Funny I just bought a 700 Sps 223 20" this week.
I wanted a inexpensive 223 bolt gun. Out of the box the rifle needs work. I know the rifle has the potential to be a hammer but the stock and the trigger eliminate that possibility.
Shot it day one and it was bipolar. It would stack 3 then would stack 2 more half inch from the first group.
Took it home and found that the end of the forearm was just touching the barrel and with a bipod on the sling stud it got worse.
I removed the stock in order to remove the offending material putting pressure on the barrel, that is when I found that the stocks recoil lug contact area has a small protrusion right in the center (mold injection point) that will keep the recoil lug from making full contact with the stock.
So I used a uber sharp chisel to remove the mold pimple from the recoil lug area, then I ground the end of the barrel channel to prevent contact with the barrel. I also took a socket and wrapped it with some fine sandpaper and cleaned up the front bedding block area.
Next was the trigger, after some mods the stock trigger is down to around 2.5 pounds.
I shot it today and It shot pretty good, 100 yard groups with random hand loads were .55 to .89 and I know it will do better but the stock still sucks as the forearm is a freaking wet noodle.
The cheapest laminate stock would be 100 times better than that POS hogue stock.
Just remember the twist is 1:9 so no heavy bullets.