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New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

D

Doughtdawg

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 14, 2012
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37
Maine
Hey Guys
New member here. Been shooting my whole life, mostly short range plinking under 200 yards. Have shot a couple deer at 300 but that's about it. Today I purchased a Remington 700 SPS Varminter in .308. I'm looking to do a build up over time eventually making it a 1K shooter. I know this gun will out perform me, atleast for a while but with enough practice I should be able to get there. My question (after all this rambling) is what's the best order for upgrading parts, stock, trigger, barrel, action, etc. Like I said earlier, I don't plan on doing this all at once and being able to shoot it during the process. Also some info on the popular and best priced places to buy after market items. Thanks in advance guys

-Alan
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

Start with a stock. B&C makes an affordable upgrade for around 200. Buy a Timmy trigger.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

Scope it, buy some good quality ammo, sign up for the Sniper Hide's Online training, and shoot the snot out of it. Get proficient with what you have now, and once you start "outgrowing" the factory setup start replacing the stock and trigger.

I wouldn't worry about replacing the barrel and truing the action until you have a few thousands rounds down range with it. Unless you just really want to.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

Optics. Then a good stock, if you wait a while B&C (affordable and quality) is supposed to release stocks inletted for aftermarket DBM, not neccesary but nice to have. Then if you plan to get off the bench get a decent bipod and sling. By this point you should be able to tell if your trigger is insufficient, if so replace, I suggest a Timney. Continue to shoot until you've wasted the barrel or decided to get competitive then pick a chambering, buy a barrel and have the action trued when you have it installed.
I would also suggest getting a reloading setup along the way if you don't already have one, forget money saving it takes years for it to pay for itself but you can tune a load to your rifle. Personally I really enjoy load development, and it also gives me something to do when the weather sucks.
Welcome to the Hide, lots of advice and opinions to be had here. Good luck and have fun with the build and the hobby.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

Thanks for the quick replys. I think I'll upgrade the stock before anything. Where's the best place to buy stocks and everything else? Thanks
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

Midway and Stocky's stocks are good places to look.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

Just ordered a Bell and Carlson Medalist style 3 from Stockys. Is there a market for my factory original stock? Probably not much of one I'd imagine.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

You can try Ebay, but I wouldn't expect to get too much for it.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

There are so many ways to skin a cat...

If you plan to shoot it before modifying, then I agree with Beef and suggest you begin with the optics.

Personally, I would change the stock and trigger first and at the same time. That way you're only removing the stock once.

Stocky's, MidwayUSA, SWFA, and OpticsPlanet (no issues to date) are my sources of supply.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

I would suggest bedding the action in that new stock. Bedding the action will give alot of bang for the buck.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

You can try selling your old stock on ArmsList.com. It's like CraigsList but for firearms related items.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

Exactly right, a new stock is great and all, but it should be properly bedded if you want it to pay dividends at the range. Before you start customizing, I would shoot it some and see how it does in it's factory form. Once you have that starting point, you'll know if your future customization is working. Also, smaller things/less expensive things you can do right away. I would have a smith put on an oversized bolt knob, I hate the factory 700 knob. Also, you should have the scope mounted properly with quality mounts by a smith, lapped in for proper alignment, leveled with the action, etc. Also, when he's doing that, he can check the crown, make sure it looks OK, sometimes those factory crowns are ugly. Just some thoughts...good luck...
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Copyleader</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Exactly right, a new stock is great and all, but it should be properly bedded if you want it to pay dividends at the range. Before you start customizing, I would shoot it some and see how it does in it's factory form. Once you have that starting point, you'll know if your future customization is working. Also, smaller things/less expensive things you can do right away. I would have a smith put on an oversized bolt knob, I hate the factory 700 knob. Also, you should have the scope mounted properly with quality mounts by a smith, lapped in for proper alignment, leveled with the action, etc. Also, when he's doing that, he can check the crown, make sure it looks OK, sometimes those factory crowns are ugly. Just some thoughts...good luck... </div></div>

What can I expect to pay for said gunsmithing. Ballpark since obviously it varies Smith to Smith. Also, what's a decent, reasonably priced scope. Somewhere 500$ range. What is the used market like? I'm always sketchy about buying used
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Doughtdawg</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Copyleader</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Exactly right, a new stock is great and all, but it should be properly bedded if you want it to pay dividends at the range. Before you start customizing, I would shoot it some and see how it does in it's factory form. Once you have that starting point, you'll know if your future customization is working. Also, smaller things/less expensive things you can do right away. I would have a smith put on an oversized bolt knob, I hate the factory 700 knob. Also, you should have the scope mounted properly with quality mounts by a smith, lapped in for proper alignment, leveled with the action, etc. Also, when he's doing that, he can check the crown, make sure it looks OK, sometimes those factory crowns are ugly. Just some thoughts...good luck... </div></div>

