older Rem 700 actions better then new ones?

[HighGround260]

I found a Rem 700 in 270 for sale for $350. I'm doing a 260 build and was going with a long action to be able to run the vld out to the lands. this one appears to be an older rifle, I'm having it trued just wondering if I should pick it up or try to find a newer one. Also would a #3 bartlein look alright in Rem. Varmint/Sendero channel or would there be a lot of gap around the barrel

 

[tipper]

If you are having it trued, sounds like you already bought it. live an learn

 

[supratt96]

Older Remington 700 actions are just as good as new ones assuming they have been well maintained. They aren't inherently better, but Remington definitely had better QC back in the day, so there should be less chance of it having factory defects.

I have an old Remington 700 long action (built in 1971) and it runs smooth as silk.

 

[HighGround260]

Thanks appears to be taken care of. Was a guys deer rifle for awhile and so he never shot it much

 

[Boltfluter]

Older Remington 700 actions are just as good as new ones assuming they have been well maintained. They aren't inherently better, but Remington definitely had better QC back in the day, so there should be less chance of it having factory defects.

I have an old Remington 700 long action (built in 1971) and it runs smooth as silk.

+1 for the older actions. QC and quality of the machining was much better.

Paul

 

[Diablo]

Have carefully avoided buying any Rem700 newer than mid-90s.

Mostly due to their introduction of the idiot J-lock, then the newer (not better) triggers.

Recently have read some comments among the gun smith folks that some of the new CNC machined actions are quite good.

I probably will never buy another Remington product.

 

[HighGround260]

Its a prefix A action, I read that there is a difference in the action pertaining to how the scope base mounts. What bases would I need to use?

 

[mjh30]

The actions produced prior to 1974 I believe have a lower rear bridge height. This means that any non prefix action and probably some A prefix are not the same dimensionally as the actions made afterwards. If you have an early action, a later type base can be used if you shim and bed the base to the action, this will take care of the difference in rear bridge height. As for a #3 Bartlein, it pretty skinny in my opinion compared to the rem varmint. As for old actions, I have three all prefix, none have been trued, don't remember when that buzz word came out, all have Obermeyer barrels installed by a more than competent smith, all shoot sub 1/2 moa if not better, save you truing money for a good trigger.

 

[338RUM runner]

If I remember right ( getting older ) the old ones were .125 diff and the new ones were .100 diff in height from the front.