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Remington 700 .308 build and test

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 9:06 pm
by jamesb
Figured i'd do a thread as my rifle evolves and is built.

Base is a Remington 700 SPS Tactical

I picked it up in trade with a

Timney trigger
Wyatt Outdoors bottom metal and mags
B&C stock

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This would have been fine...but I can't leave well enough alone. First off I had to figure out what I wanted for a scope, rings, and one piece base.

I went with a Nightforce 20MOA base which i'm waiting on right now. The extra elevation will allow me to shoot out further than I ever would want to.

For rings I grabbed a set of low Burris Xtreme Tactical 30mm rings. One, because I knew I was going with a scope that had a 30mm tube, but also because they worked well when I put together my prior rifle.

I reordered the Wheeler Engineering kit which consists of their Level, Level, Level, FAT wrench, and both 1" and 30mm lapping tools. This allows you to mount the rings and lap them making sure there is even force when tightened with a scope mounted.

Now to choose a scope. I've had cheap scopes and i've had scopes that cost a large amount to me. My favorite was an SWFA 5-20x50HD FFP. At $1,500 it isn't cheap, but I felt it was very nice quality for the price. FFP allows you to range at any magnification so that for me is a must in this build. The issue this time is I couldn't drop that much on a scope right now. I settled for a great scope at hundreds less. Every review I have read is really saying how great this scope is. What is it? Why a Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 FFP. It is a tick under $1000, great glass, and supposedly good quality. If it is anything like the Vortex Viper PST 1-6x24 I have on my AR I will love it!

I'm currently waiting on the base, Wheeler kit, and scope to arrive.

My last dilemma was the stock. The B&C is a great stock, but I had had one already and wanted something else that fit me better. I really wanted to keep the removable magazines. The more I thought about it the more I kept going back to the Accuracy International AICS chassis. I've always had a thing for their thumbhole stocks. A huge plus in my book was the fact that there was no bedding or anything needed of the action. The barrel is fully free floated, AI mags are well reviewed, plus the chassis just works! I was lucky enough to find one of two AICS 1.5 chassis' in stock at EuroOptics.com. Really nice guys to deal with and shipping was fast. I grabbed a second magazine as well. I would eventually like to get a 10rd mag to give it a try.

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Now it's time to get to work!

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I removed the bipod, action, bottom metal, and stock.

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After giving it a once over and confirming the action was ready to drop in I matted the action with the chassis, tightened the two action screws and that was it for now. I tossed on the Harris-like bipod for now. I plan to order the AI adapter and an Atlas when there is some free cash available.

Comparison: Wyatt's 5rd mag on left and AI 5rd mag on right.

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For now it's done! Once I get my other needed parts i'll continue the build. I can't wait to get to the shooting. Hopefully I got a good one and the barrel shoots well. The Timney trigger feels really nice. I plan to shoot it first before making any adjustments.

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And with the new AR.

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Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 10:46 pm
by MessEleven
That's a badass looking gun!

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 10:55 pm
by JohnFH
Nice set up, when your ready come up to our 200yrd in Colebrook.

What are you using for ammo?

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 11:15 pm
by jamesb
I just got in 168gr Federal GMM. I plan to shoot that and then check the 175gr to see what it likes better.

As for range i'm a member of Ledyard which is 400 yards, but have never gone yet. I definitely need to get up there and shoot this soon!

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 11:25 pm
by nvisn
I'll be there (Ledyard) it on the 24th

sexy gun btw

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 11:58 pm
by JohnFH
I'm not sure the specs on your barrel, but my Savage 1/10 24" loves the 178gr Amax at 2700fps.

Need to check out Ledyard one of these days

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 12:48 am
by jamesb
Thanks guys.

I got the scope in yesterday. Looks really nice! Turrets feel great, illumination is good, and glass looks good. Still waiting on my Nightforce base, but the rifle currently has a two piece weaver mount so I figured i'd just test fit to see if the scope clears the barrel with the low Burris rings.

Good news: scope clears fine. Bad news: it sits way to low for my cheekweld with the cheek rest all the way down.

So what do I do this morning? I jump on Amazon and grab a set of medium rings and do one-day shipping (I hate waiting. LOL)

This morning started pondering it and figured i'm into it for this much already, minds as well finish it the way I want. So I get on Milehighshooting.com and ordered up the following:

Atlas BT10NC bipod
Atlas BT19 AICS adapter
Borka MG7 tool kit
TAB Gear Rifle sling with HK hooks -Coyote Tan

The tool kit needs to be talked about as it is awesome! It includes the following (everything can be seen in the photo)

1. MTD-15x72-12FS-MG multi torque driver and user guide
2. Autolock bit holder (primary driver spindle)
3. Extension for Autolock, may also be used as driver spindle
4. 1/4" hex (male) to 1/4" square (male) adapter
5. 1/4" square (female) to 3/8" square (male) adapter
6. Compact mini ratchet wrench
7. 1/2" hex socket with 1/4" square drive
8. Customized 29 pcs. hex bits set in two organizers, which includes:
Hex (inch): 5/64", 3/32", 7/64", 1/8", 9/64", 5/32", 3/16"
Hex (metric): 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 4mm, 5 mm
Torx: T-10, T-15, T-20, T-25, T-27, T-30
Flat (blade width): 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", 7/32", 1/4", 9/32", 5/16"
Philips: #1, #2; Pozi: #1, #2;
9. Custom 3/16" hex AICS action screws bit (see details)
10. OD Green custom T.A.B. GEAR 1000D cordura custom carry pouch

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While, I have the Wheeler Engineering FAT wrench, this is a great setup in the field and in addition to that wrench. It also includes the custom 3/16" hex AICS bit for the action screws.

I also ordered a new Data Book from Impact Data books customized the way I want which I plan to use for both this and the AR I just finished. I choose the pages I want in it and they deliver that way. This way I only have what I need and not filler pages I won't use.

And some good news tonight. My Nightforce 20MOA base came in!

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One thing I realized right away is how much higher the rail is over the weaver two piece that was on it.

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That was about the point I realized that the low rings probably would work just fine! Which is great news, even though I just overnighted the medium rings to me.

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I put the base down, tightened each screw a bit. Then removed screws one by one and put a dab of thread locker on each. Once they were snug again I pulled out the FAT wrench and torqued them down to the specified amount per the instructions.

Next up I mounted the Burris rings. After getting them where I felt they were needed I torqued them down to the rail and then put the alignment rods in the mount to make sure they were at least very close to aligned.

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I then got the lapping compound ready to go and put some in the rings.

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Put the lapping bar through and started lapping away.

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After that, I cleaned everything off, while making sure to keep the ring bottoms with their corresponding uppers. Put the scope in, leveled it, and tightened to spec.

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As shown below, plenty of clearance for Butler Creek Caps.

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I confirmed the height was correct by getting behind it in a shooting position and it looks like it will do fine. I may keep the medium rings as spares in case I want to go higher.

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Best shot I could get of the FFP reticle with the iPhone. This is at 6x.

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And this is magnified, probably around 12x or so.

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So far it is a beauty! Lets hope she shoots as well as she looks.

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Just waiting for the Atlas bipod, adapter, and TABS Gear sling.

I was lucky enough to score 100 more rounds of Federal GMM tonight for half of what I got the other stuff online for. It's good to know owners of good gun shops!