How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

[freereload]

I recently bought a 700 ADL in hopes of building it into a nice little tack driver. It got me thinking about how the 700 actually stacks up to other rifles like Savage, Howa, Tikka/Sako, Ruger, CZ, Sauer, and others.

As we all know, Remington's 700 action is pretty well accepted by lots of people who seem to know what they're doing.

Nobody seems to talk about what makes the 700 so good, yet so many people use it. It's being such a standardized action is nice and all, but at the end of the day, how good of a platform is it, considering other rifles out there?

Apart from aftermarket support, is there something that sets the 700 apart?

P.S. First post. Let me know if I'm doin' anything wrong.

 

[jrswanson1]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

The big thing is lock time, which is the amount of time between when the sear breaks and the firing pin actually hits the primer. The faster the lock time, the less likely the rifle will move off of the target.

Jim

 

[oneshot onekill]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

The only 3 things that I've found could actually be legitimate complaints are:
1- The extractor is a little flimsy.
2- the ejection port is a little large, thus allowing the receiver to flex. (this is fixed as soon as you add a one-piece scope base)
3- It's a push-feed action as opposed to a controlled-feed.

Personally, I've never had any problems resulting from these "weaknesses" and suspect I never will. I shoot Remington actions almost exclusively so I'm not trying to beat them up. Just passing along the only things I've heard over the years that made any sense at all as far as "weaknesses". I Love my Remingtons.

 

[KPK]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

I think more than anything it has been standardized by the military, and thus has become popular for everyone. Resulting in aftermarket support, followers, etc.

I've never used the others, but why try them when we've got a good platform!

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

All above is correct, but none of it would lead me to select or reject an M700. As a matter of personal opinion, I have only met a rifle or two I didn't like, and they were usually a mess to begin with, like that Century Arms 98 Mauser that had been converted to 7.62x39.

As for how things have shaken out with popularity, history is no guide to what works best.

Factory rifle that have been assembled correctly shoot very well, pretty much independent of brand. I'll even go as far as saying most shooters don't really measure up to the full potential to which their factory rifles can perform.

Whether I intend to modify a rifle or not; my choices are based on ease, cost, and convenience. I think yours should be too.

Greg

 

[seanh]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

to answer your question directly, locktime needs to be fast, of course but most people cant tell a difference between a fast one and standard factory unless you showed much less be able to have it affect their shooting.

If you believe locktime is an issue, buy a different firing pin and spring. There are some titanium ones that cut it in half.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=25066/Product/SPEEDLOCK_FIRING_PIN_KITS

here is an aluminum body from Tubb
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=371521

Here is a Ti
http://www.bhigear.com/titanium-firing-pin-kits.aspx

 

[bignada]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

Rem 700 action has issues.

The safety does NOT block the firing pin, in event of safety failure, rifle could discharge.
Quality control in Remington production is way down from 80s and mid-90s production, stainless actions seem to generally be tighter than blued.
Action dimensions are shorter than others in magazine well area.
Remington has produced .338 Lapua on the 700, but the action is a poor choice for super-mag .590 boltface cartridges.

 

[bench98]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

The people at TAC OPS think the 700 is all the action anybody needs. They say all it does is hold the round,the other things are more important, they back up their work with a guarantee like no one else. There must be something to it.

 

[longguntoter]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: goatmurray</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I recently bought a 700 ADL in hopes of building it into a nice little tack driver. It got me thinking about how the 700 actually stacks up to other rifles like Savage, Howa, Tikka/Sako, Ruger, CZ, Sauer, and others.

As we all know, Remington's 700 action is pretty well accepted by lots of people who seem to know what they're doing.

Nobody seems to talk about what makes the 700 so good, yet so many people use it. It's being such a standardized action is nice and all, but at the end of the day, how good of a platform is it, considering other rifles out there?

Apart from aftermarket support, is there something that sets the 700 apart?

P.S. First post. Let me know if I'm doin' anything wrong. </div></div>Well, I may be all wet, but here is the way I see this question. The Remington 700 action is as solid of an action as I will ever need. I am not a long range competitor, nor am I in the military anymore or a law enforcement sniper, so I will not pretend to be such a good shot that the 700 will not fit my shooting needs. Some of you guys may be one or more of the above, but for me I feel that the Remington fits any situation that most of us would ever ask of a bolt action gun. JMHO.

