Gunsmithing Remington 700 SPS barrel floating

[crazy8]

So, a couple months ago I had purchased my first deer rifle. Its a Remington 700 SPS 30-06 with a Nikon Monarch 3-12x40 Scope. Now I know this isn't a hunting forum but I am looking to do something to the gun that is more precision shooting related and not so much hunting related. Now eventually I think I would like to load my own ammo and try some long range stuff but one thing at a time.

So I have done a little bit of research and think I may use the Devcon Titanium bedding material. I have never done any kind of gunsmithing but I have watched a series of videos on this and I'm pretty confident I could do this. However I am wondering what all I would need to do this and if any of you fine pros might have some advice or pointers when doing something like this?

Thank you very much in advance and thanks for providing such an awesome forum. Looking forward to spending some time in here.

 

[Beef_Supreme]

Re: Remington 700 SPS barrel floating

700 SPS standard weight? Or rather hunting weight?

 

[crazy8]

Re: Remington 700 SPS barrel floating

I'm sorry I'm not sure exactly what your asking. If you're asking if I would like to keep it close to standard/hunting weight I guess that would be nice but I'm not to sure that its a huge issue depending how much weight would be tacked on.

 

[hdbiker1]

Re: Remington 700 SPS barrel floating

If you're looking to bed, there is a sticky at the top of this section labeled "Bedding Project".

 

[Beef_Supreme]

Re: Remington 700 SPS barrel floating

As in is it an SPS Tactical or an SPS sporter weight, i.e. hunting weight barrel contour.

 

[ScottWatkins]

Re: Remington 700 SPS barrel floating

Are you asking about bedding the action or floating the barrel?

 

[crazy8]

Re: Remington 700 SPS barrel floating

@BigMoneyGrip I guess up to this point I thought they were one of the same, so thank you for pointing out that its not.

After some reading and understanding the differences I do believe that it is bedding I want to do. Now in addition to giving a solid "bed" for the action to rest upon, as a side effect the barrel is also floated, am I wrong? I know that the barrel on my gun does not float though it has the allusion that it is floating.

@hdbiker1 Sorry I missed that. I did look over it and man there is some good info and pics there. Thank you for pointing out what should have been the obvious...lol

@Beef_Supreme Its not the tactical model its just the standard SPS 700 30-06 deer rifle.

 

[ScottWatkins]

Re: Remington 700 SPS barrel floating

First, I would float the barrel. Make sure you have ample (I like about .080) clearance between the barrel and stock.
See how it shoots and then maybe bed the action.

 

[Beef_Supreme]

Re: Remington 700 SPS barrel floating

There are two 'pinch points' in the factory Remington stock, DO NOT remove these UNTIL it is properly glassed and or pillared. The pinch points serve as barrel supports because the stock and material it is made from are so flimsy. Bedding gives it all support and beefs up the stocks bearing capabilities.

 

[crazy8]

Re: Remington 700 SPS barrel floating

Great advice. Thank you guys much. So to float the barrel I would follow the earlier mentioned sticky then I presume.

 

[Beef_Supreme]

Re: Remington 700 SPS barrel floating

Yes. Basically. There are two little tabs at the forend on either side of the barrel channel that put the slightest upward pressure on the barrel. People will remove them without bedding and then their accuracy generally REALLY gets sporadic. By bedding the action you are supporting the weight of the barreled receiver and preventing flex, and improving metal to stock fit, and eliminating any movement in the stock.
I would see how it shoots first if it isn't to be used for anything but hunting, and if there are other underlying accuracy issues, the bedding won't fix them. Start with the stock unmodified rifle so you have something to go by when deciding wether it will shoot to your satisfaction. If it shoots ok, then you have nowhere to go but up, if every improvement is done right from there. does any of that make any sense?

 

[crazy8]

Re: Remington 700 SPS barrel floating

Sure that makes sense. Like I said, right now it shoots ok. I had to get my scope zeroed in before hunting so this is how it went down at the range. I was assisted by a range member and he had me load/shoot one round at a time. After maybe 5 rounds or so we did a cool down period for maybe 5 minutes. Now I did finally get one that was 3/4" away from the orange dot which might have been half dollar size. So maybe I need to go again and see if I can get some kind of consistency then base it on that as far as what I do, if anything.

 

[Beef_Supreme]

Re: Remington 700 SPS barrel floating

Look for how it groups three to five shots, regardless of where on the paper it hits. Accuracy is consistency, and if shoots groups that are acceptable- say 2-1.5'' with factory loads, then you know there is the potential for it to shoot better with improvements. Bedding is a great place to start for a hunting rifle, as well as quality handloads, the addtion of both in a rifle with potential will often get you inch or better results which for a deer rifle is primo! Let us know what you find.

 

[crazy8]

Re: Remington 700 SPS barrel floating

My current setup now is...
Rem. 700 SPS 30-06
Nikon Monarch Scope 3-12x42 with BDC Reticle
Federal Fusion 150 grain

I have used the Winchester Power Points 150 grain and Remington CoreLokt. But I sited the scope in and hunted with the Fusions so I will continue to use those.

So in regards to those tabs you were talking about. If I ended up going forward with this depending on my groupings, I would want to remove those tabs AND bed the action correct?

 

[Beef_Supreme]

Re: Remington 700 SPS barrel floating

Bed THEN remove tabs. Remove tabs to float the barrel and NOT bed is a recipe for a crappy day the range second guessing yourself. Incremental steps.

 

[crazy8]

Re: Remington 700 SPS barrel floating

Thank you very much again for all the help. I will be sure to keep you posted once I start this.