Improving a Factory Rem 700 CDL

[Taylorman]

I bought a used Rem 700 CDL the other day. Looks brand new and i saved $200 over new price. Anyway. I threw a scope on and went to the range yesterday to see how it would shoot. I gave it a good cleaning and went to the range. Its a .270 WSM and i bought a box of Fed Premium 110 gr. Barnes Tipped Triple shock bullets. My groups were about 1/2-5/8 center to center. I'd say pretty good for factory gun, factory loads and my first box of bullets. Anyway, i have a Leupold VX-3L 4.5-14x50 on order from the custom shop but its still about 3 weeks out.

My question is, what things should i do first to improve group size. It already had a trigger job. Im considering a McMillan stock. It will be a hunting gun but i want to start doing some long range shooting at the range. Im about to join a range that has 300 and will soon build 1000 yard range.

Thanks
Kevin

 

[therifler]

You may want to go to heavier bullet for the down range stuff 130gr . If you don't hand load i would look in to it .
The Rifler

 

[gambleone]

Yes, handloading is first. Kinda depends on the type of shooting you will do & how competitive you wish to be. Many things involved, trueing the action, trigger & stock which you mentioned etc... You came to the right site. The guys on this site are a great wealth of info & am sure they will chime in.
Good luck

 

[alf]

"My question is, what things should i do first to improve group size."


Buy another gun.

Seriously. A factory 270 WSM that shoots a 1/2", leave it alone, and go back to the store and buy all the same lot number of those factory rounds. Then go buy something else to play with out to 1K.

 

[therifler]

If you are going to shoot 100yds where half inch groups are competitve leave it the way it is . As i found out you won't know what you got till you start shooting long . That gun may shoot 1/2 minute at 1000yds . However i would'nt want to bet good money on that . Your cal. is certainly not a popular one for competition and as you said your new to the long range sport . Asking these question should have come while you were looking for a rifle not after you bought one . Gather as much info as you can for the disipline you want to shoot then make a decision . There are alot of informed people on these sights but in the end you have to make the final decision . I myself as is the case with many of my customers want as little recoil as possible . Shoot what you got see what the other shooters are using . I have never seen anyone laughed off the line or told to leave because of their choice of weapon . For the most part guys will be more than happy to help .www.therifler.com

 

[watercam]

Whether or not you reload there are a few economical things to do to get the most from the barreled action that you have. Pillar then glass bed the action (not the barrel). This can be done at home. A bit nerve wracking the first time but certainly doable. If you are not acquainted with Brownell's catalog, you should be. After that carve out anything on the stock that touches the barrel ANYWHERE. You should be able to slip two pieces of paper (minimum - I use business cards) between the barrel and stock from forend tip to action face. This keeps groups consistent regardless of hold or rest. Adjust or have your trigger adjusted and/or worked to a very crisp 2-3 Ib. pull weight. Check this site and search for cleaning tips. You can shoot to 1000 yds. with a factory contour barrel, it's a question of for how many rounds before it heats up and starts throwing rounds into larger groups.
Have fun!

 

[cliffy]

All Model 700s need a "trigger job," so what sort of trigger job was done? Does the trigger break cleanly at 2 1/2 pounds? If not get another "trigger job" done immediately. You've already received some expert advise regarding this MODEL 700 rock stock deficiency, prior to my blurt. Cliffy

 

[fdshuster]

As already mentioned, the factory stock (almost any factory stock) leaves a lot to be desired, and one of my first choices would be the HS Precision Hunter Benchrest. Then there is the question of the barrel. If yours is a lightweight "sporter" contour, there's another handicap. it will heatup, real fast, and you need the weight and stability of a heavier varmint contour. Another problem area is your choice of bullets in 270 caliber: there just aren't that many being made in match quality. Relatively easy to get m.o.a. and sometimes sub m.o.a. groups at 100 yd-- move out to 300 and beyond and things change, real fast. Not saying your rifle would not work, as-is, just saying you have a lot going against you.

 

[Taylorman]

Thanks for all the info guys. All valuable info for sure. My rifle is a hunting rifle first and fun at the range second. I chose this caliber to be an all around gun for deer, elk, pronghorn and hopefully when i finally draw the sheep tag i apply for every year in Colorado.

I dont plan on shooting competitively, just for fun at my local range to improve my long range marksmanship.

 

[PHINPAD]

Take a look at this guys videos on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdUhYz0q30o
You will see that he takes a couple of different approaches, mostly mentioned above, to get noticeable increase in accuracy from his Remington SPS Varmint.
Not the most professional of film producers but you certainly see what needs to be done and what can be achieved for relatively little,

Good luck,

 

[therifler]

Taylorman, You have what sounds to be a great gun for hunting take these guys advice .The fixes they recommend are practicial and should improve on what you have now .
The Rifler