Rem 700 SPS Varmint VS. Tapered Barrel .308 accuracy?

[messer454]

I am trying to decide between Rem 700 SPS varmint with heavy barrel and the same 700 with a tapered barrel.  Is either one going to be more accurate than the other?  I understand it would reduce recoil, increase cooling, etc.  but all things equal is one more accurate than the other? Will an average rifleman be able to notice? Thanks

[Zachary]

If your key phrase "all else being equal" applies, then, generally speaking, heavier barrels are more accurate because they dampen vibrations more.  However, within a reasonable minimum length, and also generally speaking, shorter barrels are more accurate than longer ones.  I myself used to not believe this, but experts have confirmed this, again, generally speaking.

However, the above notwithstanding, providng you with an acccurate answer is very difficult as there are way too many variables and, thus, not all things are equal.

Zachary

[kyelkhunter3006]

There are a lot of variables to consider in answering this question. 

Yes, heavy barrels are usually more accurate than tapered barrels, but that doesn't mean that the tapered barrel won't provide the accuracy you need.  As for short vs long for accuracy, look at the barrels benchrest guns wear:  short and stout.  I've had heavy barrel guns shoot with extreme accuracy, and I've had sporter barrels that came pretty close it too.

I look at it like this: 

If you want a gun to shoot for extreme accuracy, get the heavy barrel.  Not because it will be more accurate itself, but because you will be able to shoot it more accurately, due to the guns' weight taking more of you out of the equation.  The weight of the gun will settle the tremors and vibrations that you pass on to the gun through heart rate, breathing, etc.  You'll also have a lower level of felt recoil and muzzle jump to deal with.  If you plan on shooting it a lot without a lot of packing around, get the heavy barrel, because it will heat up slower and maintain an acceptable degree of accuracy longer than the slimmer barrel will.

If you are going to pack the rifle around the field, use it for hunting, and not a lot of shooting in general, then the tapered barrel will be a lot more pleasant to carry.

As for the average rifleman noticing, I can guarantee that if I handed you a seven pound .308 and an eleven pound .308 that produce the same accuracy from an action vise, you will shoot the eleven pounder more accurately. 

If the heavier rifles weren't easier to shoot with accuracy, you can bet that the Marines wouldn't be carrying those seventeen pound M40 A3 .308 rifles in the 120 degree heat of Irag, they'd all be carrying six pound Kimber Montana's.

[The Sodbuster]

What are you going to use it for?  With a heavy-barreled gun, it's not just the weight, it's the balance.  I've got a heavy-barreled, Savage 12 in .22-250.  It's plenty accurate and with a scope weighs around 10 pounds.  I use it for shooting prairie dogs from a portable bench.  With it's relatively light, plastic stock, it's very "front" heavy and doesn't handle well.  When it comes to shooting from field positions, I can shoot more accurately with my much lighter, Savage 16 in .223 Rem. (the .223 also has an accutrigger, much better than the trigger on the older, .22-250).

The heavy barreled gun is probably going to be more accurate.  Either gun will shoot more accurately than most shooters can anywhere other than a bench.

[messer454]

Thanks guys.  My problem is with rising ammo costs I am trying to standardize a bit.  I have always thought of things from a hunting standpoint and have always shied away from bull barrels.  I had a 6mm BDL and just sold it because ammo and even casings are not very plentiful and I fear it is going to get worse.  I have a .30-06 so already have .30 bullets I want a 308 and was leaning to the new 20 tactical but I like the idea of being able to shoot offhand (hunter mindset.)  I was curious about what more experienced riflemen thought.  I can't hunt with it in Ohio anyway but I have dreams of going down South again.  Like sodbuster said I probably will not notice the difference except at the bench.  Thanks again.

[Dee]

I have owned 7 bolt guns in 2506, starting in 1971. One was a Ruger with a varmint barrell, one a Remington 700bdl years ago with a varmint barrel, and several years ago a Remington Sendero. All three rifles extremely accurate, and extremely heavy. Three others were sporter weight barrells in Ruger, but also very accurate.
As I am getting older (57) the Sendero was getting heavier, so I called Remington and asked what the difference was between the Sendero barrell and a Remington 700 BDL barrell. The tech said the Sendero barrell spent lest time on the lathe and had a different finish.
SO! I ordered a Remington 700 BDL, tapered barrell with a target crown. When it came in, I floated the barrell, glass bedded the action, and put a Timeny trigger on it. I topped it with very low Leopould mounts and a 3.5 to 10 Leopould Vari-X III.
 With an 87gr Speer TNT in front of 60 grains of Reloader 19, I get 3600fps, and under an inch at 100 yards. If I am having a good day, I have a few one hole groups.
With a 100 grain Nosler partician in front of 58 grains of Reloader 22, I get 3400fps and it shoots under an inch at 100 yards. Unless I have the Harris bipod on it, it is MUCH lighter than the Sendero, the Ruger or the other Varmint grade BDL.
If I miss a coyote at 400 yards I cuss myself, not the rifle.
By the way, I didn't care for the Timney trigger, so I took it out, and polished and tuned the factory Remington trigger. It, in my opinion is a better trigger.JMHO

[cmb3366]

It has allways been my experience that heavy barrels are more forgiving to load for, and more potentially accurate if bench shooting is your thing (it is mine). I havent owned a sporter barrel Remington .308, But this November I picked up a .308 VLS. I've only had it out 3 times, and just started load testing, but so far the results have been very impressive. Here are the two 3-shot groups I fired at 100yds with 45.5grains of Varget under a 168Hornady Boattail. I'm very optimistic of my results once I get to test a wider variety of loads.

[nomosendero]

look's like you should be optimistic, good shooting! I am thinking about a VLS myself. It would be interesting to see what it would do with 178A-Max's or 175MK's!! Those sure carry well!!!

I have a M700VS 22-250 new in the box, & I would like to trade it & if I can't I guess I will try to burn up the barrel with some 40's this summer & then get a heavy 260 or 308 tube & put on it.

[kyelkhunter3006]

If you don't want the barrel, instead of burning it up (which would be a good time in itself) you could take it off and throw it on the classifieds or on ebay (the economically responsible solution, which is the whole reason we love guns anyway  ).  I see Remington heavy barrels selling for $100 or more all the time, which you could put towards a new barrel.  Or another option is to just have your barrel rebored.

[nomosendero]

If you don't want the barrel, instead of burning it up (which would be a good time in itself) you could take it off and throw it on the classifieds or on ebay (the economically responsible solution, which is the whole reason we love guns anyway  ).  I see Remington heavy barrels selling for $100 or more all the time, which you could put towards a new barrel.  Or another option is to just have your barrel rebored.

True enough, but I have a bunch of 40BT & 50gr bullets that my RRA does not like much, I might as well shoot them, I always benefit from popping more caps!