Thoughts on Remington SPS

[weasel_master]

I keep prodding my dad for ideas on a varmint setup. First he wanted a bushmaster varminter after shooting my AR. Now he switched to a Remington SPS stainless in .204 ruger for the better ballistics. Does anyone have any experience with these? I'm just looking for any imput you've got. I'm going to look around for prices and most likely buy him one for a present.
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_SPS_stainless_specs.asp

[Geilt]

The Remmy 700 line hasn't been around for so long because they suck. Just the opposite for the most part. The 700s do have an issue with overly heavy triggers (not their fault, its a lawyer thing) and its not unheard of to find an iffy barrel or at least chamber. The chamber issue is easily addressed if you handload. The triggers are adjustable (i think). There are also a slew of aftermarket options and gunsmiths to work on them.

He may also want to look at the 12 Series from Savage. I have my eye on a Savage 12BVSS in 22-250, 243 or 308. The accu-trigger system is rather nice.

[demon]

those remmys are really good out of the box,they also got a good rep on fixing stuff if it dosn`t come right out of the factory,if you are looking for a seasonal hungin rig go remmy but IF you plan on doing a LOT of hunting shooting ya might be best served by the savage line,you can burn out a 204 barrel pretty quick,and with the savages you don`t have to send it off to change to a new barrel+they are built like a truck,I bang my savage12 around all the time it still shoots better than I do.

[cimmaronkid]

You can never go wrong with the old 700 action. This is a nice gun and will run forever, but as has already been mentioned, the trigger sucks and needs to be replaced entirely. Jewell makes the best trigger for the 700 hands down and can be had in various adjustable pull weights down to 2 oz. Every now and then, there is a problem with the barrel so be aware.

The Savage guns are a better value than the 700 and are more accurate out of the box. They also have the advantage of the accu-trigger which is much nicer than the standard Remington trigger. Lots of aftermarket triggers and bolt handles for the Savage as well. The gun I would look at is the one I listed below as I feel it is a much better value.

http://www.savagearms.com/12VarminterSS.htm

I don't know why everyone is getting all excited about the .204 Ruger round. It goes about 3600 fps and has a muzzle energy of 1123 lbs from the Sierra loading manual for maximum loads. Nothing really unusual for a varmint cartridge. I can also see that it is starting to get a reputation as a barrel eater by people a bunch of which are going on rumors. As in anything, moderation is required and the barrel will last a long time. Just because it is fast doesn't mean it will burn out a barrel.

The .220 Swift is still the king of the factory Varmint cartridges and until a factory makes the .22-.243 with 40 degree shoulder legitimate, it will stay that way. The Swift was a true barrel eater because of the steel used back in 1935 when it was introduced. Given the fact that a 40 gr bullet can be loaded to a velocity of 4200 fps and still be safe definately gives it the edge there in the field and on paper. Again, moderation with the Swift will leave a barrel fit for several years and I shoot a lot of Swift rounds a year at prairie dogs.

You might also be better served by looking at the .22-250 which is perhaps the most versital and popular varmint round made. Will give almost Swift velocities with a bullet heavier than the .204 Ruger and definately gives you a longer effective range. While not sexy and new, it is easy to find and is one of the most accurate and forgiving cartridges you can load for. I own all three and the .22-250 is by far my favorite. Besides, Savage gives you a 1 in 12 twist rate so that the heavier 63 gr. bullets can be used which makes it a hands down winner against the .204 Ruger.

[demon]

good advice there cimmaronkid, I had a buddy who burned out his 204,but it was only because he didn`t know anybetter,most people overheat the barrel and don`t know when to clean :)