Just bought my first build project. It's a Remington 700 SPS Tactical. Looking for ideas on which glass and ammo best suit this rifle. Is Lake City XM118 175 gr ok to fire through this?
- Thread starter Bang2336
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- ammo optics remington 700
That ammo will get you started.
What is your shooting background like? It's your first build, but is this your first rifle? Some other questions that will help us out... What do you plan on doing with this rifle? Is it for hunting, target shooting, plinking? What is your budget for glass? At what range do you plan on shooting this rifle?
A lot of people here handload, that might be something you could consider in the future (so save your brass.)
Cheers
What is your shooting background like? It's your first build, but is this your first rifle? Some other questions that will help us out... What do you plan on doing with this rifle? Is it for hunting, target shooting, plinking? What is your budget for glass? At what range do you plan on shooting this rifle?
A lot of people here handload, that might be something you could consider in the future (so save your brass.)
Cheers
Thanks. I've got a lot of experience with .223 up to 500m, but this is my first .308. I've shot a lot of rounds through an EMR (M14) with a Leupold Mark IV scope, between 100 and 1000m, but it was the standard issued one, not my own personal. I really enjoyed shooting long range, which is why i want to build my own. I'm planning on shooting from 100-900+ meters with the one I'm building. I'm planning on mostly target shooting, but would also like to hunt with it. I'm willing to spend around $1K on a quality scope. I figure its better to buy quality once than roll the dice three or four times.
I just recently got into .308 as well brother. Welcome to the addiction.
I will say that I started with a custom, and then bought another rifle in 20" SPS tactical. I was really quite disappointed with it right out of the box. It was a 1MOA rifle at best beyond 100 yards with my custom hand loads. I immediately sent it away and had it blueprinted and had a new Bartlein hung on it. Now it is a laser pointer. Truly an amazing shooter.
The problem with the SPS's off the shelf is they seem to have pretty deep throats right from the factory unless you got a 5R (which I hear are pretty good out of the box), and as such, it is nearly impossible to approach the lands with a home brewed load. I have inspected several stock 700's lately and they ALL have abnormally deep throats. Mine was not an anomaly.
If you want a decent piece of glass for around $1000.00 then you might consider the Weaver 3-15x50 Tactical (800363) with the EMDR reticle. I have one on my "precision" AR and absolutely love it. They are not extremely popular here because most (or alot of) guys here are in the high dollar scope arena, but I can tell you that they are a phenomenal option in your price range. I have 2 different Nightforce scopes (3-15x50 F1, and 5-25x56 ATACR). The F1 is an $1800.00 scope and the ATACR is quite a bit more than that. Both are AWESOME scopes, but I am here to tell you that the Weaver is definitely not a piece of shit next to them. It is not in the same league, but not a piece of shit by any stretch. For $1000.00 your options are definitely narrower, so just know that going in. The Weaver I mentioned is a FFP scope with an illuminated reticle, and the EMDR is a really nice reticle at that. Don't buy something else before you look into it for sure.
Regarding the rifle, I think you are going to get bored with the factory set up pretty fast, because once you start stretching it out a bit, it will let you down. It will not be your fault however since the rifle is just not "precision" enough to make you smile like you would if you were holding 3" groups at 400 yards for example. I mention that because punching paper was one of the things you indicated in your post was important to you. Get a scope, get some use out of that rifle, start rolling your own loads, and with the money you slowly save rolling your own, start saving up for a barrel. Then buy a new trigger, a decent stock or a chassis, and then send the barreled action off to the builder of your choosing and have that new barrel hung and the receiver trued up. You will leave the range with wood almost every time.
As I said..... Welcome to the "addiction" brother!
I will say that I started with a custom, and then bought another rifle in 20" SPS tactical. I was really quite disappointed with it right out of the box. It was a 1MOA rifle at best beyond 100 yards with my custom hand loads. I immediately sent it away and had it blueprinted and had a new Bartlein hung on it. Now it is a laser pointer. Truly an amazing shooter.
The problem with the SPS's off the shelf is they seem to have pretty deep throats right from the factory unless you got a 5R (which I hear are pretty good out of the box), and as such, it is nearly impossible to approach the lands with a home brewed load. I have inspected several stock 700's lately and they ALL have abnormally deep throats. Mine was not an anomaly.
If you want a decent piece of glass for around $1000.00 then you might consider the Weaver 3-15x50 Tactical (800363) with the EMDR reticle. I have one on my "precision" AR and absolutely love it. They are not extremely popular here because most (or alot of) guys here are in the high dollar scope arena, but I can tell you that they are a phenomenal option in your price range. I have 2 different Nightforce scopes (3-15x50 F1, and 5-25x56 ATACR). The F1 is an $1800.00 scope and the ATACR is quite a bit more than that. Both are AWESOME scopes, but I am here to tell you that the Weaver is definitely not a piece of shit next to them. It is not in the same league, but not a piece of shit by any stretch. For $1000.00 your options are definitely narrower, so just know that going in. The Weaver I mentioned is a FFP scope with an illuminated reticle, and the EMDR is a really nice reticle at that. Don't buy something else before you look into it for sure.
Regarding the rifle, I think you are going to get bored with the factory set up pretty fast, because once you start stretching it out a bit, it will let you down. It will not be your fault however since the rifle is just not "precision" enough to make you smile like you would if you were holding 3" groups at 400 yards for example. I mention that because punching paper was one of the things you indicated in your post was important to you. Get a scope, get some use out of that rifle, start rolling your own loads, and with the money you slowly save rolling your own, start saving up for a barrel. Then buy a new trigger, a decent stock or a chassis, and then send the barreled action off to the builder of your choosing and have that new barrel hung and the receiver trued up. You will leave the range with wood almost every time.
As I said..... Welcome to the "addiction" brother!
Thanks guys. I appreciate the help.
Giving serious thought to an SPS Tactical. How do you like it.
The problem with the SPS's off the shelf is they seem to have pretty deep throats right from the factory unless you got a 5R (which I hear are pretty good out of the box), and as such, it is nearly impossible to approach the lands with a home brewed load. I have inspected several stock 700's lately and they ALL have abnormally deep throats. Mine was not an anomaly.
Indeed Boog, but I dont consider having a long throat a problem in my case, my SPSS is a solid .5moa rifle out to 300yds, sometimes better, I dont even come close to the lands in my loads, just load em so they fit the mag well, no more than 2.850"oal. Good advice on getting a good trigger, the X mark has to go ASAP! Good solid stock, not really sure what the SPS tac has for one, mine has the H-S precision, 700s just plain shoot good.
Indeed Boog, but I dont consider having a long throat a problem in my case, my SPSS is a solid .5moa rifle out to 300yds, sometimes better, I dont even come close to the lands in my loads, just load em so they fit the mag well, no more than 2.850"oal. Good advice on getting a good trigger, the X mark has to go ASAP! Good solid stock, not really sure what the SPS tac has for one, mine has the H-S precision, 700s just plain shoot good.
