Buying a bunch, and keeping the best?

[Alpine 338]

I was having a conversation with a friend the other night about the Rem 700, and how some shoot real good, and others not so good, of the same model and caliber. He was telling me how some serious shooters will buy two or three rifles, break them in, shoot them to gauge accuracy, and sell of the others while keeping the best perfoming rifle.

Now I could believe this to a certain degree, as I have seen wide variations in accuracy in some Remington 700's, but it sounds like it wouldn't be cost effective. If you want that kind of accuracy, I'm thinking most would just go with a proven system like a GAP, etc. Plus, I couldn't see someone doing this with a Sako TRG or AI system because of the cost.

So, my question to you, how many here have actually done this?

 

[R.Walters]

Re: Buying a bunch, and keeping the best?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Alpine 338</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was having a conversation with a friend the other night about the Rem 700, and how some shoot real good, and others not so good, of the same model and caliber. He was telling me how some serious shooters will buy two or three rifles, break them in, shoot them to gauge accuracy, and sell of the others while keeping the best perfoming rifle.

Now I could believe this to a certain degree, as I have seen wide variations in accuracy in some Remington 700's, but it sounds like it wouldn't be cost effective. If you want that kind of accuracy, I'm thinking most would just go with a proven system like a GAP, etc. Plus, I couldn't see someone doing this with a Sako TRG or AI system because of the cost.

So, my question to you, how many here have actually done this?</div></div> none, you get it built if you want it to shoot or buy an AI, sako, ect.

 

[bm11]

Re: Buying a bunch, and keeping the best?

I would say that it would probably be more cost effective to buy a nice AI or Sako, and rebarrel if necessary. The depreciation from new to used on a high end rifle would make this less cost effective.

I have heard of manufacturers doing this, however.

 

[bohem]

Re: Buying a bunch, and keeping the best?

For the cost outlay and subsequent loss in value you can have Mark Gordon from Short Action customs handle the accuracy job, or you can just buy a rifle and send it off to any number of excellent gunsmiths and have it trued up and rebarreled.

Buying 3 rifles and then taking a 200-400 hit on each one would make an easy business case to show that having the rifle worked on for $525-$800 is going to net you better results for the same or less money.

 

[Ratbert]

Re: Buying a bunch, and keeping the best?

Serious shooters don't shoot factory barrels.

 

[BobinNC]

Re: Buying a bunch, and keeping the best?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ratbert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Serious shooters don't shoot factory barrels.

</div></div>

Man's got a point. A good custom barrel, and action truing go a long way.

All Rem 700's are not junk, and I probability going to screw myself by driving up the prices; but my favorite donor rifles are older Rem 700 VS line.

Made 1992 to 2004, in short action calibers .223, 22-250, .243 and .308. The 22-250 is the most common caliber found used in Pawn Shops, Gun shops, Gunbroker, Auction Arms, Guns America, Guns International and the like.

Why is so good? Well it has a very serviceable non-palmswell H-S Precision Stock, and the old style OEM Rem Trigger. The best part is the price. The last one I bought cost $550, but usually they run in the $600 to $650 range, if your a good shopper.

If you want just the action, you part it out. My last 22-250 that cost me $550., I sold the stock for $225., the Old Rem Trigger for $65., BM $60. and the barrel and recoil lug for another $60. That left me with a $140. Rem 700 SA. Hard not to buy them at that price.

Alternatively, you could keep everything but the barrel, sell it for $50. and have it rebarreled: Threaded, chambered, throated how you like, and the action trued, for around $600-$650, and the stock skim bedded for another $100.

So for a grand total $1300. you will have a rifle that will be superior to anything the Rem company currently sells over the counter, plus you can get it in the SA caliber of your choice that Remington won't make, like: 243 Win w/1-7" Twist, 6.5x47/260 Rem/6.5 Creedmore w/1-8" Twist, or say a 7mm-08 w/1-8.5" Twist.

