Hey guys,

I am starting to look at getting into a little longer/precision shooting. Do you think this is a good rifle to start out with? And if so what upgrades should I start with? I plan on target shooting and possibly some hunting with it in the future. I am setup to reload .308 if that makes a difference with your reply.


Thanks in advance,

Stephen S.

What's your budget, and what's your left over budget if you get that particular rifle?

it's kind of a toss up on whether you get a good one or not these days with Remington QC.

I see this comment all the time but have not seen any complaints here or from guys at the range. Not that it isn't so but might be a bit hyped.

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I like mine...  You will have to replace the stock.  It sucks.  Really, it sucks...  The trigger is decent.  I am getting .75 to 1" groups with factory ammo.  Once I glass bed the stock and work up some hand loads I am confident it will be a great shooter.

The sps varmint (26'' barrel) I bought for my dad for fathers day had the scope base holes way off from front to back. I brought it back to the shop and the owner verified my  problems with a couple different bases he had laying around. so I exchanged it for an older JM Marlin he had on the racks, my old man was happy but I was kind of pissed as I planned on shooting it more then he did . I could have just sent it to Chad Dixion to fix but I didn't want to be out another $200.

Great rifle. Get a new stock for it asap, then shoot the heck out of it.

Seems the answer is go with a Savage more and more.

And I do agree with that too. Savage Hog Hunter is the same rifle, with better barrel and trigger, for $200 less.

 

















































































 

Remington fit/finish might not be what it once was, but they're still generally good guns and if you're interested in anything more than basic long range shooting it'll be a much better platform to grow with than some Savage you saved a few dollars on.

Mine shoots ~3/8" with hand loads, a new stock, and trigger.

I bought a AAC-SD for the same purpose, hunting and some target shooting.  Replaced the Trigger with a Timney Calvin Elite and set it to break at 1.5lbs.  Shimmed the front of the action and the barrel to stock clearance is much improved.  Installed/timed a SilencerCo Trifecta Muzzle Brake (awaiting a Saker 7.62).  Also installed a Triad Tactical Modular Stock pack to raise the comb height.  Cleaned and lubed.  Will be heading to the range with 168gr SMK Test Loads on Friday and will report back.  

Currently the glass setup is a Bushnell XRS 4.5-30x50 H59 Reticle mounted to a ADM Recon SL and EGW 20moa Scope Base.  The ADM Recon SL will be replaced with a set of American Rifle Company M10 Low Rings once they arrive.

The biggest complaint with the AAC-SD is the stock.  It flexes too much and out of the box, the barrel was touching some of the ribs inside the barrel channel and most of the sides of the stock.  Shimmed the front of the action with 5 shims made from a soda can and now the barrel is completely floating with about 5-10mm of spacing all the way around.  Will be looking at either a B&C Medalist M40 stock or a KRG Whiskey XRay down the road.

Specs and Photo this weekend.

Bo

Mine will shoot 3/4" five shot groups at 100 yards with 175SMK handloads and 2.5" five shot groups at 300 yards with the same ammo.  I've got an older Leupold 4.5-14 scope on it with an AAC 51 tooth brake, all groups shot with an AAC 762SD can on it, no other improvements at this time.  The stock is garbage and I'm not happy with the trigger as pull weight seems to vary a lot.  Planned upgrades are a Timney trigger and an XLR Element chassis, then I won't spend any more money on it.  All in all I'm happy with the rifle, I knew the stock was going to be replaced going in and I figured I'd upgrade the trigger either way.

I highly recommend the Timney Calvin Elite Trigger.  I was running a #517 in a previous rifle but never liked it because the sear engagement wasn't consistent.  Sometimes it broke early and sometime it took more effort.  The Calvin Elite on the other hand has been totally consistent.  

I will start by saying that these rifles will shoot without this work, in my experience they shoot even better after the work.  I would avoid the AAC-SD all together and just pickup the Varmint model and have it cut, crowned and threaded where you prefer.

AAC-SD does not come with a target crown.  Just a straight clean 90 degree cut.


The spot between the shoulder and threads was just a little too thick for my suppressor as well as threads not being concentric to the bore. (Gunsmiths comment)



And here are pictures after the work was done.



This shows the lack of commitment to produce a quality rifle that cost the consumer more than the standard Varmint model. Just with a quality step left out to save Remington money.  I have not seen one AAC-SD with a target crown, something they put on their cheaper SPS Varmint line of rifles...

Thanks. I'll look into those.

Guess you've heard some complaints now :) my secondary research says they're for sure hit and miss.

I've had 4 rem700 I can remember but none were aacsd. The first was vss and was a consistent 1 hole group. The last 3 (etronx which I think we're made in the custom shop, and sps) were not even 1 moa.   So one for four ain't good odds in my book.


my recommendation is to buy an older used one

I have been looking into the AAC-SD also and this is my main concern.
I will be attaching a AAC 51T and an SDN-6 and I don't want a baffle strike.
I have also been looking hard at the 700 5R with the 20" threaded barrel, but still a little concerned if it has concentric threads.

If you are concerned with concentric threads I would opt out of a factory threaded barrel.  I would pick up one of their offerings without threads and have a good smith or machinist perform the work.  I will never buy a factory threaded Remington rifle again.  Not sure that matters much to most people.  From having 1 baffle strike on my first day of owning a suppressor; and not noticing the can was not against the shoulder due to the thickness of the metal behind the threads, I can say I have learned from my mistakes.

I would have to agree with this... My FIL got one and the stock was terrible.. is flexed a lot.....  I have the Savage Precision Carbine and I love it the ACCUSTOCK is pretty awesome.. I am glad I went that direction as I was considering the AAC remmy.....  

 

I got a killer deal on a 700 AAC with a Bushnell Mil Dot 4.5-30 MOA scope. The scope is useless for my needs, but I think the rings are GTG.

I just invested in an SWFA 3-15x42 FFP scope and an AAC brake. I plan to stiffen up the forend with some old arrow shafts and fiberglass.

It will be interesting to see how it shoots