I want to create a new .223 Remington 700. Some have stated that the quality of the new rifles is lacking. I was toying with a 700 VLS or other similar models. Anyone purchase one and either like or dislike it? I was looking at older 700s or puting one together. I will use 55 grain bullets in it.
New Remington Rifles-Quality?
- Thread starter centershot
- Start date
Prairie dogs.
MOTORSPORTS55
Silver $$ Contributor
I believe it's like anything else these days you may get a good one you may get a bad one. For the most part I've had good luck with Remington. But worse comes you may have to put a different Barrel on it.
hogpatrol
Gold $$ Contributor
Buy a Sako, Tika or Howa. Some will agree and some won't but my advice on Remington is STAY AWAY.
This or get an old Rem 700 and put on a custom barrel. Matt
My buddies and I have not seen an accurate out of the box Remington in well over a decade. Putting a new barrel on them usually fixes the problem, but that's expensive. Our experience is that out of the box Savages are a great bet for accuracy with the factory original barrel, and much cheaper to replace when the time comes, because it can be done at home.
I have a j lock era vls in .223 that is extremely accurate with 40 v maxes. I think the new Remingtons are hit and miss with quality and accuracy. I would look for an older one but I wouldn't expect the 12 twist .223's to shoot 55s all that well.
Buy a VLS, shoot it out in a prairie dog field and then rebarrel it. And yes it will shoot 55's just fine.
From what I have seen the new actions are far better then the old. CNC Has changed the industry. Larry
hogpatrol
Gold $$ Contributor
CNC is only as good as the programmer and the "machinist" tending the machine. I have a Model 7 action with scope mounting holes .010 off center. The original barrel tenon was .008 off the centerline of the bore on the same rifle.
That should of helped compensate for the crooked mounting holes. Matt
hogpatrol
Gold $$ Contributor
Hadn't thought of that but it makes sense.
Bangs OH
Silver $$ Contributor
I drank the Sako/Tikka KoolAid and lived to regret it; only now getting my A7 to shoot (after 150+ test rounds), but still doesn't always eject and rounds pop thru the mag in warm weather. Wish now I'd just re-barreled one of my "known-entity" 700s to desired chambering.
The low-end Sako A7 and Tikka T-3s are IMO just Euro-trash versions of Savage Axis, Rem 783, etc.; you have to get into say, at least an $1800 Sako 85 to break into the accuracy, quality - and (barely) prestige (according to the snotty Sako Owners Club). But, the T3 Tikka Varmints do seem to be almost always accurate; wish they sold the .243 here. Another issue with Tikka-Sako is their purchase by Berreta; not sure their QC and CS is any better than the conglomerate that owns Remington is.
Another option would be to just spend the extra bucks for a semi-custom 700 from RedHawk Rifles (or, if one's a Savage fan, Shaw's), and save some worry while getting somewhat of an accuracy guarantee. Or, buy a 700 action from Bud's or Northwest and go from there...
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OP,,,I havent purchased a factory rifle in many yrs,,,but,,,I have seen severl people with the new Remington rifles in all models (varmint/hunting/tactical/etc) and they are getting excellent accuracy from them,,,the part that is not liked is the new triggers,,grrrr,,,most change them to the older Rem triggers or something new from the aftermarket (usually a Jewell),,,I hope theis helps with your decision,,,Roger
I gave up on remingtons. I also gave up on Winchester. I don't like the idea of having to buy one, and have just a small hope you get lucky enough to get one that will shoot. then if it doesn't spend just as much to get barrel & smith work. I do like the sako & tikka rifles. I have great success with them. The barrels are also clean much quicker/easier than any Remington or Winchester ever did, at least that's my experience. Also the triggers on the sako & tikka are super easy to adjust, and will get very light. My tikka shoots lights out. plus they come with an accuracy guarantee. When has Remington ever done that???? sako has a 5-shot MOA, and tikka a 3-shot guarantee. I like the x-bolts too, everyone I have ever shot, or buddies that have them have all shot really well. problem with x-bolts is the sucky trigger.
Buy the Savage and forget about the rest
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
My shooting buddy recently bought two R700 actions (not complete rifles). The first went off to a well qualified gunsmith for a build. After the time and money spent the gun wouldn't zero. Turns out the mount holes were off. The second one he was quoted a figure much higher than the cost of the action for truing/blueprinting it. I tried to tell him to get a couple of Stillers and go from there. If the foundation isn't done right the rest of the house isn't either.
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