rem 700

[IdahoJoe]

I have a rem 700 in 30-06 that was given to me by my father in-law. The gun is in good shape but currently has a tasco scope and a 5 lb trigger pull and the stock (wood) feels like it needs bedded and the floated.
I don't really know what the accuracy potential is in the factory barrel because i can't shoot a rifle well with out a good scope and a lighter trigger. My question is what should I do with it. I would like to keep it in 30-06 as a backup gun. (though I could be talked into a 280 rem). My typical hunting range is 300 yrds though I am confident to about 500.
My current big game gun is a cooper jackson hunter in 6.5-284 that shoots better than me.

should i adjust the factory trigger and try it as is

should I replace the factory trigger with a timmney

should I replace the stock with a composite one
should I replace the barrel
Save the money for something else
Decent optics are a given

Thanks for the Ideas

 

[flashhole]

You can adjust the trigger yourself. There are lots of "how to" instructions on the net. If you do adjust it yourself make sure you shock test it. Put the UNLOADED gun on safe and rap the butt stock on the floor. If the trigger goes off you have it adjusted too light.

It will definately benefit from having the barrel floated and action bedded, no reason to buy a new stock if yours is in good shape unless you just want to change it.

Might get the best improvements by handloading your own ammo and tweaking loads to the gun.

 

[yobuck]

You can adjust the trigger yourself. There are lots of "how to" instructions on the net. If you do adjust it yourself make sure you shock test it. Put the UNLOADED gun on safe and rap the butt stock on the floor. If the trigger goes off you have it adjusted too light.

It will definately benefit from having the barrel floated and action bedded, no reason to buy a new stock if yours is in good shape unless you just want to change it.

Might get the best improvements by handloading your own ammo and tweaking loads to the gun.

and that covers it very well. do the above and just shoot it.

 

[Brewer]

Yep, I agree. I have done the same with a .25-06. bought spring kit from midway or somewhere and was able to get the trigger to 2.5# for $15 with freight. that. I have a Bushnell 3200 3.5-10X50 on my 300WM that I have killed deer with at 500ish yards. that scope is less than $200 FROM Natchez right now.

Depending on your dispensable income, if its a back-up I would say $300 would get you in good shape to 500 yards with hand loads. of course, if you are going to bed it, you might want to spend $500 on a scope so it isn't the weak link. so I suppose it depends on how much you want to spend. I would suppose that others might agree (or not), first is trigger upgrade, second is scope, third is bedding or heaver stock, muzzle break might be forth or just a whole new barrel, but of course, now you are talking the money... maybe start out with a budget and work it from there? my $0.02

 

[chuck williams]

If you can afford a cooper hunting rifle, you can afford to give the remmy the makeover it deserves to include barrel, stock, and jewel trigger!!!!

 

[IdahoJoe]

I can expect for I spend all the money on a cooper.

just wondering how to get the most for my money as well as what it really needs.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I can expect for I spend all the money on a cooper.

just wondering how to get the most for my money as well as what it really needs.

Flashhole summed it up pretty good! I'd try all that first, and if it still won't shoot sub-MOA, rebarrel and have the action trued. A .280 Ackley Improved would be a good alternative to the '06, as it can push 7mm bullets to within 150 fps of a 7mm RemMag.

 

[IdahoJoe]

Thanks for the heads up on the bushnell scope. How do these compare to leoupold of the same $.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Thanks for the heads up on the bushnell scope. How do these compare to leoupold of the same $.

For a budget optic, I recommend this:

Vortex Viper HS Long Range Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 4-16x 50mm Side Focus

 

[IdahoJoe]

Alright I adjusted the trigger to acceptable performance

how hard is it to bed the action myself and any advice there.

I do reload and have 30-06 dies and components so the ammo part isn't a concern.

Thanks again

 

[WildRose]

I have a rem 700 in 30-06 that was given to me by my father in-law. The gun is in good shape but currently has a tasco scope and a 5 lb trigger pull and the stock (wood) feels like it needs bedded and the floated.
I don't really know what the accuracy potential is in the factory barrel because i can't shoot a rifle well with out a good scope and a lighter trigger. My question is what should I do with it. I would like to keep it in 30-06 as a backup gun. (though I could be talked into a 280 rem). My typical hunting range is 300 yrds though I am confident to about 500.
My current big game gun is a cooper jackson hunter in 6.5-284 that shoots better than me.

should i adjust the factory trigger and try it as is

should I replace the factory trigger with a timmney

should I replace the stock with a composite one
should I replace the barrel
Save the money for something else
Decent optics are a given

Thanks for the Ideas

I would just get a good trigger job done, lap the lugs, install pillars and do a good float/bedding job on it and see how it then shoots.

Of course I'd also put better glass on it. At 500yds and less that should be all you need.

 

[WildRose]

Alright I adjusted the trigger to acceptable performance

how hard is it to bed the action myself and any advice there.

I do reload and have 30-06 dies and components so the ammo part isn't a concern.

Thanks again

Go over to Youtube and enter "pillar bedding" in the search engine.

 

[Brewer]

Thanks for the heads up on the bushnell scope. How do these compare to leoupold of the same $.

I don't own any Leopold's. I have looked through a few of them. as a matter of fact, I just did a trigger job on a MK77 with a low-end Leopold and I was not impressed at all. My general thought on the Leopold scopes is that you are paying quite a bit for the name. I also think with Bushnell and Burris, you are getting more scope for the money, though you can brag to your friends as much.
.

 

[flashhole]

+1 on Burris scopes. I own three. One is a Full Field II, the other two are Signature series. Excellent performance, excellent value.

The older Nikon Ultra Clear Coat (UCC) scopes are great if you can find one.

I put a Weaver K3 on a rimfire rifle and have been very impressed with it.

The older Redfield I have on my 221 Fireball has a wide field of view lens, very clear distortion free optics.

... but my favorite scope is my Zeiss Conquest.

Money spent on good quality optics is money well spent. Get the best scope you can afford and plan to keep it. Nice thing about scopes is you can move them from gun to gun.