Jason - read my Duracoat article. I followed the Duracoat instructions as best I could, save for the compressor addition. Regarding the rings and base, I've sure been happy with the TPS gear, for nearly half the price as all the others.
I paid $935 on gunbroker, I made on of the dealers an offer (Jenson Arms, if I remember right) for "buy it now" if they would throw in shipping for free..
I ended up paying $935 with shipping for my 5-R. I also had to pay the transfer fee to have it shipped to a ffl. Its in the mail now, can't wait to shoot it.
I had a Local guy at IronRidgeGuns in Longmont do a Creakote paint - it's a ceramic based paint - stuff is tougher then steel. - Well almost :) Great write up!
Excellent article--enticed me and a friend to each go out and get one of these fine pieces of American weaponry. Getting the TPS base is proving difficult - always out of stock. Going to put a 20MOA cant TPS base w/ TSR med. rings and a Leupold Mk4 Tactical 8.5-25X50 on it.
Anon - great point, the TPS availability is definately a challenge. Also, even the low rings were higher than I prefer. Don't be tempted by medium or high...
I figured on Medium rings because of the 50mm bell on the mark 4 scope. Do you think low rings will give enough clearance over the barrel?
Also, the folks at TPS are pretty cool and will take names/#s for set asides as the bases come off the production line--calling when they have one for you. The lady said it would be about 2-3 weeks from now.
- Got my Leupold Mark 4 LR/T 8.5-25x50mm Illum Reticle MilDot w/ lens covers (best price is eBay $1199 + 20 shipping from seller Poor Fish).
- Harris 6-9 Bench Rest Swivel model bipod
- PROBLEM: Still waiting on TPS for 20MOA base and rings; about to break down and go Badger Ord.
- I want to paint my whole rig (DuraCoat - not sure on pattern or color yet), but have to wait on the base/rings still.
Can't wait until I have it all together. My club has several ranges (one out to 1000yds) and I will probably start on the 600yd range and walk it back starting from 200.
Got my TPS TSR 30mm Rings, 20 MOA base SA, and tactical bolt knob. going to start working this harder now. I'll let you know how it turns out. Again, your great article is one of the big factors that got me started on this venture.
That friend of mine that also picked up this rifle based on your review had the Badger knob installed. The price runs from anywhere between $50-$150 depending on your gunsmith (you get what you pay for). My friend paid at the upper end and he is very pleased with it. Basically, they machine down the existing knob and thread it to match the threads inside the tactical knob and screw it on (maybe some epoxy inside too to make it stay forever). I have not had mine done yet, but I do have my TPS knob in hand and just need to find the time. I can get you a pic when I finish.
Unfortunately, I don't think so. HS Precision makes the stock for the 5R. You can purchase an HS Precision DBM setup, but it's not cheap. I researched upgrading to either HS Precision, or Badger, but for the cost, it would have been more worthwhile to just sell the original stock for a couple hundred bucks and buy an AICS system...
For a pic of my 5R click here. Scroll to the bottom and you will find a photo and description of my 5R. I added an inset image in the pic of my friends Badger Ordnance bolt knob. Like I said, I will have the TPS knob put put on.
Hi there - stumbled across your review. First - THANK YOU for taking the time to post your purchase and experience. You've practically sold me. I'm going to do some shopping, but I think this is the one I'm settling on. I'll be getting a friend to buy too, so looks like your blogging activity may account for 2 more sales of this model. Nice job!
I had been wanting a Tactical 308 for a while and had been leaning towards a Savage 10 FP 20" with the HS stock when I stumbled on this rifle on Gunbroker. I just ordered one at $950 (plus $30 for shipping, plus some for my dealer to use his FFL). I had recently bought another 10X Super Sniper (with rear focus) to match the one on my Colt HBAR Elite. I am still unsure about rings. On the AR it was no big deal, as it has virtually no recoil, but I got some Badger Ordnance (which have not been installed) but wonder about steel vs aluminum as well as brand for possible cheaper alternatives. Signed Ottomatic
Impossible to go wrong with Badger, in my opinion. I'm not an expert regarding steel vs aluminum, but my understanding is that todays beefy rings are more than adequate, and probably overkill for most situations... Let me know if you find out more definitive info...
Toby, I am currently in Baghdad Iraq serving, my service rifle is a M24 with a Mark 4 scope. My wife decided to buy me a rifle while I was away and it is an 5R, I have been reading your stories and I am sure I will love hitting the range often. Thanks
Thanks for the excellent info on this rifle. I just bought one and i can't wait to shoot it... I have to ask though, what happened to that 308 catridge in your pic with the gun facing downrange?
