Free Floating a 700 SPS

[TBayt]

Hello again to everyone,

I've recently purchased a new Rem 700 in .223, and I've been a little less than impressed with it's accuracy, but it's kind of to be expected, since the barrel isn't floated, and the action isn't bedded. Shooting from the bench, it's giving me about (roughly) 2" groups at 100 yards. It's a special purpose synthetic stock, and I've been contemplating sanding down the barrel channel of the stock to float it. I thought to ask advice first, or more or less a 'go/no-go' ahead from anyone a little more experienced on the matter. I really want to buy a new stock all together, but I need to save money for trips home in the upcoming holidays.

Anywho, is this a good idea? Thanks in advance.


Side Note- At the rifle range right now. Just qual'd Expert Rifleman, 2nd Award. =D 10 for 10 in the black, back at the 500yd line. Oorah!

[remington600]

I have a rough estimate of about 30 vintage Remington 700s and not a single one have the wood stock altered in any way. The 700 is known to be the most accurate rifle out of the box since 1962. If the gun was to be made more accurate if altered they would do it from the factory. The gun is made with a pressure point. I personally have set a lot of 700s back on the table because they have been free floated. The M40 700 sniper rifle left the factory in the 60s and they were not free floated in there stocks. I would think if that was a cure all they would have done it to save lives. Too many people make science projects out of a perfectly good gun before trying the most important thing, and thats try differant brands and differant weight ammo. I have to say this because your shooting a .223 caliber, but I hope your not rateing your accuracy while shooting surplus ammo, Wolf brand ammo, etc..... Try shooting some premium ammo in differant weights and bullet styles. I think this would be an excellant place to start. Let us know if that does not work, and maybe we could give some more options.

[Wulfman]

You didn't mention whether or not you were handloading your ammo or using factory ammo.

I probably haven't fired more than a half-dozen factory-loaded center-fire rounds in nearly 40 years and I've found that there are two variables that make a difference......the load (components) used and the scope. Even a slight amount of parallax can mess up the groups.

I've also never had any luck with free-floating Remington barrels, either. However, I did come up with a method of sanding out the wood pressure point and building it back up with some plastic shims. That seems to have helped the accuracy on the ones I've done it to. And, they're a little less susceptible to the effects of moisture.

If it's already got a synthetic stock on it, you shouldn't have many/any issues there.
I'd investigate other possibilities.
One last thing.......you might check whether the fore-end IS contacting with the barrel and it should take some effort to separate the barrel from the fore-end to slip a piece of paper between them. If it's already loose and takes no effort to separate them, then that may be part of the problem. (in my opinion) It should take several pounds of pressure to separate them.


Den

[TBayt]

I have been shooting factory loads, and I got the 2" group @100yds using Remington Core-Lokt pointed soft point 55gr. I had got about a 2.5-3" group @100yds with wolf, but I know it's cheap ammo. I do have kind of a lower end scope on right now, but I plan on buying probably a Nikon Monarch. I guess I'll hold off on doing anything drastic like this (free floating, new stock) until I get some new glass on there.

I had no idea about these 'pressure points', by the way. Thanks for spreading the knowledge. I did check my rifle, and the fore-end does have quite a solid contact with the barrel. I'll also try some different bullet weights... Maybe a 65 grain, which should be a little more accurate, anyway.

Thanks for the replies!

[Wulfman]

Here's a couple of links pertaining to parallax:

http://www.6mmbr.com/parallax.html

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m ... _57886918/


Den

[John Gyde]

An inexpensive scope can really screw up the groups. It's almost impossible to get your head in exactly the same place every time you pull the trigger. Try putting the gun in a fixed position (rest of some kind) and move your head a little bit. I'll bet the target moves. Let us know please...