Remington 700 ADL 308 Conversion to a Tactical LR

[Skigolfmike]

Back in March I picked up a 700 ADL package from Cabela's. This package included their Alpha 3x12 scope. I've had fun shooting the rifle, but now I want to turn it into a better long range tactical gun and do it on a budget of $800-$1000.

Based on research I've done here, I figure I need a scope, a tactical stock, and a barrel. I also plan to have the bolt and action blueprinted to the barrel and have the action properly bedded at that time.

I picked out a scope and stock already and those parts are here. (Bushnell Elite Tactical 3200 MilDot & a Choate Tactical Rifle Stock . I'm looking at barrels, but that is still an open decision. FWIW, I have a Harris bipod.

Just a little about me. As the name implies, I play golf and I ski a little. I have been around guns for much of my life. However, my wife was anti-gun until she was robbed (twice) and did a 180. At that point we both got our CHLs and I took tactical hand gun classes. I also shoot in a tactical training league. I have also taken 2 tactical rifle classeswith my AR. Besides the 700, I have an AR flattop with an Eotech 512 and 2 Spri ngfield XDms, 9mm & 40 S&W. I also have a TDI KaBar fixed blade knife too. I reload 308 & 223 also.

 

[Skigolfmike]

Re: Remington 700 ADL 308 Conversion to a Tactical LR

No suggestions on barrels?

The stock and scope came in yesterday. I began fitting the magazine and trigger guard to the stock. I got the magazine well opened up, but the front recess for the trigger guard needs to be deepened. My current barrel is highly tapered and it looks puny in the stock.

Accessories: I have a Bushnell laser range finder I use for golf. I can pick up a pin at 600 yards with it. I was think of getting a Kestrel. I already have the shooter software on my Droid.

 

[USW.260]

Re: Remington 700 ADL 308 Conversion to a Tactical LR

You're on the right track just keep at it. If you want a barrel and don't want to wait a year for it look around for some used ones on here and 6mmbr.com. A .308cal barrel with 1000 rounds or under is not a bad start and will be cheap, or make a call to all the custom barrel makers and see what there lead times are then decide on who to go with. Some Gunsmiths won't work on a Remington action unless they true it and some will...if they will your looking at maybe 300 to cut, chamber, crown the barrel, lap lugs and clean threads. If you want the action trued "which is always better, but starting out..ehh" then it will be another 250. You should also have looked at Bell&Carlson stocks...no bedding required, the Choate is fine but I would have went with the B&C to begin with, now this is just my opinion. As for Who for a Barrel...Bartlein, Krieger, Hart, Brouhton, Shilen, Lija. Look around first for a used one with a 11.25" twist in .308 in something heavier than a Sendero contour and you will be fine. I had a super nice Gain Twist MTU contour Krieger .243cal barrel that had maybe 500 rounds in it...I picked it up off 6mmbr.com for 150 bucks and it was awesome! Good Luck

 

[Skigolfmike]

Re: Remington 700 ADL 308 Conversion to a Tactical LR

That's a good idea to save some money on the barrel. Will have to see what the gunsmith wants to do all the above. I did look at Krieger's web site and they had a 308 24" barrel 11.25 twist for under $300 in stock. I will checkout all the options first. Hardest problem here is finding a range longer than 200 yards.

My current load is 168gr A-Max, 44.0gr Varget, Winchester brass and primers. This load averages 2650 fps 15' from the muzzle with the stock barrel.

 

[Skigolfmike]

Re: Remington 700 ADL 308 Conversion to a Tactical LR

Well, for a stock that is supposed to fit the ADL model, we've had to do a lot of grinding and milling. The front of the trigger guard had to be milled quite a bit and the magazine box didn't come close. I still have a lot of grinding to do. I wanted to shoot it Sunday, but that may not happen.

The receiver sits in aluminum V blocks, so I don't have to bed the action. I still might later though.

 

[Skigolfmike]

Re: Remington 700 ADL 308 Conversion to a Tactical LR

OK - I got it put together and shot it this weekend. It still needs a little work because it doesn't feed consistently from the magazine. The interesting thing is, I bore sighted the scope at 50 yards and the first shot completely missed the paper. It took about 4 shots to get in the ball park and another 5 to get it close enough to head over to the 100 yard range.

I ended up shooting 1" 3 shot groups shooting from a table using the bi-pod and a rear bag at 100 yards. Plus I got the turrets on the scope zeroed so I at least got something done.

The issue with the magazine I believe is the stock is a little thicker than the POS Remington stock that came with the gun. WE had to mill the stock quite a bit to get the trigger guard and integral magazine box to fit flush to the bottom of the stock. In retrospect, the Choate stock probably wasn't the best choice. I like the Bushnell scope though.

Now to find a barrel.

 

[Skigolfmike]

Re: Remington 700 ADL 308 Conversion to a Tactical LR

I've been to the range a few times to get used to the new scope and stock. FWIW, I did manage to shoot a sub 1" MOA group.

Going to see the gunsmith tomorrow and decide on a barrel. He likes Krieger and I think that's a good choice. Haven't decided on a length or profile yet, but I'm leaning towards 24" with a #9 profile.

