My new 700P, need some input

[southernZ]

I recently acquired this weapon through a trade, It is a 700P chambered in 308, 121 rds fired. Has a Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x40, Mark 4 rings, Mark 4 20 moa base, and a Harris bi pod. I am torn as to what I want to do with this rifle, I am wanting to get into LR shooting, but am also a avid hunter. The average shot in my deer woods is 0-300yds. I am thinking of getting the barrel cut down to 18"-20" with a break to make the rifle easier to handle/carry in the deer woods. My question is for the guys who have similar rifles with 18-20 barrels, what is the weight w/ optic and no bi pod? In its current configuration as pictured it weighs in at 11lbs. Basically my options are keep it as is and buy a dedicated hunting rifle, or make this 700P my Target/Hunting rig with a 18-20" barrel w/ a break.. When target shooting my goal is to work my way out to 1K yds, but will be shooting more around 300-600 yds. Thoughts/opinions?

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[decodeddiesel]

I would suggest you buy another rifle more suited to hunting and use the 700P as it was intended. You've already got a great beginners setup for LR shooting. Lugging a 700P with a big giant Leupold target scope around in the woods is going to suck, especially if you're dragging a 120lb deer.

I would pick up a used Remmy 700 or Winchester 70 in 308 or 30-06 with a pencil barrel and top it with a cheap Nikon or Bushnell scope. It will be way way lighter, and more suited to hunting. Lots of features on a dedicated LR rig you just don't need or want on a hunting rifle.

My $0.02 as someone who once tried to drag a 700 SPS in an AICS with a Nightforce 3.5-15x50 scope around the mountains of Colorado on a Sheep hunt.

[southernZ]

I think, I might go that route, I don't knoe...lol

[zlc]

I would suggest you buy another rifle more suited to hunting and use the 700P as it was intended. You've already got a great beginners setup for LR shooting. Lugging a 700P with a big giant Leupold target scope around in the woods is going to suck, especially if you're dragging a 120lb deer.

I would pick up a used Remmy 700 or Winchester 70 in 308 or 30-06 with a pencil barrel and top it with a cheap Nikon or Bushnell scope. It will be way way lighter, and more suited to hunting. Lots of features on a dedicated LR rig you just don't need or want on a hunting rifle.

My $0.02 as someone who once tried to drag a 700 SPS in an AICS with a Nightforce 3.5-15x50 scope around the mountains of Colorado on a Sheep hunt.

THIS.

My go to deer rifle for same type shots is Rem 700 Mountain Rifle in .260 with Leupy 3.5-10.

[southernZ]

Do the 700P rifles have the 5R rifeling?

[Guns-up.50]

Do the 700P rifles have the 5R rifeling?

No they have a 1/12 standard rifling... the rem 700 5r may be what you are thinking of

[southernZ]

It is, thank you sir. I dont guess I did too bad on this deal. I traded a sig Scorpion and 986rds of 45auto fmj for the rifle as it sits in the picture.....I hope not anyway..lol

[Guns-up.50]

[QUOTE=southernZ;1708696]It is, thank you sir. I dont guess I did too bad on this deal. I traded a sig Scorpion and 986rds of 45auto fmj for the rifle as it sits in the picture.....I hope not anyway..lol[
I have a pss just like yours, i like it a lot so far , i would not cut it up for hunting, you will appriciate that extra 6-8 inches out at a 1000m. You are about to find out long range shooting can be very frustrating and time consuming, but its tons of fun.. enjoy your new blaster and be patient.

[Pappabear]

Great LR gun. I doubt that gun has 5R rifling. 5R is nice but mine doesn't shoot any better than my buddies non 5R.

Great LR gun with scope. You did great on your trade. You can buy a 308 hunter and use the same ammo. Put a muzzle brake on that bad boy and enjoy.

Don't cut it shorter than 20' some people do, you could lop off 2 inches for your brake you have coming if you want.

1,000 yards, your half way there.

[Turnkey11]

I'd chop it to 18" given that you only plan to shoot to 600. I live in South Dakota and have never shot at anything past 500. Unless you have a 1k range handy that you see yourself using a lot I would just chop it down.