Cheapest way to get a Rem 700 BDL action?

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X-JaVeN-X

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Hey guys...I'm gathering parts to get a budget custom underway. After much research, I think I've decided on a Remington 700 action just because there are so many options in the aftermarket world and every gunsmith seems to use them as a base platform. I finally found a localish gunsmith that does custom long range rifle builds and it is what he uses the most as well. I'm trying to source the parts myself to save some money.

so....with that said, I'm looking at getting a remington 700 action, probably a douglas barrel (reviews here would be great if you have any?), and have yet to determine a stock for certain, but the BDL style action (hinged floor plate) seems to have the most options by far.

So, to my original question...what is the best way to get a BDL action (Im going with a 7mm rem mag btw)? The cheapest BDL I've seen is $750+ (all the prices I'm giving are new from Bud's Gun Shop for reference). I've seen a ADL to BDL conversion kit on Brownell's for $140....does this make a genuine BDL? If so, where is the cheapest place to get an ADL action in STAINLESS for 7mm RM?

Alternately, do any of you know a source for buying actions only or a source for buying good used actions (other than the random seller on Gunbroker)? I'd rather have new, but that's mostly because I have a fear of buying used firearm parts that I can't see first, but I will if the seller is reputable enough.

Anyway, what's your experience with getting these actions for a custom build on a budget?
 
In my area there are gun / collector shows pretty regular, always a good chance to get a BDL rifle at a fair price. Another good option is pawnbrokers and gun shops or sporting goods stores that deal in trade-ins.
If you are set on getting a new action you will need some luck to find a "good" price. There are lots of people ready to buy, sellers know this and have no need to discount their price. I doubt the dealer gets much profit from new goods and darn few good businessmen will sell at cost and stay in business.
Though I havent done it myself, the BDL conversion parts would give you the magazine; ADL rifles are usually more often found at bargain prices. Something to keep in mind - the main difference in ADL-BDL is the mag., iron sights (sometimes) and stock design. Most of those pieces you may be choosing non factory options anyway.
Wanting stainless really decreases your chances of getting a bargain, though I occasionally see SS rifles available used/ new condition for a bit less than a new blued rifle. You could probably sell the Rem. SS barrel on Gunbroker or THR.
Good luck in your search, patience is your best hope of getting what you want at a fair price. In my area, the onset of fall and big game hunting thins the choices. Spring and summer have been the "lucky" time of year.
 
Dicks Sporting goods and Sportsmans Warehouse are selling special runs of ADL's. The Blue ones are around $350, stainless $479. Magnums might be a little more. Buy the rifle, sell the stock and barrel for $100 on gunbroker or e-bay.

If I were building a custom it would be ADL anyway, especially with the crappy factory bottom metal Remington uses. It is significantly cheaper, makes the gun 1/4-1/2 lb lighter and is one less thing to malfunction. It only takes about 3 seconds longer to unload your gun.

The money and weight you save can go into better glass, or a better barrel. Things much more important than a floorplate.

If it has to be BDL, I'd look around for a used rifle as cheaply as possible in pawnshops. Even if it is a little rough your gunsmith is going to refinish anyway.
 
What's going to be the intended use for the rifle?

As mentioned, the cheapest way to get into an action is to find a used ADL and then get yourself a decent bottom metal for it. You may even decide to get into a detachable mag system.

As for the stock, check ebay, here and places like sniper's hide for pull off stocks. I got my last HS Precision for around $200. Otherwise, Bell & Carlson stocks are very reasonably priced and the last two that I had were of good quality.

You can always look here too...http://www.deathfromafar.com/htm/08_iba_weaponsys_receivers.html
 
Tony,

Not to steal this guys thread. Can one just buy a new bolt for a Rem. 700 ADL '06, and have it work in the action already on the rifle? I've got an '06 my Pop had, the face of the bolt, around the firing pin is a little pitted, no reason why. Thanks.
 
