Used vs New actions

[powdergun]

Thinking of looking for an older used Rem 700 as a donor. Is there an advantage of a new vs used action in terms of function and accuracy etc.. ?

What are some of the things to look for when looking at a used action ?

 

[Alpheus]

I've heard people say that Remington's QC has worsened in the last few years, and that older actions were better made. Exactly how to quantify that decline, and how old is "older", is not clear.
Personally, I would just choose based on the condition of the used one versus how much you would save.

 

[EJG]

I had two older rem actions in recently that have a crack running along or between the rear rail mounting screws. Visible from inside. Turned me off a bit. Saying that I just bought another two old rem actions and will check if they have the same.
We also had a rem action in fitted with a lovely Hawk Hill barrel that a local gunsmith expert blue printed so well that barrel was 1cm off line at the muzzle.
I would have much more faith in a new action. I don't believe the QC worsened, was never very good to start with.
edi

 

[dead meat]

First thing I look at is the bolt face and the locking lugs, if things appear normal then I look at overall appearance of the action, if your doing a build barrel and stock aren't an issue. If the rifle feeds properly then the feed rails and follower should be fine. If the rifle has been Bubba'd then I will walk away.

 

[guntech]

The bolt face, the locking lugs and the initial extraction camming area on the action and the bolt will tell a lot about how 'used' the action is.

 

[EJG]

The postman dropped in a Rem SA rifle this afternoon that I bought blind as a doner action. I was so happy to see it is a stainless action with a 243 sporter barrel. I recon ten years old, apart from the lousy trigger an absolute fantastic action. I had a few 243 SPS stainless from that time in the past and they were all very good. No crack in the top inside rear scope mount threads like the recent blued actions. Out of all Rem actions I handled these are my favourite.
For a laugh I cleaned the barrel and fitted an old stock, found a drop plate and mounts. Just to see if she groups on the old barrel. Even threaded for suppressor.
edi