Build or buy?

agit-prop

agit-prop

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Howdy, all.

I have a Remington 700 VLS in .223 that has 1 in 12 barrel on it. It's capable of 1/2 MOA at 100M, but I would like to shoot at longer ranges, and that means heavier bullets, and that means I need a faster twist on the barrel. I would also like my long range smallbore rifle to be blueprinted, lapped lugs, trued bolt face, replacement trigger, etc. Maybe a Mcmillan Stock, or similar.

All of that has left me with the decision of whether I should send in my M700, and have it worked on to get this work done, or to sell the M700 and order a custom rifle to be built by one of the precision smiths here on CGN.

What would you guys suggest?

PMs from smiths are welcome if you want to provide me with a budgetary quote, or advice.

Thanks
 
A barrel installed is around $600 give or take. You already have an action, so here is a bit of savings. Find a gunsmith with a .223 Wylde reamer. If you like the stock keep it, if not check out Robertson stocks.
You won't have to import a Robertson, they are made in Canada.
You should be able to re-barrel and re-stock your rifle for much less then what you would pay for say a Millennium, RPA, Nesika acton.
 
If you would like the custom approach of getting something built to your specs, keep that rem and just swap in parts. This is the most expensive route. But you only live once...

If all you want is a LR plinker that can hold sub MOA as far as a 223 is good for, why not just get a Savage 12FV, bed the action and fly at it. There are many parts now that you can swap for a bit of a custom flair. Will be less then the resale of your Rem even with a stock swap.

Accuracy between a general custom rifle (ie rebarrel) and a stock Savage is not great. Until you put together a 'br' type rig and a top quality match barrel appropriately installed, will you see any significant improvements.

Unless you plan on competing or have a specific accuracy goal, the full meal deal BR rifle is rarely run to its fullest potential. Especially, if not chambered for a cartridge that can take advantage of all the accuracy tweaks.

There are just too many well built custom rifles that are more hunting then target rifles. These rifles may get 1/2 MOA, some worse. Not the smiths fault. Just the wrong combo of parts and application.

The 223 is not the best LR cartridge out there.

Jerry
 
agit-prop; before I would jump into rebarreling and so on, have you tried some 69gr MKs in the rifle? I have a tweaked 700 that started out life as a VLS and out to 500 works great with the 69s. I use it as a LR Varmiter only though. No sense assuming it won't shoot them, you may find yours does as well, once you have burned out that tube , then rebarrel to a faster twist barrel. If you have tried them , then it may be time to think about rebarreling.
Your 700 platform is a good 1 to work with, as Mystic says 223 will never be BR capable, but a 223AI can be. If its a longrange varmit rifle then some upgrades , if you want can be done, if you are wanting to go full competition then probably better to sell it and go whole hog with a precision action, but this is only really warranted if true competition is the plan.
 
Build new, as the rifle you have is quit good already. You can get
both your stock and action "Barnard" from Robertson Composites.
Gaillard does great barrels. and can mount the trigger and set up
for you as well. Probably about $2600 when you are done.
 
Just because you have a rifle custom built, it doesn't mean that it will shoot any better than what you already have. 1/2 minute rifles are hard come by. I personally wouldn't take it apart. If you really want a custom rifle for long range, why not step up to a 22-250. The 22-250 will really extend your range, especially with a 1-8 twist and vld bullets. bearhunter
 
I am not sure that you can truly be winning competitively in BR with a Remington action, F class yes, but I would opt for a platform that is known for tighter tolerances if building a BR rifle.
Also I would look at a different caliber for BR
 
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