Customize my 700P MLR 338 or start over with custom action ?

[dpopl8r]

Having a several months and many 100's of rounds down the barrel of my M700 MLR 338 LM, I am at a point where I am thinking about rebarrelling and restocking it. I hate the HS stock, and a longer 28" + barrel seems warranted for this cartridge.

My question is, is the remmie action appropriate as the basis for a custom rifle (main issue is the 3.6" COL mag length with the HS bottom metal), or should I cut my losses, sell the MLR, and start with a custom action (I am thinking Stiller TAC 338) ? Thanks

 

[BigUglyMan]

I think the consensus, on this board at least, would be to sell the rig and go custom. A Nesika or Stiller action is purpose built for the 338LM as opposed to the MLR which is adapted to fit the big cartridge. Plus by the time you get a McMillan A5, RKS Barrel, VBull mag, Seekins bottom metal and all the associated tweaking, what's another $2K for an action? Do it right or don't do it at all. Words Remington should have heeded when they undertook the 338LM project.

 

[2bad4u2]

Do it right or don't do it at all. Words Remington should have heeded when they undertook the 338LM project.

While a number of us would no doubt prefer something different, I don't think Remington is having a hard time selling these despite their "deficiencies".

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

Having a several months and many 100's of rounds down the barrel of my M700 MLR 338 LM, I am at a point where I am thinking about rebarrelling and restocking it. I hate the HS stock, and a longer 28" + barrel seems warranted for this cartridge.

My question is, is the remmie action appropriate as the basis for a custom rifle (main issue is the 3.6" COL mag length with the HS bottom metal), or should I cut my losses, sell the MLR, and start with a custom action (I am thinking Stiller TAC 338) ? Thanks

The MLR shares the same mag box opening as the Nesikas and most other 700 clones.
I have been using the same HS or AI bottommetal on all the 338LAI that I have built and they work fine, 1 can not long seat the 300s as much as it would be nice to, hence my undertaking building my own actions soon that will accomodate longer mags being made by Seekins. These longer mags can be retrofitted ito the MLR with some minor milling.

I see no problem at all to rebarrel the MLR, I have done several for others with no issue, in both standard 338 Lapua as well as the LAI.
You can sell of theHS stock quite easily on the EE.
I have some A5s in stock that will fit the MLR as well as a whole swack of 338 cal Rock Creek barrels that will easily finish at 30". All it takes is time and money.
The money tou save by using the MLR action and selling the HS stock will go along way to finishing the project as opposed to going with a custom action.

 

[Obtunded]

Personally, I would say just re-barrel the 700 and see what happens. I have sold 338 barrels to a few guys that never put a round through the factory barrel and are extremely pleased with the results. The barrel is what makes the gun. If you are basically happy with everything else, why fork out what will undoubtedly be more than double what you would have invested in a 700P with a new barrel? You'll be buying a new barrel either way.

 

[bradtothebone]

Hey P.....

Is the Remmy just not performing??? What did you end up with the day we were at the range???

Are you trying the 300smks? or still the 250 scenars???

Just curious on whuts up....

Brad

 

[dpopl8r]

The MLR shares the same mag box opening as the Nesikas and most other 700 clones

I didn't realize that, but now that I think about Brads ATR Nesika, he also uses the HS bottom metal. Interesting... Thanks

If you are basically happy with everything else, why fork out what will undoubtedly be more than double what you would have invested in a 700P with a new barrel? You'll be buying a new barrel either way.

Well, other than the stock, yeah, I am basically happy with it. It shoots way better than I do. Also true that a new barrel will be on the books eventually anyways, and I could make use of a better brake as well. But the 3.6" COL mag length seems limiting for maximizing case capacity with the 300 SMK's, which led me to considering a custom action that is better tailored to the 338.

Is the Remmy just not performing??? What did you end up with the day we were at the range??? Are you trying the 300smks? or still the 250 scenars??? Just curious on whuts up....

Don't get me wrong, the gun shoots great, and at 2850 fps for the 250 Scenars over RL 25, I have recorded 10 shot strings with ES and SD in the single digits. This gun is a 1/2 MOA shooter or less, and has made me a believer in the 338 LM. Awesome...

However, I am a bit of a velocity nut, and am considering moving up to the 300 SMK's and feel I would be wasting $$ with the factory 24.5" barrel, so if I am gonna swap the barrel, I come to the original question to upgrade or go custom. Oh ya, and the few times I have had my mits on your ATR 338 LAI, well, I just haven't been the same since....

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

So what about the stock that you don't like? There are many modifications that can be made to it, like adjustable cheek rests, 3 way butt systems etc.
Or you just prefer something like an A5?
This is an easy fix.
If the rifle is shooting well, keep running it until it starts to open up, then rebarrel it, ditch the dopey brake, have the LAI chamber cut and send 300 Gr SMKs out the barrel at 3000 plus fps.
OR wait another 6 months and you can buy my Nesika custom as by then I wil have my own actions finished and will no longer need this custom Nesika 338LAI

 

[dpopl8r]

So what about the stock that you don't like? There are many modifications that can be made to it, like adjustable cheek rests, 3 way butt systems etc.
Or you just prefer something like an A5?
This is an easy fix.
If the rifle is shooting well, keep running it until it starts to open up, then rebarrel it, ditch the dopey brake, have the LAI chamber cut and send 300 Gr SMKs out the barrel at 3000 plus fps.
OR wait another 6 months and you can buy my Nesika custom as by then I wil have my own actions finished and will no longer need this custom Nesika 338LAI

The short, cramped, double palm swell grip is just the most awkward I have ever tried and just does not fit my hand not matter what I try. Not terrible, but just not cutting it when I know how good the A5 fits....

Maybe it's worth waiting until your actions are ready before making a decision either way.... 6 months eh ?