Question on Remington 700 action sizes

[dr0]

I was wondering about the variety of action sizes that Remington has in the model 700. Specifically do the .375 H&H, 8mm Rem Mag and .416 Rem Mag use the same size action as the more common Model 700 BDL/CDL/SPS long action used for .30-06 and .338 WinMag calibers?

The reason I ask is that I see the larger calibers are sometimes referred to as "long magnum" or "true magnum" case sizes. I've been reading a bit on the .416 Taylor and one of the comments often made is that it's easier to convert guns to it than to the .416 Remington Mag. Is this because the bolt head from a .338 WinMag can be used, or are there other reasons too, like magazine size? Or is it not even possible because Remington 700 actions can't handle .375 sized rounds?

For instance I was reading an article from Guns and Ammo that's on the web by Craig Boddington (easy to find if you google "416 taylor" and he makes this statement:

First, the rifle was a great deal more compact than any large-actioned Rigby and more compact than any .416 Remington (which requires a .375-length action). This doesn't always matter, but it made a difference when scrambling through the forest.

Does Remington have a .375 length action? Or is their long action long enough to accomodate the larger cartridges as is?

 

[dr0]

I note that Remingtons only .375s and .416s are from the Custom Shop. The ABG lists for $2800. It's a beautiful gun with all sorts of do-dads on it that seem nice, but not super useful. Iron sights, barrel bands, box magazines. The laminated stock is nice.

Still the .338 SPS is $600 and comes in .300 WinMag and even .300RemUltraMag. For the $2200 difference I could be a very nice aftermarket stock and rebarrel job, a scope and still have cash left over for the trip.

 

[dr0]

anybody??

 

[Bwana John]

The Remington 700 long action is already a full lenght "Magnum" action i.e. it will fit .375 H&H, 8mm Rem mag, ect..

 

[rr2241tx]

Actually, the 8mmRemMag and later run of Classic 8mm Mauser actions are .375 H&H length _and_ quite a bit longer than the standard Long Action used for .30-06 and .338WinMag. I know, I have both.

If you are in the market for an action of that length, look on GB for a Remington Classic 8mm Mauser, which can be had NIB for around $600 or an 8mmRemMag which although it was only produced for two years as a catalog item occassionally shows up because they are punishing to shoot and really give no meaningful increase in power over the 8mm Mauser. The advantage to the Classic is that it comes with a nice piece of furniture and their 'improved' trigger. You will however have to learn to live with the hideous bolt lock shroud or replace it.

 

[dr0]

Hmm. Well Bwana John says all Remmy long actions are 'true magnum length', while rr2241tx says that there are two action lengths, and the Remington 8mm are longer than the standard length ones.

Anybody else want to weigh in? Anyone willing to put some side by side photos up?

 

[Bwana John]

Anybody?

A .375 H&H and 8mm Rem Mag fit in the magazine of my "long action" Rem 700 in 7mm Mauser just fine.

 

[dr0]

Thanks!