 

[dagwood]

Re: Remington 700 ADL 308 Conversion to a Tactical LR

I bought the Rem 700 ADL varmint in .308 from Dick's Sporting Goods recently. The price was OK and could go shooting right away due to scope being included. The ADL blind mag bothered me alot. I bought a used REM 700 BDL stock and HS Precision bottom metal and 10 round mag. After about 1/2 hour with a mini die grinder everything just dropped in. Only issue is that it will only feed with 9 rounds in it. With 10 there is too much pressure and the bolt is way tight. Feeds with no problems with 9 rounds, so it's good for me. I haven't shot it yet, but everything should be fine.

 

[perkantino]

Re: Remington 700 ADL 308 Conversion to a Tactical LR

There is no way you are doing all this under $1000. Believe me, I have been there.

 

[TonyAngel]

Re: Remington 700 ADL 308 Conversion to a Tactical LR

Your feeding problems may be caused by the fit of the bottom metal. Fitting the bottom metal to the stock is more than just getting it to fit flush with the bottom of the stock.

Although you can save some money by going with a used barrel, why would you do that? You're still going to have to pay a smith to do the work, he may as well do the work on a barrel that is worth it.

 

[Skigolfmike]

Re: Remington 700 ADL 308 Conversion to a Tactical LR

I have mine shooting about .75-1.00" MOA as it is is now. Took another .050" out of the bottom metal recesses and now it feeds; however, it's still not quite right. I've been shooting it single shot for now.

I did take it to a gunsmith and I ordered a Krieger barrel in 1:11.25 twist. I can tell you at this point keeping this project under $1000 isn't going to happen.

I've been shooting Hornady 168gr Amax, 44.0 gr Varget, Winchester cases and Winchester primers. I ran that through the chrono and got 2648 fps average, 41fps spread and 11.25 SD. I tried loading some 175gr Sierra MatchKings with the same load. I got 2620 fps, 11 fps spread and 4.0 SD. Shot a tighter group with it too. I think the reason Sierra 175 MKs are more consistent because it's a higher quality bullet. The Amax bullets vary from 167.1 gr to 168.3 gr in the ones I weighed.

 

[Skigolfmike]

Re: Remington 700 ADL 308 Conversion to a Tactical LR

Well, I got the rifle back from the smith today with the Krieger barrel. The HDMR is mounted and bore sighted on a 30 MOA Badger base with Badger rings. The bolt was changed out to a PTG with an M16 extractor. Tomorrow it's out to the range for barrel break in and sight in. Pics to follow tomorrow.

 

[Skigolfmike]

Re: Remington 700 ADL 308 Conversion to a Tactical LR

Well, I've had it to the range, done some load testing and I have shot it out to 1000 yards. Here are a couple pics.

I just put a Timney trigger on it, so the only things left from the original gun are the receiver, the magazine and the trigger guard. I'm about to order a DBM for it, so the only thing from the original gun will be the receiver.

 

[PeterN]

Re: Remington 700 ADL 308 Conversion to a Tactical LR

It looks like you have enjoyed the "process" of building your own custom gun. Nice job and enjoy shooting it.

 

[Skigolfmike]

Re: Remington 700 ADL 308 Conversion to a Tactical LR

It was fun and it's not quite done yet. I just changed the base to a 45 MOA because I had over 10 Mils of wasted down travel. That should get me about 4.6 Mils more travel. I also want to add a DBM and get AICS 5 and 10 round mags.

Shot the combo at TVP with it Saturday w/ Skivy and scored 95 points I think. Would have scored more but I dialed wrong dope on 1 of the targets.

 

[Skigolfmike]

Re: Remington 700 ADL 308 Conversion to a Tactical LR

I have added a CDI bottom metal and AICS 5 & 10 round mags. The 10 rnd mag still needs some adjustment to work though. I am also having the barrel threaded for a muzzle brake and supressor. The brake and supressor have been purchased and a trust initiated. Now I just have to wait the 7-8 months to take posession of the supressor.

Compared to other 308s, this one seems to shoot really well. I can get 6-7 out of 10 hits on the 12" square plate at 1K in variable winds. I'd get even more hits if I learned to read wind better. Also, I have hit the 1740 yard plate once at TVP.

 

[Skigolfmike]

Re: Remington 700 ADL 308 Conversion to a Tactical LR

Here it is, finished for now, or at least until it grows up to be a 260.

 

[Skigolfmike]

Re: Remington 700 ADL 308 Conversion to a Tactical LR

Shot this 3 shot group yesterday while load testing and gun tuning.

This was with 45.4 gr of Varget w/ 155 Scenars in Lapua brass COAL of 2.825, just touchin the lands. Shot a similar group with 45.6 gr. No pressure signs to 45.8 gr so I'm going to run tests today from 45.4 to 46.0. After dinner with my mother of course.

 

[Furtaker_.223]

Re: Remington 700 ADL 308 Conversion to a Tactical LR

Ski, looks like a job well done. Rifle looks Awesome. Thanks for the pics

 

[Skigolfmike]

Re: Remington 700 ADL 308 Conversion to a Tactical LR

More load testing today and shot these 2 groups:

The one on the left is 4 shots at 200 yards and the one on the right is 3 shots at 100. Load is 46.0gr of Varget with everything else the same as above. For reference, the dot is 3/4".