Newbie Building first rifle

[Auxilium999]

Hey I want to start getting into long range shooting. I got a savage 10 BA stealth for cheap and I love shooting distance now.

I want to build a new rifle with the KRG xray around it. Catch is, I’m lefty. I’m going to get a 700 and build it around that. Can I buy a 700 ADL or do I need to buy the SPS? Because I plan on only keeping the action. I want to keep it under $1300 for the rifle.

 

[Mauser06]

I could be wrong but I believe a m700 is a m700.

Price base model guns...then price actions. Depending on what you find, one may be cheaper than the other.

 

[vinniedelpino]

Hey I want to start getting into long range shooting. I got a savage 10 BA stealth for cheap and I love shooting distance now.

I want to build a new rifle with the KRG xray around it. Catch is, I’m lefty. I’m going to get a 700 and build it around that. Can I buy a 700 ADL or do I need to buy the SPS? Because I plan on only keeping the action. I want to keep it under $1300 for the rifle.

You sure you want to go with a 700 and not a tikka? Just asking.

 

[wpeach1912]

Could also get an HMR and sell the factory stock then buy a bravo. The Bergara actions are much nicer than the remington actions

Edit: yes as far as I know all 700 actions are the same so an ADL will go into a bravo

 

[mildot326]

Take a "hard' look at Defiance actions, like the Rucks etc, I don't think, knowing what I know now, I'd go the "donor rifle" route? if?? all you want is the action? BTW I'm a lefty. I also have a Tikka Tac A1, great rifle and well worth the coin IMO.

 

[Auxilium999]

Lol those defiance actions are most of my budget!

 

[stello1001]

Then look at Mack Bros

 

[SporterII]

A new stainless 700 action is available. A better version than a big box store cheapie I dare say. No indecency removing the barrel.
I have done it both ways. My stainless action has its second CBI barrel/nut.

 

[jcmullis2]

There’s nothing wrong with buying a rifle off the rack and shooting it until you rebarrel it. I wouldn’t buy one and take everything apart and just use the action. Just buy an action and go from there. A new barreled action is also something to consider depending on the chambering you want.

 

[atvman400]

I thought Chad at LRI sold 700 actions already blueprinted but I can only find receivers and you have to supply the bolt.
If you do buy just an action or rifle and are on a tight budget I would look at a stainless receiver. This way you don't have the extra cost of having a carbon steel receiver finished if you do have it blueprinted. I agree with a lot of other people on here about custom actions. By the time you buy a 700 receiver and have it blue printed because Remingtons are terrible from the factory you are approaching the cost of some custom actions.
I'm not sure how you are going to keep the rifle under $1300. Why do you want to build one? Why not buy a Tikka like mentioned? Do you want a crazy caliber that isn't offered in a factory rifle?

 

[mildot326]

Lol those defiance actions are most of my budget!

You think that now, but once you start sourcing parts and gunsmiths (unless your going to do it yourself?) you find that an "investment" in a good action and barrel will pay huge dividends down the road. However at the end of the day it's your money.

 

[GrumpyOleFart]

Tikka is an option.
I bought my Super Varmint 6.5 CR a few weeks back, slapped a Vortex Razor on, first non Kahles in decades, loving it.
We have a 1500 metre salt flat on a family property, been spending my leave there.
Ach, zer pinging of zer steel!
We have slotted four foxes , 25 kangaroos, all beyond 600m.
My mate has been smacking targets beyond his personal best, totally stoked.
Think about a Tikka.

 

[jcmullis2]

I thought Chad at LRI sold 700 actions already blueprinted but I can only find receivers and you have to supply the bolt.
If you do buy just an action or rifle and are on a tight budget I would look at a stainless receiver. This way you don't have the extra cost of having a carbon steel receiver finished if you do have it blueprinted. I agree with a lot of other people on here about custom actions. By the time you buy a 700 receiver and have it blue printed because Remingtons are terrible from the factory you are approaching the cost of some custom actions.
I'm not sure how you are going to keep the rifle under $1300. Why do you want to build one? Why not buy a Tikka like mentioned? Do you want a crazy caliber that isn't offered in a factory rifle?

Northland shooter supply has blueprinted actions and remage barrels. Stainless will save you money and they might even put it together for a few bucks so you don’t have to buy tools. Just saying

 

[SonicBurlap]

If after all of this you still just want to buy some 700 off the shelf, do yourself a favor and send it in to LRI and have them perform trueing, and install a side bolt release, and their dual ejectors with AR15 extractors at the minimum. Their tactical bolt handle is also nothing to sneeze at, and you might find out you can't live without some of the cosmetic options for the 700 they offer as well. You could even buy the action from LRI with all the things you might want to have done.

Gunsmithing Services

www.longriflesinc.com

 

[JMGlasgow]

I built my lefty Rem700 for right at $1300 without optic.
I started with a left hand SPS and then stripped it and added the following:

-Criterion prefit barrel with barrel nut and lug
-Grayboe Renegade stock
-PTG Stealth bottom metal from Midway ($100 on clearance)
-Tubb T7T trigger (used)
Nightforce 20moa base

I now run a Defiance Deviant LH action on my new rifle. All the other parts are basically the same. I do still like the Rem700 though. It was my first build, and is very accurate. It also smoothed out quite a bit after frequent use.

 

[Auxilium999]

So what I’m hearing is. Maybe get a tikka tac... lol. I hate my wrong handedness thanks guys!!!

 

[JMGlasgow]

I just hope you never have to try out Tikka's customer service. It's basically non existent or you get a middle finger from them. First hand experience with that.

