Remington 700 - To build or buy/upgrade - That is the Question

[Darryl Licht]

So... here is the deal.

I've been wanting a Remington 700 for a while now. But I'm NEVER happy with stock OOB rifles. I always end up adding and replacing parts. I want a very accurate long range hunter/plinker/competition ready gun.

I have successfully built 2 AR15's in the last 6 years and am very happy with both. I am very mechanically inclined and a bit of a perfectionist.

Which is the best way to go... build from scratch, or buy a base model 700 and upgrade over time? I know I want a McMillan stock, and a match grade barrel with a trigger worthy of such.

I'd appreciate any and all valuable input here! Advantages - Disadvantages to each approach, etc...

Thanks in advance!

[pklin1297]

Went through this a couple of years ago... When it comes to guns I'm an instant gratification kind of guy, so I went with the custom route and purchased most of the parts of the build all at once. I went with the Defiance Deviant action with Bartlein barrel.

By the way, hunter/plinker/competition-ready all demand a slightly (or wildly) different setup, so best to stick with just one or two modes of operation... You wouldn't want to lug a PRS type competition rifle on long hunting hikes for example, even though I guess it can be done with all-carbon layup stocks, and medium palma contoured barrels...

Do you have a lathe to turn and chamber the barrel with? If not, that part will need to be sent out to a good smith for installation to your action of choice. Sure you can get a Rem-age setup but I personally am not too keened on those.

[Darryl Licht]

Went through this a couple of years ago... When it comes to guns I'm an instant gratification kind of guy, so I went with the custom route and purchased most of the parts of the build all at once. I went with the Defiance Deviant action with Bartlein barrel.

By the way, hunter/plinker/competition-ready all demand a slightly (or wildly) different setup, so best to stick with just one or two modes of operation... You wouldn't want to lug a PRS type competition rifle on long hunting hikes for example, even though I guess it can be done with all-carbon layup stocks, and medium palma contoured barrels...

Do you have a lathe to turn and chamber the barrel with? If not, that part will need to be sent out to a good smith for installation to your action of choice. Sure you can get a Rem-age setup but I personally am not too keened on those.

Thanks for the input! I realize I am asking a lot with the 3 purposes, but I'm willing to deal with a little weight so that it is a good long range competition shooter.

No lathe here, but several good smiths are close by!

[baih777]

hunter/plinker/competition ready gun.

No matter how you look at it. That is three different rifles.
My friends think I am nuts.

But you can make all three use the same mag.

[jericho89]

Unless you are able to complete the receiver yourself and fit the bolt you are going to want to start off with a donor gun. Buy the base model that has the receiver you want and build from there. Many custom guns go that route.

[Darryl Licht]

hunter/plinker/competition ready gun.

No matter how you look at it. That is three different rifles.
My friends think I am nuts.

But you can make all three use the same mag.

I'll make the appropriate compromises when and where needed... but this will serve all 3 purposes --- it is my requirement! I honestly don't think it will be that difficult!

It must be suitable to go to long range shoots (out to maybe 1,000 yds), and light enough to still be a good hunting rifle. If the Rem 700 is good enough for USMC & Army snipers to haul up & down mountains in Afghanistan, it certainly suit all 3 outlined goals! IMHO!

[Trakker]

I have customs (built by AR15 barrels)...very good shooters. Would not hesitate to go that route again. But its still a Remington 700 (i.e. no side bolt stop, no integral lug, still need a PTG bolt, etc.)

My next rifle will be a stiller / defiance and get one of those barrels from Criterion (REMAGE) type switch barrels. Just for grins...it would be a barrel burner (6.5-284, 243, etc.). Do your own bedding job in a McMillan Stock or buy a chassis, it's super easy.

In the end it cost the same.

Oh..extended bolt handle is a must, I keep banging my thumb on the scope ocular lens. Maybe it's my technique, but it doesn't happen with my Tikka or TRG with the 60-75 degree bolt throw.

[ar15barrels]

I'll make the appropriate compromises when and where needed... but this will serve all 3 purposes --- it is my requirement! I honestly don't think it will be that difficult!

It must be suitable to go to long range shoots (out to maybe 1,000 yds), and light enough to still be a good hunting rifle. If the Rem 700 is good enough for USMC & Army snipers to haul up & down mountains in Afghanistan, it certainly suit all 3 outlined goals! IMHO!

