I am considering the purchase of a Remington XR-100 Rangemaster chambered in .204 Ruger. I would appreciate your comments on the rifle. Does the very short rear base screw spacing cause any problems?

i've had one for a couple years and like it. no problem with bases (takes the same as a #7) great trigger and mine shoots 1" at 300.

I have had an XR100 in 204 Ruger for approx 750 rds in the field. It is the most accurate rifle I have owned with the proviso that I have never had a dedicated bench rest rifle.
We cannot load anything near as accurate as Fed premium 39 gr Blitzkings!
It is shooting in the .2s through to 500yds.
The muzzle has been recrowned and pillar bedded with a Kepplinger set trigger added - all these help a little over a standard rifle but basically they are great value with a stiff action.
The weirdest thing is that it still fouls quite badly even though it shoots so well!
Have a look at an article I wrote under "staff favourites" for our website www.crmgunsports.com.
APB

APB, 27.5 grains of Accurate 2520, FEDERAL MACH PRIMER, 13/000ths jump to lands..........2.392 vs 2.405 and the SIERRA 39 gr BK, and your rifle will be fine!! After 12 different ones chambered in .204 this is the one load that is consisent for accurracy!! Try it!! Yours may like it!! .........2.245 is "FACTORY COL" but the .204's all have "dep throats"!!! After 2100 + rounds down the tube on a VLP, it's still "downtown in groundhog town"!! GHD

After the comments(mine included) I'll grt to your question.................concerning base screw position.........CLOSE IS GOOD!! ,...............reread as STIFFENS the set-up!! GHD

Ok. Remington has these Good & Close.

I like the rifle.