The information and comments here were the main reasons for my choosing the 5-R. I paid $950 + $26 shipping, +25 on this end for the FFL. I will be taking my time on building it. I appreciate the information here as you all exceed my experience by a light year. Thanks, SLF
Toby anymore info on the 300 Win 5R? I am wondering if they use the same stock, I also notice that the box lable does not say Mil Spec barrel. Any differences you might know of. Thanks.
I think they are identical, except for the caliber. I don't think the label would say Mil Spec, because there is no official Mil Spec barrel for 300 win... The .308 says it because of the 11.25 twist rate.
Is it normal for these rifles to always require full length sizing when reloading? Neck sizing only won't work in mine- cases always get stuck in the chamber when neck sized only (Lapua especially. Do I need to send it back to Remmy??? I understand some rifles' chambers are cut tighter to maximize accuracy. Any info would be much appreciated!
Just to let you know, the military is starting to field new rifles in the 3oo win mag. So, that is where they are coming out with the new 300 in MilSpec. Of course only the special few will ever see these rifles, but they are out there. I've seen the SEALs using them in Indiana. A buddy who worked with them says that they were only functional to their standards out to 800 yrd. That's all from here
I just recently purchased a Rem 700 in a .300 Win Mag with a stainless 24" 5R MilSpec barrel. It is 1 of 250 that was made on that "run" or what ever they call it. I put a Leupold LR/T 8.5-25X50 on it and had a Vias muzzle brake add. I have only fired a few times with factory ammo out to 300 yds and it is doing exactly what I expected. I couldn't be happier with it at this point.
Super thread guys. I've just become aware of this product after seeing one at Woodbury Outfitters In Coshocton, Ohio. Nice rifle. Your posts have been VERY informative Toby. I plan a 50mm Nightforce on top. Any suggestions about ring heights and base ?? MOA elevation? I'd like to shoot from 100 to 1000 yds. Any suggestions? How about an update on your rifle? Thanks, Bubba
If you're going to shoot out to 1,000, you should have a 20 MOA base for sure. I like low rings, but I'd try to find whatever rings put the crosshair exactly 1.5 inches above the center of the barrel. That way all the default ballistics calculations could be used as rough guidelines.
No other updates from me - may have a chance to do some shooting on Friday though...
Just Purchased my 5r today! Great resources, pictures and results.
Have you fired any factory ammo through your 5r? I ask because I don't handload, and am looking for the best load to try first. was thinking the 175 Fed Gold Match.
First off, thanks for some great info. I just took custody of a .308 5r. I put a Ken Farrell 20 MOA base and standard rings (what he calls low) on it. The scope is a Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16X42. Barrel centerline to crosshairs is about 2" and seems a bit high for my liking. The space beteeen the barrel and the front of the scope is about 7/16", so I'm not sure I could get that 1.5" sweet spot. Any thoughts? Thanks, Greg
Hi Greg - the important thing is to know the height, so you can plug it in to the ballistics calculator. All good programs have a spot to change that. 1.5 is a great goal, but only for rough factory estimates - you'll need to know your exact velocity and height anyway, so I think you are good to go.
Toby, I have a favor - can you measure the height of your base (barrel to top of base) for me? If yours is significantly lower than mine, I'll return it and buy a TPS. I can't figure out how you can get 1.5" Even with my low rings sitting directly on the receiver (without the base!), I can't get 1.5" Thanks, Greg
Toby, I purchased the 5r that I mentioned on the Nov. 3 post. on this page. I have a few comments and questions for you and anyone else who might want to offer an opinion. First, I have only 25 rounds through the factory 5r bbl. When I cleaned the rifle prior to shooting I got a green/blue/black goop out of the bbl. Hoppes 9, Shooter's Choice Sweets all turned a bright blue/green when used but eventually the bbl was clean. I have cleaned the bbl. after each of the first 10 rounds and after every other round the second 10 firings. PLENTY of fouling, mostly copper, which continues into the 21st through the 25th rounds.So that's one comment. Plenty of fouling. Rem says wait until the bore is broken in ( about 100 rounds) and fouling will lesses and accuracy will increase. Now a question: I measured to the rifling this morning with a Hornady OAL gauge and got an overall length of 2.95" to the rifling! I used a 175SMK and only had maybe 1/16" of the oglive sized part of the bullet in the case! I say that's too long of a freebore. Toby, what length do you make your rounds? What is the freebore in your rifle? Rem says it's made within SAMMI specs??? Overall a nice rifle. I put a 5.5X22x50 NXS Nightforce in NF rings and steel 2 piece mounts. (I'm about 2" above the bore). I hung a Benchrest Harris bipod on the front and a Monopod on the rear stud. It's good to go but the weather sucks right now so I'm not getting much range time in, which is the reason I was measuring the chamber getting ready for some handload development and found this issue with the length of the chamber. Any comments or answers you all might have I'd sure like to hear them. Best to you for whatever holiday season y'all celebrate. Bubba
I posted a while ago, about factory ammo through the milspec.
