What would you upgrade?

[Matt_3479]

Looking to throw a few upgrades into one of my rifles this year! i have been debating it for a long time and now that im reloading i can really see the potential of this rifle and would like to throw some work towards it. I am taking my first precision shooting course in July and hoping to get most of it together by then. It is a Remington 700 SPS Varmint 243. win sporting a Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44mm scope shooting 80gr factory under .5moa out too 400 yards. I started loading up 87gr vmax and 105gr bergers and both are looking extremely promising (just above .25moa at 100/haven't had a chance further). I dont have a heck of a lot of money to do some work so it will have to just be a couple things. Number 1 i hate the trigger and the stock! second the scope isn't over great, (nice hunting scope). I have a Vortex PST 4-16x50mm sitting around that im going to change out so it takes away from purchasing a new scope for now. Im thinking of throwing in a timney trigger set at 1.5lbs and possibly a stock. Either McMillan or Manners if i can find one and afford it. I would consider AI as well if i could get it at a good price but doubtful. Now i do have a buddy at work who is willing to throw me a SA HS precision stock for good price but was hoping for something else.

WHat would you upgrade on a short time frame and limited budget but will not cheap out? Rifle will be used as a varmint rifle but mainly targets and hopefully competition eventually

 

[Asperly Aimless]

Scope.

 

[MoBoost]

Yup, scope!

 

[Matt_3479]

See but my problem right now is I can't really afford a better scope. I love my nightforce which I'll be bringing with me on another rifle but can't afford a second one and I'm perfectly okay using my PST. It also allows me to upgrade the rifle since there isn't anything wrong with the scope.

 

[tackleberry2000]

Good quality rings and bases if you don't already have them. I noticed a difference when i went to a picatinny rail and quality rings. Mating the scope to the rifle is paramount.

 

[Asperly Aimless]

If you're happy with the PST then run what you brung!!

If no scope upgrade, then a stock would be next on my list. Skip the timney and get an old style Remington trigger and tune it down to 2.5 lbs. A 1.5 lb scope is cool for target guns, but a 2.5-3 lb trigger is perfect for hunting when your hands are cold or you have gloves on, you're adrenaline is pumping, etc..

Do it all right the first time. It will save you money in the long run. So since a scope is out for now, go balls to the wall on the exact stock you want.

 

[OG10]

A good trigger is always a good start.

 

[goodmanfj]

Trigger and the HS stocks rock.

 

[Notso]

Not necessarily in any order of priority based on your stated goal of attending a Precision rifle course:

Stock
Bottom metal / AICS mags (if not included in new stock above)
trigger
base/rings
Harris bipod (if you don't already have one)
Tac Sling
Tactical Bolt knob (makes rapid shots easier than the crap Rem 700 bolt handle)
Stock pack (for better head position on stock) unless new stock has an adjustable cheek rest built in

The PST scope should do you fine for now.

Edit to add: And go get an inch-lb torque wrench from Harbor Freight (or similar) for $20 so you can properly torque your stock and your scope base and rings down to the correct settings. That will make a difference in accuracy and repeatability.

 

[jashmore1234]

Looking to throw a few upgrades into one of my rifles this year! i have been debating it for a long time and now that im reloading i can really see the potential of this rifle and would like to throw some work towards it. I am taking my first precision shooting course in July and hoping to get most of it together by then. It is a Remington 700 SPS Varmint 243. win sporting a Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44mm scope shooting 80gr factory under .5moa out too 400 yards. I started loading up 87gr vmax and 105gr bergers and both are looking extremely promising (just above .25moa at 100/haven't had a chance further). I dont have a heck of a lot of money to do some work so it will have to just be a couple things. Number 1 i hate the trigger and the stock! second the scope isn't over great, (nice hunting scope). I have a Vortex PST 4-16x50mm sitting around that im going to change out so it takes away from purchasing a new scope for now. Im thinking of throwing in a timney trigger set at 1.5lbs and possibly a stock. Either McMillan or Manners if i can find one and afford it. I would consider AI as well if i could get it at a good price but doubtful. Now i do have a buddy at work who is willing to throw me a SA HS precision stock for good price but was hoping for something else.

WHat would you upgrade on a short time frame and limited budget but will not cheap out? Rifle will be used as a varmint rifle but mainly targets and hopefully competition eventually

If you are shooting 2.0" groups at 400 yards, IMHO I wouldn't change a thing. I would save my money for ammo and range time. If you have to ask someone else what to change in a half MOA rifle, you haven't shot it enough.

 

[JBM_DC]

If you are shooting .5 MOA then you of all people should know where you and your rifle need improvement. A simple and good place to start would be having an older style Remington trigger reworked. Also you could look into something like a new stock and DBM or even a chassis system such as Mcree, XLR, KRG, AI... The options for your rifle are endless. I would ask myself what I felt I could use the most. Me personally with my current build is trigger time.

If you have some money burning a hole in your pocket and you just want to buy something then pick up some more reloading supplies. Buy more range time, or even a membership at a gun club in your area (Assuming you don't have enough private land.)

 

[jordan0317]

Sell both vortexes to fund a Bushnell dmr, then buy a stock and trigger, you can grab good deals in the px on that stuff and stay well under $1k

 

[Matt_3479]

If you are shooting .5 MOA then you of all people should know where you and your rifle need improvement. A simple and good place to start would be having an older style Remington trigger reworked. Also you could look into something like a new stock and DBM or even a chassis system such as Mcree, XLR, KRG, AI... The options for your rifle are endless. I would ask myself what I felt I could use the most. Me personally with my current build is trigger time.

If you have some money burning a hole in your pocket and you just want to buy something then pick up some more reloading supplies. Buy more range time, or even a membership at a gun club in your area (Assuming you don't have enough private land.)

Got accepted into the local range tonight so thats one thing off the list i needed to get done Its only a 300 yard range but its the furthest in a day and a half drive ahah so im pretty glad about that. Next is i found a timney trigger in stock and my gunsmith would assemble it free of charge and we are getting it sent to my work so i will get employee discount which is nice! Now i just have to figure out a stock and get the rest of my reloading equipment. Running a little low on bullets and powder! have plenty of primers but just have to get the rest! All brass is fully clean, and sized waiting to be finished!

I have some H1000 on its way and Berger 210's and 215's and get a good load. A buddy of mine is pulling his chronograph out for me to get some load data done up! now just have to get behind the 243 a little more and figure out how the 105's are shooting a little further out.

I contacted a few people about getting my hands on a McMillan A3-5 or an A5 stock in time or second would be a Manners T2-T4 stock. No luck so far! I may just have to get that HS Stock for now and get behind the rifle for some target practice and switch that stock over to my other gun and grab a McMillan later.

 

[Matt_3479]

As far as the Vortex PST is going, i am perfectly happy with that scope and have had great success with it. I know its no where near my Nightforce quality but it is a great scope for the money non the less

 

[Dshooter]

Get the HS stock and get it bedded....it'll work fine. With that trigger and good optics when you can get them, you'll be set