Im a newbie and need some opinions

[HunterH]

I am a Police Officer and will be trying out for our sniper team for swat. I am in the market for a .308 bolt gun that will be very accurate, no long range shooting like 1000 yards. I have been looking at Remington 700 models. Is the 5R barrel gun worth the extra money? I would like to be suppressed is the only reason I am looking at that model. Also would like some advise on a scope.

Thanks for the input and dont flame me too much

 

[fdkay]

Re: Im a newbie and need some opinions

As a fellow LEO that had to buy all his own gear, I'll give you my .02.

I bought a 5R, they seem to have a very good reputation for a CONSISTENT level of accuracy. Meaning that they all seem to shoot pretty damn well (usually around .5 moa with match ammo).
When it comes to some of the other rifles, like the SPS varmint, tactical etc... most seem to shoot very well, some better than others.
I also wanted a stainless action and barrel, just a personal preference. The 5R barrel cleans very easily and the rifle does shoot quite well.

The 5R is an excellent choice, but the 700P is also an excellent option for about 250 less. The one advantage to the 700P is that it comes with the 40X trigger now, which is much better than the X mark pro.

I still find that I am looking for better groups, it's just that I am never quite satisfied. I COULD shoot tighter groups with handloads tailored to the throat on the rifle, but I try to duplicate factory loads, so I load OAL to 2.80 inches.

For just a bit more than you would have in a 5R (about 1100), you could buy an SPS with the proper bolt face (about 550 from buds) and have the action trued, lugs lapped and a high quality match barrel installed for about 600. You would still need a good stock, but a B&C M40 will only run about 220 and it is an excellent stock.
So, you're talking about 1400 for a MUCH better rifle, you may want to upgrade the trigger eventually, but my 5R shot very well with the X mark tuned to 3.5 pounds.
I really wish I had gone this route. My 5R shoots well, but I have seen what a trued rem action with match gerade barrel can do. They are much more consistent, day in, day out and shift less when the barrel gets warm.

If you don't have the time to wait, or don't want the extra cost, the 5R is an excellent rifle.

As far as glass goes, I went with the IOR 3-18x42. I wanted the Weaver tactical 3-15, but at the time, they only offered a mil/moa setup. They have sinced remedied that. I love my IOR, but I really believe, dollar for dollar, you can't beat the weaver 3-15 tactical. It has a good reticle, good glass, illumination, FFP and mil/mil.
I recently had the chance to look through PST 4-16 at the range and personally, I was unimpressed with the glass quality.

The Weaver can be had for 700.
Another good option is the Bushnell tactical 3-12, it is a bit pricier, north of 800, but is also an excellent scope.

 

[awz1287]

Re: Im a newbie and need some opinions

I would go with the 5R. I was looking at both the 700P and the 5R, I went with the 5R after a lot of research. I am very happy with it, I think the extra money is well worth it. It is very accurate, more accurate then I am so far. I put a Leupold Mark4 4.5-14x50mm LR/T M1 on the rifle and it has been a great combo.

 

[HunterH]

Re: Im a newbie and need some opinions

So it seems that the 5R is a good choice. Other than the titanium supressor being lighter than the others is there any other reason why I should spend the extra money on the Titanium vs any other?

 

[EBM]

Re: Im a newbie and need some opinions

Great info there, Fdkay!

 

[JFComfort]

Re: Im a newbie and need some opinions

Get a 700P, keep the bottom metal, trigger, stock and recoil lug. PM bugholes about a match grade 1-10" to 1-12" twist barrel. Have a gun smith take off the factory Remington barrel and re-barrel the rifle with a +0.002" head space.

My friend Dane and I have put together a couple rifles on factory Remington 700 actions and have found its hard to tell what was shot with my Stiller Tac-30 action or what was shot with a factory Rem 700. You can lap the bolt lugs yourself at home.

A match barrel will run you about $300.00

Probably cost you $300-$500 to have a smith build the barreled action. This would be a good time to have the muzzle done for your suppressor down the road.

The rifle will probably run you in the ball park of $1000.00

A good base $100-$150

Sell the Rem. take off barrel. I think you will find for a relatively small amount of money you will have a rifle that will shoot extremely well and do what you need it to do. The cost will be between $1,700.00 and $1,950.00

Remember you don't have to do this all at once. You can get the rifle, get started and upgrade it at a later time.

 

[remau308]

Re: Im a newbie and need some opinions

+1 to jfcomfort, that's very strong advice.

 

[ShakyDave]

Re: Im a newbie and need some opinions

If you go to the 8541 Tactical website there is an excellent article on building a tactical rifle with a video on the stock installation. McQuay suggests the Rem. 700 SPS Tactical, scrap everything but barrel, action and bottom metal, and slap on a B & C stock. The stock probably wouldn't be my personal preference but it's adequate, better than what you get in the box, and the least expensive of the tactical stock options. You'll need access to a torque screwdriver that will set at 65 inch-pounds, and you should be good to go.

http://www.8541tactical.com/budget%20precision%20article.php

 

[rlr]

Re: Im a newbie and need some opinions

fdkay is right on the money! Great analysis. the key to his comments, IMO, is 'looking for better groups'.

If this will eventually be used for duty purposes, his suggestions would be the way to go, on a build. I don't know what the liability issues would be in your area, but for the few extra dollars, you don't have to worry about the quality and capabilities of your equipment.

I would suggest finding the cheapest 700 action. Some youth and ADL models can be had for less than the SPS. With the savings from that, upgrade the trigger. Have the action trued, bolt lapped, a match grade barrel, and a decent stock, and you'll be good to go.

The B&C M40 stock, is the 1000 model and is a pretty good choice to keep the cost down.

Don't skimp on the glass. fdkay had goodrecommendations. I like the Leupolds, 3.5-10x40, or 4.5-14x40. They're a little more costly, but sometimes you can get them with a set of rings, which helps offset the costs.

 

[remau308]

Re: Im a newbie and need some opinions

LEO's get huge discounts on Leupolds, so they shouldn't be very costly for him.

 

[JFComfort]

Re: Im a newbie and need some opinions

This might be helpful.

https://www.brownells.com/userdocs/miscellaneous/shoppricesurvey.pdf

It will give you an idea of what to expect to pay for work on your bolt gun. Remember the prices do not include the cost of the parts.

 

[HunterH]

Re: Im a newbie and need some opinions

Thanks for all the input. You guys know your rifles, hah! I am going to remau308's shop and we are gonna discuss this further and hopefully get me setup.

Thanks,
Hunter