Gentlemen,
I came close to picking up a new Remington VLS for a .308 I'd like to build, however, a friend cautioned that I should avoid the new "E"series rifles(the "E" proceeding the serial number). Has anyone else heard of this problem? Is it a problem? Thank you, Matt.

Matt,

Did your friend mention any specifics about the problems associated with the "E" series rifles?

Jesse

I just fired this group today from my recently acquired "E-series" Model 700.

I don't see a problem with it.

Gentlemen,
I can concur about "E" series performance as I picked up an new 700 LTR a few month back that shoots bug holes. That is after bedding in marine tex, a Jewel trigger, an 8.5-25x50 Leupold, shooting 175 grain Match. The comments struck me as a goodly pile of equine fecal matter, however, the fellow who originally made mention of it is a gunsmith. Not a national name smith but rather a local machinist who builds ugly tack drivers based on 700s, McMillans, and Heavy SS Krieger Barrels. Would use him if could learn to finish his work.

I've yet to find a Remington, and all of them have been new, that did'nt shoot well. Some extremely well as in my LTR and 40XB-KS.
I was hoping there would be someone here who had the specifics on this supposed problem. It would appear it's an isolated opinion. And we know what they're worth;-).

Regards, Matt.

I think most of the "beef" about the new E series is the change in the firing pin,and the new locking bolt shroud. The new pin/spring combo seems to contribute to more bolt movement during firing.

DuaninND,
I should have mentionoed that I was NOT including the new 700s with the bolt lock(ISS) as that is another cup of tea altogther. I apologize for not making that clear. This particular gripe was with the "E" series rifles in particular with the bolt lock excepted as he had not worked with one yet.

FWIW, I spoke with Clay Spencer about the new bolt lock and he said, and I paraphrase, that it is a bad design altogether. Contributes to inaccuracy and he was'nt sure if the new retrofit could fix or approach the level of pre-bolt lock guns.

I should also note the home town smith I mentioned earlier in this post is most definately NOT Clay Spencer. Too different men who are at almost opposite ends of the spectrum. IMHO.

Regards, Matt.