I just bought one, and am an owner of a more traditional 597.
I like the 597 action, I think it has good inherent accuracy potential. I like the feel of the VTR- a bit more AR-like, but not quite the full-up .22LR AR.
However, I've only had it out to the range once and so far I'm unimpressed. I need to try some other ammo types, the stuff I was shooting (bulk Federal, but it's quite accurate in my other 597) was keeping minute of paper plate at 50 yards. I expect far better, and if trying some other ammo doesn't sort it out, Remington will get a chance to repent of their sins.
Also, the thing is a real pain to strip down to where you can get the bolt out. With a regular 597, it's 4 screws- two to remove the stock, drive out a couple pins for the trigger group, then the other two screws for the action bars. For the VTR, it's 17 screws- 6 on each side plate, one to remove the front trunnion-like part with the handguard, one to remove the pistol grip, one to remove the rear trunnion, then you can pull the trigger group and then 2 more for the action bars. At least the bolt is teflon coated, so that kind of disassembly won't be an "every time it's shot" kind of thing.
I like the feel of this rifle, it's very compact and handy, and if it can achieve the same accuracy as my other 597 I'll be quite pleased. Eventually I might have the barrel threaded for a suppressor.
