Remington Model 700
Affordable Precision
Police & Light Tactical Rifles

Ben Battles

Long Range precision rifle shooting is one of the most involved pursuits in shooting sports, requiring highly-specialized and/or customized rifles, optics, ammunition, and other accessories. Shortcomings in your rifle, optics or ammunition are not acceptable, and will be quickly exploited by the competition. While the average hunting rifle equipped with an average hunting scope will get the job done in the field, it simply doesn't possess the accuracy or durability to deliver the goods in the demanding world of precision rifle shooting-----especially in police and military applications where lives are on the line.

Purchasing all the necessary equipment to get into precision rifle shooting can be a reach if you're on a budget. Taking out a second mortgage, or picking up a second job just to buy a precision rifle is not a viable option for most shooters. Luckily, guys like me who operate on a common man's income have manufacturers like Remington that offer extremely rugged, sub-MOA, precision bolt-action rifles in the "under a thousand dollar" category. In fact, of the many Remington 700 tactical rifles with which I've had the pleasure of driving tacks with over the years, I have yet to find one that did not consistently shoot under one minute of angle (roughly one inch at 100 yards)---a territory almost exclusively occupied by rifles having sticker prices at least several times that of the Remington Model 700 tactical rifles.

Qualified For The Job

My experience with Model 700 tactical rifles has been entirely positive. Never have I experienced a failure to feed or extract, or even a single unexplainable flyer. The time-tested Remington 700 action is noted for its superior strength and undeniable reliability. Witness the number of custom rifle makers who utilize the 700 action as the starting point for their highly-tuned precision rifles. And the countless law enforcement agencies and civilian competitors who have trusted it for years to do the job with a single shot. Finally, take a look at the standard-issue U.S. Army M24 and U.S.M.C. M40A1 and A3 sniper rifles built on the Model 700 action, the tools our military snipers entrust their lives to on the forward edge of freedom's battle area.

Model 700 Police Rifle

If you think you've seen Remington's Model 700 Police rifle before, you're probably right---only in a slightly different form. The 700 P is virtually identical to the Remington Model 700 VS varmint rifle, sharing the same barreled action and trigger mechanism, with the only real difference being the stock. The 700 P is outfitted with a top-quality H.S. Precision Kevlar reinforced fiberglass stock with a full-length aluminum bedding block. H.S. Precision makes some of the finest rifle stocks available today, and the version used on the 700 P is one of my all-time favorites. It incorporates an extra-wide, flat-bottomed forend for a steady rest off a sand bag, and the substantially larger palm swell aids in placing the trigger finger where it belongs on the trigger. The 700 P stock is also equipped with dual sling swivel studs up front, the forward most of which is intended for mounting a bipod. Finish is a lightly textured, non-slip and non-reflective matte black.

Available chambering for the 700 P include .223 Rem., .308 Win., .300 Win. Mag., and 7mm Rem. Mag. Our sample rifle was chambered in .308 Win.

Model 700 Light Tactical

Created by Remington to be a more compact package, the Model 700 LTR (Light Tactical Rifle) is bedded in a more streamlined H.S. Precision stock for an increased level of mobility (meaning you can run faster with it if the need arises). The LTR stock is of the same construction, has the same bedding block, and shares the same textured, non-slip/non-reflective surface as that of the 700 P, but features a slimmer and shorter forend and a more slender palm swell.

The 700 LTR is only available in .223 Rem. And .308 Win., our sample rifle being chambered for the latter.

Common Ground

At the business end of both rifles is a heavy contour, completely free-floated barrel manufactured from an ultra-riged, high-carbon steel alloy, and crowned to safeguard the rifling from damage that might occur in the field. The 700 P's 26-inch barrel is designed to produce maximum velocity with all calibers, especially the magnums. The 700 LTR sports a 20-inch fluted barrel for reduced weight, increased rigidity, and increased surface area to promote faster barrel cooling.

Both barrels are mated to machined, ordnance-grade steel receivers which, together with the bolt face, surround and support the cartridge head with three overlapping rings of solid steel. Throughout testing, feeding and extraction were flawless, and it only took fifty rounds or so to break in both rifles to the point where bolt cycling was a smooth as a baby's bottom.

