Is Remington's 700 Action Still the Best?

[Jeff W.]

Short of going with all custom components, including a custom action, is the Remington 700 still the best "out of the box" action? If you were going to build a semi-custom rifle would you use a Remington 700 as the cornerstone of your rifle? Assuming you would have the 700 action trued and blueprinted, is there another OEM action that is better?

What say ye?

 

[RedMan*]

I would have to say honestly, "yes"

Almost (very small that are not) all custom builds are built on the Remmy or are upgraded to a custom action.

I have 2 built on Remmy's and one Surgeon built by G.A. Precision.

FWIW,
Stu

 

[gebhardt02]

There is a reason many of the custom actions have near identical dimensions to the Rem. Aftermarket accessorries such as scope bases, stocks, triggers, etc. will work with them. Custom actions will get you tighter tolerances and such, but a reworked rem can still give you outstanding results.

Stu, I just joined, nice to see ya here!

Geb

 

[AJ Peacock]

Yes for the most part. Except if you where needing a controlled round feed because you were going after dangerous game, then I'd pick an older Win 70 with CRF, or a Mauser style action.

Your question is a little unfair, since trueing an action will cost nearly as much as the additional cost of a custom action over the cost of a 700 action. And when you want to resell a custom, you will get most of your $$'s out of it, the 700 will be worth around what you paid (prior to trueing it), so in the long run, the 700 is typically more costly than a custom 700 knockoff.

AJ

 

[BountyHunter]

AJ pretty much hit it on the head.. The 700 might be/not be the best, but it sure has the most components and it easy for gunsmiths to work on.

Those attributes make it desirable, but certainly not a value IMO for the money when you blueprint and accurize to a comparable level.

Many of the 700 clones are really not clones, they just basically have the same footprint. Most are out of the box truer, faster ignition, tighter, longer barrel tenons, better and more reliable extractors and most importantly smoother and at less money than a trued 700.

Now some will jump up and say their 700 out of the box shoots 1/4" or better with no work. Yes, for at least one group which is a whole other discussion on repeatability vs best once in a lifetime group.

BH

 

[AJ Peacock]

...

Now some will jump up and say their 700 out of the box shoots 1/4" or better with no work. Yes, for at least one group which is a whole other discussion on repeatability vs best once in a lifetime group.

BH

Speaking of which. I shot one of my 700's yesterday from prone position (upgraded stock and trigger) and shot a .267" center to center 3 shot group at 200yds! (7mm RM). So yes, out of the box they will shoot, but I would take a custom action in the 700 footprint anyday of the week!

AJ

 

[James H]

You assume too much.
What makes you think it ever was the best, let alone "still is the best".

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

Remington never was the best and still is not. They are easy for gunsmiths to work on and get aftermarket parts for and that is a good thing because you need them. After a good bit of work they can be made to shoot great. You must determine what you mean as best. They may be the best to carry to a gunsmith because most are very familiar with them and the aftermarket parts. Or do you define best as the best action out of the box which the 700 is certainly not. Like was said earlier some cuctoms are designed close enough to the 700 so most aftermarket parts will fit, not neccesarily because it is the best.

 

[boomtube]

"... is the Remington 700 still the best "out of the box" action?"

Yes, without a doubt. But, with qualifiers.

It's the best out of the box American sporter rifle from the major makers. It ain't a Kimber, Sako, etc. but those do tend to cost a mite more than a 700, and for very little benefit in the field.

So, "best" depends a whole lot on what you really want. I'm satisfied with my 700 deer rifel (But I would love to have a Kimber and I do love my Sako varmint rifle!)