Remington's Model 700 SPS Varmint Part II

Time was spent getting familiar with the subject rifle before handloading. What is an “unfamiliar” firearm? Any firearm that is not owned, handloaded for and shot on a regular basis. Even two of the same model firearms can shoot quite differently with the same ammunition, and handloads for one may need to be tweaked quite than the other. Familiarization comes with firing factory ammo and handloads, measuring recovered brass and checking chambers, checking freebore, and conducting chronograph sessions.

The Remington Model 700 SPS Varmint’s bolt closed over a Go gauge, which indicates the chamber the minimum SAAMI headspace dimension. The bolt did not close over the No Go gauge which means the chamber is less than 0.006″ longer than the minimum chamber. The rifle’s chamber headspace checked between 1.5749″ and 1.5809″, with a SAAMI headspace dimension range of 1.5749″ – 1.5849″.

The COL gauge tells how far out a specific bullet can be seated out for a specific rife without being parked against the rifling leade. Yes, there is an “e” on the end of the word and it is found where the chamber throat makes the transition to rifled lands and grooves. The measurement is typically where the bullet makes contact with rifling, less 0.010″ – 0.020″. The Redding Competition Dies, contrary to appearance, are not rust or grime covered, just waiting for their rust preventative coating to be removed before being placed into service.

Three bullets were selected for handload development, all intended for deer size game, the applicability determined by each manufacturer and experience in use.; Nosler Partition 60 grain, Winchester Protected Point 64 grains and Sierra GameKing 65 grains, the maximum that might be accommodated by the Remington’s 1:14″ rifling, although Sierra recommends at least a 1:10″ twist.

Bullet length, not weight, is more pertinent when determining required rotational speed for stability. However, weight has been a common metaphor for bullet length and twist rate a metaphor for rate of bullet revolution. Greenhill’s formula for calculating twist rate becomes less and less relevant as bullet material composition changes, so now I spend more time shooting without regard to Greenhill and use empirical evidence to determine a suitable twist rate.

I am not sure what is the basis for Remington’s selection of 1:14″ rifling, beyond tradition. It seems newer rifle systems have made a shift to 1:10″, which is a practical accommodation to make the rifle / cartridge combination more flexible in application.

When the dust settled…

The Remington Model 700 SPS Varmint is a competent rifle; accuracy is good, fit and finish is OK for a rifle in this price range. The 22-250 Remington is an excellent cartridge so the combination is a good one.

These days it is difficult to get excited about Remington’s line up. Don’t get me wrong, the quality is good and the designs are time proven. They just seem to lack imagination or significant innovation outside of manufacturing process which is more of a company internal high five. Where they do innovate, it seems almost always directed at cost reduction and out of touch with people who like firearms. Of course, not knowing their strategic markets, they may be hitting the nail on the head.