Blueprint a 700BDL or buy a precision action?

D

Drew=LeftSideEject

Private
Minuteman
Dec 29, 2011
10
0
56
Sheridan, WY
#1
Fellow Americans,
I'm a newb here, but I did spend a little time searching the site for my question! I'm sure it's been asked, but I didn't find it. Perhaps we can have it made a sticky post?
I have an early-mid 1990s era Remington 700BDL w/floorplate in 7mm Rem Mag, in great condition. I want to have built a magazine fed, tactical dream rifle capable of half MOA or better, in this caliber. Would it be cheaper to have a top custom gunsmith blueprint, square, true, perfect, my 700 action, and build it up with a precision trigger/barrel/stock, or buy a precision action like a Stiller Tac, Kirby Allen, or similar, and build it up with same? I do realize the precision actions are worlds better, but if the cost savings is substantial...
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="color: #CC0000">After searching "Lawton" here on SH, I found out all I need to know- avoid LAWTON at all costs- they no longer exist!!</span></span></span>
Thanks!
 
#2
Re: Blueprint a 700BDL or buy a precision action?

It depends on the level of truing you have done to the action.

There is the simple, true the action and lp the lugs. This costs about 250 bucks. Then there is the enhanced job with indexing threads etc... that will run about 35 - 40 dollars more.

So, you are talking 300 dollars on an existing action. This will result in a very solid, reliable action.

A custom action will set you back about 950 dollars. Much tighter tolerances, better bolt.

Will it be any more accurate? Probably not so you would notice.

Is it worth the extra 650 bucks? Only you can make that decision. Many folks think that it is well worth that extra money.
 
#3
Re: Blueprint a 700BDL or buy a precision action?

I would say just have the action that you have trued up and worked over. Custom actions are nice and feel awesome but a trued up and worked over 700 feels pretty good as well in my opinion. If you really want to have your dream rifle built then I would get a hold of Chad Dixon over in Sturgis. He is a member here (C. Dixon) and you can see many of his builds in the gunsmithing section. He does top knotch work and is one of the best smiths in the country. He will for sure take care of you and make sure your rifle turns out the way you dreamed.
 
#4
Re: Blueprint a 700BDL or buy a precision action?

One consideration in truing a factory action are the threads, they will be changed in dimension and all barrels will need to be threaded to fit that action, a good custom action should have a consistent thread dimension where you can order pre-threaded barrels.
 
#5
Re: Blueprint a 700BDL or buy a precision action?

Since you already have the action, it would save you quite a bit to build off of the existing action. If you were starting out with nothing, I would say go with a custom action for sure. You can make a Remington very nice and pour a lot of money in it, but in the end, it's still a Remington.
 
#6
Re: Blueprint a 700BDL or buy a precision action?

nice thing about a custom action is most of em don't have to be trued up. so the extra money you spend on the custom action might be less than the cost of the work to true up a non custom action you had. If your buying a non custom action you should figure the cost to buy and trued might be more.. plus custom actions usually come with things you will do to that non custom action.. IE over sized handle and some have monolithic rails on them already so you don't have to buy a scope mount as well.. just food for thought.

I was gonna true up an action but the more I looked into it I just went with a Badger M2008.

good luck
 
#7
Re: Blueprint a 700BDL or buy a precision action?

Sell the Remington rifle and use the money towards a custom action.

http://www.gaprecision.net/ga-precision-services.html

Cost to modify a Remington action @ (GAprecision):

1. Chamber and true the action and bolt: $350
2. Install B.O. M16 style, Magnum BF extractor: $150
3. Install G.A. Precision Bolt stop: $125
4. Badger Ordnance Tactical Bolt Knob: $95
5. Badger Ordnance 20 MOA base: $140

Total : $860

OR

Sell your Remington for $800 and put $595 out of your pocket to buy this : http://www.surgeonrifles.com/1086

No Brainer!
 
#8
Re: Blueprint a 700BDL or buy a precision action?

Only concern on Rem 700 action is resale, Custom(Stiller,Surgeon, Defiance,etc) will bring top dollar premium over a 700. I like 700's and have four, so I am not into it for the resale, just like them. Also have a a Stiller and Surgeon, like them also.
 
#9
Re: Blueprint a 700BDL or buy a precision action?

I'd buy the custom action, if you decide to sell it you can recoup more of your money from it than a trued remington with all sorts of work done to it.

They can both be made to shoot the same
 
#11
Re: Blueprint a 700BDL or buy a precision action?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: barrettshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">One consideration in truing a factory action are the threads, they will be changed in dimension and all barrels will need to be threaded to fit that action, a good custom action should have a consistent thread dimension where you can order pre-threaded barrels. </div></div>

Huh? Where did you hear this? Where have you ever heard of pre-threaded barrels other than for factory or Mauser actions? If I was paying a smith to work on a custom action or true a Rem, he better be able to thread and profile a blank for me. It's my understanding that you'll true threads to increase the percentage of thread engagement.
 
#14
Re: Blueprint a 700BDL or buy a precision action?

I have a trued Remington action on a .260 custom barrel and it is accurate to 3/8 moa. That is the class of very good custom actions.

