Remington 700 SPS quality?

J

Jedi5150

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Full Member
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Mar 29, 2010
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Marina, CA
#1
Howdy all, I was sort of intent on getting a 700 LTR for my new 100-800 meter toy (and only long gun other than my Colt carbine). I know I'm wanting a 308, which sort of limits my choices when it comes to Remington 700's.

Recently I came across the 700 SPS and couldn't help but notice that I can pick one up for at least $200 less than an LTR. The obvious question is how much quality am I losing out on if I go with the SPS? Truth be told, I prefer the barrel length (26" I believe) and profile of the SPS over the LTR.

I'm not interested in a top of the line tack driver at this point. The rifle will already far outclass my skills I'm sure. I just want to know if the SPS is considered "low quality" for some reason, and/ or what are its' flaws.

One thing I don't plan on skimping on is optics. I intend to get a Badger base and Badger aluminum rings, and a NF 2.5-10x32 scope.

Any advice will be welcomed. Thanks in advance.
 
#4
Re: Remington 700 SPS quality?

I am going thru a 700 sps stainless/synthetic for someone.

You should know that the triggerguard/floorplate is plastic (shame on you Remington).
It has a 24" barrel, not 26".
The stock (if I can be so bold to call it that) is a freaking joke, it actually has bumps in the barrel channel that snap on to the barrel....no, I am not kidding, it snaps on
frown.gif

The forend flexes so badly that you have to see it to understand how understated the word flex is. It flops like a wet noodle.

So..
We tossed the stock, the floorplate assembly (sorry can't call it bottom metal), and the trigger.
Brown precision stock should be here tomorrow, Timney trigger is already on it, and we are shopping for some bottom metal that doesn't cost 300$

Ironically, the rifle shot very very good for a (relatively)cheap 30-06.
With fairly generic low end Federal 180's it was running about 3/4" groups, or just slightly larger than a nickel since I didn't measure them.

Oh yea, there was metal shavings in the bolt....so that might be a good thing for you to check.

I am unfamiliar with the LTR so I do not know if the same problems plague it.
I have just recently worked on a 700 Police tactical and it was fine right out of the box only needing a trigger (same junk Xmark pro came in it).

I would weigh cost of the rifle vs. the things you know you'll have to throw into it.

Hope this helps.
 
#6
Re: Remington 700 SPS quality?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rntobey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I wouldnt waste my money on one. They are a POS. </div></div>

Im curious as to which you believe to be a POS?

Your opine ia a little vague.
 
#7
Re: Remington 700 SPS quality?

Are you refering to the SPS Varmint with the heavy barrel? or the regular SPS with the skinny barrel?

I have a SPS heavy barrel and 2 friends each have the same. All 3 rifles shoot 1 inch groups @100 yards with factory ammo. All 3 rifles out of the box with no mods.

The trigger is nice, the rifle shoots well.

The stock is on the cheapie side, but replace the stock when you have the funds.

Cabelas has the heavy barrel for $589 currently.
 
#8
Re: Remington 700 SPS quality?

Don't have experience with the SPS. I do have experience with a LTR, it is chambered in .223. Its a tack driver. Built a load for it and it shot .250 MOA best group. The only after market thing on the rifle is a bolt knob. I have ran it on steel also. 600 yards it will hammer a chest plate non stop. 800 yards I hit a chest plate (17"x12", I think) 3 out of 6 shots, I would put money down it was me not the rifle.

Hope that helped,

Rhett
 
#10
Re: Remington 700 SPS quality?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ida83704</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Are you refering to the SPS Varmint with the heavy barrel? or the regular SPS with the skinny barrel?

I have a SPS heavy barrel and 2 friends each have the same. All 3 rifles shoot 1 inch groups @100 yards with factory ammo. All 3 rifles out of the box with no mods.

The trigger is nice, the rifle shoots well.

The stock is on the cheapie side, but replace the stock when you have the funds.

Cabelas has the heavy barrel for $589 currently.

</div></div>

Thanks for the feedback so far gentlemen.

ida83704, I'm referring to the regular SPS with the skinny barrel.

I'm really not concerned with the stock since I'd be replacing it down the road anyways. I'm not sure how practical they are but I absolutely love the look of these English Walnut stocks from these folks:
http://www.accurateinnovations.com/products.html

I'd also probably end up getting Badger trigger guard in the future as well. I don't mind making gradual upgrades to the rifle, but I've got to admit that I'd like to start off with the least expensive base rifle I can get away with. I'm the kind of person who would rather gradually upgrade a gun with the exact parts I like than try to buy an expensive factory weapon that has some of what I like and some stuf I don't need (that I'm still paying for), if that makes any sense.
 
#12
Re: Remington 700 SPS quality?

The Accurate inovations stocks ar actually pretty good. And they are probably the best option as far as affordable wood goes.
 
#13
Re: Remington 700 SPS quality?

I think the SPS line is a key indicator of just how far downhill Remington has fallen under hedge fund ownership.

Its really sad.

My family has a Winchester model 92 with octagonal barrel that My great grandfather bought in a "General Store" in Maryland in 1922. I am the fourth generation direct-descendant male in my family to own this rifle.

