Putting my Rem700 on a diet

Suther

Suther

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I am looking to put my Lefty Rem 700 SA on a diet, and I am looking for help with ideas for shedding weight. Currently the rifle is a Rem 700 SPS Youth, in a full-size Bell and Carlson stock that weighs slightly over 33oz. 20" factory barrel, factory hinged floorplate I bought off the EE (rifle came with a kwik klip conversion but I didn't like it).

What sort of options do I have to shed weight? The three things I can think of is a new barrel, a new stock, and some machining work to lighten up the receiver, but I'm not really sure how much weight savings I can expect for such changes, nor do I have a firm grasp on how much it would cost.

Do Wildcat Stocks come in left-hand configurations? I can't see anything mentioning lefties on their webpage or order form. What other stocks exist that can make a meaningful difference in the weight of this rifle? I was originally looking at McMillan stocks, but their lightest seems to be about 26oz which isn't a huge weight savings considering the money it would cost. If you could include a ballpark price with your suggestions that would be great!

How much weight can I shave off with a new barrel? Maybe two figures would be better here, if I went with the absolute skinniest barrel I can buy, and if I went with something inbetween that and a standard factory barrel (if such a thing even exists?)

I am assuming I can't save much weight with the bottom metal, it only weighs like 6oz to begin with I think?

I've seen a lightweight Rem700 build on here that included machining the receiver to lighten it up, but I don't really know much beyond that. Does anyone have a decent ballpark for how much weight that can remove, and how much I should expect to pay a competent smith to do the work?

Any other suggestions that don't include cutting weight from my belly or getting in better physical shape? All in with ammo the rifle weighs over 8lb, and thats simply too heavy for a 7mm08 in my opinion. It weighs nearly a full pound more than the Savage Axis in 270 it replaced, and that is a long action with 2" more barrel!

Thanks!
 
not sure if it's an option for you but for one rifle that is used in COLD weather i put on a B&C compact/youth stock which shed a few ounces of weight and the shortened LOP works a-ok with multiple clothing layers and a parka.
 
I would put either a fixed 4x scope or one that has max power of 7 with an 32 mm objective - if its a hunting scope (shots under 300 yards) it will trim some weight
 
I have a Sportsman 78 (M700) BDL here in 308 with 22" bbl. Scoped with a Redfield Revo 2-7 in a Brown Precision, it weighs 6lb 15oz.

It has the original sights and steel weaver style rings. There could be a further bit of weight savings there.

IDfIkUEl.jpg
 
SuperCub said:
I don't see mention on what you are using for a scope and mounts.
Click to expand...

Correct, because I understand those better than I do my other options. Nikon steel bases, weaver grand slam steel rings, and a Vortex Viper 3-9x40, which is listed at 14.2oz. Its the same scope that was on the Axis previously, so my previous comparison isn't thrown off by different scope weights or anything... I know I can go to talley lightweights or aluminum bases/rings, but I'm looking for things that can make a more significant change. I have looked at something like the Leupold vx3i in 2.5-8x36 but thats only getting me 3oz in savings and I don't want to go fixed power. I feel like my optics setup is something I am going to leave for the time being, and if I do a bunch of bigger changes and still find myself wanting to lose a few more oz I can then take a second look at what I've got ontop of the rifle.

45C said:
McMillan Edge (22 ounces) and CFW barrel?

Or chop a couple of inches off the barrel.
Click to expand...

Looking online it seems the Mcmillan hunter edge lists 26oz. Unless you're referencing a different model I am not aware of?

As for the barrel, its already at 20", so I can't take much off it.
 
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McM Edge come in heavier than they use to.

Wildcat can be converted to LH. They are lighter and stiffer then McM, as long as you like one of the patterns available.

If you do the stock work yourself it’s your best bang for the buck weight reduction.
 
Didn’t Remington make a XP 7-08 with a 15 inch factory barrel?
The barrel is where you could save the most.

Shorter barrel
Pencil barrel
CFW barrel
 
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LittleBoyLefty said:
McM Edge come in heavier than they use to.

Wildcat can be converted to LH. They are lighter and stiffer then McM, as long as you like one of the patterns available.

If you do the stock work yourself it’s your best bang for the buck weight reduction.
Click to expand...

That is another thing I was curious about. Wildcat doesn't have the greatest of websites, and I'm not really sure what is required for work if I was to buy the blank. I understand the filling and sanding, and painting, but is there anything else that needs to be done? Are you familiar with what needs to be done to convert it to LH?

I like the idea of doing the work myself, pride of ownership/workmanship and all that, but I don't want to bite off more than I can chew, or wreck a $400 blank...

45C said:
Didn’t Remington make a XP with a 15 inch factory barrel?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you are getting at?
 
Suther said:
That is another thing I was curious about. Wildcat doesn't have the greatest of websites, and I'm not really sure what is required for work if I was to buy the blank. I understand the filling and sanding, and painting, but is there anything else that needs to be done? Are you familiar with what needs to be done to convert it to LH?

I like the idea of doing the work myself, pride of ownership/workmanship and all that, but I don't want to bite off more than I can chew, or wreck a $400 blank...



