[mic214]

I had originally posted this under the rifle photos section, but it looks like this is a more appropriate spot. I have had my left-handed .308 700VS for several years. The only target pic I have is from a couple of years ago with the VS. This was right after I installed the Nikon scope and was doing the initial zeroing at 100 yards.

I started at the upper left diamond. My first three rounds (Covered with target dots) are at the right side of the the upper left diamond. I adjusted the scope and my next three were a bit left of the diamond (Also covered with dots). Once dialed in, I worked my way, clockwise, around the target. My last six rounds were at the large center diamond (1st 3 rds at 10:00 and the remaining 3 fairly dead center) .

The range itself was very nice and we had all to ourselves that day... ! As you can see, I was using my Harris bipod in conjunction with a rear sand bag rest. I was shooting with Federal 168 grain match ammo.

 

[308isgreat]

Very nice and thanks for sharing the pics with us. I always ask when I see a fellow California shooter what part of cali do you live? I live in the Sacramento area and there is a few of us here on the forum who reside in this God forsaken state.

 

[Winxp_Man]

Very nice and thanks for sharing the pics with us. I always ask when I see a fellow California shooter what part of cali do you live? I live in the Sacramento area and there is a few of us here on the forum who reside in this God forsaken state.

no kiddin hahaha well my dream is to one day get out hehehe.

 

[mic214]

I am currently in the wine country of the North Bay...but not for long. The bride and I are heading out to our place in New Mexico in about a year. Time to buy that Winnebago, and drive in the fast lane below the speed limit with my blinker on all across the wilds of America.... !!!!

The range I was at in these pictures is up in Lake County (The Konocti Rod & Gun Club in Lakeport). It is a very nice range, with a section for handguns and a 100 and 200 yard covered rifle range.

 

[Ken Eaton]

I've been a member of the 700 FORUM since 2013 but cannot figure out how to start using it. Would you or someone that you know give me enough information for me to post a question? If I could just get started, perhaps I could figure this whole thing out. I have several questions but the one that I need answered soon is:

"Is the Model 700VS in .17 REM caliber a limited edition gun". I purchased it at a gun auction and the auctioneer stated there was only 500 of these guns in existence. I have been unable to verify this and need some help. Please respond.

Thanks in advance,
Ken Eaton

 

[Deadshot2]

Time to buy that Winnebago, and drive in the fast lane below the speed limit with my blinker on all across the wilds of America.... !!!!

Funny. I told my wife that when I retired I was going to go shopping at walmart unshaven, wearing a shirt with several meals on the front, and wear bedroom slippers .

 

[Pkeller]

I have a. 17 Rem. Center fire. Mine was made in the 70's. Remington reintroduced it this year under very limited quantity. It is an outstanding. Rifle. The most accurate. One I own

 

[dobbie]

I am on my second VS in 308. Bought the first one in 1990 and kept it for 13 years...my eldest son wanted it over a new one for his grad present so had to buy another. Love the thing, but it looks like its time for a new barrel. Having to seat bullets out past the magazine length using 168 gr MKs in order to keep those nice, tight groups peeves me a bit. Dont know who is going to get my barrel money, but I want to throat it for 168 gr MKs at 2.800 @ .050" off the lands. Seems to be a lot of barrel makers out there these days, so I would like a recommendation or two from those who have done it already.

Have also thought about cutting an inch off the barrel and rechambering-the barrel is pretty darned accurate, especially for a factory tube.

 

[Deadshot2]

Have also thought about cutting an inch off the barrel and rechambering-the barrel is pretty darned accurate, especially for a factory tube.

There's no guarantee that you'll maintain that accuracy after modifying the barrel. If you have a "winner" I'd be inclined to leave it alone. If you want to "build something" get a "donor action" from a pawn shop and start fresh.

As for barrels, my choice is Benchmark. Not only are they only a few minutes drive from my house but their barrels have been flawless on my "builds". Sent them an action (with bolt) and they'll return it to you trued and with one of the best barrels available today.

 

[dobbie]

It shoots really well, but to get the groups I like with 168 gr MKs, I am having to extend the COAL out to 2.900" which will not fit in the magazine. I would like to have a repeating action with good accuracy instead of a single shot with good accuracy. Have heard good things about Benchmark barrels but they are at the other end of the country for me, but might be worth it if their work is good. I have a local who can do the work but its a 4 month turnaround time and I was hoping for something about 2 months max. How are their prices?

 

[Deadshot2]

It shoots really well, but to get the groups I like with 168 gr MKs, I am having to extend the COAL out to 2.900" which will not fit in the magazine. I would like to have a repeating action with good accuracy instead of a single shot with good accuracy. Have heard good things about Benchmark barrels but they are at the other end of the country for me, but might be worth it if their work is good. I have a local who can do the work but its a 4 month turnaround time and I was hoping for something about 2 months max. How are their prices?

Benchmark barrels are not just good, they're fantastic. As for their work, they've trued two actions for me and custom chambered two barrels to my spec's. Both rifles shoot SUB .25 MOA.

Yes they're across the country but in reality they're only as far away as your UPS Store. They receive and ship work almost every day.

Their turn-around isn't super quick but find me a gunsmith that can do the work right away and chances are he's brand new or really bad. Good ones are always busy. Both of my rifles turned around in 8-12 weeks.

BTW, when they chamber a barrel it's set up using a Tru-Align chuck. Not many 'smith's use them because of their expense but when it comes to a chamber that's perfectly aligned with the ACTUAL center-line of the bore it can't be beat. Without one the lathe operator has to "fiddle-fart" around, taking hours to get the barrel to run true before he can insert the reamer and then???

If you're serious about a fantastic barrel, give them a call. I highly recommend them.

 

[dobbie]

It sure sounds tempting, and for what they do, seems very reasonable. Will have to wait a couple of months because I am in the process of trying to find a house in Wyoming and dont want to move while they are working on it. In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy those sub MOA groups single shot style lol.

 

[Ken Eaton]

It probably isn't necessary to cut a full inch off your current barrel if that's the way you decide to go. Probably backing it up two or three threads is all that's necessary. I work in a local gun shop. We build custom rifles and prefer LILJA barrels. You can Google up Dan Lilja and read about his business. I believe his company is located in/near Pierre, South Dakota. And, like you say, there's several barrel makers out there.

 

[Deadshot2]

It probably isn't necessary to cut a full inch off your current barrel if that's the way you decide to go. Probably backing it up two or three threads is all that's necessary. I work in a local gun shop. We build custom rifles and prefer LILJA barrels. You can Google up Dan Lilja and read about his business. I believe his company is located in/near Pierre, South Dakota. And, like you say, there's several barrel makers out there.

Most will cut off more than just a little off the breech end of a barrel than "two or three threads". This allows the 'smith to cut a new chamber with a new throat well into the "good" lands. Also insures that any fire-cracking is gone. Everyone has their own preference but getting into "new metal" is always best.