Thinking thru Rem 700 F-class build

[GetReal]

So I got a older Rem 700 action that shoots 6.5 CM about half moa that I'm thinking about using for a 6 Dasher F-class build. Don't really want to spend $1500 + for a high end rcvr, or wait a year to get it. ( I got all the Dasher brass, dies etc to load ammo)

Assuming I get a competent gunsmith to true the receiver, bed the action in the MPA chassis, mount a 28" Bartlein (I've already had a couple very good guns built by this 'smith) do I risk throwing money away on that Rem 700 action as the platform for the build?

There's a few 700 style receivers (Surgeon, Definace, etc) I can get now, but they are all in the $1500+ range and once built out will be in the $3,000 + range where with the Rem 700 rcvr I got, all built out will be $1,100 - 1200.

Trying to decide what to do.... basically if I should expect the Rem700 I got that shoots 6.5 CM well is likely to shoot 6 Dasher well.

Any helps aprpeciated.

 

[marazzi59]

You will loose money on the rem 700 during resale. And some features on the 700 will cost more $$. I personally don't mind building on factory actions and hell some customs aren't much better than factory actions for dimensional tolerances. You have an action in hand, I say build on it.

 

[Walt Krafft]

I would not mess with an older Remington 700. The new (RR prefix) actions don't need a bunch of the old accurizing work.

 

[GetReal]

I would not mess with an older Remington 700. The new (RR prefix) actions don't need a bunch of the old accurizing work.

Curious ... what accurizing work? I've had several ppl tell me to not mess with the new Rem actions.... sloppy tolerances and cheaply made. They said the older ones are muchh better. I dunno... just reporting.

 

[GetReal]

You will loose money on the rem 700 during resale. And some features on the 700 will cost more $$. I personally don't mind building on factory actions and hell some customs aren't much better than factory actions for dimensional tolerances. You have an action in hand, I say build on it.

Seriously doubt I'd ever resell...especially if it shoots. Any detail on what would / might cost more?

 

[Walt Krafft]

Curious ... what accurizing work? I've had several ppl tell me to not mess with the new Rem actions.... sloppy tolerances and cheaply made. They said the older ones are muchh better. I dunno... just reporting.

They have not worked with them. The last 100 actions I measured, the headspace was within +/-0.001 with a nice square receiver face.

 

[lawman29]

EVO II Stainless Steel Single Shot Action | Mack Brothers

The Mack Brothers EVO II Stainless Steel Single Shot Action is only offered in a short action with the option of bolt face: standard, magnum, or .223.

macbros.com

Single shot, 700 foot print...

 

[WSnyder]

Curious ... what accurizing work? I've had several ppl tell me to not mess with the new Rem actions.... sloppy tolerances and cheaply made. They said the older ones are muchh better. I dunno... just reporting.

It's the exact opposite. The RR's purchased as an action only were far better than the earlier ones. I had a few that were out slightly more than others but they in general pretty good. I say action only because I never worked on an RR sold as a complete rifle. Wouldn't think there'd be a difference but you never know.

 

[GetReal]

They have not worked with them. The last 100 actions I measured, the headspace was within +/-0.001 with a nice square receiver face.

I guess the question then is.... what is "older" and what is "newer"...


Mine has an S prefix. According to sevreal sources, that indicates a stainless receiver (mine is) that are as early as 1996.

 

[davidjoe]

I shoot single shot Surgeon XL’s in Open, with 1.5” barrel stock that tapers to 1.0” but in midrange, especially, I also absolutely love mixing in other combinations, and using the off the shelf 1.25” straight taper tubes that are perfect with 700’s. Having both the “custom and cobbled” builds in many flavors, there’s zero regrets when I shoot a 700.

Today I shot a .243 at 600. The action was a 40x, but I have had equal results with a 700 in a dedicated Open stock, with a PTG single shot block.

The .243 shoots flat groups like this. That is pretty comparable to any more expensive gun’s potential. The wind was up to 22. It was a small match, after mud road flooding, but it did win and managed the only clean today, after this relay.