I have about 40 rounds through my 5r now, all shot slowly- and in fairly cold weather, as to not heat the barrel up to much during break in.
My accuracy is decent, but not completely consistent. I am shooting 175 gold match,with a best of .25 inches, but have flyers sometime, with average groups around an inch. Could this be because the barrel has not been completely broke in yet?
The bores is COMPLETLEY cleaned of copper fouling, and other fouling in every cleaning.
The temperature has been 30F and lower- could it be the temperature making some inconsistant groups? I admit, I do pull shots occasionaly, but really try to make the shot as pure as possible.
Hey, Matt. To be honest, I think you probably need more rounds through the gun to know for sure. Sounds like a sweet shooter - I definately have flyers too, but if it is staying inside 1 inch, I think you are doing just fine.
I always assume that the flyers are my fault, as long as the overall patterns are fairly consistent...
New to your forum. Ran across it in reading about the 700 5r milspec. Recently purchased one in .300 WinMag for my son. 26" barrel. 1:11.2 twist. Shot once on a very windy day (20-25 mph). Groups were around 1" at 200yrds. We're going to work on getting it dialed in. I shoot a Browning BLR in .300 WinMag that's a pretty good shooter. We're just getting into reloading. My son doesn't let me shoot his much. Hopefully, the new will wear off soon. Right now he practially sleeps with it. I'll try to keep you posted.
Hello! Looking at your pics, while trying to get optimum accuracy out of my 5r, do you use a Harris bi pod(what model) and a rear bag? I think I will do the same! How steady is this combination?
I picked up a 5R at a local gun shop recently after reading this article and seeing some local results. I am curious how "Anonymous May 12 2010 post" was able to add the surefire .308 suppressor to the non threaded SS barrel of the 5R.
I thought that post manufacturing threading could screw up the crown. Is there another way of affixing the suppressor that does not affect accuracy?
Mark, I currently own a 5R that I picked up off the shelf at Jensens in Loveland, CO. I am also running a TBAC 30-P titanium suppressor on the end. The threading was done by Ray (w/ TBAC in WY) and the work is exceptional. The process did not disturb the crown itself and the rifle is a real shooter. I won't make any inflated claims on accuracy but the rifle does surpass my abilities and averages out about .5MOA to a maximum of 1MOA at ranges under 500 yards - past that it's just ding or no ding. The rifle also runs AICS mags through CDI bottom metal and has a Leupold 6.5-20x FFP Mark 4 in Nightforce rings on a Nightforce 20MOA base and an ACI cosine indicator for angles. Other than a couple cosmetic changes, the rifle is stock and I couldn't be happier with the setup. I'm glad everyone here enjoys their 5R's as much as I do.
The Remington 700 SS 5R is a neat Rifle. However it deserves a better scope than the $300 SWFA/Tasco 10x42mm. A modern variable FFP for Tactical shooting or a modern variable SFP for ituations would be way better choices.
Hard to disagree about the scope. I've learned a lot about high end scopes since I bought the rifle. Someday I'll man up and buy a Mk4 or Nightforce for it. Honestly though, the SS has never lost zero, and works like a champ.
I shot service rifle competition for several years 20+ years ago with a NM M1A and open sights. About half of the matches went to 1000yd and I really enjoyed it. Then life happened and I sold everything. Well I cant see like I once did so a scope came into the discussion and the next thing you know I am looking at bolt guns and come across this thread. I just want to shoot a little at the local club. We have a 1000yd berm but it isn't open all the time so mostly limited to 600yd. I wonder how a 20" barrel 5-R might do. Any thoughts? I don't want it to be too easy you know.
I wanted to try some long range competitions so I asked Santa (AKA my wife) for one. She got me an early gift of a SS 5R Milspec. Looking forward to getting to test it out.
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