Optics For The Task

The scopes you see mounted on the 700 P and 700 LTR were chosen to suit the needs of two different types of precision shooters. The Leupold Mark 4 16x mounted on the 700 P with a pair Leupold's STD rings and bases, offers the simplicity and reliability of a fixed power scope, and with the optional target dot reticle installed it allows for precise paper punching at just about any range. Additional reticle options include a Mil Dot pattern designed to help Marine Corps snipers estimate distance, and the Leupold-invented Duplex reticle, consisting of thick posts that step down to fine crosshairs. Leupold's Mark 4 scopes enjoy a solid reputation within the law enforcement and military communities for utter reliability and consistently precise shot placement.

Horus Vision might not be as familiar a name as Leupold, but we can envision its line of scopes quickly becoming very popular among precision shooters looking for high first-round-hit probability at ridiculously long ranges. The Horus Vision scope mounted on the 700 LTR with a pair of stout, CNC-machined 30mm rings (available through Horus Vision) and Warne bases, combines a unique reticle with computer software which you download into a hand-held palm pad to help determine the proper hold over and windage correction for targets from 100 to 1000 yards and beyond. Sounds complicated, but it's really very straight forward stuff once you sit down and learn how to use it. (Look for an in-depth review of the unique Horus Vision scope in a future issue.)

Testing Results

When it came time to punch holes in paper both rifles turned in consistent sub-MOA groups. The 700 P seemed to have a slight edge in pure precision, but not enough to sway my decision if I had my heart set on the short barreled LTR.

During range testing we used five brands of match-grade .308 Win. ammunition , consisting of three 168 gr. loads, one 175 gr. load, and one 110 gr. load. All ammunition tested produced sub-MOA groups, but, surprisingly, the 700 P printed its best groups with the heavier 175 gr. Black Hills BTHP loads rather than the "industry-standard" 168 grainers. In fact, I shot the best three-shot, 100-yard group of my precision rifle shooting career with the Model 700 P using the 175 g. Black Hills load, which measured an almost unbelievable .19 inches center-to-center! The second shot passed right through the first hole, with the third bullet barely enlarging the left-hand edge of the two-shot puncture wound. Performance with all ammunition was excellent, with every load printing at least two three-shot clusters measuring under .75 inch.

The LTR model had a slightly different set of preferences when it came to ammunition. The Black Hills 175 gr. load was still a strong performer, but it gave up the high ground to Remington's 168 gr. BTHP Express Match. The Remington loading turned in a .48-inch three-shot group.

The triggers on both 700s were crisp, clean and predictable, although we felt the pull weights were a bit heavy for the intended purpose. The trigger on the 700 P let go at an average of 4 lbs. 10 ozs., with the 700 LTR's trigger averaging 5 lbs. 4 ozs. While not encouraged by Remington, both triggers are fully adjustable for pull weight, sear engagement, and overtravel. Removing two hex-head action screws and dropping the stock affords access to the three adjustment screws. For the non technically inclined shooter desiring better trigger performance, the best option may be to let a competent gunsmith make the preferred adjustments. We chose not to diddle with the triggers, so it's apparent that the factory trigger settings do nothing to hinder the accuracy potential of either rifle.

The Bottom Line

You've probably figured out by now that I'm quite fond of Remington's precision rifles. And for several good reasons: They fit my budget; they deliver more than adequate precision with factory ammunition; and they have an impeccable reputation among people who use them to earn a living. Whether you're purchasing a tactical rifle for your police department or SWAT unit, or you're just a regular guy looking to place you're shots where you want them to go, then we can honestly say that either of these rifles will make a fine addition to your arsenal.

• Suggested retail prices are $843. for the Model 700 P and $912. for the Model 700 LTR. For more information contact Remington Arms Co., Inc., 870 Remington Dr., Madison, NC 27025; Tel.: (800) 243-9700; Web: www.remingtonle.com (Remington law enforcement web site).