Legionnaire
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Or just buy an action and build on that. That's what I did to build this "Remage" in .22-250 Ackley Improved.
Popularity of Remington 700?
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mcb
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Why Remington has not offered a Remage setup from the factory is perplexing... oh wait it's Remington...
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FL-NC
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The 700 based guns are the guns I "cut my teeth on" as a sniper (M24 and M40, as well as some 300 WM variants). I own a M24, a custom short action PSS, and a 700 sporter in 243. The 700 kept clicking along as the industry standard bolt gun after the Win 70 had been pushed aside. I would not buy a new 700 now. Companies like Savage, Ruger, and even Mossberg are making better-performing rifles at a more reasonable cost. My $400 Ruger American shoots as good as my Remington custom shop M24 and my $3,000 Larue OBR.
That's too bad, might want to contact Ruger about it. None of my 6 or 7 have had any issues besting 1-1.25moa, and while they don't offer a guarantee, they are usually quite accurate. I wouldn't be surprised if Ruger won't help you out with it.
I don't really like the Savage Axis, it feels loose to me, again tho they (like all savages) tend to be very accurate. I don't think I've ever seen one shoot poorly....tho again I don't seek then out, just what friends bring me to work on.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Much as I like 700s (and Sevens), I have to agree that I would not buy a new 700 with the intention of keeping it stock. I did buy a new SPS Varmint in .243 very cheaply a couple of years ago ... then took it to Tumbleweeds and had Mark true the action, set back and rechamber the barrel in .243 Ackley Improved, replace the trigger with a Timney, and bed the whole thing in a Grayboe Renegade (below). Hardly a stock 700. The only 700 I have that is bone stock (plus the scope) is the 700 BDL pictured above.
That said, I keep a weather eye open for good deals on used 700s. There are a lot of them out there, and as has been been pointed out, there are lots of aftermarket parts and things you can do to build a fairly inexpensive custom gun.
That said, I keep a weather eye open for good deals on used 700s. There are a lot of them out there, and as has been been pointed out, there are lots of aftermarket parts and things you can do to build a fairly inexpensive custom gun.
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George P
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What kind of mag is that and what cartridge are you shooting in it?
marksman13
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I’m not saying they won’t shoot. I know a ton of people are extremely satisfied with them. My American will run 1.25 MOA for five rounds with match ammo occasionally, but it tends to hover around 2 MOA with the best ammo and around 3 MOA with cheap stuff. Maybe I’m expecting too much out of it, but it shoots worse than any AR that I own and I expected it to shoot better than it does.
That's bad for an American in my experience. For some guns I'd be ok with that, but from that rifle I'd expect better.....tho ya know, I'm remembering a report from someone a while ago that had the same issue with a .223 Predator. It was a reviewer and they got it swapped by the factory if I'm remembering correctly.
Any way wouldn't hurt to contact Ruger, never know they might get it shooting right, or replace it.
When I was a kid Kmart sold Remingtons.
They never were considered high class.
But......they most of the time shot well from the box.....and if they didnt, would usually respond favorably to.minor tweaks ( often performed by owner- gunsmith not needed )
This pre internet/ youtube.
A 700 was a pretty safe roll of the dice.....that youd end up w something usable.
They never were considered high class.
But......they most of the time shot well from the box.....and if they didnt, would usually respond favorably to.minor tweaks ( often performed by owner- gunsmith not needed )
This pre internet/ youtube.
A 700 was a pretty safe roll of the dice.....that youd end up w something usable.
Who would be a good supplier to begin to research for faux 700 actions?
I did drop by Walmart today and they had several to choose from. No magazine or bottom metal, sporter barrel and several calibers to choose from. I have become such a stainless snob it is hard for me to purchase a blued rifle. I would do Parkerized or maybe (maybe) Cerakote but matte blued is real hard. That said, one of my new Axis II is matte blued so I can force myself too if the price is right. Back to the 700, I saw nothing in particular bad about the two I handled. Looked okay to me, especially as a base rifle for a fun build. And they were under $400 with scope.
George P
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When I was a kid Kmart, Sears, Monkey Wards and JC Penney also sold Brownings, AyA shotguns, Winchesters, Marlins and a host of others..........why? because that's where rural America shopped
Few places that sell 700 or 700 foot print actions.
http://pacifictoolandgauge.com/1406-premium-ptg-blueprinted-remington-700-actions
https://terminusactions.com/
https://defiancemachine.com/actions/
this is the specific one that i bought. Mostly because they also had the barrel i wanted, and this one came with some add ons I liked. Im also going to pull the 5r .308 barrel and see if i cant get 100-150 out of it.
https://www.eurooptic.com/86498-Remington-Remington-700-Police-5R-308-Win-24-Barreled.aspx
there are a bunch of other places to buy actions, barreled actions, or you can just buy a beat up old hunting gun off a rack. There are guns like the Bergaras, that use the 700 foot print, so you could order a barreled Bergara action and drop it in the proper 700 stock should you like.