Pretty much as was covered is a Remington 700 Long Action (as you call out 7mm Rem Mag). A slightly used ADL action will be just fine. A good smith will true that action and lap your new bolt on the action or existing bolt. All of that before the new barrel goes on the action.

I like Timney on my Remington actions but there are other good triggers out there. Again, let your smith walk you through this. I would do the same on a good quality aluminum bedded stock and again, your smith may want to run with a nice oversize recoil lug which will entail some stock inlet work.

For the work that you may do, Brownells will likely be your new best friend. Before computers I had Brownells on my speed dial! :)

Ron
 
788Ham said:
Tony,

Not to steal this guys thread. Can one just buy a new bolt for a Rem. 700 ADL '06, and have it work in the action already on the rifle? I've got an '06 my Pop had, the face of the bolt, around the firing pin is a little pitted, no reason why. Thanks.
Click to expand...
The OP wants to go with a 7mm Rem Mag. Not sure how well an 06 bolt would open up?

If it was a .308 bolt I would want it. :)

Ron
 
Sorry guys! NO, I'm wanting a new bolt for "MY" rifle, the 30-06 rifle I mentioned. Can one just buy a new bolt for this rifle? Thanks.
 
788Ham said:
Sorry guys! NO, I'm wanting a new bolt for "MY" rifle, the 30-06 rifle I mentioned. Can one just buy a new bolt for this rifle? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Sure, Brownells or Midway. PTG (Pacific Tool & Gauge) makes some great aftermarket Remington 700 action bolts.

However, all you should need, based on your post is the bolt body as you should have the guts? Additionally if the bolt you have is useable consider keeping it as bolts, especially complete bolts are not cheap.

Also, if you replace the bolt the head space should be checked by a competent gun smith. At least someone who understands head space and has the correct gauges.

Ron
 
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I dunno what your smith charges to true up eveything but usually by the time your remmy action is worked up your near the the cost of a custom action. Just something to think about. If you do go the 700 route just find the cheapest long action with a magnum bolt face you can get, don't worry about adl,bdl, or cdl.
 
As mentioned above, I want the BDL because the stock choices are far greater and I do like the option of dropping the ammo out the bottom...just a preference I guess.

I think I like the Dick's sporting goods idea...it looks like they have a SS ADL for $450 new (and there is a dick's about 1.5 hours from me at the beach where I will be going at the end of the month on vacation anyway). I can sell the barrel and stock (as mentioned above) and use that to get the conversion kit and have somewhere between $450 and $500 in a new SS action. That is the best I can find. Just the action (no trigger guard/floor plate) at brownells or midway (which both appear to be out of stock) run that same price. Someone mentioned above getting a different floorplate for this action...Any recommendations here? If I go with the ADL, I will need all the parts to convert it to a BDL (spring, front screw, etc). Anyone make aftermarket "kits" for this that are in the same ballpark as the $150 brownell's factory parts kit?

Alternately, I am going to keep my eyes open for a used BDL locally. There is a gun show coming up near me, but I haven't had much luck at it. I also need to check out Mackey's Landing Firearms. if you've never heard of or been to this place...it's like the Mecca for guns. I've never been in another gun shop that even comes close to the volume of guns they have new and used. If you're even in Eastern NC...make a point to check it out. Prices are hit and miss, but it's worth stopping by.

So, has anyone used Douglas Barrels? I can get a barrel in stainless, finished, threaded, chambered, and crowned in their "premium" (XX) grade barrel in a #7 (standard target barrel) for $360.

Also, the stock I'm looking at is a laminate by Bobby Hart with an "accublock". Has anybody used these? Again, this is a budget build. I'm going to be using factory trigger (for now). I'm hoping to get the parts and have the gun assembled for around $1500-$1700 and a total of $2000-$2200 total with glass.
 
if your only leaving 500 for glass on a built rifle i would opt for a factory rifle and better glass. Douglas barrels are OK but there are better choices IMHO. Rock, bartlein, shilen are worth a look. The bottom metal you chose shouldnt affect for stock choice, your gunsmith can inlet it for any metal if you cant just order it in the configuration that you want. A 700 action is a 700 action there all the same.
 
