Which Remington 700 model should i buy? (10 points for best answer)?

Question

Alright, i've been asking stupid questions on yahoo lately about your opinions on hunting rifles and i've decided to go with the Remington 700 (unless anyone has a good reason why i shouldn't?) The only problem is, there is 30 models to choose from! I've heard that some are way more accurate than others, i've heard bad things about the SPS for example..

Here's the thing, i have 2 Choate stocks laying around, one for short action and one for long action, i'm either going to get the .308 or the 30/06 so i pretty much just want the guts because i'm going to glass bed the action and free float the barrel my self, so don't take the stock it comes with into consideration.

What i'm looking for is the best accuracy the remington 700 has to offer at mid to long range. So
1. Which should i choose and why? (Going to be used for deer/elk maybe moose)
2. Do all the Remington 700s' use the same action? (other than being long or short action)
3. Why are some more accurate than others?

On a totally unrelated matter, what do you guys think about the 300 win mag as opposed to the .308 or 30/06? Pros and cons? All i know is that it has alot of kick.. if you guys could answer all these questions so i don't have to ask them again i would really appreciate it.. thanks in advance

Answer 1

If it's actually going to be a hunting rifle, then you need to stop asking about accuracy. A heavy barrel will be more accurate from the bench, but it'll tire you out and you won't be able to hit the broad side of a barn after a hard stalk. Since you're going to change the stock, and you're going to use a standard rifle stock, then you should go ahead and get the SPS. I've never considered buying the SPS version myself, but it's the right starting point considering your plans. The actions are what they are, and the variants are in things like barrel length/contour, whether it has open sights, and the stock. Remington seems to have gotten through their "bad trigger group" phase, so you're going to wind up with a good shooter. Note, though, that Remington generally puts a pressure point under the fore-end on sporter-weight barrels, their experience being that it gives improved accuracy, on average, over free-floating. You may want to wait and see what you have before you take that step.

Answer 2

A 700 is a 700, no matter which sub-model you buy. All are capable of outshooting you. The reason some are more accurate is the extra time spent on the actions in the custom shop, and it will be reflected in the price. I would choose the .308 because at reasonable hunting ranges it will do anything the .30-06 will do and if you can work the bolt, do it faster. There was a reason you know why all the good snipers chose the .308.

None of the animals mentioned are that hard to kill, so again, I'd stick with the .308 as it will kill them just as dead a .460 Weatherby, and any animal that is killed doesn't know if you used a .22 or a cannon.

Answer 3

If weight is a concern, you are eliminating the most accurate 700s. My son had me purchase a Rem 700 SPS Varmint in .308 for him last fall. It has a 26" heavy barrel. The stock was very flexible and the POI would change when you moved the rifle around. He put a B&C stock on it and it will shoot touching bullet holes at 100 yds with handloads. It weighs almost 13 lbs with scope and bipod. He did take it deer hunting last fall, but he could see the truck from where he was hunting. I would get an ADL or BDL and just use it if you are planning on hunting anything that requires carrying the rifle very far. Almost all of the actions are the same on the 700s. I believe there are a couple of models that have ones that have been modified to some extent to make them more accurate. I have never shot a .300 Win Mag but a .308 or .30-06 packs enough punch for most things.

Answer 4

I have used a Model Seven and that is very accurate. It is chambered in a light kicking 7mm-08 and will do the job on elk from what I've heard under 200 yards. Over all it is a very reliable gun.

Answer 5

just get yourself a ADL they are the cheaper model 700 but just as accurate as any others. from what i here the .270 is one of the best calibers for this gun you might consider.

Answer 6

30-06 will take anything in north america.