As long as you don't mind humping a 16lb rifle, it can do all 3 jobs just fine.
Just don't try to be silly and try to get it under 14lbs and then try to use it as a competition rifle...

[Darryl Licht]

As long as you don't mind humping a 16lb rifle, it can do all 3 jobs just fine.
Just don't try to be silly and try to get it under 14lbs and then try to use it as a competition rifle...

Randall:

I'd appreciate some input from you on the original Q... build from scratch or buy and upgrade? What are your thoughts here?

[ar15barrels]

Randall:

I'd appreciate some input from you on the original Q... build from scratch or buy and upgrade? What are your thoughts here?

Buy an aftermarket receiver and a good barrel blank and come see me.
Stiller is good on a budget.
Defiance Deviant or Surgeon 591's are nicer with integrated rails and lugs.

[t0rin0]

What exactly are you going to build from scratch? Are you talented enough to machine a receiver, carve out a wood stock, or cut a barrel? There aren't that many parts/assemblies to one of these but I feel like they all need to be fit just right (by a competent gunsmith) if you're going shoot a thousand yards.

You can start with a $500-$700 rifle that shoots OK at a couple hundred yards and learn to shoot and load while you upgrade your parts as you can afford to. My guess is that if you're going to shoot a thousand yards you'll have more money into this than both of your ARs combined. Heck the scope alone will cost as much as one of your ARs.

[TygerAR]

Build, because that's what you really want to do. Is real question is money? Do you know the price of a Army/USMC sniper rifle? It's long action which makes it no longer a base 700. Are you in the same shape/training as a military sniper to carry a 16lbs rifle for days, plus gear? Can you call for helicopter or Humvee transport? If you buy a base SPS you still need a scope base, so add around $100. The SPS action still need work, add $200-300. A better bolt knob? Add $100. So let's say a good action is $500 more than a SPS, and in your case the action is all you are keeping. Subtract $200 for the Scope base and bolt knob. You still need to true the SPS action. The custom action is smoother, better fit, Has side bolt release. If you are a perfectionist, then build is to obvious way to go. However, there are 700's in the upper price range that fit your needs and you can add the stock you like. Of course, building allows you to choose your preferred cartridge.

[Darryl Licht]

What exactly are you going to build from scratch? Are you talented enough to machine a receiver, carve out a wood stock, or cut a barrel? There aren't that many parts/assemblies to one of these but I feel like they all need to be fit just right (by a competent gunsmith) if you're going shoot a thousand yards.

You can start with a $500-$700 rifle that shoots OK at a couple hundred yards and learn to shoot and load while you upgrade your parts as you can afford to. My guess is that if you're going to shoot a thousand yards you'll have more money into this than both of your ARs combined. Heck the scope alone will cost as much as one of your ARs.

You took me way too literally! I'll be purchasing the components and assembling them... not going completely insane and chopping down a tree, seasoning the wood, carving the stock, etc!

I believe I'm good in the "learn how to shoot" department (rifles for over 40 years)... but yes long range is going to have a huge learning curve! I understand I'll be looking at a substantial scope purchase as well... and it will cost more than both my ARs combined! $4 to 5K most likely!

After seeing what a quality action runs... I may just start with an SPS and upgrade 1-2 bits at a time as my budget allows. Then I can move the really good stuff over to a build and go back to stock on the SPS.

Just weighing it all out and getting input now.

[kcstott]

I'll make the appropriate compromises when and where needed... but this will serve all 3 purposes --- it is my requirement! I honestly don't think it will be that difficult!

It must be suitable to go to long range shoots (out to maybe 1,000 yds), and light enough to still be a good hunting rifle. If the Rem 700 is good enough for USMC & Army snipers to haul up & down mountains in Afghanistan, it certainly suit all 3 outlined goals! IMHO!

The rifle the USMC and the US Army use weigh in at 16-18 pounds with glass sling and bipod. There is a reason these boys do PT everyday.

[kcstott]

Ok you never mentioned Caliber either.

Since you want to go Remington or a clone thereof I'd Recommend Randall,

If you wanted to assemble yourself you could buy a Rem700 Milspec 5R in 308 buy your stock, scope, bases, rings, trigger, bipod, case, Bottom metal & mags if you want to shoot PRS matches.

by the time you're said and done $5K-$6K with no labor cost. Thats where i'm at with my F class rifle, and it's more of a PRS rifle then anything.
And it's getting close to the F class weight limit.