For $438 you can buy a McMillan standard fill stock in ADL or BDL. For $518 you can get the same stock with Kevlar instead of fiberglass and save 1/2 lb. They will custom build it to your specs. with dozens of different stock designs and color choices to choose from. If you happen to like the design of a Sako, Weatherby, or Winchester stock, they can inlet that stock design for a Remington acton in most cases. It don't get any better at any price.

www.mcmfamily.com

The $150 you spend on bottom metal to convert to BDL would be better spent on better glass.

If you are interested in a McMillan PM me for details on the special pricing.
 
I'm leaving whatever is left after the gun is built for glass. If I only have $300 left, then I'll just get something in that range. I can always upgrade the glass later.

Everybody says "McMillan" without mentioning what is wrong with the other options. I'm sure McMillan makes a great product and I'm sure that's why so many use it. However, that doesn't mean other stocks are bad. The little bit I've been able to find on these bobby hart stocks has been positive and are about half the price of the entry level McMillans. They also have the "look" that I want. I don't compete...this gun will mostly be used for punching paper...maybe some long range hunting (doubtful). It's more of a novelty piece for my collection that looks good and shoots good. If I can get .75 moa at 100 yards...I'll be happy. I think

Also, on the Douglas barrels...I read people saying "they're OK" alot but none of those people actually mention that they've actually used them personally. It seems to be more of a "That's what I've heard" kinda thing. All the reviews that I find where people have used them as well as the other more popular names (such as shilen)...many of them actually prefer the Douglas barrels. So, I'm respectfully asking...if you're going to give an opinion on anything, please be a little more descriptive and I'm looking for actualy personal experiences...not just a "that's what I hear" kind of answer.
 
Javen, all of the recommendations for the McMillan is because the McMillan is a better stock; but this does NOT mean that other stocks are bad.

The Bobby Hart stocks look nice. I've also used several stocks that weren't McMillans and they all worked very well. In any case, if you are willing to spend the money, Manners stocks are worth a look as well.
 
my answer wasnt base on " i have heards" i have had a douglas barrel and i didnt feel it performed as well as my bartlein, and shilens i have had. Im just trying to help you put your money toward a better end product. Manners and Mcmillian stocks are to top contenders when it comes to first class stocks i prefer manners but its all personal preferance. On your budget build i would look toward a b&c stock. They can be had for around $200 and are nice for the money. Most come with a bedding block that makes it really easy to skin bed for a perfect fit.

As far as your $300 optics choice i think you should rethink that, why build a nice rifle and puit a cheap scope on it? If all your wanting is .75 MOA buy a new remington 7mm mag and slap it in the stock you want. It will do all you want to do and save you alot of money.
 
TonyAngel said:
Javen, all of the recommendations for the McMillan is because the McMillan is a better stock; but this does NOT mean that other stocks are bad.

The Bobby Hart stocks look nice. I've also used several stocks that weren't McMillans and they all worked very well. In any case, if you are willing to spend the money, Manners stocks are worth a look as well.
Click to expand...
That was kind of what I was getting at. I know the McMillan stocks are great or they wouldn't be recommended so much, but I'm looking for opinions on the bobby hart stocks. I guess at this point, I've kind of made up my mind unless I hear from personal experience why not to get what I"m looking at (if that makes any sense). I guess I want something a little different, and I have a lower budget than most, so I'm looking into cheaper options that still perform well.
 
chaser_2332 said:
my answer wasnt base on " i have heards" i have had a douglas barrel and i didnt feel it performed as well as my bartlein, and shilens i have had. Im just trying to help you put your money toward a better end product. Manners and Mcmillian stocks are to top contenders when it comes to first class stocks i prefer manners but its all personal preferance. On your budget build i would look toward a b&c stock. They can be had for around $200 and are nice for the money. Most come with a bedding block that makes it really easy to skin bed for a perfect fit.