What can I expect to pay for said gunsmithing. Ballpark since obviously it varies Smith to Smith. Also, what's a decent, reasonably priced scope. Somewhere 500$ range. What is the used market like? I'm always sketchy about buying used </div></div>

With the SPS you should be able to 'skim bed' it yourself. The bolt change could run you $50-$100. It could cost the same for the scope mounting/lapping. However, if he doesn't have to do a bunch of work, like re-do the holes, then that should cost a lot less. If he has to re-crown it, another $50-$100.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

I hope you can forgive the possible dumbness of my answer: (I don't konw if you reload)_ if you don't reload,I think better consider this step first_
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

I would get Seekins rings and rail with a good scope (30mm). SWFA has the new mil/mil ss scopes for $300. Total all that up and your are around $550 shiped to you.

Trigger and a sling would be next. Timney for the trigger and TAB or TIS grear for the sling.

Stock and bipod would be next. B&C for the stock is not a bad option and Harris Series S BMR for the bipod.

That should all total up to around $1000 if you go on the cheap but good gear and this does not include ammo.

You can do them in any order you want based on need/ergonomics.

South West ammo makes some good rounds it you don't relaod.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

I don't reload yet but that's also in the works. I'm just getting into precision and long range shooting. I've had good luck with my hunting rifle (.270 wsm) out to 300 yards with factory ammo so reloading wasn't necessary. This is just the type of answers I was looking for as far as options go. Thanks a lot!
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

Sandwarrior is right on with his cost analysis. However, as for doing the bedding yourself, I know a lot of guys on this site can and do bedding correctly, but I don't view it as a do-it-yourself project for the masses. Bedding is a key component to accuracy and to me, should be done by a smith, I consider it an art form, but that's just me. As for scopes, no, I wouldn't recommend buying used, it's just not that type of item. Some folks may disagree, but I like a scope in the factory box, with the receipt, brand spanking new. As for new in the $500 range, probably a Vortex or Bushnell, but I'll defer to the other SH members. I'm usually seeing Leupold and Nightforce with my clients, but they are quite a bit more expensive and you may not want to spend that much.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

Copyleader,

Good point on the bedding. It isn't really difficult once you've done a few of them. However, it is easy to do it wrong if doing it by yourself the first time. (yes I have a glue in magazine box on two of my project rifles).

Doughtdawg,

That being said, either find someone who's done a few (correctly) or take copy's advice and use a smith.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

Paying a smith to mount your scope is a waste of time and money. Only YOU the shooter can determine where to mount your scope...one size DOES NOT fit all. Plus, it is about as easy as tying your shoes.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 19Scout77</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Paying a smith to mount your scope is a waste of time and money. Only YOU the shooter can determine where to mount your scope...one size DOES NOT fit all. Plus, it is about as easy as tying your shoes. </div></div>

Not exactly.

Getting a base(s) and screwing it on to your rifle is as easy as tying your shoes. Making sure the scope is first centered, then precisely aligned with the bore isn't quite as easy. Don't forget bedding the base. Lapping the rings to align with the scope body isn't a beginners job either. It's pretty easy to get the rings pointed in the wrong direction if you don't watch how hard you are pushing to one side or the other, or end to end.

Anybody can screw them together and with todays machining standards it will work pretty well. But, don't be surprised on a windless day it take 8 minutes L or R to get you on target at 1k from a 100 yd. zero.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

Take a look at Sightron scopes. They are getting a reputation for superb optical clarity, excellent repeatability, and great bang-for-the-buck.

The .50 BMG guys and F-class guys are starting to use them (although Nightforce has, and will probably always have the lion's share of the high-end market.)
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

You're right Scout77, paying for craftsmanship and precision is idiotic, and those gunsmiths are such greedy SOB's anyway.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Copyleader</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You're right Scout77, paying for craftsmanship and precision is idiotic, and those gunsmiths are such greedy SOB's anyway. </div></div>

I have happily paid a small fortune for smiths to build rifles etc...never felt the need for their services to do something as simple as mount optics.

