thinking of buying a remingtonl 700, any thoughts?

[SuperCub]

Don't worry guys since I am so nice I'll help you pick your ammo off the floor. When you unload or when you hit the button by accident since it's about 1/2" away from te trigger. Only a genius at Remington would come up with that.

Speaking of genius, I've owned dozens of 700s in 223s up to 375Magnums over the last 20yrs and have never had this happen to me. Never once, EVER!

How did you ever manage it?

Original poster good luck with your choice. Remember the 700 is only so popular because it's the cheapest, just like the guy who mentioned ford diesel trucks. Exact same example, cheapest so their number one. Wal mart is also Americas biggest clothing retailer doesn't mean they sell the best clothes. If you like a wal mart gun go ahead.

Guess again ....... The 700 is NOT the cheapest out there. I'm sure that you have lots of money to spare not have to lower your self to a Remington, but you really do need to use some facts and not some spew what you read on the interweb. Your WalMart vs Remington analogy was a gas.

Go and handle a 700 then handle other brands.

Forget about just handling a 700, lets find out how many have you owned and shot to great extent.

Then decide, don't listen to the peanut gallery.

You went first.

 

[Kevan]

Don't worry guys since I am so nice I'll help you pick your ammo off the floor. When you unload or when you hit the button by accident since it's about 1/2" away from te trigger. Only a genius at Remington would come up with that.

Original poster good luck with your choice. Remember the 700 is only so popular because it's the cheapest, just like the guy who mentioned ford diesel trucks. Exact same example, cheapest so their number one. Wal mart is also Americas biggest clothing retailer doesn't mean they sell the best clothes. If you like a wal mart gun go ahead.

Go and handle a 700 then handle other brands. Then decide, don't listen to the peanut gallery.

What a load of nonsense !! I've owned 700s since they came on the market and in chamberings from 17 Rem to 458 and never had the floor plate fly open... ever.
I don't know what your favorite rifle brand is, nor do I care but I'll bet that the average out of the box Remington will out-perform your pet any day.
I'm happy to say that I'm a satisfied lifetime owner of Remington rifles ...... and a proud member of the peanut gallery !!

 

[yomomma]

Buy what makes you happy...

 

[2bad4u2]

I have (7) 700's in my safe and would very much recommend them if that's the way you're looking to go.

Having said that, they are other alternatives. The Howa 1500/Weatherby Vanguard is also a fantastic choice and if you ever get to try one, you'll know why. Great finish quality, smooth as butter action, crisp trigger (especially the newer 2-stage ones), integral recoil lug, one piece bolt, and a M16 style extractor are all perks commonly found on custom actions. All for less than a Rem SPS.

I won't comment on the other brands I don't have experience with but of all available brands, I'm probably least partial to Brownings, Rugers, or Savages for various reasons.

 

[Eagleye]

Ill agree with the others. I would get something different. Yes a Remington will shoot bullets out of the barrel and many people love them. But I don't like them and would never buy one.

IMO and I have fired there xcr and tactical models which are the higher end stuff. They do not compare on accuracy to a higher quality rifle in same price range like tikka or browning. I personally think that floor plate is the dumbest thing ever invented on a gun. Every gun on earth these days use a magazine. So you can load it up and keep in your pocket. When your ready you slide it in and your ready to go. Remington 700 has a dumb floor plate where you need to load billets individually from top. Then when your done hunting you basically open the plate and then pick your ammo off the floor one by one.

Sorry remington guys but I am no hater. I'm just being honest there isn't a rifle on the market I wouldn't buy before the Remington.

Now that all being said there are guys who take a 700 and totally change it. Stocks, barrels etc. and these are sniper machines. I'm talking off the shelf.

Don't worry guys since I am so nice I'll help you pick your ammo off the floor. When you unload or when you hit the button by accident since it's about 1/2" away from te trigger. Only a genius at Remington would come up with that.

Original poster good luck with your choice. Remember the 700 is only so popular because it's the cheapest, just like the guy who mentioned ford diesel trucks. Exact same example, cheapest so their number one. Wal mart is also Americas biggest clothing retailer doesn't mean they sell the best clothes. If you like a wal mart gun go ahead.

Go and handle a 700 then handle other brands. Then decide, don't listen to the peanut gallery.

