Building a custom Rem 700????

[treeslayer]

I picked up a rem 700 dirt cheap. Would like to turn it into a long range elk gun. It is currently chambered in 30-06. The gun has some rusting on it so it needs some tlc anyway. Would love to have a 338 Lapua but that may be a little much for a 700? And shooting the lapuas are hard on the bank acount. What would be the top long range cartridges for this size action? What are your favorites and why? I'm new to long range shooting so just trying to get a feel for what is available before jumping into a build.

Thanks

[J E Custom]

Originally Posted by treeslayer

I picked up a rem 700 dirt cheap. Would like to turn it into a long range elk gun. It is currently chambered in 30-06. The gun has some rusting on it so it needs some tlc anyway. Would love to have a 338 Lapua but that may be a little much for a 700? And shooting the lapuas are hard on the bank acount. What would be the top long range cartridges for this size action? What are your favorites and why? I'm new to long range shooting so just trying to get a feel for what is available before jumping into a build.

Thanks

I recomend any of the magnum bolt face cartridges. 338 Win Mag,340 Weatherby, 338 RUM. Etc.

The Lapua is a great round but the case head is to large for the Remington without some drastic
changes.

The 338 RUM will fit with the bolt face opened up, an a extractor installation.

Or simply buy a PT&G bolt with a magnum bolt face and an M16 style extractor. (Its not that
much more expensive by the time you have the Smithing done) to make the 30/06 bolt work.

The 338 Rum has slightly more case capacity than the Lapua and can match or beat it with the
same pressures.

There are other cartriges that are bigger but realy need a custom action or a Weatherby Mark 5
and both are expensive.

J E CUSTOM

[GNERGY]

Like J E said, Go with the 338 Ultra mag, it will do anything the lapua will do.
I went with the 338 Ultra mag and it shoots like a Laser. Put a Muscle brake on it and it will be fun to shoot.
Tarey

[highridge1]

I would sell it and Just get a ultra mag action that will work in the first place.By the time you pay for the modifications you won't be saving any money.

[trebark]

As others have noted, your bolt face is your limiting factor. Buy a new bolt or have your current bolt modified and you can go with any of the big magnums.

For a budget build, use my nephew's rifle as a template for the kinds of things you can do...

Nephew's Transformed Rifle!

Want to get a bit more custom??

My 300RUM by MCR

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Dirt cheep is almost as good as free. I would go the 338 RUM or EDGE route myself. Cant wait to see the pics who are you going to have do the work? You know a great gunsmith already awnsered your question.

[ken snyder]

I wouldn't even consider anything that needs to have the boltface opened up. Good used appropriately sized actions are extremely easy to find. One of the most common long range usages for that action is a 6.5 - 284 Norma Target ( appropriate throat length for your bullet choice).