custom vs rem action?
- Thread starter furhntr
- Start date
You'll be way ahead of the game by going with a custom action as opposed to spending the money to get a Remington close to a custom. I've had two Remington actions trued, threads re-cut, lugs lapped, bolts sleeved, firing pin hole bushed, etc. My next rifle will be a custom action from the git-go. Why? The amount you spend getting a Remington close to a custom action will almost equal the initial price of a custom.
Lou Baccino
Lou Baccino
I'm having a custom 243AI build on a Remington 700SA.I was too hasty in my decision to have a gun built,and did not research what's available in custom actions.The Stiller Viper appeals to me mainly because it comes in a left drop port,single shot,with integral base ,rings and trigger guard,for a comparable price to a bluprinted Rem 700.I would definetly go with a custom action,and Stiller's drop port in 20BR is what I would build.I still may do it before I run out of years.Take your time and think it out.Too many calibers,too little time.Have fun.
Bottom line: you can get a custom action with Rem. 700 footprint (Price, Borden, etc.) for $700 - $800. Truing your Rem. (sounds like you already have one) in the neigborhood of $200 - $300 for squaring face, threads, lug recess and lap lugs. Optional bolt stops, recoil lugs, etc. are of course extra. Cost of trigger work or replacement is the same with either.
furhntr: The key sentence for me was "this isn't going to be a bench gun", and that would make me favor an older Remington 700 short-action to build on, for the purpose you described. I have bought older 700's, built in the late 60's & early 70's, had the receivers cleaned up and re-barreled with Hart, Shilen & Krieger barrels. Most of the receivers needed very little work, unlike some of the newer ones made in the 90's. One, in fact is an ADL, that now has a Shilen 1-12, tight fitted neck in 22BR. The receiver is "as issue", and it is one of my most accurate: consistant 5 shot groups at 200 yds., in well under 1/2 moa. For a full-blown match competition benchrest rifle, a custom action would be my choice, if I were involved in that type of shooting. For trueing a Rem 700 (starting with a good one), I've never paid more than $75 to $100. I've gotta wonder how many Remington receivers are "blueprinted" to the cost of several hundred Dollars, when all they needed was the very minimal amount (or none at all) of work to put them in the "accurate varmint rifle" category. 
therifler
Silver $$ Contributor
First the gunsmith should inspect to see if it needs to be trued .Then explain his finding to the customer . If it does not need a complete truing job you don't do it .If the customer wants it then you complete the job . That being said as you well no Frank . How many perfect Rem. actions have you come across that does'nt need some work .My job is to make an accurate rifle.If I can't improve on what you got and I charge you anyway your not coming back .
I build several rifles from scratch every year and rebarrel around 300 more every year. Remington and Savage Actions make up the bulk of the factory actions. Stiller, Kelbly, Neseika, Bat, Barnard, Borden, Pierce, Surgeon, Lawton, Montana make up the bulk of custom actions.
I have seen a few Remington Actions that required no truing at all. I have seen far more that the cost of fixing them right out ways the cost of getting a custom action from the get go.
In my day job I am a goverment agent and accountant. It is simple do the math and follow the money. You can't go wrong with a custom action.
If I were doing it for myself and the cost of the work was not a factor. I would still go the custom action route. It is the path of least resistence.
Nat Lambeth
I have seen a few Remington Actions that required no truing at all. I have seen far more that the cost of fixing them right out ways the cost of getting a custom action from the get go.
In my day job I am a goverment agent and accountant. It is simple do the math and follow the money. You can't go wrong with a custom action.
If I were doing it for myself and the cost of the work was not a factor. I would still go the custom action route. It is the path of least resistence.
Nat Lambeth
michael: Two of my six Remington 700's (all "older" models") are as-is without anything having been done to the receivers, and they are both at the top of the class for what would be considered very accurate varmint rifles. Three had some minor clean-up work only for minimal cost. The sixth, a "G" series serial number required the most work, but even at that it did not equal several hundred Dollars. Bottom line is that I have 6 rifles built the way I want them, with each receiver costing approx. $400, ($2400 total), as opposed to 6 custom receivers at approx. $800 each ($4800 total). That "extra", left-over $2400 will buy a lot of Hart, Shilen and Krieger barrels, where I believe the real basis for accuracy is begun. If someone wants a varmint rifle built, and cost is no consideration, then by all means they should go for a custom action, and they can run the cost up to ?????/ I guess the sky is the limit.
therifler
Silver $$ Contributor
Exactly Frank not all shooters can afford to go out and by custom actions . I have no day job I build rifles ,gunsmith and offer machine shop services that 's my profession . I do alot of factory actions as you said earlier it shouldn't cost several hundred dollars to true and action . The worst of the bunch on Rem. would be $225.00 most times $ 75 .00 to 125.00 will correct the problem . If I sleeve the bolt which I think makes a big difference that is 80.00 dollars . Now 225.00 might be alot but my customers are alot happier when I tell them it only came to 175.00 or what ever .
MarkS
Silver $$ Contributor
furhntr,
I started out with tuned rebarreled Remingtons, in HS stocks that came with them. They work very well. But once you go the a custom you can't go back. I have now, Hall, Bat "B", and a Stiller Diamondback, all I picked up used. You can save a ton of money on a used gun, if it has most of the things you want in a gun. Custom make great switch barrel guns.
If the Rem action is blueprinted you will have nearly the cost of a Stiller hunting acion and not far from a Diamondback action.
You can't go wrong with a custom.
Mark Schronce
I started out with tuned rebarreled Remingtons, in HS stocks that came with them. They work very well. But once you go the a custom you can't go back. I have now, Hall, Bat "B", and a Stiller Diamondback, all I picked up used. You can save a ton of money on a used gun, if it has most of the things you want in a gun. Custom make great switch barrel guns.
