REMINGTON 700 VTR .223 Rem -- Opinions?

[Bc'z]

There she is!! Nice buck! I have wanted to try one of those wierd profile barrels. Seems like a good idea.

It's a love hate relationship.
She loves her rifle, and I love her so I haven't molested the gun other than the stock.
I hate I can only get .5-.7" groups at 100yd with it, but it's her's not mine.
Although I've contemplated having a custom blank contoured to resemble it.
You know what they say, its better to beg cor forgiveness...

 

[joshb]

It's a love hate relationship.
She loves her rifle, and I love her so I haven't molested the gun other than the stock.
I hate I can only get .5-.7" groups at 100yd with it, but it's here's not mine.
Although I've contemplated having a custom blank contoured to resemble it.
You know what they say, its better to beg cor forgiveness...

Ha! Tread lightly! I have one here that tests me everyday!

 

[hogpatrol]

Also don’t expect to seat to the lands. They have the typical Remington freebore of a quarter mile. If you can get it at a good price go for it. I think you will like it. By all means change the PPS Stock though.

Had one in .17 Fireball, same deal, excessive freebore.

 

[SSL]

Thanks to all for your input. Gives me a lot of valuable info that I didn't have. Now I have to start making my mind up. They do have several Rugers, Remingtons and Savages to look at too. Even a 722 in .222, but I don't want to change cartridges. Defeats the 'purpose' I'm trying to fill of getting a rifle to use my existing components.

As I mentioned, the stock issue can be easily corrected if it should arise with my H-S stock with the aluminum bedding block, but it's really good to be made aware that it can be a problem. The idea of a muzzle brake is kind of silly on a .223 and appears to make it a 20" barrel rather than the measured 22". Fair amount of velocity loss (I'm figuring 53 fps per inch loss loosely based on doing the math of the published velocities for loads between a 24" barrel and a 15" XP100 barrel and figuring for 20"). Looks like only 3,000 fps with my 52-grainers at best, and somewhat less with the AA2200 I've always used with excellent results in .223 (and I have 8 pounds of it) but that's enough for the 250 or so yards I'm planning on for a walking rifle. Remember, I'm trying to use existing components. If I plan to sit and watch, I'll take my .22-250 or .243 if I anticipate longer ranges. A lot of my shooting is just punching holes in paper anyway.

I do like the weight factor for a 'wandering' rifle. Getting too old to carry my 12 to 14 pound rifles that long. I've always been one to adopt the odd-ball rifles. This one just kind of calls me, but I won't make a final decision until I look at what else they have. It will be awhile until I get over there and it may be gone by then. Mama is going through some real bad back issues and can't ride that far and I don't want to leave her alone for that long. I'm just doing my homework on this rifle until I get the chance to see it.

Thanks again to all for all the info. I knew I could count on this crew!

 

[timeout]

It's a love hate relationship.
She loves her rifle, and I love her so I haven't molested the gun other than the stock.
I hate I can only get .5-.7" groups at 100yd with it, but it's her's not mine.
Although I've contemplated having a custom blank contoured to resemble it.
You know what they say, its better to beg cor forgiveness...

Never ever alter your wife's rifle or scope!! Ask me how I know.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Ive never seen one of those triangle barrels shoot very well but it does have a valuable action and stock upon which you can build one that will shoot

 

[Kracken McGraw]

That’s a odd way they shaped that barrel, started as a round one looks like. I wouldn’t have any hesitation on it though, being a 700 in the 223 Rem caliber.

 

[Bocephus]

Like a fool, I allowed a friend to talk me out of my Ruger #1B .223 a few years ago. My thinking at the time was that I had the range covered with my .17s, .22-250, .243 and etc. Thinking can be a dangerous thing. Organizing my loading area recently I realized that I have dies, a truckload of brass and several hundred Hornady .224" BTHP bullets. Now I could always use those bullets in my .22-250, but what's the fun in that. Especially since I have nearly a thousand 52-grain AMax that the .22-250 adores. Looking online at a fairly close gun shop, I see that they have a Remington 700 VTR .223 in OD Green, used and in 'like new' condition (their words...I haven't seen and bore scoped it yet). I called them to verify the price and they are complaining that Remingtons aren't selling well right now because of the bankruptcy and reorganization worries. As a result the price is extremely good.

My question: (other than the rather butt-ugly color) is it worth the effort? They do have a couple other 700-series models, but I have to admit I'm intrigued about this one for its weight and rather eye-catching barrel engineering and muzzle brake, but if they don't shoot well, I'll make a hard pass. Anyone have one they can tell me about?