Here is a guy who has absolutely fullfilled the Axiom:

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth [Or use his keyboard] and remove all doubt!!"

Simply amazing how some show their lack of knowlege about firearms on here.
For every negative post like his, there are at least 25 positive posts regarding the 700s.

Regards, Dave.

 

[hawk-i]

I agree with those that say the 700 is a great choice....they offer so many configurations at many price options. If you cant do what you want with a 700, chances are you cant do it with anything regardless of what you paid.

 

[Eagleye]

I have 3 - 700 Remingtons here. [out of 25 or so total] that I will put up against any rifle out there for an accuracy comparison.
These are bone stock rifles, with only a trigger adjustment for alterations.

One is a 222 Remington [700 Classic], and one expects a 222 to be accurate, so maybe no surprise. I have shot a number of ¼", 5-shot groups at 100 with it.
Average of 25 consecutive 5-shot groups was .48 moa.

The second was a surprise, because it is a 700 SSDM in 30-06, the most catholic rifle I have ever owned.
It shoots 150, 165, 180 and 200 grain bullets equally well, and that is....very well.
The average of 25 consecutive 3-shot groups with this rifle using various loads was .79 moa.
It is the factory Detachable magazine model, and I prefer the floorplate, personally. [But this rifle is too accurate to sell off!]

The third is a 700 Classic chambered in 300 Savage. This rifle owns the smallest 100M group I have ever shot from a factory rifle. [.040" C to C]
It loves 150 and 165 grain pills, and will average right around .65 moa for 3-shot groups.

I am a realist, and while I love very accurate rifles, I know that a 1¼ moa rifle will hunt all day at any practical hunting distance.
That fact means that most "Hunting" rifles made today, regardless of make, will satisfy the accuracy criteria.

I have owned 1 - 700 that would not make that figure, since I bought my first one in 1963. [A HB 6mm Remington....I will rebarrel it, lol.]
I estimate that 100+ 700's have passed through my hands since 1963. [Of course I still own a goodly number, as mentioned.]

In my safe are a couple of Rugers, a Savage 14 in 243, a Winchester 70, Several Vanguards, a Couple of Parker Hales, a P14, a Ross, so I try to keep an open mind.

I have no qualms about recommending a 700 as first rifle purchase. Chances are great that it will satisfy, and then some!

Regards, Dave.

 

[pilot2001]

Own 3 of them ... they all shot right out of the box. No brainer ...

 

[SuperCub]

You should make up your mind on the 700.

First you ask about using a 700 action and all it's options, then you state that you "just hate that action", all on the same day. [12-08-2013]

How many 700s have you owned again?

Ok my last question before I decide to build and what to build from.

Those of you who start with the Remington 700 and build upon it. Which model are you getting? and are you getting at least MOA results out of the box?

I know my old tikka t3 did all day long. That is why I am leaning towards getting a tikka for my build. But I love how the 700 has so many options. I am satisfied with MOA, I got years before I can shoot any better anyways. Will any 700 model give me that? because for now I only plan on changing the stock and adding nice glass. Any barrel and trigger upgrades will happen later.

Boys, thanks for all the advice. I've asked two hundred questions trying to convince myself to buy a Remington. But I just can't. Call me a brand whore, whatever you want. I just hate that action. I went today to the local gun shop (brought the wife with me for my Xmas gift wink wink).

I handled the Remington's of every variety and just didnt feel good about any. I was gonna buy it just cause everyone else has it. I own a 270 tikka t3 hunter with wood stock. I've had a guy bugging me to buy it for a while now as I really don't use it. It's my paper gun but I really wanted 308 for my build. I don't hunt with it either as I prefer my BLR. So I handled the tikka stainless in 308. And to me it was a easy choice. Nothing like that action and I know with complete confidence I'm getting a action and barrel that can shoot better than me all day long. Ill sell the hunter now.

So a stock upgrade and nice glass and I can go do some big shooting. And really practice. I'm sure I can go shooting at 500 all day with that barrel. Then when I start getting serious I can look at upgrading barrel and triggers.

Thanks everyone. Ill post some before and after pics when I decide what stock I want. Expect another 200 threads on that topic to come lol

 

[manitou210]

I have 3 - 700 Remingtons here. [out of 25 or so total] that I will put up against any rifle out there for an accuracy comparison.
These are bone stock rifles, with only a trigger adjustment for alterations.

