New Calling Rifle SPS Tactical

[COhunter]

I just picked up a pretty much brand new remington sps tactical in.223, came with a houge overmoulded tupperware stock and 1 in 9 twist heavy 20" barrel. So, who has one or has had one and what do you think? I know that the first thing to upgrade is the stock but which one? And then the trigger, i have a trigger tech on the shelf. Any input about stocks, load data, etc would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

[CZ_Lilja]

I have had that model for about 6 years and shoot it out to 100 yards, which is all I have locally. I put a Timney trigger on it, adjusted to about 3lbs, and swapped the plastic for a garage-shop wood stock off eBay, as I didn't want to sink a bunch of money into it. After free floating it, some sanding, and poly, it looks great, especially if you're not too picky.

I like it for what it is. I don't reload so can't help there, but it will do 0.5 - 0.75 inch groups at 100yards with Hornady Steel Match ammo (55grain). I'm happy.

 

[Oso]

Replace the factory stock. You need something rigid enough to keep barrel free floating while shooting off a bag, bipod, or offhand. At the very least consider buying an entry level composite stock, such as a B&C Medalist 2 ($285) and just drop in your existing action and bottom metal. If you are looking for something more budget friendly then consider a laminated wood stock from Boyds or Stockys. Just keep in mind that when you start thinking about a big boy stock (McMillan or HS Precision) with all the bells and whistles (drop box magazine) or a chassis style stock you are talking about price range of $800 - $1500... its a $$$$ commitment.

A good place to look and compare stocks that also routinely has a sale is Stockys Stocks.
https://www.stockysstocks.com/stock...0/hinged-floorplate/heavy-varmint-barrel.html

A fun load for that rifle if 69gr Sierra Match King ("SMK") with any number of powders, such as Tac, H322, CFE 223, etc

 

[dolek]

Mine loves 69 grain Sierra Match Kings with Varget,H4895,H335, to name just a few . It also shoots the 77s very well, have only shot them out to 200 yards so I don't know what they do past that . I have tried bullets from 50-77 grains and all shot very well . 52 grain Bergers with a a mild charge of 4198 is another that stands out in my memory . Have fun with it .

 

[edwardware]

I dropped mine into a glass-bedded Boyd's ProVarmint. . . a huge improvement. Saw some sub-0.5MOA from the bbl with 52gr HPFB.

Now it wears a RemAge 1:8, and I'm seeing sub-0.3MOA with gr HPBT.

 

[COhunter]

Thanks for the input. I can't wait to get it up and running, looks like it should be a fun gun to play around with

 

[COhunter]

If i'm not mistaken, a stock from an LTR (light tactical rifle) also from remington, will be a direct replacement for this sps. Maybe i can find a used one

 

[B23]

Pretty much any stock that fits a Rem 700 short action will fit just as long as the barrel channel is large enough or has enough width to open up as to fit the contour of the barrel.

I have a lot of HS Prec stocks on Rem 700's, both long and short action, and for a good quality stock that doesn't cost a lot, I think they are one of the best choices. They do have a relatively low-ish comb height so if you are using a scope with a 50mm objective or maybe your scope rings are a bit tall, the comb may be a little low for you. All of my rifles that wear HS Prec stocks I've added Kydex adjustable cheek rests to them. They're fairly inexpensive, only add a couple ounces, are very easy to install yourself, and work great. I have some MCM A5's with their adj cheek piece as well and they're a very good high quality stock, but they cost considerably more and are much heavier.

COhunter, mentioned the stock from the Rem LTR. My Rem LTR is one of my favorite rifles and the stock they use on those is made by HS Prec. so it's a good piece, but keep in mind, that particular model is a couple inches shorter at the forend/forearm than the standard stocks are. It's never been an issue for me and is only really noticeable when it's sitting next to one of rifles with a standard length forend.

 

[stacy]

MINE LOVES VARGET AND 68GR HORNADY MATCH AND 50GR V-MAX WITH H-4895

 

[COhunter]

First step taken care of, i found a new take off LTR stock for this gun and already have a trigger. Now just to wait for the stock, then off to the range to for load testing

 

[dolek]

First step taken care of, i found a new take off LTR stock for this gun and already have a trigger. Now just to wait for the stock, then off to the range to for load testing

Excellent news,keep us posted . I have over 3000 rounds on mine and it's still shooting great.

 

[COhunter]

Will do, i have plenty of components, bullets, powder, etc. Have a few loads to try.

 

[B23]

i found a new take off LTR stock for this gun

Great stock and the aluminum bedding block in the HS Prec. stocks are great but they never mate up to the bottom of the action perfect so I'd recommend having it skim bed when you get it. Having it skim bed will create a perfect fit to your action. All of my rifles that wear HS Prec. stocks have been skim bed, I think it's money well spent.

 

[Bocephus]

Saw an LTR stock for sale here a few days back which balance well with these guns. The only issue I've had on these is result of the the demented decision at Remington to chamfer the firing pin hole on the bolt face. Ugly craters on primers, even low pressure stuff. Hopefully you are spared this quirk.
Very easy guns to feed from 40gr up to 69gr. In my experience the 9 twist and bullets longer than that make stabilization iffy at longer ranges, especially below 3K elev.
Overall I'd think you have a winner.

 

[B23]

COhunter, you didn't mention what you plan to use this for so bullet recommendations will be more dependent on this rifles use but the 53gr Vmax has shot exceptionally well in my 9tw 223 and now with its new barrel, 223AI also using a 9tw.

 

[COhunter]

This rifle will be used as my calling rifle for coyotes, they are pretty thick around here. I'm going out after dinner to see if i can save a few lambs that belong to a sweet, older lady that goes to our church. The coyotes are killing them at all hrs of the day. I have 50 gr and 53 gr v-maxes, 55 gr ballistic tips, and some blitzkings.

 

[Zero333]

223rem sps tac 20".

The factory blind may always gave me problems, so I got a MDT LSS and the MDT plastic mags.

If I prefered a stock, I would keep the factory houge and just get a DBM set up.

My rifle has very short freebore. With 69 smk I'm touching the lands at 2.300".

The 9" twist has shot great with every bullet from 50 to 75 gr.

Really likes the 52 smk and the 75 hornady bthp.

26.4 gr of Win-748 with the 52 smk

25 gr Varget with 69 smk

24 gr Varget with 75 Horn.BTHP

Winchester brass and any primer. Mostly 205m

 

[Zero333]

Ohh yeah... Forgot to add... I put a Tinney Calvin Elite 2 stage on it and it's my favorite trigger. All my other bolt guns have single stage triggers, and I love the CE 2 stage the most !

You can also get a trigger Spring kit for the factory trigger (got one from Brownells) for very little and it's not bad at all for a few bucks.

 

[JB10]

50gr vmax w/ w748 26.5 gr. 2.260 oal will be lights out.
73 eld-m w/ varget 24.5. My oal is touching lands. .4 inch group at 200 yards. The 50gr load i have taken out to 525 yards with laser accuracy. Drops coyotes too.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I'm liking that .290 B.C. of the Hornaday 53 gr. VMax.