I have never shot a high power silhouette match but I want to before I get too old. I am looking at a Remington 700 Varmint in .308. It has a 26 inch barrel and I like the trigger on it. These rifles are listed at 8.5 pounds and after a scope and rings are added they should come under the 10 pound 2 ounce limit...if I have read the rules correctly. Does anyone have any experience with this rifle ? I have a Kimber Montana in .257 Roberts to shoot in the lighter division.

Way back when everyone used to start with a 700 Varmit, I had one with a laminated stock, after a scope was mounted it was way too heavy, had to have the stock hollowed out and the barrel cut to 22 inches to make weight. If you can find one in a BDL stock your chances of making weight is much better.

Jim
Your rifle didn't make the 10 pound weight limit ?

Not with that laminate stock.

I have that exact rifle in a Bell and Carlson stock with no bedding compound, Bushnell 6-24X 4200 scope, Leupold Permanent rings and bases. It weighs 11 and 1/2 pounds. The stock is the lightest Bell and Carlson makes that has a full aluminum bedding block.

Sounds like it's a little heavy.I may need to look at another model.

Back in the 80's the Remington 700 bdl varmint in 308 or 708 would usually be very close on weight. These had a 24 inch barrel and depending on the density of the wood in the stock they were usually just under or just over.. Also depended on what scope you used. An ounce or so of wood is not to bad to remove but 3 or 4 is starting to be a lot of wood. If you could get the rifle on a good scale and then the scope and rings and bases you should have your answer. I always like to be just a bit under.

As long as you don't bring it to a national event were it will be weighed you can use it. Most regular club shoots will allow it as long as your not winning!!

The 700 Varminter was the gun of the field for years. With the BDL stock as the laminate was too heavy; one trimmed off excess weight by drilling large holes under the pad and/or routering the barrel channel. One of my old 700's easily made weight even with a Kenyon trigger, pillar bedding, Bushnell aluminum rings with Weaver bases and a Leupold 12x.....I had both the 308 and the 708 at various times. So if you don't want yours call me
Then I/we progressed with glass stocks, different barrels, lightened cocking shroud, Davidson bases and rings and higher power scopes....but the short action 700 remained

Shoot the Kimber in both??...where in the country are you located? get in touch with local people and see if can't share equipment with somebody...personally, you willing to kick in component costs, squad up and shoot first match with a guide. WAY easier than going it on your own. I started with a .308 ADL, got re barreled to 7-08 next year....30s are brutes!!!

Have you considered the Tikka T3 Lite? They make a 308 and it comes in under 6 1/2 lbs.

You might consider cruising the pawn shops after the hunting seasons are over for an older Rem 700 ADL. Those can often be found for less than $500 in .308. The auction sites can also be a good place to look. Just find a 700 short action and rebarrel it to whatever you prefer. Aftermarket parts/triggers are plentiful for the 700's.

I guess all you 700 owners have seen the recall.

Jerry G wrote:I guess all you 700 owners have seen the recall.

Nobody here uses the Remington trigger anyway, at least not a stock one.

I would just get a hunting rifle. With the proper loading of ammunition, they can be almost as accurate as the heavy barrel and you can fire in both classes. More bang for the buck.