Gunsmithing 338 Lapua in Remington 700 Action?

Jcas2012

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
May 28, 2011
158
0
35
Florida
Just curious as to if it is a good idea or not to use a long action 700 action for a 338 lapua. I have read things about wall thickness, etc. but would a magnum action be different from say a 7mm mag or 300 win mag? I know they make the Remington 700 MLR in 338 lapua but I am not sure if they use a beefier action from the start or just a different bolt/bolt face and extractor? I have plenty of long actions laying around is why I ask. It would save me from spending a lot on a custom action but I don't wanna do it if it's going to mean cutting corners. Thanks guys.
 
Re: 338 Lapua in Remington 700 Action?

I also wondered this. It can be done, but its not optimal. I have chosen to go with a 338 Edge instead, that uses sized 300 RUM brass. It beats the LM by a bit, has cheaper brass and fits into regular LAs... My goal is to use my 700 LA action to save some cash. Its not like its impossible to find other things to spend them on:)
 
Re: 338 Lapua in Remington 700 Action?

I kicked this around for nearly a year. After running the numbers on the smithing costs and considering the price of what I paid for the action I already had, I could buy a Stiller action ready to go.
 
Re: 338 Lapua in Remington 700 Action?

I have read about guys building them on the Remington 700. It is not a beefy enough action and is a problem waiting to happen. Even Surgeon does not recommend putting a lapua on their 1086 long action.

Kc
 
Re: 338 Lapua in Remington 700 Action?

I have a 338 LP in the form of the 700p. After putting a better muzzle brake on it it shoots sub-moa with about any ammo I have fed it. I am just not the biggest fan of the HS stock.
 
Re: 338 Lapua in Remington 700 Action?

I have no issues with the size of the action. Boltface diameter is my major concern and, the reason I will not build a Lapua Mag on a Remington. Once the BF is opened up for the Lapua case head, there isn't much left surrounding the case head. Remington seems to think this is acceptable. I don't.
 
Re: 338 Lapua in Remington 700 Action?

I have heard that most builders want a thread tennon of at least 1.125OD. The Rem being 1.062 is the same size as the Badger 338 Lapua action which is very popular. I have shot a Rem 700 338 for years with no issues and I run a PTG lapua bolt.
 
Re: 338 Lapua in Remington 700 Action?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JCas45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just curious as to if it is a good idea... </div></div>

I think everyone can agree that the safety margin is decreased as you reduce the amount of steel holding the pressures involved. Personally I would either go with a bigger action for the lapua, or the smaller diameter edge chamber on the rem. Winchester had problems with the short mag chamberings with their 1" tennon, so a lapua on a 1-1/16 tennon is in the same ball park. The usual reason for sticking with a rem receiver is price, and the edge or plain 338 rum wins there too. If you reload, then an extra safety margin could absorb a reloading mistake. My $0.02
 
Re: 338 Lapua in Remington 700 Action?

I view it like this.....you CAN make 1000 hp with a small block Chevy, but not near as long as you can with a giant big block. There are places to push the envelope, but right in front of my face is not it. No reason to risk it when a bigger action safes it up for dang near even money.