Which Rem 700 223 Varmint rifle to buy?

aap2

I am trying to decide which Rem 700 223 cal varmint rifle to buy; my only real requirements are the H-S precision aluminum bedded synthetic stock and a varmint weight barrel. I prefer a non-fluted barrel for no reason other than I'm not used to seeing fluted barrels. I finally got the money together to buy what I thought was the perfect rifle: Rem 700 Varmint Synthetic in 223 with the 24" barrel (order number 9702) or 9703 with the 26" barrel. But, of course, both have been discontinued since about 2004; I have been searching (I live in Pittsburgh PA) for A ffl dealer who might transfer one of the few that come up on GB from time to time (NIB for around $650 or so). These are a great deal since they come with the H-S composite aluminum bedded stock (not the new cheaper one's that Remington is using on composite guns under $1,0000). If I cant find an old 700 VS, any suggestions as to what CURRENT 700 to buy that is close? The Rem 700 VSF II has the H-S stock (fluted barrel-any problems here?) and it's more pricey (well over $1,000), but manageable. The 700 LV SF doesn't have the H-S stock and the cheaper composite guns don't either. Any opinion on the 700 Police Tactical 223 (seems very close to the old 700 VS 223? Any suggestions will be appreciated; the only thing that I shoot is paper and the 223 is great due to low recoil and the fact that I can load it way down for reduced noise. thanks....Every time you guys answer a question, I go out and buy a gun locally or thru GB (something that my wife actually supports!)

JustC

try finding a PSS in 223

dcloco

Buy a Savage 12FV, an aftermarket stock, and spend the remaining money on glass, reloading supplies, etc.

I have exactly $480 in a 12FV with a BVSS laminated stock. Stock was used, but cannot tell it.

dcs shooters

The Remington 700P in 223 is the closest to what you are looking for.They come with the H-S stocks.
Go to the Rem. Law Enforcement section to find it.
Check GB auction,http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=94453861, it looks like what you want [:D]

Mk 19

Any of the above would work very well unless it was manufactured within the past 5 years. I hate to say it but Remington's quality control has gone down drastically over that time, plus you will not find one with a trigger that is worth while for paper punching. No if you can find an older 700 varmint that has been worked on you will have a winner. Take a look at this one:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=94352275

Insted of a 700 have you considered a XR-100? I have found that the issues that plague the 700 have been absent in the XR line and they come standard with a 40X trigger:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=94475463
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=93478620
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=93785097

Of course if you wanted a really accurate rifle that you can buy new all you have to do is look at one of the model 12 Savages:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=94043203
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=94356931
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=94230326
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=94201644

BTW: The info I have posted above does not come from a guy who had a bad time with 1 Remington rifle. I mount 30 scopes per week along with doing all of the repair work and sending guns back to Remington for an extreemly busy gun shop. I have seen the problems with Remington as I am constantly working on their gun, savages on the other hand, which I sell 2 to 1 over Remington, never come back for work.

aap2

Thanks everyone! The Remington 700 Police 223 is exactly hat I have been looking for. 2 more questions: if I can find a FFL in pittsburgh PA to transfer one from GB or if I go to a local Rem dealer and have them special order one, do I have to be "law enforcement officer"? One site says that they have to be ordered on a special letterhead, which makes no sense to me...Or is this not true? Thanks again for all the help. The rem 700P in 223 is perfect for me!

dcs shooters

Go to the HOME page and click on FOR BUYERS,then go down to FIND A TRANSFER DEALER, click on it and put your zip code in and all the dealers in your area will come up.

shermanoaks

I have owned many varmint rifles and SHOT them too. Including a
couple custom guns. Hands down best varmint rifle I have ever
shot and owned was a Cooper. At $1200 they are best value,most
accurate, And best looking. Second place would go to the old
Winchester Heavy Varmints that were made by HS Precision. 223
is my favorite caliber too. A 40gr VMAX at 3800fps is about as
good as it gets without resorting to a muzzle brake. The 'FUN'
of varmint shooting (prairie dogs)is watching them blow up in
the scope. The bigger calibers just dont offer that "luxury"

aap2

Thanks again for all of the info; I went to several Remington dealers and tried to order a Remington 223 700PSS (Police model) and they all said that they could not order me one without some special authoriation; Remingtons rules, not the gun shops. My best bet is probably just to buy a used one on GB.....Remington's policy on selling the "tactical" rifles to "civilians" makes little sense...their 700 VS SF II is basically the same, so I might just get one of those even though the fluted barrel looks strange to me. Thanks.

Remington1981

quote:Originally posted by dcloco
Buy a Savage 12FV, an aftermarket stock, and spend the remaining money on glass, reloading supplies, etc.

I have exactly $480 in a 12FV with a BVSS laminated stock. Stock was used, but cannot tell it.


+1000 on the 12 FV. I just bought a new one int a .308. They have changed there stocks. They actually have a palmswell and a new recoil pad that works really good. I picked it up for 469 out the door