• Frank's Lesson's Contest

    We want to see your skills! Post a video between now and November 1st showing what you've learned from Frank's lessons and 3 people will be selected to win a free shirt. Good luck everyone!

    Create a channel Learn more
  • Having trouble using the site?

    Contact support

.223 remington 700 SPS tactical

nishon

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 3, 2013
19
0
Hey guys
I'm new to this forum and this is my first post and I'm sorry if I'm posting on the wrong sections.I'm from south africa and I'm on the verge of buying the above rifle and really need some advice.here in south africa this rifle works out to around 1200 american dollars. Would you consider the amount of money to be spent on this rifle on this calibre to be a good choice?This rifle is not common in south africa so I'm not getting any advice here.I already have a parker hale in 30-06 for hunting purposes but its sometimes overkill on small game and that being the reason for me wanting the .223.I do believe remingtons are good rifles but would really inputs from you guys..thanks in advance.
 
I can't comment on the price, because I don't know what things go for in South Africa, but my first Remington was an SPS Varmint in 308, and it was excellent for what I paid ($425). I did replace the factory stock with a Choate, as the factory one is a bit flimsy.

Ended up selling it, and getting a Savage in 223, but only because I already had a Savage in 308.

It's a good solid rifle, and if the price is reasonable, you should be very happy with it.
 
I have a Remington SPS-T in 223. Put it in a B&C stock and adjusted the trigger. Still shoots .5 MOA after 1,600+ rounds. Don't know about rifle prices in SA, mine cost $600 here in the US six years ago. Would I buy the same rifle again? Yes.

OFG
 
On that side of the world you may find a Tikka Varmint or Tikka lite much cheaper. Also with the 1:8 twist you can load up some heavier bullets for varmint sized game. The Rem 700 SPS-Tac is a nice rifle, but your price is twice what we pay for here in the US. The Tikka will have a better trigger and detachable magazine, with an optional 6 round magazine.

If your heart is set on a Remington 700 and you are paying over $1k then try to find a Remington LTR(Light Tactical Rifle), comes with a better stock and is a bit lighter than the SPS-tac.
 
Last edited:
The advantage to a .223 bolt gun for hunting and long range shooting is that you can load heavy bullets to long OALs and have them feed from the magazine. But to shoot the 75-80grainers you will need at least an 8-twist, preferably a 7-twist. And the finish on that rifle absolutely sucks, not to mention the junk stock.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the relies guys.yes its true we do pay twice the price you guys pay but thats the way it is [MENTION=20346]oldfatguy[/MENTION],have you used your SPS for hunting purposes or just target shooting?i dont think i may ever fit in category of target shooters but i can shoot 1MOA at 100mt so if the SPS can do that and take down small to medium game with head and neck shots then ill be really pleased to get it.we dont have Howa available in the country and the importers dont know when they will get so i have to get the SPS as there is only two left.
 
The Tikka Varmint is a far superior rifle to the 700 SPS Tactical, in my opinion. We just can't find them here in the US. Not sure how it is on the other side of the world.
 
You may be able to find some CZ rifles for much less. I only own a .22 CZ, but heard good stuff about their centerfire rifles as well. That would be my first choice on a budget.

Also check out some other european brands: sauer, steyr, weihrauch, anschutz, sako.
 
Yeah Howa was my first choice,unfortunately none available and no idea when stocks will arrive in south africa and when they do arrive they are sent to gun dealers who have already placed back orders.
 
SPS-T for hunting

Thanks for the relies guys.yes its true we do pay twice the price you guys pay but thats the way it is [MENTION=20346]oldfatguy[/MENTION],have you used your SPS for hunting purposes or just target shooting?i dont think i may ever fit in category of target shooters but i can shoot 1MOA at 100mt so if the SPS can do that and take down small to medium game with head and neck shots then ill be really pleased to get it.we dont have Howa available in the country and the importers dont know when they will get so i have to get the SPS as there is only two left.

Haven't hunted with mine, but no reason not to. It certainly is accurate enough, shoots better then I do.

OFG