If you like tinkering the "700" is as good or better place to start than almost any other platform.....Heck you can even get wing safeties that lock the bolt and striker, if your concerned about that kinda thing.
TEKoken813
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It's a 308 with MagPul AICS magazines.I had the stock milled out by Badger to accept the new bottom metal after I did a glass bedding job on it. It was a really fun project. I used a Kona Hawk bottom metal. I think they might be out of business or sold to someone.
mcb
Member
The AICS magazine pattern seem to have become the defacto standard short action magazine now a days. My 700 chassis gun uses them but I have not tried the Magpul version yet, just AI made magazines. Unfortunately the Long Action is not quite as standardizes and there are still a few different version vying for top dog. Was always partial to the long action AICS copy that the M2010 uses but it appears to be the only chassis to use that magazine.
rb288
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My first bolt action rifle was a 700 BDL in 7mm-08 I bought back in the early 80s.
It was beautiful, and when scoped, I don't remember what scope I mounted, it was 5 shots in 1 ragged cloverleaf hole at 100 yds.
Sadly, economic issues forced me to sell it several years later, and I could never find another that was as well built, as accurate, or as beautiful in fit and finish, as that one.
I have had many regrets at having to sell that rifle.
I currently have a 700 Magpul in 308 that, while no where near as pretty, shoots very accurately.
So, while I do love my 700s, I have noticed a "quality", an "appearance" difference over the years.
It was beautiful, and when scoped, I don't remember what scope I mounted, it was 5 shots in 1 ragged cloverleaf hole at 100 yds.
Sadly, economic issues forced me to sell it several years later, and I could never find another that was as well built, as accurate, or as beautiful in fit and finish, as that one.
I have had many regrets at having to sell that rifle.
I currently have a 700 Magpul in 308 that, while no where near as pretty, shoots very accurately.
So, while I do love my 700s, I have noticed a "quality", an "appearance" difference over the years.
George P
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I imagine we could be saying that about a lot of mainstream gun makers from Remington to Winchester, S&W, Ruger; etc. It's hard to compete against the cheap Chinese clones with high-priced US labor, so other corners get cut.
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
I have three 700's and one model 7. All have had their triggers replaced. The 700's were more high end, the quality is excellent. All purchased in the last 5 years. After purchase I bring them to my friend who lives in Ilion and works at the Arms for an inspection. All are shooters. Other mods include replacement stocks and bolt knobs. Note that even some custom rifle makers copy the design. Why copy something that doesn't work?
You guys are really bad influences. I could grab the matte blued rifle at Walmart when they go on sale and then in due course replace the barrel with a sporter stainless or even CF wrapped ($$$$$) and then save $ for an appropriate hunter stock. I do not want a bench rifle, chassis rifle or heavy built "stand" rifle. I would want a sub 7.5 pound (with scope) "still" hunter. "Still" being used in the old sense of walking to seek and find game and then stalking the game once spotted. I would probably just grab a .308 since I only have one .308 (Savage Scout Rifle) and already have two 6.5CM (Kimber Hunter and Axis II bedded in a Boyds stock). I already have the king of cartridges, .270 Win, in a nice M77, I guess I could get any short action chambering and then when replacing the barrel with an upgrade select my preferred cartridge, I suppose.
Legionnaire
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We are not bad influence. We are enablers. 
When I bought my first 700, I'd gone through a special hell with a Savage 110 (bought new in about 1959?). It was kind of a mess, with a sporter stock that had the wrong stock shape (low comb, wrong angle small forend). It kicked the heck out of me!
I ordered a semi-inletted Bishop stock for it and made it as closely as possible into a Weatherby stock "wannabe". I started hand-loading with a couple of buddies, but the dies were adjusted for tighter-chambered Win 70s, which cause my reloads to misfire and exhibit primer backouts/flattening. The factory fitted a new bolt, but nothing changed.
After getting my own press/dies, the rifle had no more problems and accuracy was fine, but I decided to sell it and buy a Remington 700, .22-250, which proved to be a fantastic rifle!!! It won numerous turkey shoots and kept my young family fed.
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That brings me to the WHY of buying a Remington 700, over other rifles:
First: It had a very good, adjustable trigger (which, in later rifles proved to have some flaws).
Second: It has a rounded receiver that sits very nicely in the stock, self-centering.
Third: The stock shape minimizes face slap and felt recoil.
Fourth: The action is very strong, with fast lock-time and good round-feeding.
Fifth: Wood stock finish was long-lasting and looks good.
Sixth: Rem 700 barrels shoot really great!
Seventh: The rifles are really easy to glassbed/pillar-bed...barrel free-float.
Eighth: Timney has made excellent after-market triggers for the 700 that eliminate the problems encountered for several years. They're still better than recently-changed "safe" Rem triggers.
Ninth: Remington rifles are not very expensive and there's good value in all of them. I recently bought a new-in-box 700, .223 at a salvage store that only cost me about $250. Didn't need it, but you just don't pass by such a great price. After a little bedding it shoots just as well as others, but a replacement stock will set me back as much as the rifle, so it's going to stay "kinda factory" for a while, except for the Timney trigger and bedding. (A friend has also used it at the range a few times.)
