angle lens (my most used) but either way no measurements.

Park it in the throat and rotate 360°. Observe the point where the throat fades into the top of the lands. If one side is longer than the other, the chamber reamer was crooked. You can't tell if the back of the chamber is off-line with the bore using a scope, but that isn't as big of an issue as the neck/throat not being concentric with the bore. Use auto-loading rifle handloading techniques to compensate for crooked chambers where the pilot followed the bore at the front but the back got wongo.

 

[Ian]

Wow forgot about that. Now that I think about it the model 700 243 I had would not allow me to use VLD's because they were to long for the magazine.

That could be a deal breaker.

Wish savage made the hog hunter with a stainless barrel. Then I'd just need a stock and good glass.

That's why Lauer Duracoat exists. BTW, the Savage Hog Hunter is HEAVY.

 

[Will]

Well I finally get a day off tomorrow so I'm going to hit a bunch of gun shops and see what catches my eye. Who knows what I will end up with.

 

[Will]

Well I struck out today. Didn't see anything I couldn't live without.

I was however really impressed with the bergara and howa 308's I looked at. They both had really slick actions and nice lines. Here's the howa http://www.gunbroker.com/item/632209788

I looked at a Remington 700 308 like the police issue. They are supposed to be nice rifles but this ones finish felt like 600 grit sand paper.

 

[300BLK]

Howa makes the Weatherby Vanguard. $800 might be close, but I like the Ruger Gunsite Scout, and I'm NOT someone who would be described as a Ruger fan.

 

[Will]

Couldn't resist the howa multicam with dark earth cerakote.


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[Ian]

Dayum. I really like the OCP job on that. Howa rifles have a good reputation, I think you'll like it!

 

[Will]

Dads trigger pull gauge shows it's consistently 3lb 2oz right out of the box.

 

[Intheshop]

Cool Will...

Don't get to hung up on it,new.Meaning,it needs a good workout or two or three.That trigger weight is prolly gonna drop a 1/2# over the next 500 or so pulls...dry fire is just as,if not more so...important to how you get to "know" when it breaks.Too many folks get hung on super light trigger weights.Practice on pulling through that 3# trigger...same way,every time.

 

[quicksylver]

Just a little late here but ..I kinda like that rifle ...really like Rem. 700's....BUT..I don't like integral muzzle breaks..I bought a 686 with one..it's OK with jacketed but lousy with lead..
.IMO ..I doesn't help accuracy..

 

[fiver]

3 lbs is just fine with me.
I have sent rifles/shotguns in to have weight added to the trigger pull.
I try for @3 lbs on everything.

it looks like you got a nice rifle.

I was going to suggest the Bergara.
I have one in 30-06 it doesn't look like a target rifle in any way but the groups suggest something different.

the other one I was going to suggest was the Ruger Hawkeye, I have one in 358 win.
it's not bright stainless but a muted grey bead blasted color with a black stock.
it is super similar to my old boat paddle Ruger stainless in 308.

 

[Will]

Fiver it came down to the howa or Bergara. I really liked both of them. The Bergara was about $100 more and had a blued finish.