Those were DTAC’s, .243 Win. This gun is not limited to 600 capability, it’s just that where I shoot club 1,000 matches, it’s like a little annual match, every month. (The target velocity of a DTAC at 600 from a .243 is similar to the velocity of my recently shot Berger 195/rsaum, at 1,000; that saum at 600 would have saved shot 14, but it would have been a taller group).

Something wind wise lifted 15, but I obviously hated shot 14, and had moved right, significantly, but I hadn’t aimed higher.

It’s not necessary to spend the extra money you’re considering for good results but I’m sure you wouldn’t regret a custom action build, either, no one does. They are a delight to use and a justifiable point of pride in the one being chosen.

 

[WSnyder]

what is "newer"...

I think newer in this discussion are the RR's which were the last Remington made before the bankruptcy and the latest RAR's that have come out with the new Remington post bankruptcy. There's nothing wrong with all the older ones if you true them, they generally just aren't as good/true as the RR's and RAR's. If you were going to take a chance on an action and not true it I would choose an RR or an RAR. The older shot peened looking ones are also pretty rough and crude compared to the RR's, the RR's were much cleaner and better made overall.

 

[Dimner]

Are RR and RAR the prefix of the serial #s?

Saving this as a bookmark. I really appreciate the information.

 

[Bill Clifton]

I custom top end action is the cheapest part of a build you'll buy. After years of service if taken care of you can sell it for what you paid for it or more. That old Remington will still be just what it is even after you do any accurizing or work to it.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

Build your Dasher on the 700. Shoot the hell out of it! Watch the for sale adds, you might be able to pick up a Custom Action down the road. If you could find a sleeve for it. That would stiffen it up a bunch. How many bench rest rifles were built on sleeved 700"s. I have built 2 rifles with the old MAK tube guns for a friend of mine. He shoots F-Class. Both guns will shoot just as well as custom actions. Maybe a little better.
Look at an Gary Elisio tube gun. Glue the action in and shoot it.

 

[GetReal]

Build your Dasher on the 700. Shoot the hell out of it! Watch the for sale adds, you might be able to pick up a Custom Action down the road.

Thanx. Right now waffling btwn that or a Mack Bros single shot. Gonna check with my builder. At least I'm know for sure I'm getting a Bartlein bbl.

 

[Walt Krafft]

Are RR and RAR the prefix of the serial #s?

Saving this as a bookmark. I really appreciate the information.

Yes

 

[10XSHOOTER]

Thanx. Right now waffling btwn that or a Mack Bros single shot. Gonna check with my builder. At least I'm know for sure I'm getting a Bartlein bbl.

Put the 700 in a glued in tube gun.

 

[swd]

EVO II Stainless Steel Single Shot Action | Mack Brothers

The Mack Brothers EVO II Stainless Steel Single Shot Action is only offered in a short action with the option of bolt face: standard, magnum, or .223.

macbros.com

Single shot, 700 foot print...

I have one of these I’ll be barreling next week. Very nice. A small amount of fall on close like a Bat, smooth and tight. $775. Get one before they catch on and raise the price!

 

[Liven The Dream]

Well have 4 F/Class Rifles Built on Blue Printed 700's all SA,
.284 and Dashers Made HM with them shot some Big Scores won a couple Regional Matches.
If I spent more for a Action would I have Won More ? I think, I hold me back .
More people will talk to you with Big Buck Equipment.
I get a lot behind the back jokes about He's got a Remington.

Not every shooter can spend there way to the Top !
Have Fun be smart don't waste Money.

To make matters worse two of those 700 SA are PTG SS $761 deals. Plus $250 Trigger

" It ant the Arrow it's the Indian "

 

[Fast14riot]

I've got several built on 700s. Aside from truing the face and bolt lugs, its normally the bolt and timing of the action thats the biggest difference between them. Make sure you have adequate pin fall and primary extraction. Get the firing pin bushed and a ground recoil lug. May or may not need to open the barrel threads up.