I ordered a semi-inletted Bishop stock for it and made it as closely as possible into a Weatherby stock "wannabe". I started hand-loading with a couple of buddies, but the dies were adjusted for tighter-chambered Win 70s, which cause my reloads to misfire and exhibit primer backouts/flattening. The factory fitted a new bolt, but nothing changed.
After getting my own press/dies, the rifle had no more problems and accuracy was fine, but I decided to sell it and buy a Remington 700, .22-250, which proved to be a fantastic rifle!!! It won numerous turkey shoots and kept my young family fed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That brings me to the WHY of buying a Remington 700, over other rifles:
First: It had a very good, adjustable trigger (which, in later rifles proved to have some flaws).
Second: It has a rounded receiver that sits very nicely in the stock, self-centering.
Third: The stock shape minimizes face slap and felt recoil.
Fourth: The action is very strong, with fast lock-time and good round-feeding.
Fifth: Wood stock finish was long-lasting and looks good.
Sixth: Rem 700 barrels shoot really great!
Seventh: The rifles are really easy to glassbed/pillar-bed...barrel free-float.
Eighth: Timney has made excellent after-market triggers for the 700 that eliminate the problems encountered for several years. They're still better than recently-changed "safe" Rem triggers.
Ninth: Remington rifles are not very expensive and there's good value in all of them. I recently bought a new-in-box 700, .223 at a salvage store that only cost me about $250. Didn't need it, but you just don't pass by such a great price. After a little bedding it shoots just as well as others, but a replacement stock will set me back as much as the rifle, so it's going to stay "kinda factory" for a while, except for the Timney trigger and bedding. (A friend has also used it at the range a few times.)
I bought my first 700 in 1979.I fell in love with the glossy stock,the lustrous blueing,the white line spacers and the ship line checkering.I mounted a 4X12 Tasco scope on it,and got a very quick lesson on eye relief.It was chambered in 270 Win,and it was the only BDL I ever owned.The stock and the whopping half inch of eye relief the scope had made shooting it a very unpleasant experience.Fast forward to today,and I have a dozen 700's,most of which have been modified to some degree.The only one that's still as it came from Remington is my 700FS in 300 Win Mag.No need to mess with perfection.I think some of the popularity came from the 700's good accuracy.They made good shooting barrels,and the action's simple round shape makes it easy to bed,and if you have good bedding and a good barrel,you're most likely going to have a good shooting rifle.I have 6 of them that have had the barrels replaced with custom barrels,and the actions trued,and they are very accurate.
I think it's the small block Chevy of firearms-maybe nothing special in stock form,but the parts out there that improve it are a mind boggling selection.
I usually do a few of them every year for customers who have 700's that they want to make shoot better,and usually I free float the barrel,glass bed the action,tune the trigger,lap the locking lugs,clean the heck out of the barrel and work up a good load.I can usually make a 700 shoot 5 shots under 1 MOA,and sometimes a lot better.The action is smooth and slick,it's simple and probably one of the strongest actions there is.
I've seen 700's from the custom shop that were not only well made,but insanely accurate.Retail guns are a bit of a crapshoot.You might get a shooter and you might get a Friday afternoon built disaster.I'm probably off base,but I'm of the opinion that the Wally World guns aren't held to as high standards as the gun shop guns.I did buy one from Cabela's,and it's the most accurate stock 700 I've ever shot,usually an honest half MOA for 5 shots.
I think it's the small block Chevy of firearms-maybe nothing special in stock form,but the parts out there that improve it are a mind boggling selection.
I usually do a few of them every year for customers who have 700's that they want to make shoot better,and usually I free float the barrel,glass bed the action,tune the trigger,lap the locking lugs,clean the heck out of the barrel and work up a good load.I can usually make a 700 shoot 5 shots under 1 MOA,and sometimes a lot better.The action is smooth and slick,it's simple and probably one of the strongest actions there is.
I've seen 700's from the custom shop that were not only well made,but insanely accurate.Retail guns are a bit of a crapshoot.You might get a shooter and you might get a Friday afternoon built disaster.I'm probably off base,but I'm of the opinion that the Wally World guns aren't held to as high standards as the gun shop guns.I did buy one from Cabela's,and it's the most accurate stock 700 I've ever shot,usually an honest half MOA for 5 shots.
I've owned three Remington's, a 721 in 30.06, a 722 in .222 Remington and a 700 BDL in 7mmMag. I think part of the popularity, other than the overall good looks of a Remington, was the advent of Remington's Mike Walker and his development of the .222 Remington in the 50's. This cartridge held most, if not all, of the bench rest records at that time and offered farmers and varmint hunters a cartridge that was effective out to 250/300 yards without much recoil at all and was extremely accurate. Back in the late 50's and through the 60's it was hard to pick up a hunting or guns magazine that didn't have an article about Mike Walker in it and the fact that he was associated with Remington didn't hurt.
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