Need donor action...options

T

Tangodown911

Sergeant
Commercial Supporter
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 8, 2008
950
2
West metro Atlanta, GA
#1
Well I'm thinking of making a build thus I need a 700 action. Is it just me or are these things impossible to find? Where are they hiding and who is responsible for hiding them?

Really I've spent a decent amount of time looking for a new action with no luck. Who has them?

Option 2 is finding a junked out 700 for about $350-400, but most likely the actions are junk to be banged up as well.

Option 3 is buying a new Rem. 700 SPS for $500 and parting it out. I fugure the stocks go for about $75-100? Correct me if I'm wrong. What are the barrels going for?

I hate to whore out a new rifle but would do it.
 
#2
Re: Need donor action...options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tangodown911</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Option 2 is finding a junked out 700 for about $350-400, but most likely the actions are junk to be banged up as well.</div></div>

Not sure I follow your logic here - just because someone is selling a used firearm, doesn't mean it isn't mechanically as sound as the day Remington put it in its little green box.

Your biggest problem in the used market will be getting the action you want. While a good used long action is pretty easy to find in pawn shops and on consignment at a gun store, short actions are as scarce as hen's teeth. My guess is because the short actions chamber more user-friendly cartridges, so no one ever sells them.

Don't dismiss the used gun market just yet.
 
#3
Re: Need donor action...options

Some walmarts have stopped selling rifles, howver there are a couple around me that I have purchased ADLs in 30.06 or 7mag for $315, hundreds cheaper than you can find them for anywhere else. Look for new ADLs in the most generic caliers at gunshops, they can be had cheap, keep an eye open.
 
#4
Re: Need donor action...options

Try calling midway USA and seeing if they have what your after. I remember reading something on thier site saying they are now selling remny actions but I can't find them on thier site. If you get a price please let me know I'm looking for a donor too
 
#5
Re: Need donor action...options

IIRC, Remington no longer sells barreled actions or actions for sale.

I did your Option 3. I bought a Rem 700 SPS Varmint .308 at Dick's on sale for $459 last year. I sold the stock for $40 on EB or GB. I bought a new B&C Light Tactical for $230 delivered. The X-Mark trigger is OK for a little while, especially after some adjustment, but I got an old 700 trigger on GB for $35. I shortened the 26" barrel (after carrying and shooting a while) to 22". I liked the increased portability and the accuracy seems to continue to improve. When I can afford it or more likely, see the NEED, I'll rebarrel with a quality barrel, maybe in another caliber.....like 260/6.5Creedmoor.

The Rem 700 5R milspec's are doing very well in the accuracy department, but they're $500 pricier.
 
#6
Re: Need donor action...options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DMann</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tangodown911</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Option 2 is finding a junked out 700 for about $350-400, but most likely the actions are junk to be banged up as well.</div></div>

Not sure I follow your logic here - just because someone is selling a used firearm, doesn't mean it isn't mechanically as sound as the day Remington put it in its little green box.

Your biggest problem in the used market will be getting the action you want. While a good used long action is pretty easy to find in pawn shops and on consignment at a gun store, short actions are as scarce as hen's teeth. My guess is because the short actions chamber more user-friendly cartridges, so no one ever sells them.

Don't dismiss the used gun market just yet. </div></div>

Sir, perhaps I worded that wrong. Of the ones I have seen on GB for instance on the cheap have been less than desirable. Of course there will be some for sale waiving a nice price tag with a pretty finish, I just have not seen a suitable donor yet.
 
#12
Re: Need donor action...options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: willsnipe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Option 4. A Stiller, Lawton or similar 700 clone.

The custom actions are made to such close tolerences they don't need "trued," so save a lot of 'smith work. </div></div>

I have also been thinking of a Surgeon but also the price tag.
 
#14
Re: Need donor action...options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tangodown911</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Option 2 is finding a junked out 700 for about $350-400, but most likely the actions are junk to be banged up as well.

Option 3 is buying a new Rem. 700 SPS for $500 and parting it out. I fugure the stocks go for about $75-100? Correct me if I'm wrong. What are the barrels going for?

I hate to whore out a new rifle but would do it.
</div></div>
If you do the math, there are M700-like actions that are better built, that come up pretty close to the money you've to spend to get a Remington 700 prepped up.
Do not count on selling your spare parts so easily, because the reason you want to get rid of them, is the same reason why other people aren't looking for them
wink.gif

GAP Templar (George should have them in stock), Borden (4-5 weeks), Pierce Eng. (in stock), etc.. are only a few of the options.
 
#17
Re: Need donor action...options

Pierce Engineering SA are 935.

