Bringing a Factory 700 to Life?

[Joe Thom]

Hey guys, looking for some advice on a possible project. I have a factory 700 SPS Tactical chambered in .308. I've never done any rifle work before so I'm thinking about setting the factory barrel back and truing the action for some practice and a little better performance. Has anyone done this and seen an improvement in accuracy? I'd rather not buy a new barrel for my first go at it, but I don't want to waste my time either. Thoughts?

 

[Fast14riot]

I'd buy a new barrel before setting back a factory one.

If it were me, trigger upgrade first. Next, test a bunch of different bullets that are known to like a long jump to the lands. Work on getting the most consistent reloading routine your measuring equipment is capable of. Properly bed the action. Then go shoot 3-5 thousand rounds to make good technique permanent (learned from a mentor or known good shooter).

If you run through a bunch of bullet/brass/powder combos and can' get a consistent .75moa out of it well before you have fired a bunch of practice, then consider a barrel.

Money wise, you'd be ahead buying a stiller or other custom action.

Take my advice for what you paid for it...

 

[joed49]

Before I did what you have planned I'd change the trigger and replace the stock. At that point I think you'll change your mind too.

 

[Joe Thom]

The rifle is currently capable of 1/2-3/4 moa consistently with the load I've worked up. I have a custom 6.5x47L that's my daily shooter so this rifle just sits in the safe. It'll get a new trigger, stock, bedding job, and a new barrel (some day). But I don't know if the factory barrel has any more potential if it were dialed in.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Dont waste your time on that factory barrel

 

[Preacher]

I have seen some factory barrels that will flat out shoot, my old 7 mm SAUM comes to mind.
A friend of a friend after asking him not to shoot it if he saw it, let a small 10 point walk by, and when I saw that he was looking for a rifle I sold it to him.
That barrel always did, and still will put the 2 first shots into the same cold bore hole at 100 yards...
All I ever did to that rifle was pillar bed it, float it, and put a brake on it..................

 

[22DASHER]

I think nearly everyone has heard of or has had a factory rem barrel shoot excellent... the problem is in general they won’t quite get to that excellent stage. They may be good enough often enough but frequently will not get to the next level. With that said the $300-350 you’ll spend on a new barrel will far out weigh the headaches or cost of components you would have throughout your factory barrel job.

 

[carlsbad]

99% of accuracy is in the barrel. Truing an action is overrated and not where I would start. If you want practice, setup the bolt for bushing--not trivial. While you are at it, skim cut the back of the lugs. Install a side bolt release. Take the handle off and adjust extraction timing. Then if you have cock on close, adjust ignition timing. This will keep you busy for a few months and add 100x more value than truing the action. --Jerry

 

[eww1350]

+1 replace the barrel..!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Preacher]

If it is indeed shooting as good as you say it is, I surely wouldn't be replacing it any time soon.
Practice makes perfect !!!!!!!!!

 

[Riesel]

If it is indeed shooting as good as you say it is, I surely wouldn't be replacing it any time soon.
Practice makes perfect !!!!!!!!!

I would put that Factory 700 in the "it ain't broke" column. That's more than adequate for what the gun was designed to do....It's not a BR

 

[Papa Charlie]

I just completed an a complete upgrade to my Rem 700 .308. This took me a year to do, a little at a time. Each step I saw a marked improvement in performance and repeatability. They are great beginner guns, but for accuracy you need to do a little. Here is the order I took and what I did.

1) Timney 517 trigger adjusted to 1.5lb
2) Precision Chassis (XLR Evolution for me)
3) Upgraded to Vortex Viper 6-24x50mm (Soon to be upgraded to Vortex Golden Eagle)
4) Benchmark custom barrel, trued action and bolt.
5) Duplin Rorer F-Class bipod
6) Protektor rear bag

My group group is at 0.550" at 200 yards with a 3-5mph wind. I still believe that the gun is capable of more, it is me that is limiting it now.

 

[billlarson]

Good idea............ and good practice before you make a mistake on a 350$ barrel......
i`ve done it many times....... saw improvements each instance...... one thing to remember....... if you set the action up with bushings and a range rod...check thread concentricity (1-1/16x16 tpi )
using factory barrel will not allow you to true them up.......
you`ll shoot and learn more doing your own work.......
bill

 

[Shawnba67]

You can ask around this sight for take off barrels. Some guys pull a barrel at a certain round count. You end up with less life after a set back but you get a better barrel than factory for alot less $$$ Ive bought them for $50 shipped

 

[ebb]

True the action and put a nut on it! A Remage gets you a new barrel and you don't have to risk ruining a new match barrel in the lathe. Then when you are ready you can do a barrel with out a nut.