If you're considering a custom action just do it. I had action factory action trued this last spring and I'm already working on building off a defiance
Trued R700 action VS. custom action?
- Thread starter 186thFCo
- Start date
Zombie thread revival...
I bought a slightly used Rem 700 338 Edge last year, that has a trued action.
The "trued action" on the 338 Edge is noticably smoother than my unmodified Rem 700 300 RUM Sendero.
But when the Rem 700 action is used on a cartridge such as the Edge or RUM, does truing the action allow it to handle more abuse, and for a longer period of time? (more rounds)
Meaning will the lugs and action on a Trued 700 action hold up longer than an un-trued 700 action?
How about comparing a Trued 700 action to a Stiller or Deviant...with all 3 actions in 338 Edge...
Will the trued 700 lugs/action hold up remotely as long as a Stiller's or Deviant's lugs/action, all being chambered in 338 Edge?...
Thanks
I bought a slightly used Rem 700 338 Edge last year, that has a trued action.
The "trued action" on the 338 Edge is noticably smoother than my unmodified Rem 700 300 RUM Sendero.
But when the Rem 700 action is used on a cartridge such as the Edge or RUM, does truing the action allow it to handle more abuse, and for a longer period of time? (more rounds)
Meaning will the lugs and action on a Trued 700 action hold up longer than an un-trued 700 action?
How about comparing a Trued 700 action to a Stiller or Deviant...with all 3 actions in 338 Edge...
Will the trued 700 lugs/action hold up remotely as long as a Stiller's or Deviant's lugs/action, all being chambered in 338 Edge?...
Thanks
I purchased a 700 chambered in 308 in 2015 and I shot the hell out of it for 3 yrs, not a great shooter but it shot MOA. About a year ago I decided that I wanted to re chamber it in 6.5 creedmoor. After some research I sent it to Pac Nor. For $300 they will blueprint and chamber/install a new barrel. I took 3 months and came out to be $780 including bolt fluting, they even trued the bolt face and lapped the lugs, the bolt is as smooth as any custom action. I don’t really care for side bolt release or Sako extractors so I didn’t see the need to spend the money. Remington extractors have been used by the military for decades and are battle proven. I don’t criticize anyone who wants to spend the extra money on custom actions, I just didn’t see the need.I ended up with a rifle that shoots under half MOA for half the cost.
I am Captain Average. I cant tell any performance differnce btwn my custom action and my Rem 700 action. Well....except one is stainless, and the other is painted black.
For what your looking for if it were me I'd go with a Remington 700... But what the Fuck would I know 
Mike R.
Tac Ops
Mike R.
Tac Ops
This is just me and my opinion but the way I see it, you true up a Remington, do all that you can to it, and finally get it real smooth, accurate, or whatever but it's still a rem 700. If you just had an action lying around maybe it would be a good investment. Me, if I was starting from scratch, I'd probably go for one of the customs.
only if you're building itFor what your looking for if it were me I'd go with a Remington 700... But what the Fuck would I know
Mike R.
Tac Ops
I was looking to do a new build and started looking at the R700. The price of the trued/blueprinted R700 only put it a few hundred away from a Bighorn Origin. The benefit I saw was that even though the action is a short action it accepts three different bolt heads allowing easy caliber conversions (223/308/magnum), has a R700 profile for your stock/chassis and accepts savage barrels. If you are hands-on, that makes a build that you can do if you are comfortable with the savage barrel install. It also makes it easy to change from a 308 to a 6.5 or any other compatible caliber. So, I purchased a Bighorn and I'm very glad I did. Just got my Trigger Tech Special trigger. Now looking for my barrel and chassis. Hope this helps!
Last edited:
I find it amusing and a little dumb actually when people make the analogy comparing two pretty basic chunks of metal like a 700 and a custom action to a car, like Toyota Vs Mercedes.
Robeast2000...
I find it amusing and a little dumb actually when people make the analogy comparing two pretty basic chunks of metal like a 700 and a custom action to a car, like Toyota Vs Mercedes....
Robeast2000 I like the way you think I'll be keeping my eye on you , I can see you have a Back To Your Head Sir...
Mike R.
Tac Ops
Robeast2000 I like the way you think I'll be keeping my eye on you , I can see you have a Back To Your Head Sir...
Mike R.
Tac Ops
It’s all for fun Mike. I love the way people defend their investment till death.
Just out of curiosity I jumped into this comparison and trued a 700 action and bought a Nucleus for the sake of comparison. I put two identical barrels (Caliber, chamber dimensions, twist rate, contour, et al.) on the aforementioned actions and then shot them. They are, surprisingly enough, shooting the same group sizes (i.e. really small).
Through my own experiences I was able to validate what is already known but I will submit that the Nucleus is the better purchase. Why? If I decide that I want to change calibers I can buy a new bolt head and march along smartly. I can't do that with the 700.
At the same time as my sending off the 700 to be machined, I also purchased a Defiance Deviant from a local shop. The challenge I faced with the Deviant was that it came with a 0.478" bolt face and I needed a 0.535" to support the cartridge I wanted. The shop told me not to worry and that they'd send it off to Defiance and it'd get resolved quickly and my build would be complete. This process was started in Mid-February 2019 and now it is Mid-June 2019 and I still don't have my rifle. If I'd have bought another Nucleus all I would have had to do is buy a new bolt head. I did, however, at the same time order a TL-3 and it still hasn't arrived. The TL-3 will allow me to swap calibers more easily but the challenge with the TL-3 is getting it in my hands to do so. Once the TL-3 arrives I will have the same flexibility in switching calibers as I do with the Nucleus. I don't have this with the Deviant or the Trued 700 action.
