Custom Action Help

[fatdaddycoe]

I have done a very little custom work and am looking for a little guidance in moving on. I have had tremendous luck building off a Howa 1500 barreled action, but would like to build something a little more upscale. My research seems to indicate Remington 700s are great platforms, but the work to make them exceptional shooters requires more equipment than I could store or afford at this time(no lathe in my immediate future). Any opinions about actions which are good to go from the factory? I have read pretty dicey reports of the Montana Rifleman actions and great ones about the Stiller Predator. I was looking at ER Shaw barrels, but suggestions there would be welcome too. Thanks for your advice.

 

[rcmodel]

IMO: You would be better served with a standard 700 factory action and a premium barrel & trigger up-grade.

A good factory 700 action with a great barrel will shoot better then most people can shoot them.

They will also shoot better then a blue-printed $1500 buck custom action with an E. R. Shaw barrel too.

Blue-printing the action is great, but is overkill for most applications.

rc

 

[fatdaddycoe]

rcmodel,
Can one purchase 700 actions separately from Remington or a distributor, or do you have to buy the whole rifle and discard the stock and barrel? Also can you suggest a couple names of great barrels? Thanks.

 

[fatdaddycoe]

Also, are we talking about Jewell triggers, or maybe Timney?

 

[rcmodel]

Here's a few.
More research on your part as to what is winning matches might be better then what I can tell you about it though.

http://www.shilen.com/

http://www.riflebarrels.com/

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/st...?p=23139&title=REMINGTON 700 TRIGGER ASSEMBLY

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/st...le=REMINGTON 700/40X & WIN M70 RIFLE TRIGGERS

I don't think Remington sells actions any longer. Brownell's used to have them a few years ago, but no more.
The thing was though, an action cost as much or more then a beater 700 rifle.
That would be the cheapest route to an action if you are going to re-barrel & redo it anyway.

rc

 

[fatdaddycoe]

Thanks a lot rcmodel. Anybody got any other suggestions?

 

[Savage99]

fatdaddycoe,

What are the specifications of the rifle? Weight, caliber use etc?

The Rem. action might be suitable for target work but it lacks many features for hunting such as a three position safety, a safety the locks the firing pin, control round feed, fixed ejector, strong extractor, bolt handle not just brazed to the bolt body etc. The 700 even has the locking lug section brazed to the bolt body.

The Montana action is crude.

 

[nicholst55]

Take a look at the Stiller Predator action: http://www.viperactions.com/

It is essentially an already-blueprinted Remington action, made to tighter specs. It has the same footprint as a Remington, and uses Remington accessories (triggers, scope mounts, etc.), and costs about what a 'blueprinted' Remington action would. It is also available in solid bottom single-shot, and repeater models.

You can also buy new Remington actions here: http://www.varminthunters.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13198 He isn't actually advertising any Remington actions at the moment, but he should have some. He orders factory new rifles and pulls them down for the actions, and sells all the parts. He also stocks Savage actions, which can build into very nice, very accurate rifles as well.

 

[fatdaddycoe]

Savage99,

I'm really only interested in hunting rifles. I guess my next project will probably be a .270 Win., followed by a 25-06, then a 338-06, (do you see a pattern?), then a 22-250. I tend to like rifles with weight to them. I like rifles that are strong and balanced and rugged. I believe rifles can be both functional and elegant. I presently own Sakos, Tikkas, Winchesters, Marlins, and Remingtons, and I like them all, but there is something I like about the idea of building my own rifles, (kind of like handloading). My .243 Sako isn't going anywhere and my Winchester 70 will probably end up as a 338-06. The Remington 700 I have probably has the smoothest action I have ever felt. I don't think there's a thing wrong with the Howa 1500 I built, but I kind of feel like there's an asterisk by it (*great for the money), so I like the idea of building a dream rifle. I'll probably have to sell a few rifles to do it, but that's the nature of going down this particular rabbit hole.

 

[Sunray]

"...Can one purchase 700 actions separately from Remington..." No. Like rcmodel says, if you want a Rem 700 receiver, you'll have to buy a beater. Not many of them around either. Most guys buy a rifle just for the action.
Savage is selling precision .223 based actions. Not exactly cheap though.
http://www.savagearms.com/TA_223_Bolt.htm
You know that a Weatherby Vanguard is made by Howa? A Howa M1500 as I recall.
"...it lacks many features for hunting..." Nonsense. Far more M700's are used for hunting than anything else.

 

[fatdaddycoe]

Nicholst55,

Yes, I've heard many good things about the Stiller. I really like the fact that Remington based parts can be dropped in. I also figure there is a better resale value there compared to a typical 700.

Sunray,

I know both Weatherby and S & W have 1500 based rifles and I can't find a thing wrong with them. I was just looking for something special. I'm never going to own a Rolls Royce or even a Mercedes, but if I build it, I can have a pretty nice house or a pretty nice rifle. I believe the custom built rifle is kind of the outdoorsman's Rolex.

 

[Savage99]

fatdaddycoe,

If the M70 that you have has control round feeding then work the action with rounds in it in a safe way. Watch it work and compare it to actions that don't have CRF.

The CRF feature alone upgrades an action and makes it both more desireable and interesting. The M70's also have three position safeties that lock the bolt closed, allow the action to be opened and eject the shell on safe and lock the firing pin also! Actions such as the Rem. don't have these advantages.

The later Rugers and Kimbers have these features also.

Since you like the heavier rifles I won't suggest a Kimber. I am not likely as young or as strong as you and the lighter weight of the Kimber is something that I want.

A Ruger might be good. Look at what they have made and tweak one to your wants.

 

[Pokyman]

Savage sells just the action. I have built a couple of rifles on the 110 action. They turned out to be super shooters.
Brownells sells pre threaded and chambered barrels for the Savage action.

Just another suggestion.

 

[Bart B.]

You might consider getting a used Win. Model 70 for its action. They're near three times stiffer than Remingtons, more reliable in feeding during rapid fire situations, best safety on box magazine rifles anywhere and they won't twist loose from epoxy bedding like round receivers sometimes do. Besides, their firing pin spring's easy to replace with only a pair of pliers; something one needs to do every few years to maintain primer performance.

Besides, they've been the choice of folks who have shot the smallest many-shot long range groups on this planet. Smaller groups than those fancy bench rest rigs out there.

 

[flat top]

My choice is the Remington model 700 as well...rigid...easy to bed, barrel, fit, and after many years of benchrest competition I have found that nothing more is needed. Matter of fact when I was competing it was the choice in the hunter and light bench gun classes. My only suggestion would be to have a "claw type" extractor installed (which I have done to my 700's), but, a spare factory extractor, and a bolt disassembly tool will get you through in a pinch. Either or, the 700 is one of the finest actions ever made. Second Choices....pre 70 Winny...Mauser.

 

[NCsmitty]

fatdaddycoe, welcome to THR.
FYI, there are a number of Remington 700 actions, new and used available on Gunbroker.com.
They should provide a solid base for a fine custom rifle.
Good luck on your venture.

NCsmitty

 

[I AM]

For the almost the same money that you'll have invested in all of that PLUS your time, you would be better off just buying a McMillan rifle! And they WILL out shoot anything you could build. After building several rifles, I gave up & had a McMillan built for me. They did a 270 Winchester that could shoot 3/8" for 3 shots at 100 yd with FACTORY ammo!!! It out shoots anything I or any of my friends own!!! And that's from a HUNTING rifle, not a tactical one!

 

[Bart B.]

Help!!!!!! I can't delete this post!!!!!