Yea, the stock is not a Manners, McMillan, or AICS, but a properly skim bedded H-S Precision stock still shoot rather well. And when you have the hankering to upgrade your stock, you can part out that H-S and still get $225-$250 for it to defray your new stock cost.

YMMV,

Bob

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Buying a bunch, and keeping the best?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ratbert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Serious shooters don't shoot factory barrels. </div></div>

Serious "hobbyists" don't shoot factory barrels.

There are lots of professionals (meaning shooting is their JOB) who shoot factory barrels and factory rifles.

Lest we forget it doesn't take a custom stick to get the job done. Often it doesn't even take a custom stick to win a match.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: Buying a bunch, and keeping the best?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There are lots of professionals (meaning shooting is their JOB) who shoot factory barrels and factory rifles.]</div></div>

A good example of that was the Mosin M91/30s in Stalingrad. They arn't well made but they been working longer then any other military rifle in history.

 

[oneshot onekill]

Re: Buying a bunch, and keeping the best?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Alpine 338</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was having a conversation with a friend the other night about the Rem 700, and how some shoot real good, and others not so good, of the same model and caliber. He was telling me how some serious shooters will buy two or three rifles, <span style="color: #FF0000">break them in</span>, shoot them to gauge accuracy, and sell of the others while keeping the best perfoming rifle.

Now I could believe this to a certain degree, as I have seen wide variations in accuracy in some Remington 700's, but it sounds like it wouldn't be cost effective. If you want that kind of accuracy, I'm thinking most would just go with a proven system like a GAP, etc. Plus, I couldn't see someone doing this with a Sako TRG or AI system because of the cost.

So, my question to you, how many here have actually done this? </div></div>

Well, "Serious" shooters know you don't waste rounds and money buying Factory guns and then Breaking in a barrel. Barrels don't get "Broken-in", they just get "Worn-out". Unfortunately that whole line of thinking is an "Urban Legend" line of thinking. Why people make shit like this up is beyond me.

 

[Alpine 338]

Re: Buying a bunch, and keeping the best?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobinNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ratbert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Serious shooters don't shoot factory barrels.

</div></div>

Man's got a point. A good custom barrel, and action truing go a long way.

All Rem 700's are not junk, and I probability going to screw myself by driving up the prices; but my favorite donor rifles are older Rem 700 VS line.

Made 1992 to 2004, in short action calibers .223, 22-250, .243 and .308. The 22-250 is the most common caliber found used in Pawn Shops, Gun shops, Gunbroker, Auction Arms, Guns America, Guns International and the like.

Why is so good? Well it has a very serviceable non-palmswell H-S Precision Stock, and the old style OEM Rem Trigger. The best part is the price. The last one I bought cost $550, but usually they run in the $600 to $650 range, if your a good shopper.

If you want just the action, you part it out. My last 22-250 that cost me $550., I sold the stock for $225., the Old Rem Trigger for $65., BM $60. and the barrel and recoil lug for another $60. That left me with a $140. Rem 700 SA. Hard not to buy them at that price.

Alternatively, you could keep everything but the barrel, sell it for $50. and have it rebarreled: Threaded, chambered, throated how you like, and the action trued, for around $600-$650, and the stock skim bedded for another $100.

So for a grand total $1300. you will have a rifle that will be superior to anything the Rem company currently sells over the counter, plus you can get it in the SA caliber of your choice that Remington won't make, like: 243 Win w/1-7" Twist, 6.5x47/260 Rem/6.5 Creedmore w/1-8" Twist, or say a 7mm-08 w/1-8.5" Twist.

Yea, the stock is not a Manners, McMillan, or AICS, but a properly skim bedded H-S Precision stock still shoot rather well. And when you have the hankering to upgrade your stock, you can part out that H-S and still get $225-$250 for it to defray your new stock cost.

YMMV,

Bob
</div></div>

I love those old 700-VS models. I currently have a limited run .223Rem with 20" barrel (told it was a special run for Simmons - the distributor) that shoots dime size groups with generic 55-gr. Also have one in 308 with 24" barrel, which was the first precision rifle I ever bought.