If one wants flexibility, go with a custom action. If you want an accurate rifle and have a 700 around and are cash strapped, True the 700.
Through my own experiences I was able to validate what is already known but I will submit that the Nucleus is the better purchase. Why? If I decide that I want to change calibers I can buy a new bolt head and march along smartly. I can't do that with the 700.
At the same time as my sending off the 700 to be machined, I also purchased a Defiance Deviant from a local shop. The challenge I faced with the Deviant was that it came with a 0.478" bolt face and I needed a 0.535" to support the cartridge I wanted. The shop told me not to worry and that they'd send it off to Defiance and it'd get resolved quickly and my build would be complete. This process was started in Mid-February 2019 and now it is Mid-June 2019 and I still don't have my rifle. If I'd have bought another Nucleus all I would have had to do is buy a new bolt head. I did, however, at the same time order a TL-3 and it still hasn't arrived. The TL-3 will allow me to swap calibers more easily but the challenge with the TL-3 is getting it in my hands to do so. Once the TL-3 arrives I will have the same flexibility in switching calibers as I do with the Nucleus. I don't have this with the Deviant or the Trued 700 action.
If one wants flexibility, go with a custom action. If you want an accurate rifle and have a 700 around and are cash strapped, True the 700.
Having owned no less than 9 Remington bolt action firearms (ten counting the beautiful 541-S rimfire that I purchased for my wife as a wedding present) (NO its not for sale!) I can say this about remeington’s. Early Remington’s are as “slick” as any ever built. Most that we have owned have either been early 700’s from the early 70’s/late 60’s or were XP-100’s from the 60’s 70’s and 80’s, three XP’s were complete customs, one XP bone stock, 1st year production and one XP restocked 7BR. ALL Are Shooters. All had actions as nice as any. As noted, all originated prior to 1990; Except one. That one, a VTR was the second biggest disappointment in my firearm owning history. It was gritty, inaccurate and jsut plain nasty to shoot.
Point. If finding a beat up 700 from the early days, it would be well worth considering a rebuild. With the current situation at Remington, I would suspect issues and recommend another action be chosen. If money is an issue, Howa’s and Tikka’s are more than good enough and can be had quite inexpensively. (I know, I own em).
Point. If finding a beat up 700 from the early days, it would be well worth considering a rebuild. With the current situation at Remington, I would suspect issues and recommend another action be chosen. If money is an issue, Howa’s and Tikka’s are more than good enough and can be had quite inexpensively. (I know, I own em).
I just went though this decision making process and landed on Trued Remington Actions from Northland Shooters Supply for $425. Pairing with Criterion Remage barrel/nut system for another $300 and TriggerTech Triggers. I feel like I'll have a couple of decent shooting rifles. Now cant decide on stock/chassis options....
Custom actions have small flash holes and firing pins that actually fit the hole with very little clearance and that’s why you can run a higher pressure load than in a blueprinted/ trued up remmy. If one gets the lugs, bolt face, breech face, primary extraction fixed, bolt handle rig welded on, and a side bolt release, and the lug pinned, you can buy a defiance, stolle, stiller, or whatever custom you choose.
I saw where someone referenced benchrest shooters, and said there must be an advantage. The biggest advantage is bolt lift after a fired shot you can lift the bolt with one finger which doesn’t disturb your rifle which is set up to track in the bags even a blueprinted Remington will rock about and cause a disturbance. The second advantage is they are single shot and you can definitely run a higher pressure than a factory gun. Example if you look up data for a 6ppc you’ll find that max is around 25 grains. 99% of BR shooters are shooting 29-30 dropping powder through an 8” drop tube and filling up to the last 1/16” of the case and cramming a bullet into a jam and blasting it out at total max speed..
Custom actions bought on a sale or close out, or a group buy will actually save money over a full on blueprinted Remington. Plus retain the resale where as the blueprinted Remington has so many different definitions and truly depends on who or what company did the blueprinting.
most of these guys that posted here are definitely saying truths with it all, depends on your budget, but a custom action you will never regret.
I saw where someone referenced benchrest shooters, and said there must be an advantage. The biggest advantage is bolt lift after a fired shot you can lift the bolt with one finger which doesn’t disturb your rifle which is set up to track in the bags even a blueprinted Remington will rock about and cause a disturbance. The second advantage is they are single shot and you can definitely run a higher pressure than a factory gun. Example if you look up data for a 6ppc you’ll find that max is around 25 grains. 99% of BR shooters are shooting 29-30 dropping powder through an 8” drop tube and filling up to the last 1/16” of the case and cramming a bullet into a jam and blasting it out at total max speed..
Custom actions bought on a sale or close out, or a group buy will actually save money over a full on blueprinted Remington. Plus retain the resale where as the blueprinted Remington has so many different definitions and truly depends on who or what company did the blueprinting.
most of these guys that posted here are definitely saying truths with it all, depends on your budget, but a custom action you will never regret.
