Where to start with a rem700 custom build

[Sjp770]

Hey all,

I am thinking about building my first rifle. I was originally looking at a Remington 700 varmint or another rem700 for long range target shooting and just buying it new or near new in factory condition. I figure that I would want to replace the stock sooner or later anyway, so why not just start with the stock I want?

The question is if I buy the stock (Accuracy International Chassis System (AICS) 1.5 Adjustable Stock) then would I only need the rem700 action and a barrel? It seems like factory barrels that others have taken off new rifles in order to do their own mods are cheap ($200) and the stock is about $900. So can I buy the action separately?

When it comes to the action, is there only 2 types: long and short? Do I select the caliber of the rifle purely by matching a long or short action to a compatible barrel? I.e lapua .338 would be a long action + a .338 barrel? Whereas a .223 would be a short action + .223 barrel?

One last hurdle: I live in Australia. How much of the build could I import without doing paperwork with customs? I would rather avoid any firearm import paperwork / fees etc by buying the restricted parts in aus.

I am still deciding the caliber I will shoot, but I am looking to reload and I hope to end up with a tactical looking rifle.
Thanks for your help.

 

[base]

Re: Where to start with a rem700 custom build

with my current rifle i bought a complete, new, 700 SPS Varmint in 308. i wanted a rifle i could shoot and learn with as i upgraded parts that i realized i wanted after use. the stock was the first thing to be replaced. i didn't have the money to buy the higher end parts i wanted to build a complete rifle. the idea of collecting parts for who knows how long until i had enough to put a rifle together did not appeal to me. i wanted to shoot.

if you want the AICS stock you should get it but have a rifle to put it on. here in the states a complete SPS-V will run around $550. when i bought mine Remington had a $50 mail in rebate so i paid even less.

yes there are primarily only 2 actions. although one could shoot a 308 which is usually a SA cartridge in a long action and other special situations. your caliber will dictate your action length.

on importing parts i believe thats up to you law in AUS. but i would say the stock, trigger, scope, mounts and accessories are good to go.

maybe some others will chime in with more info.

 

[Time2Hunt]

Re: Where to start with a rem700 custom build

What type of shooting/distance do you think you'll be doing for the most part? Since you mentioned that you reload...or looking to reload. That opens up lots of caliber options for sure, but it might be best to stick with something more popular if you already are planning on trouble importing/costly taxes...

I know i've heard from many aussy shooters out your way but have no idea what type range shooting opportunites you all have available? If less than 300 yds and you're new to firearms you might want to look into a 223...would also be great if you ever decide to go after varmints as well. I don't believe i have seen an AICS for the action though but i could wrong it might be possible to adapt for it? But the .308 is really a baby(recoil-wise) when compared to most hunting calibers and larger "sniper/tactical" rounds, so you can't go wrong there either.

If it was me i would just buy a factory built rifle and go from there. I have tried to pursue your line of thinking a few times regarding just buying the action, but i've found it's way less hassle to just buy the gun you want with the cheapest stock available and upgrade what you want. I just recently picked up a remington 700 sps tac .308 from budsgunshop.com(don't know if they ship international?) for $550 knowing the the stock was going to come off as soon as possible.

Once last thing, what are your options buying something used in Austrailia? If you're planning a build there's nothing wrong with standard action 700 and going from there if you can get it...

Good luck!

 

[Swift]

Re: Where to start with a rem700 custom build

700 SPS Tac in 308 with good glass, new trigger and as much ammo as you can afford. Shoot until you're comfortable then you can look at stocks, etc. Oh, and dry fire, dry fire, dry fire. A wise man once said that for every live round you shoot, you need 100 dry fires.

Very often, new shooters (myself included) are drawn to the tacti-cool look of aftermarket stocks and forget about things like glass, triggers, practice etc but these things are invaluable compared to a GAP-camo A5 with DBM.

Furthermore, there are a LOT of stock/chassis options for the Remington platform. Saving this part for last will allow you to determine your configuration's and technical shortcomings and purchase the next one based on what YOU need. You won't know this unless you have experience behind the rifle.

Here's some food for thought: A great musician will make a shitty guitar cry. A great driver will make a shitty car fly. Develop your skills before you develop your gear.

 

[Sjp770]

Re: Where to start with a rem700 custom build

Thanks for all the feed back. Looks like it might be best to get a local 2nd hand rem700 ($950 best price btw) and get comfortable with it, then upgrade.

 

[Swift]

Re: Where to start with a rem700 custom build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sjp770</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for all the feed back. Looks like it might be best to get a local 2nd hand rem700 ($950 best price btw) and get comfortable with it, then upgrade. </div></div>

That's an excellent idea and if you stick with it, it will pay big dividends in the long run. I'm not sure how bad you guys get taxed in Australia but they run $350-$450 here depending on your locale.