 

[bengates]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bignada</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Rem 700 action has issues.

The safety does NOT block the firing pin, in event of safety failure, rifle could discharge.

</div></div>

The greatest handgun ever, the 1911 doesn't either

 

[Retoocs]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

^neither do most handguns and semi-auto rifles. In most cases, if the safety fails, it just means if you pull the trigger, the gun will fire.

 

[Hawk45]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

I have a safety and it shockingly resembles my right index finger.

To the OP, if you know the 700 is widely used by master gunsmiths, what more endorsement do you need? Are there stronger actions out there.. sure. Does the average shooter gain anything with HD action.. probably not. Everything has plus/minus based on who you are asking and all the actions you mentioned will get you on target the same as any other action.. the person driving is going to be the weak link in any platform.

 

[snp81076]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

As for a reliable shot after shot action i love my 700. My sako does really good too. As far as killing critters go, I have had good results from a mosin 91/30 to a sks and everything inbetween. My first .22 (a winchester model 92 single shot) has killed so many small critters.

 

[pawprint]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

After reading the above, it does make me wonder how those that make a "700 replacement" (same but better) can stay in business. Tac Ops offers accuracy that is amazing-guaranteed, it would be hard to beat it, and even if you could, it would a tiny fraction of a MOA.

 

[snp81076]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paw print</div><div class="ubbcode-body">After reading the above, it does make me wonder how those that make a "700 replacement" (same but better) can stay in business. Tac Ops offers accuracy that is amazing-guaranteed, it would be hard to beat it, and even if you could, it would a tiny fraction of a MOA. </div></div>

There are alot of other variables that go into it as well. Ie. Barrel, stock, ammunition, scope, rings, base, so on and so on. Oh and yes shooter plays alot into it too.

 

[skeetlee]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

I think the rear tang is a major flaw. Way to thin, and easily bent when the rear screw is tightened. I also think there weren't many choices back in the day, and some things just stay the same. The rem 700 was a better design than the Winchester actions so more folks used them, including the government. I do think that today we have much better choices compared to the rem 700, but like i said the rem 700 is the accepted thing and it probably always will be. If you want to compare actions to actions, i think the Howa is a clear winner over the rem 700. The trigger might not be but the howa action is a much better piece, as are other actions. The rem 700 is an American action and is time proven to be sufficient and effective. I like Remington 700 actions and have several and i am always looking for more, but i do think its pretty sad that with today's machines we still pay for severely crooked actions more times than not. Just my take on the hole thing. Keep in mind i am a nobody and my opinions arent worth much! Lee

 

[Clay_James]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

I don't like the two piece bolt. I'm used to WWII bolt actions like the Mauser that have one piece bolts and the two piece has always seemed like a week point.

 

[pawprint]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: snp81076</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paw print</div><div class="ubbcode-body">After reading the above, it does make me wonder how those that make a "700 replacement" (same but better) can stay in business. Tac Ops offers accuracy that is amazing-guaranteed, it would be hard to beat it, and even if you could, it would a tiny fraction of a MOA. </div></div>

There are alot of other variables that go into it as well. Ie. Barrel, stock, ammunition, scope, rings, base, so on and so on. Oh and yes shooter plays alot into it too. </div></div>
How right you are, yes indeed, 100% correct, however; I thought the string was regarding the rem 700 only, my mistake.

 

[seanh]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

I've always wondered about the safety issue. How is it an issue? If you don't put a cartridge in the gun there is no problem...one of first rules of safety is not to rely on the safety.

 

[Black Ops]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The people at TAC OPS think the 700 is all the action anybody needs. They say all it does is hold the round,the other things are more important, they back up their work with a guarantee like no one else. <span style="font-weight: bold">There must be something to it.</span></div></div>

Thank you but its all snake oil and luck LOL

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2- the ejection port is a little large, thus allowing the receiver to flex. (this is fixed as soon as you add a one-piece scope base)</div></div>

Very Interesting...


