Gunsmithing Remington 700 Short action question

[rsee03]

I have a 700 BDL varmint stock with varmint barrel channel. I also have the bottom metal.

A .308 action/barrel came out. Used it for a build.

Now my question. What calibers could I drop into the stock & bottom metal without changing anything else? Will only .308's fit in the bottom metal & feed properly? Basically, will a 300 WSM or 223 barrel & action drop in & work?

Tried doing a search but don't quite know how to word the search as to what I'm looking for.

 

[gamma]

Re: Remington 700 Short action question

With a .308 action and bottom metal you can use all short action cartridges with the same bolt face dimensions, ie, .22-250, .243, 308, 6.5x47, 6XC and so on. Hope this helps.

 

[GasLight]

Re: Remington 700 Short action question

The only thing that would be different would be the magazine box nad follower, the .223 might have a narrower box and a different follower. The WSM might use the same box, or have a slightly wider feed lips, and I think the follower is different also. So the bottom metal will work for any short action, but the mag box and follower may not.

Dave

 

[rsee03]

Re: Remington 700 Short action question

Thanks for the help & info. That's what I was looking for. Changing the mag box is no big deal. Just looking to use what I have on another caliber I don't with minimal expense. Hate to get rid of something. Might need it later.

 

[SDWhirlwind]

Re: Remington 700 Short action question

Mag box, spring and follower are different for 222/223 than they are for 22/250,243,6mm,7/08, 308 etc. Don't know about follower or spring as I have never owned a short mag but the box is different for sure, they have the 'window' cut into the sides.

 

[rsee03]

Re: Remington 700 Short action question

Ok, just so I understand this correct. Say 6mm or 6.5 Creedmore will work. I believe they are the same as .308. But not sure. Also like the idea of the 6.5x47 Lapua & 7mm-08.

 

[JCH]

Re: Remington 700 Short action question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: IAretat20</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ok, just so I understand this correct. Say 6mm or 6.5 Creedmore will work. I believe they are the same as .308. But not sure. Also like the idea of the 6.5x47 Lapua.</div></div>

yes

 

[rsee03]

Re: Remington 700 Short action question

Dang this thinking hurts my head.

 

[JCH]

Re: Remington 700 Short action question

You have a .473 bolt face short action. If you look at a reloading manual you can choose anything that has the same bolt face and has an overall length of 2.8 or less (roughly)

 

[rsee03]

Re: Remington 700 Short action question

Thanks JCH. Always learning something new about this stuff. I've got 3 different reloading manuals. Will do more research.

 

[42769vette]

Re: Remington 700 Short action question

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f37/bolt-face-diameters-36661/

 

[GasLight]

Re: Remington 700 Short action question

To be honest, I think it makes WAY more sense to decide what caliber you want to shoot, and then build the gun around that... trying to build a gun for a stock and more specifically a set of bottom metal seems a little backwards.

Dave

 

[rsee03]

Re: Remington 700 Short action question

Yeah Dave, I would agree. It really doesn't matter what caliber I put in it to me since I can't go long action without a lot more work.

Was actually thinking about building one for the wife. She likes to target shoot. Won't hunt though. She likes shooting her P22. So something without much kick to it as she is just a little bitty thing.