As a smith, I hope you find enough such clients to fund your retirement. Maybe you can market yourself as the best darn optics mounter in the business. From there who knows...maybe a class or two in tactical shirt buttoning...boot-lacing maybe?
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

I've the same rifle and I started with a decent optic, then got rid of the horrible plastic SPS-V stock (went with a McRee chassis) and switched to a Timney trigger and my groups have dropped in half. Looking to re-crown, change the bolt handle next.... I should be good with that until I shoot the barrel out.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 19Scout77</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Copyleader</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You're right Scout77, paying for craftsmanship and precision is idiotic, and those gunsmiths are such greedy SOB's anyway. </div></div>

I have happily paid a small fortune for smiths to build rifles etc...never felt the need for their services to do something as simple as mount optics.

As a smith, I hope you find enough such clients to fund your retirement. Maybe you can market yourself as the best darn optics mounter in the business. From there who knows...maybe a class or two in tactical shirt buttoning...boot-lacing maybe?</div></div>

I wanted to let a few days sink in before I posted again on this. I just wanted to know if you met the requirements I set forth in my last post. As I stated, screwing it all on is as easy as tying shoes. Getting it all aligned perfectly is another matter. I've seen plenty of 'of the shelf' rifles be off and 'off the shelf' bases and rings be off. Getting that perfectly centered and aligned is the difficult part. Without doing that, you end up having to adjust windage when going up with elevation.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

The stock arrived last night. I'll be ordering a scope this weekend and probably a timney trigger and bolt knob. I'll get all my components and take it all down to the local Smith. Also thinking about having the action trued when he's in there. I was planning on doing this in steps over time, or atleast that's what I told the girlfriend. I don't plan on re barrelling it so there shouldn't be much left to do right? What's the average price of a truing job run?
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Doughtdawg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The stock arrived last night. I'll be ordering a scope this weekend and probably a timney trigger and bolt knob. I'll get all my components and take it all down to the local Smith. Also thinking about having the action trued when he's in there. I was planning on doing this in steps over time, or atleast that's what I told the girlfriend. I don't plan on re barrelling it so there shouldn't be much left to do right? What's the average price of a truing job run?</div></div>

I wouldn't true the action until I got it rebarreled. My biggest reason for that is hammer forged barrels never seem to shoot the same after having been removed from the actions. Truing an action can run from $50 up to $200 depending on how bad it is. Most times a gun smith will give you a reduced/included cost on it when he re-barrels your rifle. It's a necessary step on a custom rifle, I feel, but not a factory rifle keeping the original barrel.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

Im a new member with a lot of the same questions, i have started with the scope mount and optics, I have a rem 700 xcr tactical SA 308 20", i added a NF unimount with interated rings and a NF nsx 3.5x15x50mm, a badger knob and Kieth at phoenix cutoms just threaded my barrel last weelk and attached my badger FTE brake, my question is I read a couple of times on this thread to replace the trigger with a timney, should i do that too or is the factory 40X good to go?, i also ordered a XLR chassis a couple of days ago thanks Kyle, so should i swap the trigger out?
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LOW619</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im a new member with a lot of the same questions, i have started with the scope mount and optics, I have a rem 700 xcr tactical SA 308 20", i added a NF unimount with interated rings and a NF nsx 3.5x15x50mm, a badger knob and Kieth at phoenix cutoms just threaded my barrel last weelk and attached my badger FTE brake, my question is I read a couple of times on this thread to replace the trigger with a timney, should i do that too or is the factory 40X good to go?, i also ordered a XLR chassis a couple of days ago thanks Kyle, so should i swap the trigger out?</div></div>

The Rem 700/40X trigger can be tuned pretty nice. I wouldn't swap it out. Try having a good trigger job done to it, or if you are mechanically inclined there are a number of sites on the internet that can walk you through how to adjust one.

If you can't get it tuned the way you like and keep it safe, then I would consider a Timney or other aftermarket trigger.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

This is a really great post with very to the point information. I had many of the same questions. Thanks everyone.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

Sandwarrior is right on about everything, don't bother blueprinting/truing the action until you re-barrel. When you blueprint, you're re-cutting/truing the lugs (then hand-lapping), lug seats, bolt face and receiver face. Once done, you've now altered headspace and can't simply screw the factory barrel back on, headspace needs to be re-checked and the barrel may need some minor machining.
 
Re: New User with New Gun. 700 Rem .308 BUILD HELP!

I just got done with a M70 build that had a "labor intensive" scope mounting, I'm going to do a post and go through the steps, I know we have some members who are interested and you have already touched on the subject. I'm going to go into even more detail for those that like all the anal rifle building stuff...like myself.
 
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