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

[kcstott]

Heck, even the barreled Howa action I got years ago was a great shooter... I bedded it into a Bell and Carlson stock for a super cheap build.

first thing i'd do to a Howa Is convert it to a Remage style barrel. or at least remove the torqued on barrel.

[vintagearms]

McMillan stocks are half that and all I need!

You have to consider if you choose full inlet or not, additional bedding fee if needed, flush cups, etc. Bone stock they run 350-500 not including everything else. Have you priced it out yet?

[kcstott]

You have to consider if you choose full inlet or not, additional bedding fee if needed, flush cups, etc. Bone stock they run 350-500 not including everything else. Have you priced it out yet?

Yeah exactly. $500 on a McMillan is bare bones no add ons or options.

I bought a Manners and it was $950 and all i asked for the adjustable cheek rest

Either pay someone to build your rifle or piece it together and build it yourself.

you'll come out ahead in the long run

[pklin1297]

first thing i'd do to a Howa Is convert it to a Remage style barrel. or at least remove the torqued on barrel.

I still remember the time when both Randall and I had a go at twisting the Howa barrel off to do a chop and thread for comp. years ago... I think he had the barrel mounted in a vice with rosin, which was mounted to the Bridgeport... We had the Bridgeport moving and yet the barrel/action did not budge... Sounded like a good idea before we tried.

[jimmykan]

I still remember the time when both Randall and I had a go at twisting the Howa barrel off to do a chop and thread for comp. years ago... I think he had the barrel mounted in a vice with rosin, which was mounted to the Bridgeport... We had the Bridgeport moving and yet the barrel/action did not budge... Sounded like a good idea before we tried.

Howas use metric threads on the barrel tenon.

Most gunsmiths will tell you to GTFO before they would change out the leadscrew to cut metric thread pitches.

I have heard of some smiths "converting" Howas by running a 1 1/16" - 16 piloted tap (Remington 700 pattern) into the receiver.

[kcstott]

Howas use metric threads on the barrel tenon.

Most gunsmiths will tell you to GTFO before they would change out the leadscrew to cut metric thread pitches.

I have heard of some smiths "converting" Howas by running a 1 1/16" - 16 piloted tap (Remington 700 pattern) into the receiver.

Thats because most gunsmiths don't know WTF they are doing on a lathe to begin with and don't know what transposing gears are.

My machine requires nothing but a gear change to do 99% metric threads and feeds

[pklin1297]

Randall and I both knew Howa used metric threads. He was unfazed.

[heidad01]

How about a Remington 5R? Just put your favorite scope on it and see if it hits the target. If it needed work after that, take it to Randall for improvenents.

[ar15barrels]

I still remember the time when both Randall and I had a go at twisting the Howa barrel off to do a chop and thread for comp. years ago... I think he had the barrel mounted in a vice with rosin, which was mounted to the Bridgeport... We had the Bridgeport moving and yet the barrel/action did not budge...

That was probably in my culver city shop.
I have a 25ton press in my Van Nuys shop that stops all slippage of barrels in the barrel vise.

[pklin1297]

That was probably in my culver city shop.
I have a 25ton press in my Van Nuys shop that stops all slippage of barrels in the barrel vise.

Yup! That was before you moved.

[kcstott]

My vise is bolted to a pedestal made from 1/4" wall 4" Square tube with 1/2" plates top and bottom. Pedestal is bolted to the garage floor. 1/2" grade 8 cap screws everywhere

so far two Howa's have shown up and two howa's left with out the barrel being removed. all i succeeded in doing was bending a surgeon style action wrench that I made from a chunk of prehardened 4140
So now when someone asks me how to thread a Howa or Vanguard, I say you sell the rifle and buy a real bolt gun. either that or start with a parting tool and that muzzle brake job just got real expensive.

[NorCalFocus]

OP $2000-$2500 is a reasonable mid range build budget. You don't need to go way over board and drop $5k plus on your first rifle. Also a factory Remington 700 action with a custom barrel still be miles ahead of a factory rifle.

While this wouldn't be the end all be all, and you may want to add some upgrades over time this would get you started on the right track.

Remington Short Action complete $400
Barrel Blank $400
Recoil Lug $40
Timney Trigger $120
Grayboe Stock $350
M5 Patterned DBM for PT&G $120
Magpul ACIS Magazines $80
$200 for rings and a base
Figure another $500 for a smith, and then go to your optics budget.

You can always add spacers to that stock and have a intgrated cheek riser added later. But that setup would have you up, running and learning for a decent budget.