Looking to upgrade my Rem 700, Need help!

[Tomekeuro85]

In the long run I'm going to buy another GAP. But for now, I'm going to upgrade my 700 VLS in .223rem. As of now its 100% factory.

My primary shooting distance will be 300 yards, won't go past that but I'll probably also do a lot of shooting at 100.

What mods would you guys suggest to make this gun pretty good at that distance. What type of barrel, twist, perhaps new bottom metal? stock? action truing?

Then, what type of bullet would you recommend? 52gr? or maybe 69gr? 75gr? What would be best for this distance?

Id be looking for maybe a 1/2 moa capable rifle at 300, but I dont want to spend too much, so I can save up for the GAP.

 

[desertHK]

Re: Looking to upgrade my Rem 700, Need help!

Heavier bullets with higher BC will always help at longer range. However, at 300 yards, you can go either way. Depending on how much you want to spend, true action, trigger job, stock and all other accessories are options. Key to remember is if it shoots, then you don't have to do much. On the heavier bullets, you may need a faster twist barrel to stabilize it.

 

[head2h2o]

Re: Looking to upgrade my Rem 700, Need help!

A good cost effective stock would be a Bell and Carlson.

As for the bullet weight, I have used 50 gr VMax from a 22-250 in 200 yd competitions very effectively. If you go up to the 60 gr, you should be able to get away with that. Your best option is still going to be heavier projectiles in a faster twist barrel. They are going to have the best BC. These will also be less affected by wind. If you get into the 75 gr class of bullets, I would go with a 1 in 8 otherwise, if you stay in the neighborhood of the 55 gr, you can shoot a 1 in 12 twist. My preference would be to go heavy and fast, regardless of the distance if you are going to compete. If not, lighter with a slow twist should be good to go.

 

[lovain1932]

Re: Looking to upgrade my Rem 700, Need help!

+1 for the Bell&Carlson stock and heavier bullets for 300 yards IMHO

 

[fdkay]

Re: Looking to upgrade my Rem 700, Need help!

Doesn't the VLS come in a laminated stock?
If so, you won't see much improvement by replacing it vice a good bedding job, plus, wood always looks nicer.
You are constrained by the 1-12 twist rate of the barrel, your best bet would be 53 - 55 grain match bullets going very fast.

Otherwise, you are talking a new barrel, that is 245-300 bucks, depending on whether SS or CM plus install so we are talking aomewhere in the vicinity of 500-650 bucks, this will normally net you a trued action and lapped lugs with no other work on the trigger etc...
Now you have a semi-custom, if you decide to go this route go with a 1-8 or even a 1-7 twist and shoot the 75-77 grain match pills well beyond 300 yards.

If you are serious about sticking to 300 and closer, I vote for a good bedding job in an already decent stock, either replace the trigger or tune it and save the money for your GAP.

 

[Tomekeuro85]

Re: Looking to upgrade my Rem 700, Need help!

I think id probably go with at least a new barrel for sure.. so the twist is not an issue... Would a barrel alone do a significant job of accuracy imporevment?