By time you spend $400 on an action, and $300+ to true it and get all the other stuff dont to a Remington action, you still only have a remington action....makes more sense to me to get a Pierce custom, that is far and away better made, in then end for $100 +/- more...

My Pierce action is pure poetry in motion.

http://www.pierceengineeringltd.com/products.php?item=2
 
#19
Re: Need donor action...options

Go to the group buy section, get notagurus's contact info, get in on the Lawton 7000 group buy.

You will have a world class 700 footprint action for less than the price of a donor and smithing.

You will not be disapointed with these either. Rock solid and smooth as glass. Worth way more than what Bobby is charging!
 
#22
Re: Need donor action...options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JesseBB</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You folks that live out of Kalifornia can get custom actions but it can be difficult to get those items shipped into Kalifornia due to the new laws we live under. </div></div>

which custom action are you having difficulty getting shipped to california? bolt actions are one of the few things we are not restricted on, yet.
 
#25
Re: Need donor action...options

If I were to do it again, I'd probably give the Surgeon action a very long and hard look.

2 years ago I found a Remington 700 ADL in 243 at Walmart for $325. It was the last one they had. They no longer sell (or make) ADLs. If you can find an ADL new on clearance somewhere (short action) that would be the cheapest way to go. You would need to get it rebarreled unless it came in the caliber you wanted. If doing that, you may as well get it blueprinted too. Now you're almost where you would be with a custom action like a Surgeon. Pawn shops are the other place to look, but as said before, they are hard to find. Everyone is looking for them. Long actions in 30-06 are a dime-a-dozen, so if you are thinking of doing something like a 6.5 X 55, that would be a very good, and cheap option.
 
#26
Re: Need donor action...options

even a trued remington doesnt compare to a surgeon action! They aren't even in the same league. Nothing wrong with a trued up remington 700 for a tactical build though. There are several other options on the market a bit cheaper than a surgeon that will work just as well. Stiller predator, Lawton 7000, stolle is even coming out with a rem 700 clone for around 7 bills. that should be a heck of an action. The one thing the surgeon does offer that most, but not all others offer is the integral scope rail and recoil lug. those are a big plus when it comes to durability.
Another cheap alternative would be a howa action. they can be had for around 350 bucks. they have the integral recoil lug, and are said to me much truer than a rem 700. the down side to Howa is availability of aftermarket items. Manners is making stocks now so thats a huge plus!! Do some reading and ask questions and before you know it you will know exactly what will work best for you. Good luck! Lee
 
#28
Re: Need donor action...options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: skeetlee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">even a trued remington doesnt compare to a surgeon action! They aren't even in the same league. Nothing wrong with a trued up remington 700 for a tactical build though. There are several other options on the market a bit cheaper than a surgeon that will work just as well. Stiller predator, Lawton 7000, stolle is even coming out with a rem 700 clone for around 7 bills. that should be a heck of an action. The one thing the surgeon does offer that most, but not all others offer is the integral scope rail and recoil lug. those are a big plus when it comes to durability.
Another cheap alternative would be a howa action. they can be had for around 350 bucks. they have the integral recoil lug, and are said to me much truer than a rem 700. the down side to Howa is availability of aftermarket items. Manners is making stocks now so thats a huge plus!! Do some reading and ask questions and before you know it you will know exactly what will work best for you. Good luck! Lee </div></div>

Have you checked out the new Surgeon RSR? No integral scope rail or recoil lug but is comes with a .25" recoil lug that is double pinned and the Surgeon scope rail for it is $116 and it's double screwed and double pinned in and a one piece bolt with a changeable handle. Retail is $788. It comes short action only at this point. I'm offering a true Surgeon custom with Surgeon bottom metal, Surgeon scope rail, Timney trigger, a Manners stock and Shilen Match barrel for $2850.
 
#29
Re: Need donor action...options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Armed Ferret</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Be a man and go to a pawn shop.

Is it that hard to figure out? </div></div>

WOW! I sense a little scarcasm here. I did think it that, and it is on my list. Thanks for the brain storm idea.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

CEO10KaDAY
Help me with build options (338 LM)
Replies
5
Views
368
jbuck88
jbuck88
0
Bolt Action 6.5 Creedmoor
Replies
2
Views
472
0V3RC10CK3D
0
T
Help Needed - The Curse of the "Free" Gun continues- Stiller Vs Defiance & other 700 action clones
Replies
4
Views
491
Tikkad
T
berry79
Not many heavy barrel 223’s anymore?
Replies
40
Views
2K
joe777
joe777
M
MPA BA comp or Foundation?
Replies
7
Views
416
Sterlingb06
S
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Merch
Alerts