It was WAY less expensive to have my action trued (my barrel installer did for like $100).

Remington actions are pretty good, though maybe not as good as the best customs.

I have a Sako TRG 22 in 308 and it has a great action. It's advantage is the 60 degree throw. Nice short throw on a short action. It is about the same accuracy as my Rem.

If I had unlimited budget I'd go with a 60 degree throw custom action that can use AW mags. But that is just me.

You can build a custom rifle for less money especially because you already have your Rem action.
 
#15
Re: Blueprint a 700BDL or buy a precision action?

If you're trying to do it little by little, keeping your old action is the only way you're going to get it done.

but if you have the financial discipline to save your money and do it right, buying a custom made Defiance action is the way to go. The folks at GAP, Proof Research, Skunkworks/Black Ops and others use Defiance actions. They are stellar.

So you have to decide how long you are willing to wait for your project to be done. And if you go the quick route, what are you going to do when you're not satisfied with the end result?
 
#17
Re: Blueprint a 700BDL or buy a precision action?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LeftSideEject</div><div class="ubbcode-body">After searching "Lawton" here on SH, I found out all I need to know- avoid LAWTON at all costs- they no longer exist!! </div></div>

Thanks for the bad memories. I sure would like to have my $1300 deposit, Manners T2a stock, and Pelican case back!
 
#18
Re: Blueprint a 700BDL or buy a precision action?

Take your time. Do more research. Both can be made to shoot with bench rest accuracy. Don't forget, there's more to an accurate rifle than just the action. All the customs will work great. The Remington will work just as good depending on who does the work. With all the info on this site about who's good, there is no guessing who can do it. Being that you have an action, and sounds like you want to save a little, then have a custom built on it. Best of luck either way.
 
#20
Re: Blueprint a 700BDL or buy a precision action?

Please take a look at the Rangemaster Precision Arms QUADLITE and QUADLOCK actions. We have them available and include standard the 2 stage competition trigger. Actions feature a 4 lug heavy duty bolt for competition use.

www.DRAKEASSOCIATES.us

Direct link to Drake Associates Rangemaster Action(s) page

rpa-actions.jpg


Quadlite (tubular shape) Quadlock (squared off shape)

actions_and_triggers.jpg




The heart of any rifle is the receiver. The Quadlock® action embodies the pinnacle of accurate rifle design and is the foundation from which all our actions are based. RPA is able to offer an unsurpassed range of rifle actions for those discerning shooters who want not only to win, but to have superior build quality, combined with strength, rigidity, uncompromising accuracy from our four lug bolt system, good looks and most importantly your safety in mind.

RPA Quadlock Action
Single shot and repeater available. Left and Right hand. Available in 308 and magnum bolt face. (Shown fitted with RPA trigger and guard, available separately).

RPA Quadlite Action
Single shot and repeater models available. Left and Right hand. Available in 308 bolt face. (Single shot shown fitted with RPA trigger and guard, available separately).

 
#21
Re: Blueprint a 700BDL or buy a precision action?

go custom! Bob L. Swagger made a great point with the GAP work price list. by the time its all said and done you'll be money ahead starting with something like a surgeon action, especially if you're going to replace everything on the rifle anyways(stock, barrel, bottom metal, etc.). im actually on the last leg of a rem 700 .308 build right now and wish i would have taken that advise. i wish i would have just ordered the WHOLE rifle straight from the gunsmith, i would have saved couple hundred in shipping parts alone.
 
#22
Re: Blueprint a 700BDL or buy a precision action?

All the money you spend on a Rem 700 truing/accurizing job will be water under the bridge, unless done by a NAME superior quality gunsmith with an attest letter.

Have been that route and never again.

Want superior value? Sako TRG-22 or 42. Don't want the tactical stock, trigger, or 10rd mag? Go TRG-S. Best action you can buy. Most factory options. Superb quality. Best choice for a .473, .532, or .590 boltface switchbarrel gun. Several aftermarket stocks being produced now.

I have a Shilen trued Win-70 action that is superb. Shilen or Hart will true your action when they rebarrel the gun. Worth the wait if you want resale value. Serial # on barrel matches receiver. Send your action to GA Precision as another option...
 
#23
Re: Blueprint a 700BDL or buy a precision action?

I talked to Ken about using a Remington action in a build. You will save money using the action you have and it will shoot just as well.
Nice math Bobby Lee did for us but in reality it costs $400 more for a Templar action on a packaged rifle from GAP. A M16 style extractor is not really needed either. (How long has the factory extractor lasted?)You will probably never get $800 for a factory Remington either.

The money you save can be used elsewhere on the rifle, fluting, break, adjustable cheek piece, AMMO, etc.

As a side, there will also not be any FFL charges, the gun will ship straight to you.
 
#24
Re: Blueprint a 700BDL or buy a precision action?

Being that you already own this action it'd be cheaper to have it worked over. If it was between buying a 700 and then working it over and purchasing a custom-built action, I would say look into the Stiller line of actions in the $900.00 range from Greg @ southern precision rifles, he goes by bugholes here on the forum.
 
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