One is a 222 Remington [700 Classic], and one expects a 222 to be accurate, so maybe no surprise. I have shot a number of ¼", 5-shot groups at 100 with it.
Average of 25 consecutive 5-shot groups was .48 moa.

The second was a surprise, because it is a 700 SSDM in 30-06, the most catholic rifle I have ever owned.
It shoots 150, 165, 180 and 200 grain bullets equally well, and that is....very well.
The average of 25 consecutive 3-shot groups with this rifle using various loads was .79 moa.
It is the factory Detachable magazine model, and I prefer the floorplate, personally. [But this rifle is too accurate to sell off!]

The third is a 700 Classic chambered in 300 Savage. This rifle owns the smallest 100M group I have ever shot from a factory rifle. [.040" C to C]
It loves 150 and 165 grain pills, and will average right around .65 moa for 3-shot groups.

I am a realist, and while I love very accurate rifles, I know that a 1¼ moa rifle will hunt all day at any practical hunting distance.
That fact means that most "Hunting" rifles made today, regardless of make, will satisfy the accuracy criteria.

I have owned 1 - 700 that would not make that figure, since I bought my first one in 1963. [A HB 6mm Remington....I will rebarrel it, lol.]
I estimate that 100+ 700's have passed through my hands since 1963. [Of course I still own a goodly number, as mentioned.]

In my safe are a couple of Rugers, a Savage 14 in 243, a Winchester 70, Several Vanguards, a Couple of Parker Hales, a P14, a Ross, so I try to keep an open mind.

I have no qualms about recommending a 700 as first rifle purchase. Chances are great that it will satisfy, and then some!

Regards, Dave.

Dave you forgot to mention maybe the best Remington of all , well sort of a 700 your, Rem 40X .22

 

[Kelly Timoffee]

Well one thing is for certain, someone would rather starve than shoot a 700 at their next meal.

 

[AWOL]

I don't know where chago gets his information from, he's only had a PAL for about 8 months and now he knows everything...

Just a troll

 

[StevieK]

I don't know where chago gets his information from, he's only had a PAL for about 8 months and now he knows everything...

Just a troll

I'm sure he's well informed from hours of internet searching, and he's probably shot a tactical 700 platform sniper rifle in a video game. I'm sure he's able to find a lot of internet info on the 700 while he's waiting for his ##### to get hard again so he can rub out another round before his mom calls him out of his room for dinner

 

[Colquhoun]

OP....Remingtons are great rifles and you won't go wrong.
There are lots of good rifles out there that you would likely be happy with, but what are your parameters for your rifle?
What type of hunting, and what calibre?
Do you have a model in mind or see something you like?
Some more specifics and you can get some feedback on specific models.
Your budget will also limit your options.
Something else to keep in mind is depending on what type of hunting you're doing and exposure the rifle will see....don't buy anything too fancy that will crush your spirit with the first scratch...lol

 

[AWOL]

I didn't know you weren't allowed to give your opinion.

The issue is not that you can't have an opinion. The issue is that you are doing the OP a disservice by misleading him on a product that, evidently, you know absolutely nothing about. Maybe you can educate us on XBox & Playstation but save your opinion on guns and other topics for which you are not experienced. It will only serve to spread misinformation.

 

[Boomer]

My experience with the 700 Remington goes back more than 40 years. The Remington 700 was always priced competitively with the M-70 Winchester and the M-77 Ruger. Despite having owned some with rather enthusiastic recoil, I've never had a floorplate inadvertently open and drop my ammo in the dirt. I'm at something of a loss to imagine how the position of the floor plate release might cause such a thing might happen. That's not to say I haven't had some issues though. The old press checkered stock of the early '70s models, split badly under heavy recoil. That was remedied with a new stock design that came out with a wider forend in the late '70s. Under heavy use I've had 2 extractors fail, but that's not the problem and the occurrence is rare. The problem is that should an extractor need replacing, its a gunsmith gig which cannot be accomplished in the field, and not all gunsmiths seem to be able to get it right. When its not installed correctly, the extractor will strip brass off the cartridge head. Mostly, I've found the 700 trigger to be a delight, but I did have one example that proved all but impossible to adjust prudently and safely. That one I replaced with a Jewel, not that I needed one, I just wanted to try it. Other than that, I've experienced no other issues whatsoever, and I doubt that a reasoned argument could be made that a better product was available from any other manufacturer, at a competitive price, over the same period of time, where a similar number of rifles where produced.

