A shop scope was installed on the Remington, a 3-9x50mm Leupold. Big glass for our relatively short shooting distances, but it would probably be too limited in magnification based on the rifle’s shooting range potential. The scope is mounted on steel, medium height Warne rings and bases. High enough to clear the scope’s large objective bell, but as close to bore centerline as possible.
A variety of ammunition was rounded up…
If you like firearms and handloading, you’re bound to have a few thousand rounds of 223 Remington ammo ready to go. Ours had been developed for a 22″ barrel bolt action rifle, in bullet weights from 45 – 55 grains, but we found the velocity difference between the 22″ and 20″ barrels to be negligible. The 45 grain bullet is not typically used in this application; too light and too fragile and poorly shaped for distance. The once fired brass was full length resized.
Wanting to test the 9″ twist of the Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical, two new handloads were added with a powder type that favors the combination of heavier bullets and a short barrel length. As pictured right, Hornady Match 68 grain recommended with a 7″ – 10″ twist and Hornady A-Max 75 grain with a recommended 9″ twist.
The #22792 75 grain A-Max is a bit of a stretch for this application. Not a problem in terms of net powder capacity under the seated bullet as much as the ogive taper isn’t meant to be seated to the depth that was required deeply. A better 75 grain choice would be #2279, based on ogive and shank dimensions. However, the #22792 has a much better ballistic coefficient.
Bang, bang, bang. Bang, bang… bang… bang, bang, click
There was nothing eventful within the handloading process… other than having to compete with the president of the United States for a supply of brass primers and bullets and my decision to not use RL 10x for 223 Remington handloads… ever again. Or at least until I find the right combination of bullet and charge. There were no compressed loads and pressures clustered around the 62,000 PSI mark rather than the 55,000 SAAMI standard.
| Bullet | Bullet Weight Grains |
Net Water Capacity H2O |
COL” | Powder Type |
Powder Charge Grains |
Muzzle Velocity FPS |
Muzzle Energy Ft-Lbs |
100 Yard Group Size 3 Shot “ |
|
| Remington HP | 45 | 26.8 | 2.075 | RL 7 | 24.0 | 3591 | 1289 | 1.1 | |
| Sierra BlitzKing | 50 | 25.7 | 2.250 | RL 7 | 23.0 | 3420 | 1299 | 0.7 | |
| Berger FP Varmint | 50 | 26.6 | 2.250 |
RL 7 | 23.5 | 3464 | 1333 | 0.3 | |
| Speer TNT | 50 | 26.8 | 2.250 | RL 7 | 24.0 | 3475 | 1341 | 0.6 | |
| Remington PSP | 55 | 26.8 | 2.250 | RL 7 | 23.0 | 3326 | 1351 | 0.8 | |
| Hornady BTHP M | 68 | 24.4 | 2.260 | BL-C2 | 25.5 | 2918 | 1286 | 0.4 | |
| Hornady A-Max | 75 | 23.0 | 2.260 | BL-C2 | 24.0 | 2651 | 1171 | 0.7 | |
| Remington Core Lokt | 55 | – | – | Factory Ammo | 3158 | 1218 | 0.9 | ||
| Hornady Match | 75 | – | – | Factory Ammo | 2775 | 1283 | 0.4 | ||
Comparatively speaking… or at least writing…
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The loss of velocity associated with a 2″ shorter barrel varies from one load to another does not track to specific powder selection or bullet weight. None of these differences amount to much in external ballistic performance and compensation would be minor even over long distances.
So what about this Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical?
If I were disposed to blowing up small to medium size mammals at long ranges, this would be a good choice. It beats the heck out of a 10 or 11 pound alternative. I’d also be inclined to select this rifle for a day at the range with the rifle sitting on a rest or sandbags with my shooting passing peer review. It didn’t take much to shoot the groups noted, so I suspect there is a good deal more in this combination.
The 6 round capacity was useful. The 223 Remington round is one of those low cost, accurate cartridges that fosters volume shooting. The fewer reloads the better and six shots makes for two, three shot groups. Priced below $700 at discount retailers, it is a lot of gun for the money and one that would be instrumental in developing shooting skills in less experienced shooters.
Model 700 SPS Tactical in 223 Remington Part 1
Model 700 SPS Tactical in 223 Remington Part 2
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