FN vs 700 for build?

[Jason280]

I've accumulated too many heavy barrel bolt guns, and I have decided to sell a few and have a semi-custom built. However, I can't decide which action to use as the basis for the build. Right now, I have two actions at my disposal. The first is a Remington 700 with a take-off 5R stock, and the other is an FN PBR XP with controlled round feeding and McMillan stock.

Is one action inherently easier for a smith to work on, specifically regarding truing and blueprinting? Which would you choose?

 

[Top Cat]

Re: FN vs 700 for build?

The Rem 700 is the winner of the practical custom vote.

The PBR XP, or at least the ones I have had my hands on, shoot well as they are.

They benefit from a stock upgrade, but other than that the metal work is fine.

TC

 

[turbo54]

Re: FN vs 700 for build?

It will be a bit easier to get a smith to work on the 700, not that the FN would be "difficult".

My preference is the FN/Win70 because I like how they feel, the "claw", the flat bottom receiver, ability to control ejection, and the excellent safety. To me, only downside of the FN/Win70 is increased locktime and not quite as much real estate for bedding. Some folks complain the bolthead is weaker because of the ejector blade cut...

I dunno six of one, half dozen of the other... toss a coin.

 

[CSS]

Re: FN vs 700 for build?

I've done a few Rem's and one FN.

If I have a choice on my next one and all future builds, they will be on the FN with claw extractor.

As far as lock time, you are talking mili seconds, you will never know there is a difference.

They have the 2 lever trigger, nothing to gum up and get crap in it, good safety, CDI DBM, Manners stocks, gunsmiths love them, ask'em.

 

[turbo54]

Re: FN vs 700 for build?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: css</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've done a few Rem's and one FN.

If I have a choice on my next one and all future builds, they will be on the FN with claw extractor.

As far as lock time, you are talking mili seconds, you will never know there is a difference.

They have the 2 lever trigger, nothing to gum up and get crap in it, good safety, CDI DBM, Manners stocks, gunsmiths love them, ask'em. </div></div>

Respectfully disagree on lock time. I can absolutely feel the difference between my FN and my Savage, and buddies' Remmys. I can't quantify it...maybe it is only a few milliseconds, but enough to feel. I'm hoping the speedlock kit will help some.

Not a dealbreaker as far as I'm concerned, but a nuance to be aware if.

 

[treebasher]

Re: FN vs 700 for build?

I'd take a Model 70 over a 700 any day, and yes I own both.

One of the big things that a 700 has going for it is that it is the "small block Chevy" of rifles. Aftermarket parts galore. Also with it's cylindrical body it is a good base action to start with for accurizing.

Now don't assume that the Model 70 doesn't have it's share of aftermarket parts though. You can find anything you need to build your desired rifle.

The Model 70 / FN has the following design features that I feel make it superior to the Model 700:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*] Controlled Round Feed[*] Fixed blade ejector[*] Positive ejection of the spent case with the fixed ejector.[*] Flat bottom receiver[*] Integral recoil lug[*] Coned breaching[*] On the newer CRF actions both of the bolt lug raceways are blocked when in battery. Helps keep gasses out of your face in the event of a case failure.[*] Left gas block serves as contact point for bolt stop instead of the bolt lug.[*] Three position safety[*] Winchester 70 safety design actually blocks the firing pin, unlike the Rem 700 non-safe safety which only locks the trigger.[*] Reliable two lever open trigger (The newest models are now coming with a three lever design)[*] Bolt handle won't break loose like a Remington because it isn't soldered straight to the outside of the bolt body.[*] Simple bolt take-down. No special tools which the Remington and its cousins require. [*] Well finished and machined. (except for some of the older push feeds. Still not bad actions though.)[/list]

 

[hewlett260]

Re: FN vs 700 for build?

I would vote to upgrade the Remmy, a lot more options, and the FN comes pretty good the way it is.

 

[a_bishop]

Re: FN vs 700 for build?

IMHO i say remmy because the extractor will probably be changed anyways along with the trigger, bolt stop and bolt release. those are the most common things i see on custom smith jobs

 

[Da-Law-Dawg]

Re: FN vs 700 for build?

I thought long and hard about both before I initiated my last build.

I went with the FN, moreover a trued PBR XP CRF action. Stock was a donor McMillian A4 from an SPR. Added a CDI bottom metal and a Rock barrel. Couldn't be happier.

I own 700's and I'm not knocking them but I like the features of the CRF FN's. Any good 'smith can work on an FN/Win action with no problem. The 700's just require a bit less work to plumb the barrels in.

 

[Alderleet]

Re: FN vs 700 for build?

FN.

variety is the spice of life. Chances are, whatever remmy combo you concoct, there have been 10-20 of it done, and you'll probably see one for sale at your next gunshow. Just to give you that pride in ownership...

 

[19Scout77]

Re: FN vs 700 for build?

I have built MANY FN based customs as well as a few Remington. In retrospect, I would have used a Remington for ALL of them. I love my FNs and the features mentioned (3 pos saf, claw, CRF etc) but in practice those differences do not amount to a hill of beans. Both will do what you need you to do when you need to do it. Accuracy is a wash. Difference comes down to two things, most importantly, PARTS AVAILABILITY and less important but a factor, resale.

The whole "dare to be different" justification means nothing if your purpose is to actually USE your rifle. I'd carve up a petrified dog turd if it made the most accurate receiver.

 

[Jason280]

Re: FN vs 700 for build?

Thanks for the input! Right now I am leaning towards the FN, but I'm still not sure. I already have a 7mm-08 built on a trued 700 action with Bartlein barrel, so it would make sense to have another built in .308 simply for consistency sake. Then again, I do like the idea of a 24" .308 built on my FN, with a US Optics 3.2-17x to top it off.

 

[hgr2]

Re: FN vs 700 for build?

FN gets my vote.

 

[J-Ham]

Re: FN vs 700 for build?

Granted there are clearly more after-market options for a 700, but my decision came down to this: How many options did I really need? McMillan & Manners will both inlet for an FN, barrels are easy to come by, as well as triggers & bottom metal that will accept AI mags. I did not feel limited when putting together an FN, hell, it was kind of a relief to not have 30 different bottom metals to choose from

.

 

[19Scout77]

Re: FN vs 700 for build?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: J-Ham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Granted there are clearly more after-market options for a 700, but my decision came down to this: How many options did I really need? McMillan & Manners will both inlet for an FN, barrels are easy to come by, as well as triggers & bottom metal that will accept AI mags. I did not feel limited when putting together an FN, hell, it was kind of a relief to not have 30 different bottom metals to choose from

. </div></div>

If Surgeon made an FN bottom metal...
If ANYBODY made a good FN 2 stage...

 

[J-Ham]

Re: FN vs 700 for build?

Yeah, the bottom metal was the only thing I was a little "iffy" about, I knew someone would call me on it

. I'm rocking a floor plate at the moment & patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for Mike Bush to finish his FN bottom metal project (Mike, are you reading?).