Thinking about getting a 5R, is it hard to modify?

Johnson184

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 12, 2008
184
13
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
I'm getting my first .308 sometime in the next month or so. I'm limiting myself to a budget of around $1200 for rifle, base, rings. (Already got a scope)

I planned on picking up a Remington 700 5-R since I've heard great things about them out of the box. Since it'll be my first "precision" rifle, it should definitely outshoot me.

I think I'll need to get a Karsten adj. cheekpiece installed since the scope I'm using has a 56mm objective. Is that hard to install on my own?

Apparently the Remington triggers are horrible, any idea how hard it'd be to install something like a Rifle Basix?
 
Re: Thinking about getting a 5R, is it hard to modify?

There are several online tutorials on how to adjust and replace a Remington trigger. Replacing it is a snap; you should be able to look at the trigger setup and figure out how to replace it. There are only two pins holding the trigger on.

Adjusting whatever trigger you get is another matter. A new trigger should come with instructions and technical support. If you do get a Rifle Basix, be sure to follow the instructions to the letter. If you have difficulty, call and ask for help.
 
Re: Thinking about getting a 5R, is it hard to modify?

The 5R I bought this year, had one of the externally adjustable triggers and was pretty sweet as it came from Big Green. I think they call it the "40x trigger."

You may not want to get an aftermaket trigger. Try it first.
 
Re: Thinking about getting a 5R, is it hard to modify?

X mark triggers left alone arent bad at all if you dont mind a 4 or 5 pound trigger(whatever they have)

No input on the cheek piece, sorry. I'd use a stock pack and foam before I use one of those add on cheek pieces.
 
Re: Thinking about getting a 5R, is it hard to modify?

Was out shooting my 5R .308 today @ 800 yds. It was 22 degrees and 7-10mph winds. I tried adjusting my X-mark trigger down to 2 lbs. but it fired when closing the bolt, so i went up to 4 lbs. I have a Nightforce 5.5-22x56 on it, badger rings and a shitty weaver 0moa base (the scope and rings are for a long action remmy, another story) on it. I got consistent 8-10 inch groups @ 800 yds. I didnt think that was to bad considering my trigger finger was froze and the rifle is all stock and unbedded in the factory H.S. Precision stock. Tried to go to 1250 yds and fell about 30 moa short, ran out of elevation, need to get a badger 30 moa base. The rifle groups about .5-.6 moa @ 100 yds. Load was Win brass, 41.0 RL-15, 175Mk, Fed 210 primer, 2.810. My buddy also has one of these and it shoots about the same with the same load. Not a bad rifle for the money. I plan on shooting the barrel out and rebarreling with a rock 5r and getting a mcmillian stock and a different trigger in the near future. Good luck with your decision, i dont regret purchasing the 5R.
 
Re: Thinking about getting a 5R, is it hard to modify?

Johnson184, I got my 5-R about four weeks ago and mounted up a scope with a 56mm objective. I don't know what your planning on for rings and base but I went with Seekins amd I'm really happy with them. I went with the high rings and 20 moa base. You could get away with the medium high rings but scope cap installation might be tight. If you plan on shooting with the stock that comes with the rifle you will need to raise the comb to get a proper cheek weld (unless you have a large noggin) so a Karsten or stock pack is in order. I can't comment on how difficult the Karsten is to install. Can anybody else chime in on that one?
 
Re: Thinking about getting a 5R, is it hard to modify?

I am not sure if the trigger is the same as my Sendero but I was able to adjust it rather low without issues or missfires. I did a lot of testing to make sure it was safe prior to putting any ammunition in it or wasting my time taking it to the range only to have it misfire.
Patience is key and some finger nail polish doesn't hurt either (for the threads after you set it).

Just my .02
 
Re: Thinking about getting a 5R, is it hard to modify?

The 5R isn't really hard to modify, in fact you may have a harder time trying not to modify it.

I ran a 20MOA Nightforce base with low IOR V-Tac rings and a 56mm obj Sightron SIII with no clearance issues (it was pretty damn close to the barrel though). I still used a stock pack, but mostly because I had one laying around. Hope this helps.