We have on our hands, thanks to the usual, exquisite courtesy of the Paganini company of Turin, a valid Remington 700 SPS rifle with a formidable Leupold VX5 HD 3-15 × 56. Someone will already say that the optics seem exaggerated, especially after having checked the bore of the rifle: the 6 mm perhaps most used in every continent, that filiation of the .308 Win. called .243 Win. Here then is the mental hook reported above, citing the character of Schultz, Linus and his blanket: this cartridge represents our usual choice for roe deer and there are really many satisfactions that it has granted us, especially by carefully identifying the ball after being there. removed from the mind the dubious of the past times when we insisted with too much determination, and without due consideration of the effects, on weights between 95 and 105 grains.
Then the results of Maestro Carlo with the 85 gr Sierra Game King with pierced point have led us well for several years now and we still keep the choice with great satisfaction. Let's take a quick review of the Remington Model 700 SPS rifle, which stands for Special Purpose Synthetics, with an opaque surface finish of the metal parts which is responsible for a certain rusticity of appearance, today very much appreciated by many, together with an uncommon resistance to aggressive agents that manifest themselves in the form of abrasions, dirt and water. The combination with the black synthetic stock and the soft gray inserts in the grip points is adequate and in line with the eminently practical style of the whole. Let's go into details even if they are well known, but always worth a review.
The action
The original setting was given keeping two factors in mind: the functionality in which all the maneuvers and ballistic efficiency are included, and the operating methods to achieve them at very low cost. The result is there, under the eyes of all fans, in the form of a cylindrical section castle, easy to machine and stable within its seat in the stock, with a ring in which the mortises for the two closing wings are obtained, with the peculiarity of the bolt head that protrudes discreetly forward, inserting itself in that portion of the breech barrel screwed to the castle: the three steel rings, ring - breech - bolt, always mentioned in the advertisement, are often forgotten by users because they perform so well their function should no longer be taken into consideration: it is one status of excellence now taken for granted.
The rear bridge with two diameters, like the ring, has a considerable extension, guaranteeing maximum safety and rigidity: in its rear profile you can observe the angular contrast against which the semicircular base of the handlebar works by carrying out the primary extraction. Regarding the handlebar, the Remington has its own personal interpretation: short, almost squat, with a prismatic section arm and a discrete angle with an ovoid knurled knuckle. The two fins require a movement close to 90 °: the slightly longer path allows a gradient of less inclination that the short handlebar travels without jamming while retaining a minimum protrusion from the stem with reduced possibility of getting caught in some obstacle. The rear part of the bolt ends with a double-section cylindrical cap from which the round and chromed shank of the firing pin protrudes, which warns of its state of cocking. The percussion stroke boasts the primacy among stock rifles: around 3,5 mm.
The barrel
The 61 cm barrel proves to be adequate for obtaining from the .243 Win. all its potential: the tapered cylindrical external section is matched internally by the grooving obtained by broach and ogivation drilling: the choice of a pitch of 1: 9⅛ ", therefore rather short, allows the correct stabilization of balls between 70 and 105 gr, adequately modulating the charges with medium-bright or rather slow powders according to the range or hunting commitments. The fixing to the castle is made with a screw pitch obtained on the outside of the barrel and inside the ring: in the tightening the headspace is calculated exactly, an essential element for starting precision in shooting, and thanks to a prominence in the barrel itself, an interposed shaped flange is locked which acts as a force discharge prism. The observation of the resulting cases ensures the coaxiality between the chamber and the core. The assembly, characteristic of the House, is at a pressure point: from the results we can confirm that it works.
Stock, cartridge magazine and trigger
The synthetic stock follows the traditional lines where one appreciates in particular the rather straight axis that discharges the recoil energy almost in line by limiting the lifting of the barrel to a minimum: thus keeping the target in sight in view with all the advantages well known to every hunter. With the cartridge used and the adoption of the R3® stock, the sensation in the shoulder is almost imperceptible, considering the mass of the weapon equal to about 3.350 g. The grip points are marked by inserts in sufficiently soft material for a comfortable grip: the rounded shaft is practical in swing shooting and adequate for stationary with support. In the model at our disposal there is a fixed magazine with four cartridges: the button located in the front prong of the guard frees the lower cover for the removal of the cartridges contained and the possible cleaning of the lifting sole and the W spring.
The trigger is of the adjustable X Mark Pro type: trying to tame it properly, the adjustment screw protrudes from the root of the trigger and creates a certain discomfort when shooting. It is better to screw it back on, just to be honest, the difference in weight is very little noticeable. The fact is that a little of the trade helps to master the mechanism by obtaining what the weapon is able to grant: fortunately there are no negativities such as scratching, springing, retraction collapse so you just have to adjust to the weight. The safety button on the right of the castle has two positions: inserted, it locks the percussion and release, however, allowing the shutter to be activated by taking the chambered cartridge in complete tranquility; moreover it is silent and easy to operate when already in the tappet.
The optics is a shooting test
The Leupold VX5 HD 3-15 × 56 optics showed all its validity in two days of tests with a completely different climate. In the first at the “Della Valle Stura” shooting range in Moiola (CN), sun, clear and clear air for the tests at 100 m with different types of cartridges: good results were obtained which can be seen in the images of the targets. As always, we did not look for centering, but for the shot pattern, perhaps limiting the shots to two, depending on availability and barrel heating.
In the second at the “Porta della Langa” polygon in Carrù (CN) where we deliberately chose a day of overcast skies and intermittent rain for the test at 200 m: the visibility was good and finally the reverberation and the mirage effect were averted. Here the Leupold showed what a high-level optics is needed by allowing a nice three-shot group, plus a peppery reload that pushes the 85g Sierra GK to an average of 1004 m / sec. It is a recipe used by the Maestro for many years and we have observed its performance on the ground, flanking it with the Nikon while using his Remington 700 BDL, with two fulminating chamois culls: one just above 250 and the other at 295 meters . The polygon rehearsals ensure the validity of the whole by giving comfort and safety: a bit like the cover of Linus mentioned at the beginning of the piece.
Technical detail:
Builder: Remington Arms Company, Ilion (NY) - USA
Paganini sas importer - Corso Regina Margherita 19 bis - 10124 Turin - Tel. 011/8177860 - fax 011/835418 - website www.paganini-to.it
Model: 700 SPS
Type: Swiveling and sliding bolt action rifle with two overhead flaps
Caliber: .243 Win.
Castle: in steel obtained from forging and milling
Barrel: 610 mm (24 ") long carbon steel with 4 right-handed lines pitch 1: 9⅛" Percussion: firing pin with coaxial coil spring
Power supply: fixed magazine with 4 cartridges with tilting lid
Trigger Mechanism: Adjustable X Mark Pro System
Extractor: nail with elastic base ring inserted in the bolt head
Ejector: elastic pawl protruding in the face of the shutter
Sighting devices: not foreseen - predisposition for optics
Safety: knurled button on the right side of the castle - blocks the trigger and percussion system, leaving the shutter free
Stock: in a single piece of synthetic material with grip areas in soft material - rubber buttplate R3®
Finishes: matt burnishing of the metal parts
Weight: approx.3.350 grams without optics
Optics: Leupold VX5 HD3-15 × 56