700P in .223 - keep or sell?

[45Badger]

Gentlemen,

Long story short, I had a tack driver SPS varmint .223 in upgraded stock. Came a cross a good deal on 700P .223, Leupy scope, and more. Bought the package, sold my varmint gun, figuring the 700P would be better. Different twists (1/12 on Varmint and 1/9 in the 700P) mean my Hornady 55 gr VMax loads shoot so-so out of the 700P and it looks like it will enjoy 68-69gr bullets.

My questions-

For purely varmint work at 250 yards max, anybody here use the 700P with a heavier/pet load?

If I sell the 700P, what's current market for used gun in box, excellent condition, etc?

If I use the stock on a new varmint gun, whats the value of the 700P barreled action?

I can pick up a new SPS varmint on sale this week for $450, so I'm temped to get back to the rifle and load that worked well. Thanks for the insight and information!

 

[MinorDamage]

Re: 700P in .223 - keep or sell?

There is no guarantee that the new SPS will shoot as well as the old one. If you have not done a complete load development with the 700P you are selling yourself short. I would figure out what it likes and roll with it. The twist difference alone has obviously given you a clue that the projo weights the SPS liked will presumably not be the same as the ones that will shoot the best in the 700P. Shooting the heavies will usually benefit you when it comes to shooting such a small caliber. I say keep it and upgrade it as you go. It is a quality platform.

Josh

 

[Glen Seekins]

Re: 700P in .223 - keep or sell?

I would try some different loads. The 700p is a much nicer platform than the sps. You also have a great platform to make something else out of if you wanted to. I have always had good luck with 55gr Vmax's so i wouldnt give up on them just because this gun doesnt like your load. Change the load a bit and tune it for this gun. They will shoot out of a 1/9 barrel. I shoot them out of a 8 twist all the time

 

[AK10mm]

Re: 700P in .223 - keep or sell?

They also make a 60gr VMAX that might be a bit longer,worth giving it a try.

 

[vman]

Re: 700P in .223 - keep or sell?

Load development is key!

Regarding your questions, not sure.

BUT the 700P is a great platform.

 

[i_rep]

Re: 700P in .223 - keep or sell?

I did sumthin simillar, and ended up gettin rid of the LTR in .223 as well...now I wish I had it back. Oh well, time for a custom I guess.

 

[lightman]

Re: 700P in .223 - keep or sell?

I have a 700 PSS with a 1-9 twist that shoots light bullets great.It was not hard to find a load that it likes,either.I would work up some light loads for it,give it a chance.I'm crazy about mine. Pete

 

[Togeneral99]

Re: 700P in .223 - keep or sell?

55 gr V-Max and IMR-4198 <--try that it has never failed for me

 

[bmt]

Re: 700P in .223 - keep or sell?

FWIW:

High Caliber Sales recommends the Black hills 60 grain VX for the Mk12 tubes they sell (1 in 7 twist).

The same load (Black hills reman, 60 grain VMax) shoots great in my 1 in 8 TIkka T3.

I would buy a box and try. Probably will solve the problem.

BMT