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The lowdown on 700 action clones

M

Maestro Pistolero

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Sep 25, 2010
160
0
64
Las Vegas, NV
#1
I have about every damn thing I want in my safe but a bolt gun. So my mission this year is to build (with a local expert's help) a precision bolt gun that can wreak havoc to 1K. Probably 308, but my AR-10 has so exceeded my expectations, that I am going to need a hella bolt gun to outrun it by much (at least at the distances that I can shoot here). I haven't ruled out a 300 win mag as a means to better cover new ground that my AR-10 already reaches.

My search-foo probably sucks, but I am not finding any threads that lay out the options for my choices.

Here are the choices of actions that I am aware of so far:

Options:

1. Buy a new 700 action
2. Buy a pawn shop 700 and have option #1 or #2 trued and rebarreled by Hart/Shilen/Krieger, etc
3. Buy an SPS and shoot the bejeesuz out of it then rebarrel
4. Buy a stock 5R milspec and be done with it
5. Surgeon Action for 1295.00 (yikes!, NICE but jeez), then barrel it, etc
6. Shilen barreled actions

I appreciate any input, and your patience with this newbie. If there are threads on this, please link.

THANKS
 
#3
Re: The lowdown on 700 action clones

You could try a custom vs factory search. I'd say custom action all the way. Many other options besides surgeon (although that is an excellent choice). Check the SHOT show threads about all the new custom actions. The stiller tac 30aw with their bottom metal has my interest.
 
#4
Re: The lowdown on 700 action clones

Stiller Tac 30 SA runs less than the Surgeon (about $900), machined and trued for accuracy. I think they have either a group buy or someone has some for sale on the Hide - saw them not to long ago, but can't remember for sure.
 
#5
Re: The lowdown on 700 action clones

it seems like these threads but up a lot. people seem to love there trued, blueprinted etc actions and seem to able to get close to or the same accuracy as a custom action. but then they still have that what if feeling. go for a custom action that way you won't have that "maybe i should have got a custom feeling".
 
#8
Re: The lowdown on 700 action clones

Talk to Drake assoc, about getting a RPA action. The older guys I shoot with who have been shooting forever seem to like the RPA action and the Barnard action. Might be something else to consider, I know both make Rem 700 clones but not sure if you can use their in house triggers(which are fantastic by the way).
 
#9
Re: The lowdown on 700 action clones

If your gonna pay money to have a rem 700 trues up, you might as well buy a custom action. Money isn't gonna be that differnt when the smoke clears and at the end of the day a trued 700 is still just a 700 when you decide to sell. I'm not saying they won't shoot as good but as a value stand point there is no reason not to go custom. My money is on defiance.
 
#10
Re: The lowdown on 700 action clones

Seems from the tone of your post that cost is a major consideration, but you want something that will rival the expectations you have for your AR-10. If I was you, I would go one of two routes:

- Route one: buy a Rem700 5R. The out of the box accuracy on mine was between 1/2-3/4 MOA ... and it's even better once I upgraded to a Timney trigger. I'm very happy with it. If you hunt, you could use it for most game as well. You can get one for ~ $1050. From the tone of your post, this is probably the route I would advise you to go ... it's a good compromise between a custom made bughole puncher and a walmart POS.

- Route two: the custom rifle route. There are several custom actions out there. I have a surgeon xl for my .300 win mag, but it's expensive hardware (~$1800). Bighorn arms has actions for less than $1K ... about $250 less than a surgeon (I don't own one but I've read good reviews on them). Shop around until you find your cost/performance compromise (templar, stiller, defiance are other actions that lots of members of snipershide rave about). Here is a part list I was dreaming up for my next build:

Mcree Stock $674
bighorn action $995
alpha mag $65
bartlein barrel $340
chambering $250
timney $130
muzzle break $200
total $2654

This is quite a bit more than a Rem700 5R, but loads nicer. You wouldn't be limited to the Rem700 5R chamberings either (.223, .308, and .300 WM) ... you could go with .260 Remington (esp. if you reload your own ammo). 260 Rem is a round I have heard good things about in comparison to the .308 because it has a better flight profile due to the better BCs available to the 6.5mm bullet (see the caliber choices comparison and applications thread http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1877441#Post1877441... tons is written on this). A rifle of this build should easily be able to outrun your AR-10.
 
#11
Re: The lowdown on 700 action clones

Get the 5r in 308 Win. Good glass and mounts. Bed the rifle, have it re-crowned and shoot it as is.

During the life of the rifle safe what money you can and learn to reload, read wind & dope the range. Once the rifle is tired or your tired of shooting it spend the money you saved and buy a barrel, have the receiver trued and chamber in your desired caliber.

win/win
 
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Reactions: Sftdyna
#12
Re: The lowdown on 700 action clones

Check out this article:

http://www.6mmbr.com/actions.html

I was also looking at the surgeon, but the price was too high for me. I went with a couple of the pierce actions and have been very happy with them.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2476138

The remingtons usually work, but having customized a few they are really not as nice as the custom actions. I think it's sort of like tools; the cheap ones will usually work but it's worth it (imho) to have good ones. So I guess that brings up what you want to do with a bolt gun. If you want one you wouldn't mind dragging through the dirt, loaning out, etc. then maybe a rem is the way to go. Good luck.
 