As far as your $300 optics choice i think you should rethink that, why build a nice rifle and puit a cheap scope on it? If all your wanting is .75 MOA buy a new remington 7mm mag and slap it in the stock you want. It will do all you want to do and save you alot of money.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the input. The douglas barrel that you have...was it before the new owners? I'm trying to find an article that was mentioned about this changeover (I've seen it mentioned but can't find the article/post that was made about it). Many people are saying that the quality has gotten better, and an article or write-up was mentioned that stated the barrels were actually straighter than a lot of the top name barrels out today, but again...I can't find this write-up article.

As for the optics. I have several rifles that could use an optics upgrade. With that said...I have several $200 scopes on rifles that have made clean kills on white tail at 300 yards. I've never owned a $1000 scope, so I can't say the difference between that and a $200 one that seems to get the job done every time the trigger is pulled. I'm sure there is a difference, and I will likely put a nice scope on this new rifle eventually...but I'm trying to use most of my budget for the rifle, and put on a scope just so I can play with the rifle a little until I can upgrade the optics. The temporary scope will just get re-purposed on another rifle of some sort, or maybe used on a new rifle for my son...who knows.
 
chaser_2332 said:
As far as your $300 optics choice i think you should rethink that, why build a nice rifle and puit a cheap scope on it? If all your wanting is .75 MOA buy a new remington 7mm mag and slap it in the stock you want. It will do all you want to do and save you alot of money.
Click to expand...

I read this thread thinkling the exact thing. Another pile of money spent, just to get what a stock 7 mag. can easily do or easily be made to do and then put a cheap scope on it??

Buy a 7 mag., bed it in a new stock and it will do .75 or better! Then buy a GOOD scope and mount!

Use the rest of the money you saved on ammo to practise with!

DM
 
I'm not sure what you are wanting to accomplish, but IMO you'd be better off just shopping around for a good used M700 in 7mmMag, and be done....

You'll have to spend $$$$ to better the accuracy of most of the M700's I've shot in 7mmRemMag. With some IMR7838 or H1000, some "prepped" brass and some Sierra or Berger bullets, you'll be had pressed to beat a "factory" bbl.

I've seen some rough M700's going for $350 with "trashco" scopes on them. A really good one is at a local shop with a 3.5-10xLeupold VariX-III for about $700.

By the time you put a new bolt in an '06, a McMillan stock and an Shilen or Hart barrel, Aftermarket trigger you're looking at over $1,000.00.
Unless you are building some kind of match/target rifle, I can't see spending that kind of change for "something unique".....

I know where's theres a Savage M110 in 7mmRUM. Shop in Wedowee, AL wants $499.00 for it. Could be had for $450.00. A little trigger tweaking and load tweaking, it'll do anything you'd want, except maybe shoot 1/2" groups and blow a $$$$ hole in your wallet....
 
DM~ said:
I read this thread thinkling the exact thing. Another pile of money spent, just to get what a stock 7 mag. can easily do or easily be made to do and then put a cheap scope on it??

Buy a 7 mag., bed it in a new stock and it will do .75 or better! Then buy a GOOD scope and mount!

Use the rest of the money you saved on ammo to practise with!

DM
Click to expand...
People buy $100,000 cars when a $5000 used beater will get them from A to B just as well. Why buy a sports car when you can only go the speed limit like everyone else?

I don't need a lecture on where to spend my money...I've asked very specific questions. If you have input on those question, then by all means share your knowledge...otherwise your opinion is just that and has no relevance to what I'm asking.
 
I'm in a similar situation as the OP, but I'm not looking to build a full blown match rifle. I just got a good deal on an Accuracy International stock for a 700 long action. I've read through this thread to get ideas. Everywhere I have found actions is wanting $450 to 500, so I'm liking the idea of getting a SPS and dumping the original stock. Then upgrading barrel and trigger as I get ready.
 
Cheapest way to get a 700 action is to dig one out of the trash, that is where my last one ended up, won't ever touch another one. When I build my target gun it will be on a Savage 110 action.
 
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