Remington 700 Guns

[Rust]

First off I have owned many 700s over the years and currently own from a .223 VS-SF to a .338 RUM Sendero-SF. But I do not worship at the alter of big green.

Nor of any factory efforts for that matter.

And it's always down to quality control: poorly installed extractors; overly large firing pin holes so any load no matter how mild craters the primer badly; centerline of the barrel bore not in line with the centerline of the action; scope mounting holes drilled so far out of alignment a one piece mount won't fit up; the J-lock; triggers so bad that an aftermarket spring set had to be installed to bring the trigger weight under 8 lbs and an aftermarket shroud and firing pin assembly to get rid of the stupid lock; bad crowns; firing pins that aren't straight; incorrect firing pin protrusion.

Despite all of that, the 700s have generally shot a consistant 3/4 moa at 100 with a well developed handload and some tuning (a decent bedding job doesn't hurt even with the aluminum bedding block).

Now the military uses 700s because they are the Chevy small block of the rifle world, with a similar aftermarket, and that they are likely to remain on production for a long, long time.

But in comparison, any rifle I've ever built based on an aftermarket action simply leaves any factory based rifle in the dust. And at $700 for a quality improved 700 clone, if you don't already have a donor action on hand it's more cost effective than a complete blueprinting job.

So I've kept the better 700s. But for serious accuracy I would no longer consider building off of any factory action, too many better choices out there.

[Onenut58]

Hmmm
sounds to me like the model 700 is one of the worst pieces of junk ever built. I have owned a few myself and have relatives and friends who own them also.
They are a very common gun in northern idaho where I grew up.
I guess I need to get the word out to all of them how much a piece of junk they are and how all the problems described are wrong with there guns etc.
In all honesty there isnt a gun manufactured in existance that you cannot find a few horror tales about.
You left out the fact that the early model 700 and winchester model rifles used in vietnam were off the shelf guns with off the shelf hunting scopes.
You can argue fords chevys and dodges all day long and prove nothing.
I lean towards remingtons because they have performed for me flawlessly. But I own a variety of brands and calibers and dont worship as you say any of them.
I can say this. I have never heard of any one having any of the problems you described although I do believe if you look hard enough you can find those problems.
But I know for a fact they are not common. I have had to send back two different ruger m-77 rifles in the past one twice. Both had head space problems.
But I would not hesitate to buy a ruger rifle in the future or trade for one etc.

[gearchecker]

I just saw a demonstration of the military 700 sniper rifle and it was absolutly impressive. The sniper took out 15 of 15 targets at ranges from 130 Yds up to 1,000 yds. His accuracy was affected by the wind out past 400 yds or so, but he still registered "qualified kills on everything he shot at. He talked about how well they were made and that they can always be counted on to do the jobe intended. He did qualify some of his shooting accuracy was also based on hand loaded custom matched ammo. All you BR shooters can understand that sentiment. I like the 700 for it's simplicity andease to accurize too.

Dave, Glad to see you post again. I really missed you. Glad to have you back in the world. E-mail me if you get a chance.
GQ

[stephen perry]

Like to make it clear. I see good in all bolt action rifles. My feeling towards Savage rifles has nothing to do with the rifles, I own a 110 and would have liked to have a 112 but nobody in my neck of the woods sold Savage rifles.

Heard so many Savage shooters claiming benchrest groups on Benchrest Central. Most anybody with a good shooting factory rifle can shoot a 1/4" group at 100 once in a blue moon but not a .25 agg, like I said my bet stays the same at our new Angeles Range $500 if you do $100 to me if you don't, NBRSA allows 1 Shoot without registration, you would pay Range fee for the day. I hold the money.

Stephen Perry
Angeles BR