 

[c-fbmi]

Lol hahaha ya my cgn sign up date is when I got my pal. That's a requirement to get a pal right is sign up for cgn first??

Ill leave now before this thread gets locked.

Op ill say again like I did in my first post you can do much better than a 700. My opinion, which I'm allowed to post here. My first post was not aggressive at all. But all you pr responses made me do so. Have fun boys flame away. Remington has hogue, garbage stocks. Mass produced barrels your lucky to have 3 moa. Floorplate that is ridiculous to unload.

I also own and have owned in excess of 100 Rem 700s, hell I've "shot out" more rifles than you'll probably ever own and I can assure you that you don't have a clue what you're talking about. I have never, ever had a 700 dump it's shells and I have never ever bumped the latch release accidentally and dumped the shells from the mag. And like a previous poster I have owned 700s from 222 to .458 and fired 100s of thousands of rounds from 700s without ever experiencing any kind of floorplate problem. The 700 floorplate unloads exactly the same way every other floorplate in the world does........where's the problem?
I would normally say you were a troll, but you don't even have enough experience to be one. Dave very accurately hit the nail precisely on the head again........"It's better to keep..............

 

[heybert]

I may not count since I don't talk much here, but I've hunted with a Remington M700 Classic in 7mm RM for the last 20 or so years. My "back-up" is an early M700 in 30-06 with a 20" barrel. From the hunting marks on the stock, you can appreciate the terrain my M700 has gone through. I've slogged through the wet coast, up the thick bush around Boston Bar and Princeton, through the swamps and mountains of Kakwa, and the beautiful foothills of southern Alberta. I must be one of the lucky ones since the floorplate has never disengaged and spilled my ammo all over the place. Even when my brother and I were charged by a griz on Walker Creek, my M700 didn't "sh!t it's pants". I currently have the following: M700 Classic in 7mm RM, 7X57, .338 WM, 30-06, .270, and 257 Bob. I have an ADL in 30-06 (20" barrel), a BDL in 270 and 30-06, and a CDL in 300 WM.

 

[c-fbmi]

I may not count since I don't talk much here, but I've hunted with a Remington M700 Classic in 7mm RM for the last 20 or so years. My "back-up" is an early M700 in 30-06 with a 20" barrel. From the hunting marks on the stock, you can appreciate the terrain my M700 has gone through. I've slogged through the wet coast, up the thick bush around Boston Bar and Princeton, through the swamps and mountains of Kakwa, and the beautiful foothills of southern Alberta. I must be one of the lucky ones since the floorplate has never disengaged and spilled my ammo all over the place. Even when my brother and I were charged by a griz on Walker Creek, my M700 didn't "sh!t it's pants". I currently have the following: M700 Classic in 7mm RM, 7X57, .338 WM, 30-06, .270, and 257 Bob. I have an ADL in 30-06 (20" barrel), a BDL in 270 and 30-06, and a CDL in 300 WM.

All you need now is a 700 Classic in .375 H&H and you got the world covered..............kinda like the one in the foreground of this photo......middle is a Whelen and back a Bob

 

[guntech]

Don't worry guys since I am so nice I'll help you pick your ammo off the floor. When you unload or when you hit the button by accident since it's about 1/2" away from te trigger. Only a genius at Remington would come up with that.

Go and handle a 700 then handle other brands. Then decide, don't listen to the peanut gallery.

Well it certainly does not require a genius to figure out the trigger is at the rear of the trigger guard and requires movement to the rear and the floor plate release is an inch and a quarter away at the front of the trigger guard and requires movement towards the front to activate it. This movement to the front if attempted by using the back of your finger hurts your knuckle as it requires quite a bit of pressure... more pressure than I can exert with the back my trigger finger. The floor plate release usually requires the use of a thumb. I believe the Remington genius who came up with placing the release lever where it is thought it would be a very protected spot as opposed to the front of the trigger guard where it would be exposed and more easily opened by accident... and by gosh this genius was right.

You are head of the gallery. What brand of peanuts do you eat?