There are many outstanding precision tactical bolt guns. Very few however will cost you $700 or less. Here's two. Welcome to the detailed Nutnfancy tabletop discussion on the Remington 700 AAC and SPS models. With hundreds of rounds fired at both range and long range engagements there's plenty of data to share. First is the value equation. Some compromises have been made at this price point and there's no avoiding it. The plastic stock on the SPS for instance is not free floated, lacks aluminum or pillar bedding, and does not offer the ultimate rigidity of a McMillan of HS-Precison Kevlar/Fiberglass option. The bottom metal is reminiscent of pot metal and of course does not meet military specification of steel manufacture (thank heavens). But at their heart, the AAC and SPS models are true to the proven Remington 700 heritage; one I myself have grown up with. A very strong receiver, big locking lugs, and a forged button rifled barrel (of perfect tactical contour for sustained firing) are hallmarks of this American made rifle. Secondly, accuracy did not disappoint. It is discussed and shown in depth with a variey of loads. 1 MOA is possible, even with these plastic stocks. Ergonomics are excellent in the 700 line: smooth operating bolt, perfectly postioned and positive safety, comfortable stocks (the green Hogue on the AAC is especially quite and comfortable), effective Supercell recoil pads, easy to dump floorplate, excellent and adjustable X Mark Pro trigger and an adequately size bolt knob. Shooting these guns was fun and rewarding...mostly. Reliablity was good but definitely not flawless. Several hang-ups in magazine feeding were experienced and ejection was anemic on several occasions. Keep the ejector and extractor clean free from brass shavings and carefully ensure all rounds are rearward pushed upon mag loading. Also methodical bolt manipulation on these 700s helps avoid hang-ups. The AAC version with its 20" threaded barrel is ready for either can or compensator and it is a very portable choice. It excelled in RunNGun action. For ultimate long range precision, I prefer the 26" barrel on the SPS gaining whatever velocity possible on the .308 chambering. This is a gun that can range out to 700 yards in the .308 caliber, perhaps even to 1000 with careful loads, practice, and shooting. Do analyze your POUs carefully as you may be better served by a good albeit more complex and usually heavier SAPR (discussed). Value on both models is excellent and Remington has outstanding service if there's problems. Competitive options at this price will include the also excellent Savage line up which offers the same value but is usually much heavier. The Remington 700 AAC and SPS are my current favorite tactical offerings in the Remington value line up. The major sacrifice here against a 700P or XCR Tactical offerings is the plastic stock. But again in real world shooting it did not seem to handicap these rifles and they lighten the carry weights substantially. You then can score a very accurate American made sustained fire bolt gun for around $600 ($700 for AAC version) that can keep up with many other more expensive guns./////////////////////////////Nutnfancy Likability Scale for both: 8.5 out of 10 (with more postive ejection and reliability, 10 out of 10, I am installing stronger ejector springs in these)//////////////Available for limited time: Only 50 Signed Rem 700 .308 casing necklaces. Hand polished, engraved, with certificates, shot from these guns...highly collectible. At www.nutnfancy.bigcartel.com/////////////////////TNPrs can order the Rem 700 SPS for $565 or AAC version for $650 from www.firearmsprostore.com///////////////////Note: These guns were cleaned only once during testing.

• published: 29 Aug 2012
• views: 472218