I'm not sure what you are getting at?
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Just saying a shorter barrel wouldn’t be that bad, lose a few FPS , maybe a bit louder.
But it should be a better handling rifle.

Maybe a 2 or 3 inches off the barrel and a 26 ounce stock would save you a lb or better?
 
45C said:
Just saying a shorter barrel wouldn’t be that bad, lose a few FPS , maybe a bit louder.
But it should be a better handling rifle.

Maybe a 2 or 3 inches off the barrel and a 26 ounce stock would save you a lb or better?
Click to expand...

The barrel is already at 20", so I can only cut a little bit off. I'm having troubles figuring out how much 2" off the factory barrel would get me, but some googling has me believing it would be slightly less than 2oz per inch? If I'm only looking at like 3.5-4oz if I take it back as short as I can I feel like thats not enough weight savings for the money I'd have to spend, especially when that would probably leave me wishing I spent the money on getting a new barrel spun on rather than dumping money into a factory barrel.
 
I wouldn't waste my time and money chopping the barrel. The stock is probably going to be your biggest weightsavings. If you can't finish it yourself, a gunsmith finished wildcat will run 900-1000.
 
Anything is possible depending on your budget

Should be able to get an edge fill on any mcmillan stock; something will get lighter for sure if you go that route; your wallet.

Wildcat is accommodating; I’m sure they would make you one with no bolt inlet, maybe even do it on the left hand side. Wildcat guru Gary Flach could modify it for sure, in the Fraser valley too

Bob Jury can do any contour your heart desires and no import required. ~500 bucks last time I bought one

Wildcat will do blind mags from my convos with them. Hawkins and PTG make aluminum bottom metal, I’m sure others do as well.

Lefty tikka in a wildcat would be a good option :dancingbanana:

If you can't finish it yourself, a gunsmith finished wildcat will run 900-1000.
Click to expand...

500 bucks to paint, install a pad and bed?
 
Mik123 said:
I wouldn't waste my time and money chopping the barrel. The stock is probably going to be your biggest weightsavings. If you can't finish it yourself, a gunsmith finished wildcat will run 900-1000.
Click to expand...

And thats the real question: What does finishing it entail? I can *probably* do it, I'm pretty handy, but I'm also smart enough to know that I really need to figure out what exactly needs to be done before I decide whether its within my skillset.

Also, can one shorten the LOP on them? 13.5" before pad is a bit long for me.
 
Suther said:
Correct, because I understand those better than I do my other options. Nikon steel bases, weaver grand slam steel rings, and a Vortex Viper 3-9x40, which is listed at 14.2oz. Its the same scope that was on the Axis previously, so my previous comparison isn't thrown off by different scope weights or anything... I know I can go to talley lightweights or aluminum bases/rings, but I'm looking for things that can make a more significant change. I have looked at something like the Leupold vx3i in 2.5-8x36 but thats only getting me 3oz in savings and I don't want to go fixed power. I feel like my optics setup is something I am going to leave for the time being, and if I do a bunch of bigger changes and still find myself wanting to lose a few more oz I can then take a second look at what I've got ontop of the rifle.
Click to expand...

Weight reduction for a rifle is the sum of reductions. Usually the stock is the biggest number but all other areas add up to the total weight loss.

It really depends on what your target weight is. I have found that a rifle that weighs between 7 and 7.5lbs scoped is a good weight for a lightweight. Less than that, they don't handle well for me.
 
conor_90 said:
Anything is possible depending on your budget

Should be able to get an edge fill on any mcmillan stock; something will get lighter for sure if you go that route; your wallet.

Wildcat is accommodating; I’m sure they would make you one with no bolt inlet, maybe even do it on the left hand side. Wildcat guru Gary Flach could modify it for sure, in the Fraser valley too

Bob Jury can do any contour your heart desires and no import required

Wildcat will do blind mags from my convos with them. Hawkins and PTG make aluminum bottom metal, I’m sure others do as well.

Lefty tikka in a wildcat would be a good option :dancingbanana:



500 bucks to paint, install a pad and bed?
Click to expand...

Oh it seems no matter what I do my wallet will be getting lighter. I'm trying to figure out which things will get me the best bang for my buck so to speak before I drop any money.

SuperCub said:
Weight reduction for a rifle is the sum of reductions. Usually the stock is the biggest number but all other areas add up to the total weight loss.

It really depends on what your target weight is. I have found that a rifle that weighs between 7 and 7.5lbs scoped is a good weight for a lightweight. Less than that, they don't handle well for me.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know it all adds up in the long run, but I figure I should focus on the big things first - if I can drop 10oz with a new stock that seems like a better starting point than dropping 1oz with new scope mounts or 3oz with a new scope. I didn't have a specific goal weight, because I didn't want to make a goal that was overly optimistic... Right now its at 7lb 15.8oz, 8lb 4oz with 5 cartridges in the mag.

If I could get it down to 7lb with ammo without changing the scope I'd be happy. I am not trying to make a 5.5lb rifle or anything though.
 
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Why not sell the remington (or keep for back up) and pick up a Kimber Hunter? ...a 22" barrel, great trigger, CRF, Stainless action and barrel and around 5.5 lbs. Around 1400 or less :)

As for the Remington a stock would most likely save the most weight.
 
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