Remington 700 SPS tactical for short range only?

[Techc]

I'm looking at a new target rifle, probably .223 at this stage and am after some info on the Remington 700 SPS tactical if anyone can give me some feedback.

So it's got its 20" heavy barrel which gets a big wrap in a lot of reviews, some saying it's their most accurate barrel.

With the shorter barrel though there is some velocity loss as you'd expect, which is where my question comes in.

All the range tests I see people doing with the SPS tactical are at 100m only. Found one review where he did some 200m shooting.

Is the accuracy no good, or less good at long range? Because of the barrel? I'm looking to work my way up to 400, 500 and beyond so want something that will cut it all the way out to that.

What do we think of the Remington 700 SPS tactical for more than 200m shooting?

[redrum]

That is basically the idea of these 'tactical' rifles.

Absolute maximum accuracy at 100m and little consideration for much else.

[Carter]

I'm no expert on the 700 SPS Tactical, but I have recently got a Ruger M77 Mark II target rifle in .223

Affordable rifle and the best groups I've shot...

Can give you the thumbs up for the Ruger if you end up looking for something other than the Remington.

[Herdsman]

I think you'll find that Remington do all their in house range testing at 100m, so when they say the 700 SPS Tactical is their "most accurate" rifle, it's based on their test of 100m only.

I don't have the Remington myself, but I'd say a longer barrel .308 or .300 win mag is sure to be better at 500m and further that the SPS Tactical.

[RealNick]

Get a Remington 700 XCR Long Range Tactical in .300 Win Mag.

C'mooon!

[Lorgar]

I think you'll find that Remington do all their in house range testing at 100m, so when they say the 700 SPS Tactical is their "most accurate" rifle, it's based on their test of 100m only.

Exactly.

I was speaking to the Remington rep at the Melbourne shot show a few months ago about this.

Remington 700 SPS tactical IS the most accurate at 100m which is the range they test their rifles at.

For long range shooting though he said the 700 XCR Long Range Tactical in .300 Win Mag was their best.

Realnick's the winner

[Hodgie]

The 20" barrels on some "tactical" rifles is more a consideration for those requiring an easily maneouverable rifle in a built up environment. This mainly pertains to law enforcement marksmen. Most factory match ammunition in .308/7.62 NATO will experience complete propellant burn by the time the projectile leaves the muzzle. Longer barrels afford more headroom for hand loaded cartridges that need more barrel length to achieve a complete burn. Here's an interesting article on the subject: http://www.tacticaloperations.com/SWATbarrel/

[Oldboy 7mm Dakota]

Techc
To shoot to 500 you would want a barrel in 1 to 8 twist so you can run a heavy projectile.
Most 223s come with 1 to 12 twist and you can only shoot a lighter proj.
I have a 223 hs pro that has a 1 to 12 twist in a varmint barrel 24 " that i have shot to 500 and will do the job but only on a good day as to much wind will play havoc with your projectile. Also have custom 6.5 creedmore that does that range easy and more. Thinking of selling both as time to move some gear that just sits in safe and build some more cals.
Oldboy 7mm Dakota

[Hodgie]

Sorry. Didn't see the .223 bit.

[Techc]

Thanks for the additional info Oldboy, Hodgie.

Still on the fence about this. Grrrr.

Thinking about .308 in the same now instead.

Too much choice