If the Rem action is blueprinted you will have nearly the cost of a Stiller hunting acion and not far from a Diamondback action.
You can't go wrong with a custom.
Mark Schronce
Mark: Again, yes I agree, if it's a competition benchrest rifle, but the original posting related to a walk-around type varmint rifle, and for that I see no problem with a basic, good, older Remington. The design cannot be all that bad, since many custom actions (like Hart) are basically upgraded copies of the Remington. Remington did have their "glory" years when Mike Walker , Jim Stickel and others were involved, unfortunately those days are gone, thanks to the corporate take-overs and control of quality (or lack thereof) by the bean counters. Working with a custom action would probably also raise the cost and availability of an appropriate varmint type stock, a vast number available for the Rem. 700. Bottom line: that groundhog at 350 yds, will never know if it was a Rem 700 or a custom action that sent him to the clover field in the sky. p.s. 3 of my 4 switch-barrels are built on Rem 700's.
therifler
Silver $$ Contributor
Frank you get to the point a little better than i do well said . Mark I understand your point and by all means custom is the way to go if you are starting out with nothing . I just did one on Stiller Predator 6mmbr guy loves it . He had been looking for rem. short could'nt find one so that is what he got . But if you got Rem 700 and want to build a rifle hunting or benchrest. If it is done right it will be competitive with a custom action . As Frank said earlier half the cost .
MarkS
Silver $$ Contributor
furhntr said:
Frank, furhntr asked for a Very Accuracte varmint rifle, he did not say he wanted a walking rifle. I agree a groundhog could not tell the difference at 350 yds, but could tell at 750 yds.
furhntr, Remington would be fine for a Varmint gun, but if you are looking for a Very accuracy Varmint rifle, you will go custom some day. Sell the remington. Take the money it takes to blueprint the action and get a Stiller Predator.
Mark Schronce
i imagine it to go something like this when a question is asked like furhntr's
take into consideration the average fella [ lets take me as i think what i may or may not do ?] has hunted an reloaded for a time an has decided after all these yrs he wants a custom good shooter, the option is build it from scratch with a StilDiaHalaBat Custome Action or use my old ADL Rem. .. etc., as a doner.. the rifle cost me under 500. back a few yrs ago an i don't have any $ in it as yet... so what do i need to shoot paper or varmints out to 350yds..
first up i guess my stock skinny barrel is shot out an will want to replace it with a varmint or heavy custom barrel [280]? in .? caliber on my action an a good smitty to do the work [250] ?.. i need/want a custom trigger [225] an i'll need the proper mounts/rings [45. + ] for my new high power variable scope [500.]
i don't think my original stock is worth using so i'll need to have all this put into a custom stock [325] an i 'll need it fitted an bedded properly so i may as well have it done by a professional [350] ?... now that i'm all in into this so far.. i'll definatly need/want a new /good bench rest set of dies.. etc. [250] new supplies - powder, cases, bullets, primers [ $-? ]... more thoughts.. is my old lee reloading press good enough [ $-? ] more thought... when the gun is done will want good bench rest equipment like Mr Jones has [300]..... last thoughts before i go ahead.. should i go with that StilDiaHalaBat Custome Action [extra $] first or not an what about the finish on the metal. Hmmm... single shot or make it a BDL [$-?]..
i have to ask myself with possible cost of 3000 bux or more into this project an 1/2 a yr in the making worth a weekend of punching paper an shooting chucks... Hmmm .. i could sell my old press an dies, stock, trigger an barrel....
take into consideration the average fella [ lets take me as i think what i may or may not do ?] has hunted an reloaded for a time an has decided after all these yrs he wants a custom good shooter, the option is build it from scratch with a StilDiaHalaBat Custome Action or use my old ADL Rem. .. etc., as a doner.. the rifle cost me under 500. back a few yrs ago an i don't have any $ in it as yet... so what do i need to shoot paper or varmints out to 350yds..
first up i guess my stock skinny barrel is shot out an will want to replace it with a varmint or heavy custom barrel [280]? in .? caliber on my action an a good smitty to do the work [250] ?.. i need/want a custom trigger [225] an i'll need the proper mounts/rings [45. + ] for my new high power variable scope [500.]
i don't think my original stock is worth using so i'll need to have all this put into a custom stock [325] an i 'll need it fitted an bedded properly so i may as well have it done by a professional [350] ?... now that i'm all in into this so far.. i'll definatly need/want a new /good bench rest set of dies.. etc. [250] new supplies - powder, cases, bullets, primers [ $-? ]... more thoughts.. is my old lee reloading press good enough [ $-? ] more thought... when the gun is done will want good bench rest equipment like Mr Jones has [300]..... last thoughts before i go ahead.. should i go with that StilDiaHalaBat Custome Action [extra $] first or not an what about the finish on the metal. Hmmm... single shot or make it a BDL [$-?]..
i have to ask myself with possible cost of 3000 bux or more into this project an 1/2 a yr in the making worth a weekend of punching paper an shooting chucks... Hmmm .. i could sell my old press an dies, stock, trigger an barrel....
Frank - In your opinion, what years and serial number ranges were the best Remington receivers built?
A remington can be made into a VERY accurate rifle. If you already have a donor rem action, build on it.
If you have to buy the action I would most definitely go custom.
The simple fact for a custom is re-sale value. You purchase lets say a BAT and you decide to sell it down the road, you will be able to recoup 90% of the cost. You will not recoup that out of a correctly built up rem 700.
If you have to buy the action I would most definitely go custom.
The simple fact for a custom is re-sale value. You purchase lets say a BAT and you decide to sell it down the road, you will be able to recoup 90% of the cost. You will not recoup that out of a correctly built up rem 700.
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