Other than the fact that it is very expensive to shoot (its chambered in .25-20 WCF), its still completely functional and pretty accurate today.

I wonder if my grandkids will be able to say the same thing about Remington's rifles of 2010 in 80 years?
 
#14
Re: Remington 700 SPS quality?

It is unlikely you will get a definitive answer on which is better quality of manufacture, if that's what you're asking. Are the Police/LTR receivers and barrels superior in terms of trueness and accuracy? I've not found hard evidence either way. If this is a long term project gun, you may end up truing the receiver and replacing the barrel anyhow, in which case the only difference will be the exterior finish on the receiver.

What is your purpose for the project? For a 700, SPS vs LTR is apples vs. oranges. For the extra money you are getting a much better stock in addition to the better exterior finish. I don't see much value in those very shallow flutes. Since you're replacing the stock, and you like the SPS barrel profile better, there's your answer.

HOWEVER, I would not drop a bunch of cash on a custom stock unless I was totally satisfied with my barrel, so you may be better off buying the cheapest 700 you can find, shooting it, and then figuring out what you want to change and why. You may end up re-barreling before re-stocking. Perhaps you'll decide on a contour between the hunting SPS and Rem varmint, and you'd kick yourself if the stock needs to be inletted later. You can even have the receiver duracoated or whatever later, to remove that last vestige of difference between the quality difference betweem the SPS and LTR.

Looking forward to hearing your decision!
 
#15
Re: Remington 700 SPS quality?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: carbinero</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It is unlikely you will get a definitive answer on which is better quality of manufacture, if that's what you're asking. Are the Police/LTR receivers and barrels superior in terms of trueness and accuracy? I've not found hard evidence either way. </div></div>

I have.

Quoting remington:
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Response (Daniel)
The 700 P has a true parkerized finish which cured harder than the Black oxide used on the matte black SPS-V. This makes it more durable and less likely to rust or scratching. The police guns do have the upgraded stock, but there assembly is different than standard production guns and each one is test fired to make sure it functions perfectly and meets the 1 MOA guarantee. This accuracy guarantee is not in place on the production rifles.

As mentioned the barrel and actions are nearly identical, so the SPS-V has the same level of potential, however it is not guaranteed like it is with the police guns.
</div></div>
 
#16
Re: Remington 700 SPS quality?

I'd probably lean towards the SPS Varmint. Good platform to shoot as is, and perfect one to build on in the future. A buddy just bought a 223 S/S and flat out shoots!
 
#17
Re: Remington 700 SPS quality?

Thanks for the info. Carbinero, you make some really good points. I will make sure I like the barrel before getting a new stock. I forgot to mention my intended uses in this post (I did in another thread and thought I had here as well).

This gun will be for plinking, casual target shooting, and possibly hunting/ hiking down the road. I'm not a hunter right now. I actually had to dispatch an injured raccoon the other night at work and shot it 4 times with my Glock 22 (tough little sucker) and I felt pretty bad about it
grin.gif
. So I'm not totally sure I'm cut out for hunting, but I might give it a try in the future. The one thing I'm really NOT planning on doing with this is long-distance competition. If I were getting into that I'd spend the time to save for top of the line gear.

The easiest way I can describe my thought process is to use an analogy I'm familiar with, so please bear with me. If I were to get a 1911 to customize the way I wanted it I wouldn't buy a Norinco, I'd buy a Springfield Mil-spec. The reason being; the basic frame and slide are high quality parts, even though the gun is "cheap". So to get back to the rifle, I'm not super concerned with the finish, as that can be changed at a later date, as can the barrel, stock, etc. I guess I'm wondering if there is a difference in the bolt and receiver in terms of metal used, quality, etc. In other words, if I planned to do modifications down the road anyways, is the SPS a worse gun to start off with? I don't see spending the extra $$ for the LTR's stock and barrel if I'd change those out eventually anyways. However, if the LTR actually had better workmanship in the bolt/ receiver, that would be something to consider.

Hopefully this wil make it easier to see where I'm coming from. And thanks again to all. You guys have been very helpfull.
 
#18
Re: Remington 700 SPS quality?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jedi5150</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> In other words, if I planned to do modifications down the road anyways, is the SPS a worse gun to start off with? I don't see spending the extra $$ for the LTR's stock and barrel if I'd change those out eventually anyways. However, if the LTR actually had better workmanship in the bolt/ receiver, that would be something to consider.
</div></div>

I think the way that I would put it is that your odds of getting a "crap stick" that "just wont shoot" from the factory is less. Recently, I have heard stories of people finding grit in the bolt of production SPS, parts significantly out of spec, etc.

Because the 700P line of rifles is actually test fired and held to a 1 MOA guarantee, you are less likely to have bought a lemon off the line.
 
#19
Re: Remington 700 SPS quality?

I found the receiver and bolt to be just fine and equal to any other 700 I have ever seen (save the Alaskan Titanium model, but that's a different beast).

For the money it is a good starting platform, just as long as you are aware of the limitations in the stock and floorplate.

As I posted above, an inexpensive rifle that will shoot cheap ammo 3/4" can't possibly have too much wrong in the basic machining of it.
 
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