[donleuschen]

Being new to sniping, I wanted to have a light rifle and bought a 700 .308 VTR. The triangle barrel was different, so there I went. I attended a sniping course and could only shoot 2" inconsisent groups at 100 yards. Even a Marine Sniper Instructor could not shoot better. I am trying to sell this thing now. I spoke to a friend who attended the SHOT show and a Remington rep told him the rifle does not shoot, and they have stopped production. Any other comments or reviews would be appreciated before I unload, although probably futile, on Remington for producing this rifle.

 

[jonaddis84]

I guess you can say where would we be today without innovation, so props for them trying to pioneer something that could one day be the norm...but if even they recognize it doesnt shoot why would they go and release it? Doesnt make sense, unless they were trying to recoop some manufacturing costs by selling some with the "different" marketing scheme.

As for its accuracy, thats pretty bad, 2" at 100yds, like almost TOO bad for anything to shoot that poorly. A 22lr can hold much better groups than that at 100yds. What kind of ammo were you shooting through it, maybe there was a problem there? Is that a free floating barrel on the VTR?

I was just browsing Rem's website. Are you SURE they discontinued making it, because they have about 4 other new rifles with the VTR contour barrel. Maybe they just discontinued the base model VTR. Even their new Target Tactical, which is a pretty bad looking rifle I must say, has the VTR barrel.

 

[POGO57]

Well it's still listed in the online catalog.

have you talked to Remington about this or had a gunsmith look at it? Spending a few bucks on having a 'smith check it out can't hurt.

It seems to me that you have option before selling it and losing money (especially if you tell a buyer about how bad it shoots).

Here's what I would do FWIW....
Check to see if the barrel is making contact with the stock.
Remove barreled action from stock and check for anything out of place.
Re-install and make sure all screws are tightened to spec, including scope and mounts.
Put a Tubb's Final Finish kit through it.
Refire using several types of ammo both match and non-match.
Try a different scope.

Good luck.

 

[MAX100]

All of the 700 VTR rifles can't judged by one rifle shooting bad. The one in Mel's review shot pretty well. There is no guarantee on how a production rifle will shoot.


GC

 

[donleuschen]

VTR

Thanks for the response. The course had two gunsmiths that checked the stock, trigger (6. 4 pounds). They were afraid to torque to 65 inch pounds because of the stock construction. The barrel is free floated. I have to tell you that all 28 shooters were curious, but having me borrow another rifle to finish the course did not bode well for this VTR. Especially if they tell a friend, on so on. Of course I can change the barrel, stock, scope and have a fine rifle. Anyone interested in a 308 action that comes with a barrel and stock? haha

 

[donleuschen]

Oh yes, I forgot that we shot winchester match, black hills match, federal gold match and same results. It was really inconsistant, like once the barrel heated up, the accuracy changed. Not so with the PSS I used. In comparison, I shot a .904 group of five rounds at 100 yards with the PSS. I tried to register on the remington site, but there was no way to email them. I might have to actually write a letter if I don't sell it before hand.

 

[oneeyedmac]

I'm interested, how much do you want for it?

 

[EricF517]

Here read this first. I know its a 223 but it shoots.

http://www.snipercentral.com/forums/vie ... ight=italy

 

[MitchAlsup]

Question:

What ammo were you using?

 

[donleuschen]

Eric, maybe the .223 does shoot way better. Maybe this 308 is a bad one. I do not have a wad of cash to experiment this way or that. I know that you have to put another grand or more in any rifle, but have something that shoots good out of the box.

I used Winchester Match 168 grain and several others during the course.

 

[Koga]

Remington hasn't discontinued the VTR, in fact they have introduced alot more rifles with that profile for 2009, including a "VHR" and the R-15 line of rifles.

 

[donleuschen]

Well, I guess more input from other VTR shooters is needed to figure this out.

 

[jonaddis84]

Just throwing this out there. Maybe its possible that the cheap stock VTR has this problem because of the muzzle brake? Since the brake is only cut into the top of the barrel, I would think the gasses would force the end of the barrel down, and in a cheap plastic stock with no bedding I can see that causing major problems.

Though that wouldnt explain how Mel got the review rig to shoot well. I dunno just a thought.

 

[ecsosniper]

My VTR

I purchased a VTR 308, installed Leupold 1 piece base and rings with a SS10X42 rear focus scope and used it in a 5 day sniper course. shots from 25 yards to 200 yards for qualifications, up 485 yards on 10 mph full value wind and the VTR consistently shot MOA at all distacnces. I have pushed the rifle to 600 yards and kept 4 rounds, (1 cold bore three right after) within 5 1/4" with FEd GMM. I did find out that using a bore brush every night cold bore was 1' high and right, but with only Sweet's 7.62 and patched on cold bore was 1/2' left and the next three touching dead center. Try patches with solvent or bore snake until groups open up. I am very satisfied with y rifle and it is my call-out rifle on my team with the sheriffs office.

 

[donleuschen]

Eco, did you bed the stock or change the trigger? This trigger was at 6 pounds, and we could only get it down to 4.5 . I patched it, alcoholed it, had several different shooters look at it, did a tribal dance over it.....I guess it just does not seem right that I have to try a scope (500 +), try a stock (350 +), when Mel shot the blasted thing OK.

Well I guess we beat this dead horse enough. I will let you guys know what happens, and thank you for the input, much appreciated.

 

[oneeyedmac]

This is nothing more than a mass production problem. With any mass produced item you'll have some that are great, most are average and some that are bad. That's why customs are expensive, they have a lot of man hours in them to make sure that they are all great.

It seems that most 700's are pretty good, some are great and this one is problematic. Sell it to me, I'll throw it on the lathe and put a new barrel on it and a decent stock and it'll be great.

 

[outlaw]

from my understanding is this barrel supoidly able to take the advantages of a heavy barrel and a fluted barrel along with being stronger than your regular round barrel.
personaly, I dont trust it. I'm sure most of them shoot great, but I dont see remington being the inventer of some great new barrel inivation.

 

[Quick]

I think the stock would be an issue, its a POS!!!! Just feels like crap in my hands IMO. The barrel, well its not proven and im not sure on how much R&D was done on it but there would be some bugs to iron out I think. Try changing the stock and see how it goes.

BTW, the Target Tactical, OMG that just doesnt look nice at all. Why they got rid of the SPS Tactical I will never know!!!!!!!!!

 

[anesvick]

Get a new stock like a PSS pulloff or B&C, and if it still sucks, get a new barrel in a more standard profile. You can get just about anything with a 700

Still cheaper than a new rifle.

 

[ecsosniper]

I did not make any modifications to stock and trigger was at about 5lbs. I think the stock issue on my rifle is that I shot off of a pack near the trigger guard somereason, it feels more stable to me. I also noticed when I had the bi-pod attached groups were not as good even using pack. I just recented re-stocked the VTR with the Choate Ultimate Sniper and after re-zero groups are still good. I only changed the stock for a test but I like it I think I will keep it because I just finished a 700 Tactical with 20MOA EGW base XTR rings and a bushnell 4200 elite. (This scope makes my SS10X42 seem like a $30.00 Wal-Mart special)