<span style="font-weight: bold">Mike
Tac Ops</span>

 

[snp81076]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paw print</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: snp81076</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paw print</div><div class="ubbcode-body">After reading the above, it does make me wonder how those that make a "700 replacement" (same but better) can stay in business. Tac Ops offers accuracy that is amazing-guaranteed, it would be hard to beat it, and even if you could, it would a tiny fraction of a MOA. </div></div>

There are alot of other variables that go into it as well. Ie. Barrel, stock, ammunition, scope, rings, base, so on and so on. Oh and yes shooter plays alot into it too. </div></div>
How right you are, yes indeed, 100% correct, however; I thought the string was regarding the rem 700 only, my mistake. </div></div>

Yes but then you brought up shooting and accuracy to an exact MOA, this involves a lot more than just the action itself.

 

[pawprint]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

Actually, if you had read the entire string, you would note that Tac Ops accuracy was brought up by barrettshooter, not I. I was only commenting on the string, as it was written.

 

[Stubb]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

Good reading on the pros and cons of the Remington 700 action: link.

—Andreas

 

[oneshot onekill]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Black Ops</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The people at TAC OPS think the 700 is all the action anybody needs. They say all it does is hold the round,the other things are more important, they back up their work with a guarantee like no one else. <span style="font-weight: bold">There must be something to it.</span></div></div>

Thank you but its all snake oil and luck LOL

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2- the ejection port is a little large, thus allowing the receiver to flex. (this is fixed as soon as you add a one-piece scope base)</div></div>

Very Interesting...


<span style="font-weight: bold">Mike
Tac Ops</span>
</div></div>
Of course I bow to your expertise Mike. The comment about the action flexing is something I've heard over the years and the one-piece scope base fix made sense. If that's a bunch of hooey I'd like to know. Not that it makes much difference to me... I have a Remington 700 with a one-piece base and another with a two-piece base. Both shoot very well.

Thanks,
John

 

[ckruse]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

I don't think you can discount the fact that there are a full metric shit-ton of them out there! To me, the Remington 700 is the 350 Chevy small block of rifles. More accessories, improvements, implied improvements, etc. for them than anything else. I'm thinking the Remington 700 is just a bit shy of getting it's own Brownells catalog like the AR, and 1911. BTW, just a comparison on the Chevrolet reference, I'm a Dodge/Cummins sort myself! CKruse

 

[Jaxdialation]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

So Remington aren't the best, but you don't need the best, correct? I think that is generally true of a lot of products.

I read this regarding actions on another site: <span style="font-style: italic">No component is more important in terms of rifle longevity and shooter safety. Why is a custom action worth the extra cost? First, the action will be stiffer, straighter, and (usually) stronger.</span>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: barrettshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The people at TAC OPS think the 700 is all the action anybody needs. They say all it does is hold the round,the other things are more important, they back up their work with a guarantee like no one else. There must be something to it. </div></div>

 

[TonyAngel]

Re: How the Remington 700 actually stacks up

Hey goat, I think that all of this is moot, since you already bought the action. I think that the proper questions should be, which barrel, stock, trigger, rail, scope, etc, should I get? LOL.

I happen to be lucky enough to live not to far from a gunsmith that is pretty well known in benchrest circles and he's put two rifles together for me based on 700 actions. They are both very good shooters. My smith pretty much summed it all up for me when I had my first one built. The 700 action and bolt are more than strong enough to build a rifle capable of impressive accuracy.

He told me that the gains realized by going with a custom action, such as a BAT, are in the tolerances and increased strength which will result in minute gains in accuracy that I would never see, due to what I use my rifles for. If you want the best, then a custom action is the way to go; but a 700 action is more than good enough for most applications, especially for a .308, if that's what you're interested in.

Personally, I've never found the short action and magazine of the 700 to be any sort of handicapp. When I have a new barrel put on, I tell my smith what I need it to do and he chambers it to do it, so I don't need a whole lot of room in the mag so that I can load to reach the lands. Mine is cut so that a 175gr SMK loaded to a 2.8" OAL is .020 in the lands.