 

[Auxilium999]

So maybe... should I get a bergara... shoot it a bunch. Then when I’m done. Swap out for for new barrel and chassis?

 

[Auxilium999]

And bergara actions can fin it any “Remington 700” chassis?

 

[dragman]

I do like the 700, You can almost always find an ADL package dicks gun for $300 around holidays. Strip it down and build what you want.

 

[jcmullis2]

If after all of this you still just want to buy some 700 off the shelf, do yourself a favor and send it in to LRI and have them perform trueing, and install a side bolt release, and their dual ejectors with AR15 extractors at the minimum. Their tactical bolt handle is also nothing to sneeze at, and you might find out you can't live without some of the cosmetic options for the 700 they offer as well. You could even buy the action from LRI with all the things you might want to have done.

Gunsmithing Services

www.longriflesinc.com

That sounds like the way to go. How much does LRi charge to perform trueing, and install a side bolt release, dual ejectors with AR15 extractors and a tactical bolt handle? I’d love to get my new Remington 40x action done.

Addendum; The gunsmith charges alone are about $700. You can buy a custom action for what you would have in the remy when you add the initial cost of the action.

 

[SonicBurlap]

That sounds like the way to go. How much does LRi charge to perform trueing, and install a side bolt release, dual ejectors with AR15 extractors and a tactical bolt handle? I’d love to get my new Remington 40x action done.

Addendum; The gunsmith charges alone are about $700. You can buy a custom action for what you would have in the remy when you add the initial cost of the action.

Zermatt Arms Origin Short Action $825. and a Pre-fit barrel and trigger of your choice, drop it in a KRG Bravo $349.99 and call it done would have been my suggestion as well if the OP wouldn't have stated he keeps leaning toward the Rem 700. The Origin also gives him the choice of having the action machined for his left-handedness with no extra charge. If any gunsmithing skills are existent he could even install, or change barrels himself with use of an action wrench, barrel vise, torque wrench, and go and no-go gauges in the caliber of his choice. If I were in his shoes it's the way I would go, however some folks just like the Remington.
If the budget is an issue he could even go a part at a time, as many of us do. Factory offerings, like the Bergara, or Tikka are nice when you don't have the time and you want to get something right away, without caring that they won't hit all the check marks of what you might really want but if you have the time then the custom, low, or high end is always the better route to choose in my opinion.

Home - Zermatt Arms Website

Zermätt Actions Controlled Round Feed Mechanical Ejection Interchangeable Floating Bolt Heads Zermatt Quality All of our actions have one thing in common, they are designed and made with the utmost attention to detail and precision. Shop Accessories Additional and Replacement Parts All of your...

bighornarms.com

Bravo Chassis – Kinetic Research Group

kineticresearchgroup.com

https://straightjacketarmory.com/product/in-stock-prefits/

Just for sample illustration.

 

[OopsWetWedgie]

I second the Big Horn Origin. I use one and have a 26" MTU Criterion barrel. All the parts are quality and its easy to put together. It's simple and it will keep you competitive if you compete.

 

[jcmullis2]

Zermatt Arms Origin Short Action $825. and a Pre-fit barrel and trigger of your choice, drop it in a KRG Bravo $349.99 and call it done would have been my suggestion as well if the OP wouldn't have stated he keeps leaning toward the Rem 700. The Origin also gives him the choice of having the action machined for his left-handedness with no extra charge. If any gunsmithing skills are existent he could even install, or change barrels himself with use of an action wrench, barrel vise, torque wrench, and go and no-go gauges in the caliber of his choice. If I were in his shoes it's the way I would go, however some folks just like the Remington.
If the budget is an issue he could even go a part at a time, as many of us do. Factory offerings, like the Bergara, or Tikka are nice when you don't have the time and you want to get something right away, without caring that they won't hit all the check marks of what you might really want but if you have the time then the custom, low, or high end is always the better route to choose in my opinion.

Home - Zermatt Arms Website

Zermätt Actions Controlled Round Feed Mechanical Ejection Interchangeable Floating Bolt Heads Zermatt Quality All of our actions have one thing in common, they are designed and made with the utmost attention to detail and precision. Shop Accessories Additional and Replacement Parts All of your...

bighornarms.com

Bravo Chassis – Kinetic Research Group

kineticresearchgroup.com

https://straightjacketarmory.com/product/in-stock-prefits/

Just for sample illustration.

I love Remington rifles and have over a dozen. I’d put mine up against anything in the same price range. However it doesn’t make sense to drop money into gunsmithing on them. A good barrel, lap the lugs, decent trigger, and a bravo is the extent of what I do. Mine are all capable of better accuracy than I am. I have a few custom rigs that I dropped thousands on and I can get most of my money back anytime by parting them out. If I tried to sell an r700 that I had $700 worth of work done to I’d lose $500. That’s not very smart. If the rifle has sentimental value, sure I get it. Otherwise it’s just another tool. I don’t pay to customize my other tools. I just buy a better tool. Same thing with rifles. Most people can do everything they want with a factory action, barrel nut barrel, decent trigger and stock. If they have the coin then buy a custom if not shoot what you can afford. Just my humble opinion

 

[SonicBurlap]

I'm sorry to have to say this as I've shot quality Remingtons in the way long past but there is a reason the company is now bankrupt which even the exception of their 5Rs couldn't stop. I would not shoot a Remington these days unless it had made the trip to LRI, or Ashbury Precision Ordnance and back but then again there are I guess plenty of folks happy with a Remy off the shelf and hooked up with a Harris bipod. It's great to have choice and be able to select what we prefer. I'd rather have a few decent custom rigs besides a few clone factory rifles than a dozen, or so Remingtons being royalty in my vault.