 

[Time2Hunt]

Re: Where to start with a rem700 custom build

$950 for a 2nd hand remmy?? What price were you looking at for a new rifle shipped in?


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: THEBEARRRRRRJEW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">700 SPS Tac in 308 with good glass, new trigger and as much ammo as you can afford. Shoot until you're comfortable then you can look at stocks, etc. Oh, and dry fire, dry fire, dry fire. A wise man once said that for every live round you shoot, you need 100 dry fires.

Very often, new shooters (myself included) are drawn to the tacti-cool look of aftermarket stocks and forget about things like glass, triggers, practice etc but these things are invaluable compared to a GAP-camo A5 with DBM.

Furthermore, there are a LOT of stock/chassis options for the Remington platform. Saving this part for last will allow you to determine your configuration's and technical shortcomings and purchase the next one based on what YOU need. You won't know this unless you have experience behind the rifle.

Here's some food for thought: A great musician will make a shitty guitar cry. A great driver will make a shitty car fly. Develop your skills before you develop your gear. </div></div>

Great response, take this to heart Sip!

If you have the money to blow, there is nothing wrong with turning what ever you get into a masterpiece before you ever fire a shot...but even so if you gain experience and do it over time you will appreciate it that much more. And who knows, it might even make you a better shot in the end.

Especially since you are new to shooting, or at least rifles; the truth is you will not be able to appreciate or notice the gains that all those mods will make until you have something to base it on. Like the previous poster commented, many of us fall prey to the tacticool factor...but give a new shooter a rusty old .22 and thousand rounds of ammo and i guarantee the experience and knowledge gained will be ten-fold that of the shooter with the safe queen tactical wonder that only shows up at the range a few times a year...

Which brings up another thing to think about. Do you have friends or family that are experienced shooters? Or firearm academies/shooting classes available? Having someone there to teach you the basics from your first shot, and more importantly...how to safely operate your firearm before you ever do; will be essential to your learning curve! Safety, safety, safety. It may sound repetitive and boring but nowing how to safely opperate your firearm as well as the proper range etiquette will go a long way in making new friends at the range, showing others that you are competent even if inexperienced, and lastly ensure you won't be another statistic for the STUPID firearm accidents that happen way to frequently by those who don't respect the weapon for what it is.

Have fun with the new hobby! But beware...you may think this is already addicting right now? Wait until you start shooting!!! lol

 

[Sjp770]

Re: Where to start with a rem700 custom build

I've already put 500 rounds through the old rusty .22, but it's frustrating that you can get tight groups at 50m and then twist or bump something on the old thing and you get 1 shot from 5 that's 2 inches out of the group.

As far as caliber goes: I can reload .308 for approx $0.55 AUD per round not including brass, it seems the projectiles are all about the same price (~$35/100) for that caliber and under. Besides the reduced powder cost is there a more economical round to reload? It would be awesome to be able to afford to do 200-300 rounds each time I shoot and not be worried about the cost of it all. Is .223 more popular / cheaper?

 

[kamonjj]

Re: Where to start with a rem700 custom build

One thing is for sure, is that glass is paramount, BEHIND fundamentals. You can have a 3000 dollar rifle but shoot 3 moa groups because you dont have your fundamentals correct. I spent twice as much on glass as I did on my rifle. To me the glass is more of an investment than anything else. They can last a lifetime, have lifetime warranties, and can be transferred to better rifles in the future if you go that route.

Remington 700 sps tacticals are great rifles but the stocks are garbage and are really one of the down falls of the rifles. Which can be throwing your groups off due to the flex in the stock touching the barrel. So in my opinion I think its a very important upgrade that can be done for little cost if you shop around.

 

[Swift]

Re: Where to start with a rem700 custom build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kamonjj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">One thing is for sure, is that glass is paramount, BEHIND fundamentals. You can have a 3000 dollar rifle but shoot 3 moa groups because you dont have your fundamentals correct. I spent twice as much on glass as I did on my rifle. To me the glass is more of an investment than anything else. They can last a lifetime, have lifetime warranties, and can be transferred to better rifles in the future if you go that route.

Remington 700 sps tacticals are great rifles but the stocks are garbage and are really one of the down falls of the rifles. Which can be throwing your groups off due to the flex in the stock touching the barrel. So in my opinion I think its a very important upgrade that can be done for little cost if you shop around. </div></div>

While everyone agrees that a stock will improve your groups, that's where it stops. It doesn't improve the shooter and it doesn't build fundamentals like a good trigger, scope or old fashioned practice. That said, a good stock has it's benefits and should be part of a solid build, just not first on the list.