Newbie question. Just getting into Long Range Precision shooting and have 80% built Remington 700 .308. I am wanting to go with 6.5 creedmor so that I can at least be competitive. After as much research as I could stand I figured that I would just ask the question. Should I sell and purchase a new, turn-key rifle or swap barrel to accomodate 6.5? I really would like to sell, but it is such a time consuming effort and I am impatient. I am limited to free listings because I do not want to have a ton of money involved in trying to sell. It is only listed on Armslist which limits me to local sales only and I have an FFL, dealer that will ship for me, but just don't have the exposure. Thoughts???
Gunsmithing Rem-age or new rifle???
- Thread starter clyle4
- Start date
Depends on how much you want to spend, and what you want to end up with.
I have a Remage that started life as a 700 SPS varmint. It shoots great, and I really like it. Over time I've modified the rifle slowly, and it still isn't completely what I want. I want to get it cerekoted next. The NSS remage barrel cost me $325, plus about $300 gunsmith fees to true the action face, lap lugs, and remove the factory barrel (they are usually screwed on very tight) and install the new one. Now going forward, I can change barrels myself if I spend about $150 to buy the tools. Keep those costs in mind when making your decision. I did it this way because when I started, it was my only option to have a nice rifle due to not having extra money. It spread the costs out, and in the end I have a very accurate rifle. But now that money is less of a problem for me, I do sometimes find myself lusting over all the new custom actions hitting the market.
If having the ability to swap barrels yourself is important to you, then go for the remage without fear. If not, and you have the money, I would buy a custom action and build from there. It will cost more, but when its all done you'll have a full custom rifle, versus a souped up remmy. And there isn't much I can do to make my rifle as nice as it would be if I had started with a premium custom action.
Depending on what action you choose, I'm guessing the rail, rings, and trigger might all work with the new action. So not all your investment into the current rifle would be lost.
I have a Remage that started life as a 700 SPS varmint. It shoots great, and I really like it. Over time I've modified the rifle slowly, and it still isn't completely what I want. I want to get it cerekoted next. The NSS remage barrel cost me $325, plus about $300 gunsmith fees to true the action face, lap lugs, and remove the factory barrel (they are usually screwed on very tight) and install the new one. Now going forward, I can change barrels myself if I spend about $150 to buy the tools. Keep those costs in mind when making your decision. I did it this way because when I started, it was my only option to have a nice rifle due to not having extra money. It spread the costs out, and in the end I have a very accurate rifle. But now that money is less of a problem for me, I do sometimes find myself lusting over all the new custom actions hitting the market.
If having the ability to swap barrels yourself is important to you, then go for the remage without fear. If not, and you have the money, I would buy a custom action and build from there. It will cost more, but when its all done you'll have a full custom rifle, versus a souped up remmy. And there isn't much I can do to make my rifle as nice as it would be if I had started with a premium custom action.
Depending on what action you choose, I'm guessing the rail, rings, and trigger might all work with the new action. So not all your investment into the current rifle would be lost.
I should add, there are still other things I'd like to do to mine. Lighter firing pin, oversize bolt knob, aftermarket trigger. All those things would be included with a custom action.
That said, I have a plastic KRG bolt-on bolt knob, and had the gunsmith do a $50 trigger job on the factory trigger that is pretty damn crisp at 3lbs. So my rifle is very functional.
But... if I ever choose to upgrade to full custom, I'll be out all the money I spend fixing up the 700. Which makes it even harder to make the investment into the new action. That is why I say buy the custom now, if you haven't yet spent the money upgrading the Rem700.
That said, I have a plastic KRG bolt-on bolt knob, and had the gunsmith do a $50 trigger job on the factory trigger that is pretty damn crisp at 3lbs. So my rifle is very functional.
But... if I ever choose to upgrade to full custom, I'll be out all the money I spend fixing up the 700. Which makes it even harder to make the investment into the new action. That is why I say buy the custom now, if you haven't yet spent the money upgrading the Rem700.
Thanks for all of the info. After reading until my eyes cross I am starting to consider just keeping it the way that it is due to just adding more costs and not to mention the wait times for a gunsmith. I am not comfortable with trying to DIY this early in the game. What it all boils down to is that I am impatient and want to get out to the range and I am on a very tight budget.
The rifle already has harris bipod, EGW 20 MOA base, TacPro cheek rest, HS Precision stock and bottom metal, Timney trigger. I would like to put a vortex optic on it which would be the last major expense. It is brand new and never been fired.
I have been told to just finish it and shoot it my first year in PRS o get used to everything and then decide which caliber and custom rifle I would like to move to, if at all. Plus, this would give me time to save for a new rifle. I feel that 308 will drive me to become a better shooter, but just not very competitive.
The rifle already has harris bipod, EGW 20 MOA base, TacPro cheek rest, HS Precision stock and bottom metal, Timney trigger. I would like to put a vortex optic on it which would be the last major expense. It is brand new and never been fired.
I have been told to just finish it and shoot it my first year in PRS o get used to everything and then decide which caliber and custom rifle I would like to move to, if at all. Plus, this would give me time to save for a new rifle. I feel that 308 will drive me to become a better shooter, but just not very competitive.
Yeah, if budget is a concern, I'd finish it and start shooting. I started in longish range competition shooting a 22-250 at 600 yard f-class. limited to 55gr pills by the factory twist. Two words....wind drift!! The 308 is a great place to start.
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