I debating on weather to use a custom action or a Remington 700 on my next build. Remington will definelty be cheaper as the smith work on it will be free and also a learning process for me. BUT I want a really, really accurate rifle that I can hunt with. Will I be able to tell the differnce in a blueprinted and trued 700 action verses a custom. Thanks, Trent
Are custom actions that much better
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Re: Are custom actions that much better
No...No...NO.. Custom actions are usually already trued and slick, but a 700, M70, Savage and others can be machined to shoot just as well. look around at all the 1000 yard Benchrest websites and you will see that the top shooters are shooting as many 700's as customs. I have watched what people shoot for years. Of all the custom actions/rifles I've owned the MOST accurate was a Tikka 595. I only squared the action face and screwed on an $80 CM Wilson bbl and shot 1/4" at 200 yards. (standard 243 win) If $$$ is an issue...go 700. HOWEVER, i wouldn't pay $400 for a Rem and drop another $200 or more truing it..If you already have a 700 or can get one cheap...that's different. Resale of a Custom is MUCH better.
No...No...NO.. Custom actions are usually already trued and slick, but a 700, M70, Savage and others can be machined to shoot just as well. look around at all the 1000 yard Benchrest websites and you will see that the top shooters are shooting as many 700's as customs. I have watched what people shoot for years. Of all the custom actions/rifles I've owned the MOST accurate was a Tikka 595. I only squared the action face and screwed on an $80 CM Wilson bbl and shot 1/4" at 200 yards. (standard 243 win) If $$$ is an issue...go 700. HOWEVER, i wouldn't pay $400 for a Rem and drop another $200 or more truing it..If you already have a 700 or can get one cheap...that's different. Resale of a Custom is MUCH better.
Re: Are custom actions that much better
I can get a 700 for about $325 and the smith work is free. So if there is really no difference probly going to go that way. Thanks,
I can get a 700 for about $325 and the smith work is free. So if there is really no difference probly going to go that way. Thanks,
Re: Are custom actions that much better
Better steel usually allowing you to hang a heavier barrel off the reciever. Custom actions are great when you want to eliminate all the variables. I think its more mental than anything. I would buy the lawton or RSR for a custom action if money weren't an issue just for the peace of mind. But all things considered they can both be equally accurate.
Better steel usually allowing you to hang a heavier barrel off the reciever. Custom actions are great when you want to eliminate all the variables. I think its more mental than anything. I would buy the lawton or RSR for a custom action if money weren't an issue just for the peace of mind. But all things considered they can both be equally accurate.
Re: Are custom actions that much better
There are some things you can never fix on a Remington, compared to the customs, such as EDM raceways compared to broaching, 1 piece bolts etc. Now having said that I have seen (trued) Remingtons shoot every bit as good. You are in a unique situation being able to get the work done free. For most, the cost of the 700 action, then the work, puts it so close to the customs that it is worth paying a few bucks extra to get some of the nicer options on the customs.
There are some things you can never fix on a Remington, compared to the customs, such as EDM raceways compared to broaching, 1 piece bolts etc. Now having said that I have seen (trued) Remingtons shoot every bit as good. You are in a unique situation being able to get the work done free. For most, the cost of the 700 action, then the work, puts it so close to the customs that it is worth paying a few bucks extra to get some of the nicer options on the customs.
Re: Are custom actions that much better
There are other things that seperate some of the better made customs from a Rem 700, one is a better fire control system which I think helps eliminate those unexplained flyers we somtimes get,the outside of the action is truer,along with precisely drilled scope mounting holes,a tighter bolt and raceway,tighter tolerences all around if you buy from the better action builders,It seems some action builders might be manufacturing actions for hunting or tactical situations with the attitude that close is good enough,I know Jim Borden dosen't think like that! Rem 700's can be made to shoot very well but some require more work than others,you only have to make yourself happy!
There are other things that seperate some of the better made customs from a Rem 700, one is a better fire control system which I think helps eliminate those unexplained flyers we somtimes get,the outside of the action is truer,along with precisely drilled scope mounting holes,a tighter bolt and raceway,tighter tolerences all around if you buy from the better action builders,It seems some action builders might be manufacturing actions for hunting or tactical situations with the attitude that close is good enough,I know Jim Borden dosen't think like that! Rem 700's can be made to shoot very well but some require more work than others,you only have to make yourself happy!
Re: Are custom actions that much better
I looked at getting a remington 700 trued etc. and found that getting the work done was only about a grand less than a completely custom build so I went with the custom just for peace of mind. Since you get free work done you cut out most of the cost and that out weighs the durability issue since it would be pretty cheap for you to re-build if you wear an action out. my .02
I looked at getting a remington 700 trued etc. and found that getting the work done was only about a grand less than a completely custom build so I went with the custom just for peace of mind. Since you get free work done you cut out most of the cost and that out weighs the durability issue since it would be pretty cheap for you to re-build if you wear an action out. my .02
Re: Are custom actions that much better
Ryan,
I don't have a problem with custom actions, as integral top rails, better extractors, already trued actions, and 60 degree bolt lift on some actions; are features certainly worth paying extra for.
It the features that come built in that make custom actions attractive vs the standard Rem 700. IMHO.
But durability and reliability? Except for the Rem 700 extractor, which can be fixed to the same standard as most customs; a Rem 700 will likely outlive it's owner.
Ryan,
I don't have a problem with custom actions, as integral top rails, better extractors, already trued actions, and 60 degree bolt lift on some actions; are features certainly worth paying extra for.
It the features that come built in that make custom actions attractive vs the standard Rem 700. IMHO.
But durability and reliability? Except for the Rem 700 extractor, which can be fixed to the same standard as most customs; a Rem 700 will likely outlive it's owner.
Re: Are custom actions that much better
One big difference is resale value. A $400 Remington action with $200 (or more) worth of smithing is usually <span style="font-style: italic">still</span> a $400 Remington action. You will never get the cost of the blueprinting out of it when, not if, you decide to sell it. Granted, since you're getting the blueprinting done for free, that may not be a concern for you.
And I think that there are some accuracy considerations to consider with custom actions. I'm talking about things like a longer threaded section that will support long, heavy barrels better than a Remington, and the fact that custom actions are machined <span style="font-style: italic">after</span> heat-treating, rather than before. You end up with an action that sits in the bedding much better than a banana-shaped Remington action ever will, even after blueprinting. This is especially important if you're not skim bedding when using a stock with an aluminum bedding block. The differences may be small, but they <span style="font-style: italic">do</span> exist.
One big difference is resale value. A $400 Remington action with $200 (or more) worth of smithing is usually <span style="font-style: italic">still</span> a $400 Remington action. You will never get the cost of the blueprinting out of it when, not if, you decide to sell it. Granted, since you're getting the blueprinting done for free, that may not be a concern for you.
And I think that there are some accuracy considerations to consider with custom actions. I'm talking about things like a longer threaded section that will support long, heavy barrels better than a Remington, and the fact that custom actions are machined <span style="font-style: italic">after</span> heat-treating, rather than before. You end up with an action that sits in the bedding much better than a banana-shaped Remington action ever will, even after blueprinting. This is especially important if you're not skim bedding when using a stock with an aluminum bedding block. The differences may be small, but they <span style="font-style: italic">do</span> exist.
Re: Are custom actions that much better
You might get Hinnants book about Precision Rifle Barrel fitting just to make sure you don't miss anything.
You might get Hinnants book about Precision Rifle Barrel fitting just to make sure you don't miss anything.
