700 Rem. SPS--v/s -- Varmint Laminated.

[titegroup]

Just a quick ? for those that might know, if the only difference between the SPS -Varmint and the Varmint Laminated Rem.700 is the useless stock on the sps-- aside from the matte flat bluing v/s the satin bluing on the laminated version--- are they the identical action & if anyone has any experience on how they shoot . I don't expect the sps to shoot very well with the flimsy stock. Thanks--Titegroup.

[Deer Hunter]

The sps varmint has a rougher black parkerized looking finish. Including the bolt.
The VLS has a smoother black finish. Not deep blued but some may call it blued. The bolt is jeweled.

Neither one is bedded. Both shoot well in my experience. The VLS you can bed and free float. I have never tried that with the plastic stock.

[titegroup]

Originally Posted by Deer Hunter

The sps varmint has a rougher black parkerized looking finish. Including the bolt.
The VLS has a smoother black finish. Not deep blued but some may call it blued. The bolt is jeweled.

Neither one is bedded. Both shoot well in my experience. The VLS you can bed and free float. I have never tried that with the plastic stock.

Thanks for the info, -- I thought the laminated version was free floated, I could be wrong. Just tossing the idea around if a guy got the cheaper SPS & tossed the junk stock & replaced with varmint / Tactical aluminum bed block Bell & Carlson -- it might be better shooter than the laminate version-- other than having the not so nice finish on the rifle-- although the laminate can be a great shooter as well -- choices/ not sure the best route.

[Scottmisfits]

Originally Posted by titegroup

Thanks for the info, -- I thought the laminated version was free floated, I could be wrong. Just tossing the idea around if a guy got the cheaper SPS & tossed the junk stock & replaced with varmint / Tactical aluminum bed block Bell & Carlson -- it might be better shooter than the laminate version-- other than having the not so nice finish on the rifle-- although the laminate can be a great shooter as well -- choices/ not sure the best route.

While you are right, they are built the same, they aren’t finished the same. It doesn’t have any effect in the accuracy, just the cycling of the bolt for the first while.
The SPS finish is also more prone to a bit of surface rust. It’s easily dealt with if it happens and easily avoidable, just a bit more work than the shiny finishes.

The stocks on the SPS’s aren’t “bad” for what they are, but they aren’t great. The ones on the Varmint and VTR models seem to be a bit better as they are wider at the fore end where the barrel channel is. To help with that I also added bedding material under the barrel to help reduce the flex.

Overall, what do you want out of the rifle? A project or a workman’s rifle or something to mount a scope on that looks good and shoots good out of the box?

[Don_Parsons]

^^^ X's 2

👍

[titegroup]

Originally Posted by Scottmisfits

While you are right, they are built the same, they aren’t finished the same. It doesn’t have any effect in the accuracy, just the cycling of the bolt for the first while.
The SPS finish is also more prone to a bit of surface rust. It’s easily dealt with if it happens and easily avoidable, just a bit more work than the shiny finishes.

The stocks on the SPS’s aren’t “bad” for what they are, but they aren’t great. The ones on the Varmint and VTR models seem to be a bit better as they are wider at the fore end where the barrel channel is. To help with that I also added bedding material under the barrel to help reduce the flex.

Overall, what do you want out of the rifle? A project or a workman’s rifle or something to mount a scope on that looks good and shoots good out of the box?

Not so much looking for a project rifle-- but more of what your last sentence describes. I have 2 savage predator 10's Max 1's. The previous generations before the accu- fit ones & both shoot sub half moa. I'm not that wild about the new ones. I also considered the Tikka t3x Stainless HB. Varmint as I like the 23 & 3/4 " length more so than the 26" Rem.Varmint / or the t3x Laminate-- although a sporter barrel. Gun will mostly be used for coyote & banging some jugs & steel not much past 500yds.-- Thanks for responses.

[Scottmisfits]

Originally Posted by titegroup

Not so much looking for a project rifle-- but more of what your last sentence describes. I have 2 savage predator 10's Max 1's. The previous generations before the accu- fit ones & both shoot sub half moa. I'm not that wild about the new ones. I also considered the Tikka t3x Stainless HB. Varmint as I like the 23 & 3/4 " length more so than the 26" Rem.Varmint / or the t3x Laminate-- although a sporter barrel. Gun will mostly be used for coyote & banging some jugs & steel not much past 500yds.-- Thanks for responses.

I got rid of a Tikka and ended up with a Kimber Hunter to fill the gab of a hunting rig that looks good. A very light sand colored stock, stainless metal. I would go Kimber or Remington again when I'm looking for another rifle for me. The Kimber was bought as mine but I think it's been taken over by my son, lol.

[titegroup]

Originally Posted by Scottmisfits

I got rid of a Tikka and ended up with a Kimber Hunter to fill the gab of a hunting rig that looks good. A very light sand colored stock, stainless metal. I would go Kimber or Remington again when I'm looking for another rifle for me. The Kimber was bought as mine but I think it's been taken over by my son, lol.

Just curious-- anything about the Tikka you didn't much prefer/ was it a varmint model? I'm not really much of a fan of black stocks & I've heard tikka's shoot quite well. But then my Savages aren't a glamorous gun either , but when I see the tiny groups they shoot , it kinda makes up for the non glamour part. I was also considering a Savage long range precision in .243/ with HS precision stock / but not so sure I want to lug that tank in the field--11lbs. un scoped-- could get old pretty fast-- I'm no kid anymore. again thanks all for the input --it is helpful.

[Scottmisfits]

For me it was more of a feel. It was beautiful to look at but it didn't feel as good as my 700's. It was a regular hunting model, not the varmint. That wouldn't have made much difference though, just a little heavier out front.
The Kimber is retarded light, and it's not the lightest model either. I really do like it but I'm torn on whether I like it better than my 700's.

[6.5 shooter]

Originally Posted by Scottmisfits

For me it was more of a feel. It was beautiful to look at but it didn't feel as good as my 700's. It was a regular hunting model, not the varmint. That wouldn't have made much difference though, just a little heavier out front.
The Kimber is retarded light, and it's not the lightest model either. I really do like it but I'm torn on whether I like it better than my 700's.

Fit and finish are fine but a rifle that fits....welll..... that is the real answer. Most rifles nowadays are far more accurate then the nut behind the gun. Buy what fits and appeals to your optical senses.

[titegroup]

Originally Posted by Scottmisfits

For me it was more of a feel. It was beautiful to look at but it didn't feel as good as my 700's. It was a regular hunting model, not the varmint. That wouldn't have made much difference though, just a little heavier out front.
The Kimber is retarded light, and it's not the lightest model either. I really do like it but I'm torn on whether I like it better than my 700's.

Thanks again. The thing that sways me more to the tikka is 8.3 lbs. for the varmint & the slope of the comb gets your face up where it belongs for a cheek weld. I do like wood furniture on guns but I can live with the black stock as long as its a shooter. Im putting a leupy 5HD -3-15x 44mm CDS on it at 19oz. so should be about 9--1/2 lbs . scoped --that I can live with. - I'm assuming the triggers are adjustable on the tikkas.

[Scottmisfits]

Yes they are.

My last 700 I built was over 12.5lbs, and I used that as my hunting rifle. That's why I went Kimber. It's just a hair under 6.5lbs.

[titegroup]

Originally Posted by Scottmisfits

Yes they are.

My last 700 I built was over 12.5lbs, and I used that as my hunting rifle. That's why I went Kimber. It's just a hair under 6.5lbs.

agreed , I'm getting too old to lug that tonnage around anymore.