Hey guys I'm planning on getting a Remington 700 except I don't know where to start. I see many posts of people linking these guns already "built" with comments followed by "you can build it better yourself for cheaper". So my question is are there base models I should look into, and then do my own bedding/trigger job? Is there anything else that one would do to start building the rifle for more precision? Sorry I am very new to rifles and am baffled by the waves of information different sites have.
Remington 700 help
- Thread starter ffxivfr3ak
- Start date
Many people just buy a factory rifle with the characteristics they desire, and shoot it. Might do minor adjustments like tune the trigger, and set up the bedding.
Others will acquire an action, or break a rifle for its action, selling the excess parts to offset the cost, and then build up a rifle to suit their wishes.
My current competition rifle is in the latter category. Worked over the action, installed a Kreiger target barrel, stocked it up in a laminated MilCun stock, fitted a PTG detachable magazine unit, etc.
Others will acquire an action, or break a rifle for its action, selling the excess parts to offset the cost, and then build up a rifle to suit their wishes.
My current competition rifle is in the latter category. Worked over the action, installed a Kreiger target barrel, stocked it up in a laminated MilCun stock, fitted a PTG detachable magazine unit, etc.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
If your choice is between an off the shelf rifle and a custom job, there are two things to consider: budget and time frame. Buy a rifle off the rack and you can shoot it the same day, but a custom rifle can take anything from several weeks to a year or more to complete. An off the shelf rifle can be yours for about a grand, but a custom rig can run into thousands of dollars, and the budget can be overrun in short order. If you want to shoot this rifle in the near future, buy an off the shelf model, get quality scope mounts and the scope that is useful for the type of shooting you intend to do. A Remington 700 varmint rifle isn't a bad place to start, and over time you can add upgrades to address any perceived deficiencies. You could purchase a used custom rifle, but be aware of the fact that it was customized to suit someone else, and for this reason full blown custom rifle can be difficult to sell used.
Base models to start:
Remington VSF
Remington SPS Varmint
REmington SPS Tactical
Remington MilSpec 5R
Any of these can be had for less than $1200.00. Check the Equipment Exchange, as there quite a few of these rifles for sale already, most of which have already had some "work done to them. The best out of the group above would be the 5R. It's stainless steel and comes with a good barrel and stock to get you started. But your choice will depend on what you want in a rifle. The SPS varmint is propbably the "cheapest" to get you started and then you can "work" it up from there by replacing the stock, trigger, setting the barrel back, and having it shortened and crowned at 24". You can then save for a quality barrel and have the action trued and bedded.
With all this being said, you have to start somewhere. Hope this helps.
Remington VSF
Remington SPS Varmint
REmington SPS Tactical
Remington MilSpec 5R
Any of these can be had for less than $1200.00. Check the Equipment Exchange, as there quite a few of these rifles for sale already, most of which have already had some "work done to them. The best out of the group above would be the 5R. It's stainless steel and comes with a good barrel and stock to get you started. But your choice will depend on what you want in a rifle. The SPS varmint is propbably the "cheapest" to get you started and then you can "work" it up from there by replacing the stock, trigger, setting the barrel back, and having it shortened and crowned at 24". You can then save for a quality barrel and have the action trued and bedded.
With all this being said, you have to start somewhere. Hope this helps.
duncansuds
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Weyburn, SK
I started with a 700 varmint. Loved it and could shoot MOA or under with a few brands of factory ammo and a bedding job. Choose an exceptional optic and upgrade as you see fit or as you out shoot the rifle. You can have this sub MOA shooter with a decent optic for under 1500.00.
The 5R is excellent as well, just preference at that point, but the 5R won't require a stock upgrade unless you just don't like it.
The 5R is excellent as well, just preference at that point, but the 5R won't require a stock upgrade unless you just don't like it.
"..."you can build it better yourself for cheaper"..." Hi. That's a myth. Same idea as building a car from parts. Plus as a new shooter, you likely don't have the skills or tool$ to do it anyway.
Not to worry. Go buy the rifle, adjust the trigger(adjustable from the factory, but don't go under 3 pounds.), find the ammo it likes(try as many brands as you can, if you're not reloading) and shoot it a while before you do anything. Just remember a stock M700 is a hunting rifle, not a target rifle. Making one into a target rifle is a pricey proposition.
Not to worry. Go buy the rifle, adjust the trigger(adjustable from the factory, but don't go under 3 pounds.), find the ammo it likes(try as many brands as you can, if you're not reloading) and shoot it a while before you do anything. Just remember a stock M700 is a hunting rifle, not a target rifle. Making one into a target rifle is a pricey proposition.
To the OP, what are you using this rifle for? Hunting, target/plinking or precision? How big is your budget? If 3/4" MOA is good enough for you, then you can probably get away with a tweeked factory 700. If sub 1/2" MOA is your goal, get ready to pony up some $$. A good quality scope can cost close to or more than your rifle.
If the OP isn't using this rifle for hunting, why the 3lb recommendation?
If the OP isn't using this rifle for hunting, why the 3lb recommendation?
Will probably just be using for target shooting, maybe hunting eventually. 3/4" MOA is better then what I was hoping to start with. I was thinking of starting with a 5r originally, think that would make the cut?
My buddy and I both have 5R's.
Not so much myself, but I've seen my buddy shoot groups tighter than many 6000$ guns, and his is stock. Not even bedded, and had a rediculous trigger till I tuned it down for him a bit. At that time was shooting FGMM then he switched over to using my reloading set-up. (5 shot groups)
I know mine has the capability of ~.5, maybe less, but my skills limit it to a few lucky sub .5MOA 5-shot groups here and there.
Look at what most custom builders or high end guns gaurantee and compare. The quality is there.
I wouldn't exclude the XCR and other models. In general you can get most of them to shoot quite well.
You'll want to start with making the gun fit you. Then trigger adjustments (super easy and free), then bed the rifle which is a fun little project if you are a DIY'r.
As mentioned, don't skimp on rings and rail.
Precision will cost you money, but a good shooting gun doesn't have to cost you a ton. .75MOA is plenty good enough to stretch it's legs. So much more can be gained from learning atmospheric conditions which is a skill that must be learnt, not bought. No amount of gear will improve this to the degree that the human mind can compute.
Have fun! Take pride in doing things yourself. That's something that's being lost these days. I love that feeling of acomplishment when a job turns out well, especially when you can out shoot your buddies on very expensive, custom guns.
Not so much myself, but I've seen my buddy shoot groups tighter than many 6000$ guns, and his is stock. Not even bedded, and had a rediculous trigger till I tuned it down for him a bit. At that time was shooting FGMM then he switched over to using my reloading set-up. (5 shot groups)
I know mine has the capability of ~.5, maybe less, but my skills limit it to a few lucky sub .5MOA 5-shot groups here and there.
Look at what most custom builders or high end guns gaurantee and compare. The quality is there.
I wouldn't exclude the XCR and other models. In general you can get most of them to shoot quite well.
You'll want to start with making the gun fit you. Then trigger adjustments (super easy and free), then bed the rifle which is a fun little project if you are a DIY'r.
As mentioned, don't skimp on rings and rail.
Precision will cost you money, but a good shooting gun doesn't have to cost you a ton. .75MOA is plenty good enough to stretch it's legs. So much more can be gained from learning atmospheric conditions which is a skill that must be learnt, not bought. No amount of gear will improve this to the degree that the human mind can compute.
Have fun! Take pride in doing things yourself. That's something that's being lost these days. I love that feeling of acomplishment when a job turns out well, especially when you can out shoot your buddies on very expensive, custom guns.
