R700 action vs Surgeon action Dimensions (30-06 vs 300 win mag)

[SFgiants105]

Okay guys, bear with me. I just got the itch to build a Surgeon from scratch, but I don't have the money to do it just yet and would like to do it gradually.

I've read that Remington 700 actions and Surgeon actions have the same dimensions, so any chassis (I'm looking at the MDT LLS, btw) that is meant for a r700 could house the equivalent Surgeon.

Right now, it looks like the most economical option would be to get a R700 ADL and drop it into the LSS chassis ASAP. I'd prefer to get one with iron sights (I don't want to spend money on glass right away), and it looks like the only ADLs with iron sights are short action or 30-06.

Does the Remington 700 30-06 action have the same dimensions as a Surgeon LA 1086 Repeater Action? Essentially, I want to get something cheap I can shoot right away, then progress as follows: (chassis > trigger > glass ). Then I'd put the r700 back together as it came stock, sell it for a nominal fee, and slap together my cool parts onto the LA 1086 with a Krieger barrel. Is this doable?

Appreciate the help!

[Yerman]

If you buy a R700 long action now, then get a Surgoen Long action later, and put them into a chassis designed for R700 Long action, you should not have a problem.

That being said, I know you have an itch, but I would recommend a different route.

Why not just buy an inexpensive Savage (or the like) that already has glass on it and build you Surgeon slowly. Then you have a second rifle when it is all said and done with that you can keep or sell. Here are some links...

https://www.riflegear.com/p-4649-savage-arms-axis-ii-xp-30-06-springfield-w-scope.aspx

https://www.riflegear.com/p-4651-savage-arms-axis-ii-xp-308win-w-scope.aspx

Coming from someone that bought a R700 in 308 and now I'm almost done blueprinting it and getting a new barrel, what I spent now I could have bought a completely custom gun. Do it once, do it right, and buy something like in the links above to scratch your itch.

[1859sharps]

some thoughts for you....

but first...

What are you looking to do with the rifle?
what is your experience with what you intend to do with the rifle?


Buying the ADL first, then upgrading it can make sense. depends on your experience level for your goal for the rifle. building a custom rifle requires making decisions we may not have experience to make. might make more sense to buy an "cheaper" rifle to build experience, try things out etc.

But if you have some experience, buying the ADL now doesn't make sense...it is spending money because you are impatient to get going that could otherwise go to your actually desired end goal.

so my two cents.... start with what is your goal for the rifle, what is your experience for that activity...if it is low or none...starting with a less expensive rifle and building some experience makes absolute sense.

some food for thought...deviant actions can cost less than a Surgeon depending on what you want/goals. food for thought.

[jmatt511]

I finished building a surgeon in .338 LM last year. Best decision I made regarding a rifle in a while. Go with your gut.

[LynnJr]

The Remington 30-06 is a long action. The only difference between a Remington 700 in 30-06 and a 300 Win Mag is the bolt. You can get a 30-06 a 7mm Magnum or a 300 win Mag as your donor when Big5 Dicks or one of the big box stores is running a sale.
You shouldn't lose any money doing it the way you have it planned and you get to shoot sooner rather than later.