jim in Anchorage
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FN. A gun company, not a "investment group."
Remington 700... Is it still good in 2017??
- Thread starter JeeperCreeper
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JeeperCreeper
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I'd love to get a Winny 70... but they are really outta my price range, especially for a beater-knock-around rifle. The finest rifle I ever held was a Winchester 70 in 416 Rem. I think it was their anniversary safari model. One day...
Newtosavage
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I can't say a bad thing about the Ruger American.
It was OK. Quite workable. As I recall it had a little creep. I've read it's ability to adjust is pretty variable from unit to unit.
I didn't pay that much attention to it because I knew I'd be replacing it before I even took delivery of the rifle.
OR
FL-NC
Member
I have 4 700's that are all great, but they are older: a 20 year old 243 sporter I hunt with, a 5R stainless, a custom suppressed PSS and 1 is a M24 buy-back, so they are no reference to what is rolling out of the factory today. The M24 is what I used when I qualified as a sniper in both army schools, and for several overseas deployments so the 700 will always hold a place in my heart. However, the features and accuracy for $400 or less on a Ruger American for a simple hunting rifle are hard to beat. That's why my hunting 308 is the American predator- and I am totally happy with it. Even if it makes my 700's jealous.
cdb1
Member
I agree. I'd take a 700 ADL over an Axis, RAR, 783, etc. I've had my ADL since the early 70's and it is very accurate. I don't care for the chintzy extractor either but have never had a failure. I'd also like a Bergara. We have four Vanguards in the family and they are top notch.
Contrary to Internet myth Remington quality has improved dramatically the past couple of years.
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JeeperCreeper
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Hey that kinda looks like mine!!!
Too bad if I do go Rem 700 (which I'm thinking I'm not...), it's gonna be a cheap SPS in plastic flavor.
I think that's why I'm looking at the Mossberg and Savage so I can get a wood stock for around $300-350.
I think it's rare that someone in my generation prefers blue steel and walnut over the new tacticool coolness in FDE ceramic magic kote
cdb1
Member
It's mostly personal but I like the Mossberg Patriot better than the Axis.
The problem with Remington today is inconsistent quality control. You might get a really good one, or not. They got ruined being owned by a hedge fund.
I had four Vanguard S2 rifles, and all easily outshot their sub-MOA guarantee. I bought a Ruger American Ranch rifle, and came to the realization, the Americans are far better rifles than their price point would lead you to believe.
I had four Vanguard S2 rifles, and all easily outshot their sub-MOA guarantee. I bought a Ruger American Ranch rifle, and came to the realization, the Americans are far better rifles than their price point would lead you to believe.
VoodooMountain
Member
Op,
My vote goes to the Ruger American if you're after a budget option.
Patriot uses a plastic sheet for bedding which has been prone to break.
Axis has a poor retention system for mag and has recoil lug in stock. It also costs just a few dollars less than the model 11.
Howa 1500 can be had for $350 or so. It's a bit heavier than the other options mainly due to the stock but overall build quality is superior.
Cdnn may still have a few Ruger 77's on sale. A great rifle, good trigger, good accuracy, and control feed.
Ther s always the 783 if you still want a Remington. Basically the same as the marlin x7 which was an ok option for the price.
My vote goes to the Ruger American if you're after a budget option.
Patriot uses a plastic sheet for bedding which has been prone to break.
Axis has a poor retention system for mag and has recoil lug in stock. It also costs just a few dollars less than the model 11.
Howa 1500 can be had for $350 or so. It's a bit heavier than the other options mainly due to the stock but overall build quality is superior.
Cdnn may still have a few Ruger 77's on sale. A great rifle, good trigger, good accuracy, and control feed.
Ther s always the 783 if you still want a Remington. Basically the same as the marlin x7 which was an ok option for the price.
I have 5 Remington rifles; 4 of them are 700s, a .223 VSF and .223 VLS, 243 VLS, 270 ADL. I adjusted the trigger on the .223 VLS and 243. My .223 VSF (Varmint Synthetic Fluted).....I put a Shilen trigger in it....is my favorite varmint rifle, a superbly accurate reliable rifle and has killed many 100s of prairie dogs. The synthetic stock is great...I've beat the crap out of it and it looks the same as it did new. But, it was not all that cheap; I paid a little over $700....it's gray with that kind of spider web finish, not the flat black, which I don't like. All of my Remington rifles have been excellent and the triggers are actually not bad, I just like them to be crisper and lighter. None of my Remingtons has ever failed me. I would not hesitate to buy a dozen more.
redneck2
Member
Personally, I'd look through the used gun racks and get something that's already bruised at a discount price. For a regular hunting rifle, I doubt that there is enough difference in brands to make a huge difference.
