For Varmint Hunting, Which Remington model 700 .223 is the best to buy?

Answer 1

Bound's hubby here:

Any Remington 700 Varmint is a good choice. Which one you get depends on your available cash and experimental tinker time. The Remington 700 SPS Varmint is the most affordable 700 Varmint and it comes with a composite stock. In theory all you have to do is develop a sub-minute load for the rifle. This can be time consuming. The next step is the 700 VLS (Varmint Laminated Stock) which sells for about $900. In addition to load development time you may find, since it is a wood stock, that you may have to glass-bed the action to the stock (potentially time consuming and expensive). The next step up are the more expensive 700 Varmints with synthetic stocks which should require no more than load development. As a point of information, I have an older Model 700 Varmint Special in .308 with the original wood semi-sporter stock, and H-S Kevlar stock and the current Boyd Varmint stock, none of which have been glass-bedded, the rifle shoots sub-MOA. Being a Model 700 Varmint model, you should expect one minute or better accuracy. The problem with the .223 Varmint model is it's 1 in 14 inch rate of twist. With this twist the heaviest bullet you can expect to shoot accurately would be about 60 grains and no further than 400-450 yards.

Good luck.

Edited to add: Point of information... my 700 Varmint Special (.308) is my 1000 yard gun. Consistently, I can shoot a 22 shot group at 1000 yards i under 12 inches in typically windy conditions. This is my first choice over my National Match M1A for serious 1000 yard shooting.

Answer 2

Best 223 Varmint Rifle

Answer 3

Buy a good used older Model Remington 700 Varmint with bull barrel in 22-250.* Equip it with a 20X target scope.* Save $$$$$$$ by buying a good used one.**

Answer 4

If price is not a factor I would get a robar built on a 700 in 223. Have it built how you like for your style. I would say based on the powder used in production match ammo that 20 inch barrel would be perfect in 223. I like a mid weight barrel leaning to heavy contour but not a bull barrel as the weight is too much for packing. Go with a timney trigger upgrade and a mcmillan (spelling off) fiberglass stock with alum bedding blocks. I like the GG&G bi pods and scope is a matter of personal likes. Currently my target/dog slayer is fitted with a Zeiss optical sight/scope. Once again it is up to you to choose what is right for you unless you just like going with the crowd. No off the self rifle will handle like a rifle built with one user in mind. If you like the Remington Action as a starting point then that is the starting point. When having a custom rifle built in 223 have it cut to 5.56 mm specs so you can use the nato ammo if needed.

Answer 5

I like the Remington 700 VSS. It has a synthetic stock and a stainless bull barrel. Top it with a quality scope such as a Leupold or Swarolvski and you are good to go.

Answer 6

Take a look at the ones below. You really need to spend sometime on the manufacturers websites doing research. Also talk to the gun dealers in your area. They are a good source of info. There are many good rifles out there. I own three Remington 700s but I would not turn my nose up to Ruger or Savage.