Anyone still using a 700 action?

[Calvin45]

Rarely do I spend the time reading any threads over a page, I'm too busy. But I did spend the time reading this whole thread, all 4 pages just to get the entire feel for the opinions which run so rampantly through these forums! Everyone is entitled to their opinions whether I agree with them or not. Just some additional thoughts:

The Remington M700 has been around for a long time, successfully whether you like them or not. They are the (I stole this thought) small block Chevy engine of the firearms industry. Millions have been sold on the commercial market to be used as they were built by the factory. Millions more have been sold as full rifles as well as actions used for builds not available through the factory. The only manufacturer with better numbers is Mauser, where the actual numbers are unknown but into the 10's of millions based on WWII history.

Currently there are several 'custom' action makers who have chosen to follow this same path as Remington with actions designed to mimic the same footprint. The cylindrical shape is easy to turn. The math has been done, so no having to recreate a new design. There are hundreds of accessories and stock designs using this inlet. Dive into the pool and save money by utilizing what's already on the market.

Every gunsmith I know has the ability to 'true up' an M700 action, it's part and parcel of most gunsmithing programs. Besides, like Mauser M98's, there are plenty available at reasonable prices to learn on. Unlike the current trend though, there is really no reason for the prices which are being asked for these actions, they are simple to make and the processes have already been perfected.

Now, push feed vs CRF:

I built 'Safari' style rifles for years and yes CRF was all the rage and requirement for anyone hunting DG. But when we questioned the advocacy of using push feed actions, we had to do some testing. We hung upside down from tree branches with a loaded M700 rifle and proceeded to fire three consecutive rounds at targets 50 to 100 yards away. Scope and iron sighted. The M700 performed flawlessly even while upside down without any failures to feed to any other failure for that matter. Yes, you can induce failure to feed by using an action with altered feed rails but when the rails match the cartridge, no problems. This is one fairy tale which can be laid to rest.

If you don't like M700's like some folks don't like anything using the term 'Creedmoor' in a sentence, fine, more for the rest of us. Pay the $1,250 to $1,800 for any of the 'custom' actions on the market today. Your wife will appreciate your thinking.

Well dang it now I wanna hang upside down from a tree and shoot guns "for science"

 

[The Badger]

Have a few and parts accumulating for a new 280AI project this year. Last couple are a 6.5-284 and a 6.5 Sherman.

 

[436]

I should have mentioned in my first post #26 that although I have only one left, giving two of the last three to my son, over the years, say since 1964 I've owned so many in so many calibers I can't honestly remember them all, some of them I seem to buy more than once like the .300 WM, .223 Rem, and .308 Win, a couple of the memorable ones were my M700 Classic in .17 Remington, and one in .257 Roberts, great memories, I pop a metric ton of Yokes with that .17 Rem rifle, accuracy was on a par with some of the best shooter I ever owned, then, there was my M700 BDL 24" in 6.5 Remington Mag as a large game hunting rifle it couldn't be beat, 1 moa and under right out of the box, I think Remington was way ahead of the times and picking that combo. I've owned 40Xs, BDLs, ADLs, and Classic over the years, sporting barrels and bull barrels... factory and custom from; .17 cal to .375... never found any real issue with any of them, they shot great, or with minor adjustments, they would in the end, all I needed to do was to add good glass and come up with the right load. Still love the Remington M700 rifle, I don't know of many old timers that don't.

Cheers

 

[bamban]

I've shot 135 and 150 grains flat base bullets during the 300 yards rapid fire event in across the course with my double lugged 14 types. Why flat base? They flat out shoot.

Fast forward to recent impromptu project. I found an old box of 150 bullets and had a Hawk Hills 30 caliber barrel laying around. I decided to rebarrel one of my 700s from 260 to 308.

I zeroed the rifle one day with M852s.

Next trip to the range I wanted to test some known loads. It just happens I still have an 8 pound now discontinued powder, the old standby by - IMR4320. So, pulled out some old LC brass and loaded 5 rounds each at the range. Loaded 45, 46, and 47 grains.

I have not shot the 150 fb grains since the outing. I did load 155 TMKs and shot a deer at 240 yards with the rifle. Boiler room shot.

Nothing wrong with 700 actions. There are 4 of them in the safe.

 

[3800fps]

Well dang it now I wanna hang upside down from a tree and shoot guns "for science"

I want to do that too…but in my family lineage our tails drop off when we start driving.

 

[bamban]

Another recent 700 project. I acquired an almost new 700 in 300BO. I am not a fan of the cartridge, and I don't own a 223 bolt gun. Off to the garage finished the rebarrel the same day. Dropped in a a previously bedded stock. System checked nicely with dial indicator test. In time for 2024-2025 deer season

I didn't do any load work, I just fired up one of the 650s, which the powder measures (yes, I employ 2 measures in the 650s to split the charge between them) are still set for the 77 SMK load. Refilled hopper and loaded 77 TMKs inliue of the SMKS. Out of the 26 inch barreled 700, they clocked at 2914 about 200 fps more than velocity from my NM service rifles.

Zeroed the scope. Killed another deer from the same place - 240 from the hide to the opening. High shoulder shot, dropped it in its shadow.

Add: Between this 700 and the one in 308, there were no action work done. I do have the tools, just unnecessary as I am not convinced on the qualitative improvements other than fixing the primary extraction in some.

 

[crm3006]

Yep. Got three of them. 700 ADL in .30-'06 that has downed more deer than most people will ever see, and two elk. A 700 BDL in .243, and a 700 BDL in .22-250. Both of the smaller calibers have also killed their fair share of deer and varmints. Don't know why anyone would hesitate to use a push feed 700 action for any game in North America, unless they were reading uninformed gun writer articles. None of mine have ever failed to feed, through thousands of rounds, and more than a few quick reloads.

 

[Roughrice]

Yep… still use lots of Rem 700 actions!

 

[bamban]

The fun 700 I have is a 30BR in Remington H&S stock. It shoots in the 0.2s. I did it with 30BR so my brother can use it to fireform the 30BR brass for his benchrest gun. Since I chamber all his BR barrels, there is no issue with headspace.

 

[crazymonkey]

I've got a few ! A rem 700 sps police in 223 I got from my dad . Don't think he even had a round through it. Had the matching 308 but traded it . Picked up a 700 bdl deluxe with engraving in 300rum . Everyone needs a wood stock gun . I'm sure there's more but I'd have to dig them out.

 

[M118LR]

Now everyone seems to think you need to hang upside down to use a CRF. The biggest problem with 700 push feed actions is extraction. There are several.modifications to improve extraction, and many folks just replace the standard extractor on a round count to hopefully solve the problem. Extraction with the big Mauser Claw is the Primary reason why Dangerous Game Hunters that can take shots at CHARGE distances are comforted by the extraction claw. I hunted all the Hoofed Critters in Alaska with a Model 7, yet when I went to the ice pack specifically for a White Bruin a CRF went with me. I used both the Win Model 70 and Remington 700 on the Battlefield while In-service. But Uncle Sam and the USMC decided that it was less labor intensive and far more cost effective to go with the 700 push feed. Finding Quality Smiths that routinely rework Win Model 70 is getting scarcer every day. CRF is all about positive extraction while amped up on adrenaline. So if you have never needed or discharged a second/ follow up shot? Guess there isn't much of a comfort factor utilizing a CRF for Dangerous Game equipped with BIG TEETH and CLAWS . JMHO.

 

[Ol' Red]

I do not have a 700 in my safe. I have a Remington 722 in .308 and a Remington 721 in .270 though.