Forum Boss: Here is a REM VTR triangle profile barrel In .308 Win

View attachment 1239614

I bought one several years ago. I kept the factory stock but had to remove the "speed bumps" up front and do a light bedding job to stiffen the barrel channel enough to keep it off the barrel. After that it was a solid .5moa gun with 69grSMK and quality brass.
Now the bad news:
()-the integrated muzzle brake is less than useless on a 223. It might reduce muzzle jump by a small amount but the ports are much more effective on the 308.
()-many of these guns have the firing pin hole chamfered or what I affectionately refer to as the "misbegotten engineering change" obviously implimented by someones misbegotten nephew. You will recognize it at the 1st shot because EVERY primer shows a crater. Period!
If you shoot much you will need to check the boltface/firing pin hole for shavings and debris. Often.
By the way, the VTR was not the only victim of this scourge.
()-in spite of all this, if I were in the market for a lightweight platform for a walking around rifle, I'd jump. No hesitation.

 

[SSL]

Kind of a moot point now...managed to get to the shop today and found that rifle had been sold. The only other .223 of interest to me in the 'used' section was a Remington 700 Varmint model. The outside was pristine, but when I pulled out my trusty Teslong I found the barrel was toast. Lots of fire cracking and several large patches of rust-pitting. Shop owner was apologetic that the VTR had been sold (not sure why, he's in the business of selling!), appalled that the Remington's condition had slipped by him and that I had driven an hour one way for 'nothing'. He offered me a really big discount on a brand new .223 Ruger American Predator (the version with the Mag-Pull magazine). It weighs about the same as the VTR, so that met my criteria, and I have always had nothing but good luck with Rugers over the years. I couldn't pass it by at the price he quoted. It was low enough that I can afford to replace the trigger (the biggest complaint I see on line) if necessary and still be ahead of the game. I might have outsmarted myself though. It has a 1-8" twist. Not sure how that will work with my stock of 52-grain BTHPs. Oh well.

He was also fascinated with the Teslong and vowed to get one...or two!

Now I just have to wait for Illinois to get off their butts and approve my purchase. They are running as much as ten days behind on approvals.

Stay tuned!

 

[Bc'z]

Kind of a moot point now...managed to get to the shop today and found that rifle had been sold. The only other .223 of interest to me in the 'used' section was a Remington 700 Varmint model. The outside was pristine, but when I pulled out my trusty Teslong I found the barrel was toast. Lots of fire cracking and several large patches of rust-pitting. Shop owner was apologetic that the VTR had been sold (not sure why, he's in the business of selling!), appalled that the Remington's condition had slipped by him and that I had driven an hour one way for 'nothing'. He offered me a really big discount on a brand new .223 Ruger American Predator (the version with the Mag-Pull magazine). It weighs about the same as the VTR, so that met my criteria, and I have always had nothing but good luck with Rugers over the years. I couldn't pass it by at the price he quoted. It was low enough that I can afford to replace the trigger (the biggest complaint I see on line) if necessary and still be ahead of the game. I might have outsmarted myself though. It has a 1-8" twist. Not sure how that will work with my stock of 52-grain BTHPs. Oh well.

He was also fascinated with the Teslong and vowed to get one...or two!

Now I just have to wait for Illinois to get off their butts and approve my purchase. They are running as much as ten days behind on approvals.

Stay tuned!

There's a few good videos of tuning the trigger on your Ruger American. I've yet to buy the Timney as I have my factory trigger set @1.75# safely, cant see spending the money for minimal gain.
You can also remove center blade if you chose.

 

[SSL]

There's a few good videos of tuning the trigger on your Ruger American. I've yet to buy the Timney as I have my factory trigger set @1.75# safely, cant see spending the money for minimal gain.
You can also remove center blade if you chose.

Thanks. The rated "5 to 3.5' pound adjustment doesn't cut it for me. I've looked at some triggers and ordered a spring and shim kit that says will allow you to reduce the trigger to 1.5 or so pounds even though I still haven't heard when I can pick up the rifle. Background checks here are running way behind due to all the new buyers. I can wait patiently. I'm not one that wants just anyone buying a gun without a completed check, even though that makes me very unpopular in many circles. Tough. I just don't want one in the wrong hands because the check wasn't completed to harm my family or grand kids.

I also ordered a 5-round ProMag Rollermag AR 15 magazine to try out. That supplied 10-round looks like it could be a real pain on the bench. It will be interesting to try it out.

 

[JEFFPPC]

There's a few good videos of tuning the trigger on your Ruger American. I've yet to buy the Timney as I have my factory trigger set @1.75# safely, cant see spending the money for minimal gain.
You can also remove center blade if you chose.

Ruger American trigger is doable, not hard.

 

[SSL]

Ruger American trigger is doable, not hard.

Thanks. Have the rifle and did some work. Posted here: https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/ruger-american-predator-223-first-look.4032469/