Gunsmithing Building on Old Rem 700 vs Newer Rem 700

[trauma1]

I am always scanning for older donor Rem 700 to build on. People always ask why not just buy a new Rem 700 youth version and use it.
I have read many comments on Quality control w/ newer Rem 700. What do the Smiths prefer?
Build on older Rem 700 action or New Rem 700 action?
Thanks


Trauma1

 

[slayer_21420]

I like old ones due to the smooth polished finish, I hate sps finish.

 

[rdinak]

+1 old actions are smoother too.

 

[nashlaw]

I have several 7 - digit and one 6 - digit short actions. Also have a 7-digit long action waiting at the LGS. No coma into with the newer actions, but the oldsters are sweet for reasons mentioned above.

 

[Killswitch Engage]

i felt like the "G" actions were the line for good ones for me. i am just not sure about these RR actions.

 

[selfbowhunter]

The newest receivers have different cam angles on the bolt handle so the already weak primary extraction is further Reduced. Be VERY mindful of how much material is removed while truing up a new RR receiver. Ask dan armstrong at accu-tig how i know!!!! I prefer the older receivers.

 

[Gene Poole]

The newest receivers have different cam angles on the bolt handle so the already weak primary extraction is further Reduced. Be VERY mindful of how much material is removed while truing up a new RR receiver. Ask dan armstrong at accu-tig how i know!!!! I prefer the older receivers.

This is by design? I noticed a larger than expected gap between the bolt handle and the receiver when in full battery on a fairly new (1 year old) Remington 700 receiver, but I just though it was poor QC. It is getting a new PTG handle anyway so I didn't pay it no mind. Is there a reason for this and if so, should the new handle be installed differently?

 

[Killswitch Engage]

Yeah all the rr I've done have a shorter cam ramp for sure. I wasn't sure I thought that it weakens the primary extraction or not. They seem to extract well but I do agree there is little room for lug truing on these actions without retiming.

 

[trauma1]

Great data! I will keep my pawn shop patrol up


Trauma1

 

[Kebo57]

I've built 3-4 rifles around the RR prefix actions only from Brownell's. They have a nice blue finish with out the heavy blast underneath. I have only "trued"...not blueprinted, lugs lapped, face squared- so I didn't run into extraction cam issues. These builds have all shot very well...half minute avgs. I have also built on older 700 actions and didn't see enough real world advantage to "make or break" a build either way.

 

[GSully-2]

There is no quality control on newer Rem 700's

 

[Texar2]

Sportsman 78 is my favorite.

 

[trauma1]

Why that particular model?


Trauma1

 

[Texar2]

The metal in the older ones seem to clean up nicer. The new material doesn't peel off like the old. It just crumbles like its brittle and looks porous. I even had a bolt lug loose a chunk during normal operation. The sportsman 78 is easy to identify, rather than trying to figure out when a particular 700 was made. They are usually cheaper and in good condition. The only difference is the bolt handle, but a badger knob can be fit with ease.

 

[E. Bryant]

I have not noticed any issue on the RR-series other than the aforementioned lack of primary extraction. The last three or four that I've trued have all had about 0.003" of runout on the receiver face when dialed in, and now I really wish I would have taken note of the "clocking" of the high/low spots to see if that was consistent across the sample of parts.