Trading for my first bolt action rifle: Any tips?

[jamesbern]

Hey all! Glad I found this forum, hope to learn a bunch. I'm trading a SIG 229 Dark Elite for this tonight. It is a Remington 700 VSSF II .223 which has a Leupold Vari-X III 6.5-20x40mm AO scope mounted on it. I'd like to think it is a good deal in my favor. About 150 rounds through it. I started looking at stocks/detachable mags, but I just realized I need to shoot it as is and see how I like it.

I've always wanted a Remington 700 for some reason. Just felt like the rifle to have. I was going to buy the SPS Tactical a while ago, but didn't want to drop a lot of money to build it at the time. I figured this is the next best thing. I'm not huge on the stainless, but I can always get another rifle as a base for a build when it's more affordable for me.

This is going to be a target rifle from 100-300 yards. The most I ever shoot is 100 yards with my AR and not that much. So accurate target shooting with a rifle is very new to me.

If i'm a good shot from bench with no wind can I expect a 0.5-1" accuracy at those distances or is that asking too much.

It is a 1 in 12 twist rate out of a 26" barrel. Any info I should know is appreciated. Not sure if there is anything I should change out right away or just pick up a Harris bipod and shoot it as is.

I'll stick to 55gr and under. I picked a few different brands and types and will run some through to see what it likes.

Just placed an order at Ammo to Go for the following:

What is a good varmit round (rabbit, squirrel, etc) and defensive round that I should consider checking out?

Thanks guys!

 

[henke4310]

Re: Trading for my first bolt action rifle: Any tips?

looks like a nice piece. why dont you like the stainless? if glare is your concern you could always dura coat it

 

[henke4310]

Re: Trading for my first bolt action rifle: Any tips?

nice cat by the way

 

[turbo54]

Re: Trading for my first bolt action rifle: Any tips?

Sounds like a fair deal.

Being this is your FIRST rifle, the 1:12 twist is ok - but barely. A 1:9 would be a lot better, and honestly, a 1:7.5 - 1:8 would be best.

You have lots of practice to do, so in a while, you'll want to rebarrel that guy with a faster twist barrel.

As for ammo: Buy many different types, 55gr or less. Hope you find an inexpensive one that shoots nice.

In dead-still wind conditions, no reason that rifle can't do moa or better. Throw some wind in there and it'll blow you all over the place. Maybe not a bad thing - you'll be forced to learn the wind.

 

[CavRed3]

Re: Trading for my first bolt action rifle: Any tips?

sound like a good deal get some practice in then rebarrel 1:8

 

[BoilerUP]

Re: Trading for my first bolt action rifle: Any tips?

I think that's a fantastic deal, especially since the VXIII is included.

As for factory ammo, try Hornady 53gr V-Max Superformance. 0.290 G1 BC @ 3465 fps....Shooter app shows at sea level/standard atmosphere 0.8mil drop & 0.8mil drift @ 300yd.

Slowing it down to 3250fps gets you 1.0mil drop and 0.9mil drift @ 300yd.

Compare that with the 68gr BTHP @ 3000fps (which your rifle probably won't stabilize)...1.1mil drop and 0.8mil drift @ 300yd.

 

[jamesbern]

Re: Trading for my first bolt action rifle: Any tips?

Thanks for the help guys. I'm going to hit the local shop to see what they have for ammo. If weather holds out I may be able to get outside tomorrow to shoot at 100 yards.

I won't rebarrel it. I'll leave it as is if I like it and pick up a 5R or something as a new base.

The guy I traded showed me his Accuracy International AW .308 w/ Nightforce 3.5-15 x 50mm. Drool worthy, but really heavy.

I got the 700 last night and really like it! Very clean! Can't wait to get it to the range. The trigger is absolutely awesome! It feels close to a 2lb pull that is very crisp!

I'm going to go off the bench and bags for now, but plan on getting a sling and Harris bipod for it.

One question, in the second photo where the front of the stock is, there is a small gap between the stock and barrel. If I grab the barrel and squeeze them the stock flexes. Normal?

 

[Lafayette]

Re: Trading for my first bolt action rifle: Any tips?

The stock flexing will become an issue when you load the bipod (should you get one) I had the same issue on my sps. if the stock contacts the barrel during the recoil impulse and barrel vibration it will effect the repeatability of your precision.

That being said i think you made a great swap - buy a ton of .223 and shoot it until youve had enough.

Enjoy and welcome to the club!

 

[oneshotkyle]

Re: Trading for my first bolt action rifle: Any tips?

invest in lots of ammo. shoot until out of ammo then buy more. nice trade

 

[shootindude]

Re: Trading for my first bolt action rifle: Any tips?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lafayette</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The stock flexing will become an issue when you load the bipod (should you get one) I had the same issue on my sps. if the stock contacts the barrel during the recoil impulse and barrel vibration it will effect the repeatability of your precision.

That being said i think you made a great swap - buy a ton of .223 and shoot it until youve had enough.

Enjoy and welcome to the club! </div></div>

It shouldnt flex on your rifle if any it should be very little as thats an hs precision stock. I have a vs 22 250 with the same stock and i think you made a great choice on the trade.

 

[Downzero]

Re: Trading for my first bolt action rifle: Any tips?

You're not going to be able to shoot the heavy bullets with a 1 in 12 barrel, which will restrict your meaningful range to 400 yards or so.

 

[Muttt]

Re: Trading for my first bolt action rifle: Any tips?

Check the torque on the action bolts. That could be where some of the movement is coming from ..... loose bolts.

 

[Cascade Precision]

Re: Trading for my first bolt action rifle: Any tips?

Along what Mutt is saying:

Buy a decent inch pound torque wrench (like a Wheeler Fat Wrench).
Take it apart and make sure it is clean. (Get a good rod guide and cleaning rod.)
Snug up the bolts when putting it back together. I finger tight the front and rear, then 15 inch pounds front, 15 rear, 30 front, 30 rear. On my 308, I go to 30 front and rear, but I played a lot with torque values before I got what I liked for repeatability and accuracy. Play a little or just go to 30 and you should be good. There was a post on here once upon a time about torque values and C. Dixon had a lot of good info in it. Will see if I can find it.

As said, 1 in 12 will be good for 55 grainers, but that is about as high as I would go. Might get 62 grainers to fly OK, but that is stretching it.

For 300 yards I think you should be good. You will have the advantage of learning wind really good by the time you shoot that barrel out.

(Cleaning: What I mean is make sure barrel is free from obstructions. A lot of schools of thought on this subject, enough to make a major pissing match here. What I do (FWIW), is run a wet patch Hoppes #9 down the barrel (after inerting my rod guide), run a REALLY wet patch down and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Run several dry patches down until they come out dry/clean. I do this if I know I am not shooting in the next few days, otherwise I just let it sit "dirty". I have not had accuracy fall off from not cleaning yet, and I am at 190 rounds on my barrel.)