REMINGTON 700 - One of the Best All Around Rifles?

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Ranger77

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Hello CGN,

I am looking to acquire as close to a "do it all" or an "all purpose" rifle as I can. I know there is no "one and done" rifle but something close is the goal. I think I have it narrowed down to the venerable Remington 700 chambered in the likewise tried and true 308. I looked at several other rifles over the 700 but this just seems to be such a solid, field proven rifle that I haven't found much else as universally recommended. Perhaps I missing something? As an aside, the 308 vs 30-06 debate has plenty of reading material available but if you really want to chime in on that subject here as well please feel free.

Basically, I am after a rifle that is durable and field proven. Deer hunting will be the primary function but the firearm should be capable of taking just about anything in North America. That said, there are not many polar or grizzly bears in my area but moose should be doable. I am not looking at huge shooting distances. The rifle will also see range time. I guess utility is the word I am looking for.

Long story short, over the years there have been a million variations of the 700 released. Again, utility, durability and ease of maintenance would be a bonus. I am thinking a used firearm will be preferred but new is not out of the question. Which sub-models would you recommend?

Thanks, CGN.
 
The Remington 700 Varmint Stainless in 308 seems to be a decent value. The advertised weather resistance is something I can get behind. That said, I do prefer a wood stock.
 
For your purposes, it would hard to go wrong with a Rem 700 in 308! A good 180 gr load or ammo is very effective for the game you are hunting. I have had very good performance even with the Winchester Power Point ammo in a variety of calibers and bullet weights, with good to excellent accuracy. The 165 gr would also work well for you, if looking for a little flatter trajectory over your normal shooting distances.
Depending on your preference, you could get wood/blued or stainless/synthetic, in a variety of configurations.
If looking traditional wood/blued, it is hard to beat the old BDL. Open sights are a nice option for potential back up, should you have a scope failure.
In the stainless/synthetic, the original XCR has a great protective coating, the slickest action I have ever found on a new Rem 700, and the grippy rubber inserts in the stock for when it is wet and/or cold. The newer XCR II has a different colour coating, and coloured stock.
If you like a detachable magazine, there are also options, both factory and after-market.
 
The wood/blued vs synthetic/stainless is tough for me. I love wood but the synthetic/stainless just seems to be more rugged.

I am by not really a tactical fellow but I definitely like the durability associated with the PVD coating on the XCR. I definitely do not intend to have a safe queen.
 
I feel a compulsion to say “hate to say it” but truthfully I don’t. The Remington 700 is likely the worst mid range production rifle. It is an agglomeration of manufacturing shortcuts (soldered together three piece bolt, pipe receiver and sandwiched separate recoil lug, very ####ty safety and paper clip extractor).

For the same price ranges you can find a well built rifle, in particular a Ruger 77 or Winchester Model 70. Just the same the M700 can be accurate and will work, but it is not at all a shining example of a quality rifle. Its chief design point was utterly to be cheap and fast to manufacture. Your choice of .308 is solid.
 
if your looking for a tough do all 308 check out the ruger scout. mount the scope in the conventional rear possession and call it a day. i like rems but a scout in 308 will out do the rem for handling and durability.
 
Ranger77 said:
Hello CGN,

I am looking to acquire as close to a "do it all" or an "all purpose" rifle as I can. I know there is no "one and done" rifle but something close is the goal. I think I have it narrowed down to the venerable Remington 700 chambered in the likewise tried and true 308. I looked at several other rifles over the 700 but this just seems to be such a solid, field proven rifle that I haven't found much else as universally recommended. Perhaps I missing something? As an aside, the 308 vs 30-06 debate has plenty of reading material available but if you really want to chime in on that subject here as well please feel free.

Basically, I am after a rifle that is durable and field proven. Deer hunting will be the primary function but the firearm should be capable of taking just about anything in North America. That said, there are not many polar or grizzly bears in my area but moose should be doable. I am not looking at huge shooting distances. The rifle will also see range time. I guess utility is the word I am looking for.

Long story short, over the years there have been a million variations of the 700 released. Again, utility, durability and ease of maintenance would be a bonus. I am thinking a used firearm will be preferred but new is not out of the question. Which sub-models would you recommend?

Thanks, CGN.
Click to expand...

As long as the rifle is a 700BDL Custom in .308 or .30-06 (six of one,a half dozen of the other) and the price is right,grab it. As for the M700 variants,like someone else posted,they were designed specifically as an "entry level" cheaper model,every last one of them. Honestly,buy good once as opposed to cheap many times over. Check out the Ruger line. Fit,finish and quality beat Remington any day.
 
I would look at the BDL or the lighterweight walnut/blued mountain rifle series. These are some of the nicest and most accurate rifles made regardless of manufacturer. Find one in excellent condition and it will treat you right for decades.
 
I Like the 308 Win cartridge i have 3 of them now - 2 Rem M600's and a Ruger Scout GS ! I have owned SEVERAL M700 's also with std and heavy Varmit barrels over the years and liked them All . The Ruger Gunsight is a REAL workhorse of a Rifle - I installed a Bushnell Red Dot and i like it - I did a trigger job and lightened it up with a different spring - Its about 2.5 lbs Now ! You could also install a scope - It comes with a Rear PEEP sight ! Shoots real good with handloaded Horn 150 and 165 SST bullets - STILL you cannot go wrong with a REMMY ! jmo RJ
 
To me, an old stainless, coated Alaskan Wilderness Rifle with the grey Brown Precision stock in 280 Remington or 7MM RM would be the cats PJ’s. If anyone knows where a lefty is let me know. :)
 
Ardent said:
I feel a compulsion to say “hate to say it” but truthfully I don’t. The Remington 700 is likely the worst mid range production rifle. It is an agglomeration of manufacturing shortcuts (soldered together three piece bolt, pipe receiver and sandwiched separate recoil lug, very ####ty safety and paper clip extractor).

For the same price ranges you can find a well built rifle, in particular a Ruger 77 or Winchester Model 70. Just the same the M700 can be accurate and will work, but it is not at all a shining example of a quality rifle. Its chief design point was utterly to be cheap and fast to manufacture. Your choice of .308 is solid.
Click to expand...

This post sums it up very accurately.
 
Ardent said:
I feel a compulsion to say “hate to say it” but truthfully I don’t. The Remington 700 is likely the worst mid range production rifle. It is an agglomeration of manufacturing shortcuts (soldered together three piece bolt, pipe receiver and sandwiched separate recoil lug, very ####ty safety and paper clip extractor).

For the same price ranges you can find a well built rifle, in particular a Ruger 77 or Winchester Model 70. Just the same the M700 can be accurate and will work, but it is not at all a shining example of a quality rifle. Its chief design point was utterly to be cheap and fast to manufacture. Your choice of .308 is solid.
Click to expand...

At risk of repeating what has already been said, I am with Ardent 100%. I have owned several Remington M700 rifles in the past and currently do not own a single firearm manufactured by Remington nor will I ever again.
 
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