#14
Re: The lowdown on 700 action clones

BAT http://www.batmachine.com/products/products.htm
VRRPTR.JPG
 
#16
Re: The lowdown on 700 action clones

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MWDG3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">BAT http://www.batmachine.com/products/products.htm
VRRPTR.JPG
</div></div>

that is one sexy action! I had a Bat that had an integrated lug and rail and had a 60 degree bolt throw, it was a very nice setup
 
#17
Re: The lowdown on 700 action clones

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MWDG3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">BAT http://www.batmachine.com/products/products.htm
VRRPTR.JPG
</div></div> Wow, beautiful. I may have to readjust my thinking on budget. That's ok, I got stuff to shoot while I save up!

So many options with BAT. I don't know where to begin. When I started this thread I suspected a can of worms, but I had no idea . . .



 
#18
Re: The lowdown on 700 action clones

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Adam B</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MWDG3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">BAT http://www.batmachine.com/products/products.htm
VRRPTR.JPG
</div></div>

that is one sexy action! I had a Bat that had an integrated lug and rail and had a 60 degree bolt throw, it was a very nice setup </div></div>

60 Degree throw? I hate Bat's website isn't real friendly. Was that for a repeater rem700 clone or was that a bench rest style? What kind of extractor are they using?

thanks
 
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#20
Re: The lowdown on 700 action clones

You sound like a firearms enthusiast and as such the obvious awnser is that you need one of each. LOL!

You didn't say what you want to shoot at, how far past 1k you want to go, how far you need to be able to carry it, what your budget is, if you reload, if you have to have brand new, or what your time frame is, that will all make a difference in what you buy.

You hint that the budget may, as it always is, be an issue and you said you want a bolt action. This is'nt a bolt action but if you don't need a lot more range and the budget is tight you might consider a new upper in a different caliber for your AR10.

When you figure out what you want don't forget the classifieds here for both parts and complete rifles.

Good luck.
 
#21
Re: The lowdown on 700 action clones

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You didn't say what you want to shoot at,</div></div> Paper and steel.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">how far past 1k you want to go,</div></div>
1200 -1500 would be fun.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">how far you need to be able to carry it,</div></div>
My AR10 -T with the Nightforce F1 comes in around 18 lbs. I would not want to hike 20 miles with it, but I could. Anything less than that would be great.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what your budget is,</div></div>
That's being decided as I get more infomation. As of now, I'd like to see how good a gun I can get together for 2,500 or less, before glass.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if you reload,</div></div> Not yet, but it's ineviitable. I have thousands of rounds of once fired 308 brass, mostly Federal SMKs.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if you have to have brand new,</div></div> Not necessarily. For example, I would be thrilled to acquire a low round-count custom firearm from a credible, trustworthy member here. The money saved buying used would go to good use getting better glass, ammo, etc.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">or what your time frame is,</div></div>Not in a big hurry. I'm taking the time to educate myself, (in no small way due to the kindness of members here) Some time in the first half of the year, most likely.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">that will all make a difference in what you buy. </div></div>Yep. Excellent questions. Thank you.
 
#22
Re: The lowdown on 700 action clones

If you're looking at going past 1000yds, perhaps a 300 Win Mag would suit you better than a 308. You can get a Rem700 5R in 300 Win Mag, and you'll have plenty of reloading options. Gunbroker.com has them for between $1,050 - $1,100. By the time you put on a muzzle break, get a picatinny rail, put on a Timney trigger, get someone like CDI Precision to to install DBM bottom metal with a mag, and put a tactical bolt knob on, you'll be ~ the $1,800 mark. Throw in a reloading kit and components and you'll still be less than the $2,500 mark with a very fine rifle. It will be light enough that you can hunt with it too, but accurate enough to pling steel and punch paper to your heart's content.

A Rem700 5R in .308 was the first higher end rifle I purchased and I am still very pleased with it. Heck, my wife is pleased with it too, so much that she's claimed it!
 
#23
Re: The lowdown on 700 action clones

Option #4 was what I chose. That said, one is not often "done with it" as the 5-R can be improved. Better trigger assy (I added a Timney as it was all I needed), and then consider bedding the action after adding some risers to the pillars that are cut short in the action block than bedding in Devcon.

A good scope will set you back the about 2-3 times the price of the rifle. I went cheap when I bought my 5-R over 3 years ago. Last week I finally ordered a NightForce. The rifle shoots fantastic at 300 yards with the cheap optics so now I want to SEE how well it can do at long distance.

You will get lots of use out of the 5-R and even if you do shoot the barrel out it can still be re-barreled for a lot less than the other options.

One option you didn't name was a Les Baer. I looked at one that was real impressive. $3500 or so for a rifle ready to go on a McMillan A-5 stock. Still need to buy a good scope and one befitting a rifle like that would be at least in the $2500-$3500 range.

Les Baer Tactical Rifle
 
#24
Re: The lowdown on 700 action clones

Thanks LT-J and DS2.

That seems like a reasonable approach, a 300 win mag 5R. I definitely won't skimp on the glass. I am looking at S&B, USO, and, if they have their 5.5-25 FF scope out by then, a Nightforce. I love my 3.5-15 F1. I can't see getting anything less for a precision bolt gun.

I would want to change the stock (McMillan, Manners, Aics?), the trigger, bottom metal, detachable mags, bipod, mount and glass. That ought to put me to least 4500-5500 with everything, unless I go with S&B.

Good stuff.
 
#25
Re: The lowdown on 700 action clones

Look around. I found a 700 ADL youth fully set-up for under $400 new at walmart.

Sold the stock for 65, scope for 40, rings/base for 20, trigger for 45, mag/follower/spring for 25, barrel for 80.

By the time you add it all up, get it trued, etc, you can have a trued 700 action for $375 if you're willing to do a little horse-trading.

I'll take a $375 trued Remington over a $1400 Surgeon.
 
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