• The Shot You’ll Never Forget Giveaway - Enter To Win A Barrel From Rifle Barrel Blanks!

    Tell us about the best or most memorable shot you’ve ever taken. Contest ends June 13th and remember: subscribe for a better chance of winning!

    Join contest Subscribe

Cheaper to build?

links0311

Private
Minuteman
Aug 20, 2010
16
0
42
WV
I've read a lot of good posts here about the 700, and I've narrowed it down to either that rifle or the Savage Model 10. One concern I have with the 700 is that the first thing a lot of guys do is replace the stock. Would it be cheaper to just buy a 700 action and barrel and install it on what ever stock I want? What do you all do with the factory stock once you've replaced it?
 
Re: Cheaper to build?

I have built several rifles using Rem 700's in SA & LA in the past few years. I do a lot of cost calculating ever time I build one & for me it has always came out pretty close price wise when all said & done.

It is always a hell of a lot quicker/easier to just go down & buy a donor rifle rather than do a little searching for a Rem700 action (unless of course you already have the action laying around). The last 10 or so Rem 700 bare actions I have seen up for sale have gone for $300-$450 varying based on age, CM/SS, condition, bolt face, etc, etc. I can go pick up a brand new in the box Rem700 SPS in several different bolt faces for $400 plus tax & sometimes even a few $'s less with the possibility of rebate offers, etc.

To keep this post short I will just say that it is up to you to figure out which starting point you want to go with but weigh your options based on preference. I personally like to start with a NIB as I know it has no round count, no abuse, no exposure to chemicals, etc, etc & I like to start with a clean unmarked bolt face to true from. Before the recession really kicked in I actually picked up a couple of Rem SPS SA's to build from & after selling off the stocks, triggers & barrels the actions were damn near free. This was the rare exception as they were on a killer deal & I wish I would have procured more but oh well.

Enjoy & have fun with your build.
 
Re: Cheaper to build?

I agree 95% of the time what you pay for a 700 action you could have saved money buying a complete gun.And are a whole lot easier to find.If somebody has a 700 action they know what it is worth but if somebody has a 700 gun then they aren`t real sure of the value.Especially if you can find some in some odd calibers.I wished I could find ten that somebody ran over the barrels with a tank!