YMMV
YMMV
I prefer wood. I'm old fashioned I guess.
someguy2800
Member
I much prefer wood but only if its decent hard wood. If it looks like it was made out of a cheap piece of birch with pressed in checkering and matte clear coat on it like most cheaper wood guns these days then it doesn't do anything for me. They aren't pleasing to my eye and they dent and ding on everything you touch. There is also a pretty big difference in quality on synthetic stocks. Some of the cheap ones feel like they are made of recycled cool whip tubs, others are nearly as stiff as a good walnut stock.
Nature Boy
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Be patient, save a little and step up to a Win 70 with synthetic stock. It's worth it and you'll be happier
OP
OP
JeeperCreeper
Member
One day when I finish grad school and get a decent paycheck, I'll snag one up. But for now, a $100 might as well be a $1,000 so cheap is the name of the game.
Orcon
Member
I'm probably a bit late to this party but I think the 700 is a good buy if you can get one for $500 or less. I bought one in 308 Win a while back for a NIB-to-my-door price of $500 and shot it long enough to realize that it needed upgrades, I mean it's no match piece but it's a good jumping off point. I started buying upgrades when I found them on sale, $230 on a stock, $100 on a Timney, $275 5R Krieger MTU blank... The gun-smithing though... $400 for the action and bbl work, $200 cerakote, $200 PTG bolt assembly. That's nearly $2000, not including the original rifle or glass!
Honestly, if I could hit a reset button and get all my money back I'd spend it on a PTG trued action and go from there.
Honestly, if I could hit a reset button and get all my money back I'd spend it on a PTG trued action and go from there.
Another comment about Remington 700s. As I said I have four 700s, all purchased in the last 10-12 years. What I left out of my first response was that I also have Anschutz, Ruger, and Savage rifles and shotguns. I have had to send all three, Anschutz, Ruger, and Savage in for warranty repair, but have never had to return a Remington. And BTW, Anschutz, Savage and Ruger customer service was very good and the problems were corrected. But, my experience has been that Remington makes fine rifles. Oh, and I also have a 2nd edition Remington R51, which is a fine pistol. The 1st edition had some problems, but they replaced them and the new edition, at least mine, is flawless.
kimberkid
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The solution to your conundrum is easy ... buy an OLD 700!
If you have any doubts about it, rebarrel it, replace the trigger, buy a new stock ... don't forget the glass of your choice (Leupold is my favorite) and you'll be fine!
OR just buy a complete action and build it ... There is a company (of course I can't remember the name now) that makes a quick barrel change for it so you could have the one receiver and barrels in 308, 6.5 Creedmore, 22-250 ... if you had different bolts you could even do 223 & 300 Black Out ... Put it all in a case and it would be pretty cool!
If you have any doubts about it, rebarrel it, replace the trigger, buy a new stock ... don't forget the glass of your choice (Leupold is my favorite) and you'll be fine!
OR just buy a complete action and build it ... There is a company (of course I can't remember the name now) that makes a quick barrel change for it so you could have the one receiver and barrels in 308, 6.5 Creedmore, 22-250 ... if you had different bolts you could even do 223 & 300 Black Out ... Put it all in a case and it would be pretty cool!
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tsieger
Member
The Ruger American is good rifle for a great price. You can't go wrong with that.
I'm a personal fan of the Remingtons, as my grandpa gave me a Rem 742 before he passed away. So - like you - the sentimental value is there. And mine's been reliable over the years. Kept it clean and I haven't struggled with the jamming problems a lot of people have had with the 742s. The 700 line is pretty good. But if you're just looking for a beater rifle for the woods, the Ruger American might be your best bet.
I'm a personal fan of the Remingtons, as my grandpa gave me a Rem 742 before he passed away. So - like you - the sentimental value is there. And mine's been reliable over the years. Kept it clean and I haven't struggled with the jamming problems a lot of people have had with the 742s. The 700 line is pretty good. But if you're just looking for a beater rifle for the woods, the Ruger American might be your best bet.
I certainly understand. I currently have a similar post up regarding a Savage Axis. But since you already have a Remington 700, you know it, you like it, and you're looking for a "beater gun", what about getting a used Remington 700? That way you will have the "pre-Freedom Group" quality and the familiarity of what you are used to.
Sistema1927
Member
I have an old 721 in .30-06 that I don't mind getting some scratches. It is the most accurate "cheap" gun I have ever bought. I think that I gave $200 for it when I found it languishing on the rack at my LGS, including a cheap scope that I replaced with a vintage Weaver.
someguy2800
Member
My picks for an ecconomical gun to go hunting with and not worry about dragging it through the brush and laying it on the ground to gut a deer and scrape against the side of the deer stand and sit for hours in the rain and snow would be a ruger american, a weatherby vanguard, a browning A-bolt, or a tikka T3 light. They can all be had for less than $500 sometimes even packaged with a quality scope. The tikka would be my top pick of the three but I would be happy with any of them.
cdb1
Member
My favorite is the Vanguard, it is not any better than Tikka but has a feature set I prefer, mainly more weight for harder kicking cartridges, no DBM and 24" barrels.
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