While I've not been shooting much the last few years, I've been doing quite a bit of planning for a new rifle in 2018 once I get some bills paid.
One of the old formulas was a Remington 700, true it, install a barrel and a stock or chassis. With an evolving market, I find myself questioning if the 700 really has a place anymore? Of course it will be around, like the 1911 today, but have newer options left it behind?
New Remington rifles are of questionable quality, with many not shooting well. Their actions are often rough. I've seen several with base screws off center. Finishes are terrible. Nowadays their triggers, which used to be one of their strong suits, need replaced. Of course, the 700 has the greatest aftermarket support. But is that enough? And besides, seems like most of the aftermarket has caught up to other platforms. You really don't have to do without quality components to choose other platforms.
With options like the T3X in a chassis configuration or the CTR off the shelf, RPR, Howa, etc providing a superior out of the box offering, seems not many buy a 700 to just pull it out and shoot. And for the custom rifles, so many actions are out there that don't require blue printing and have a host of features 700s are modified to have.
Combine these facts with more accurate and more affordable semi-auto platforms for .308 shooters (and even other rounds), why would one buy the classic 700P .308? Or any 700 that needed dollars spent on it? Where does the 700 fit these days outside of the bargain bin Walmart of rifles or for collectors? Why would you buy a 700 today?
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One of the old formulas was a Remington 700, true it, install a barrel and a stock or chassis. With an evolving market, I find myself questioning if the 700 really has a place anymore? Of course it will be around, like the 1911 today, but have newer options left it behind?
New Remington rifles are of questionable quality, with many not shooting well. Their actions are often rough. I've seen several with base screws off center. Finishes are terrible. Nowadays their triggers, which used to be one of their strong suits, need replaced. Of course, the 700 has the greatest aftermarket support. But is that enough? And besides, seems like most of the aftermarket has caught up to other platforms. You really don't have to do without quality components to choose other platforms.
With options like the T3X in a chassis configuration or the CTR off the shelf, RPR, Howa, etc providing a superior out of the box offering, seems not many buy a 700 to just pull it out and shoot. And for the custom rifles, so many actions are out there that don't require blue printing and have a host of features 700s are modified to have.
Combine these facts with more accurate and more affordable semi-auto platforms for .308 shooters (and even other rounds), why would one buy the classic 700P .308? Or any 700 that needed dollars spent on it? Where does the 700 fit these days outside of the bargain bin Walmart of rifles or for collectors? Why would you buy a 700 today?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk