Interesting! I just got a 700 PRC in a Rem. Took it to a smith to change our firing spring, add a muzzel brake, and trigger change, bed the stock. It's my understanding those action are bedded nowf, but I will have it checked out. I know the the barrel is floated. Not truing the action presently. Will need to see how it shoots to start with.
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Custom actions, are they worth it?
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NotLongRange
Well-Known Member
I purchased a Remington 700 BDL in a 338 RUM the year it came out and have shot quite a few rounds…for an Ultra Mag anyway. The action lugs have not had any wear.
If you're curious about "What The Pros Use", this is an interesting website to check occasionally:
precisionrifleblog.com
They update the information periodically…
If you're curious about "What The Pros Use", this is an interesting website to check occasionally:
Custom Rifle Action – What The Pros Use
I recently surveyed the top ranked shooters in both the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and the Nationa...
They update the information periodically…
And that is why you use a custom action for a few dollars more as there isn't any guessing about it or difference from one to the other.
The Rolls might not either. I have had several English built cars. Well taken care of and had lots of problems with them when getting around 100,000 miles on them. A better ride yes.
Bottomline is what is put into the rifle does help, and the care of setting up your hand load, can make a real different.
Are custom actions worth the cost? it's all in your personal expectations. Not all custom actions are created equal, don't think just because you bought brand X or Y that you are getting perfection every time. When you get one that is not as it should be then the value falls no matter what your expectations are.
First your money, then your cloths.
Pin fall, pin protrusion, cock on close are all things that could negatively effect accuracy to some degree. Most, not all of these things are addressed with custom actions if done correctly. A lot of custom actions need work....about all factory actions need work.
You could have a great barrel with a terrible fire control system and never know it. Take that same barrel and screw it on a action with everything done right and you may have a hummer.
You could have a great barrel with a terrible fire control system and never know it. Take that same barrel and screw it on a action with everything done right and you may have a hummer.
And a bolt bushing, firing pin and spring job can cause miracles on a "trued m700".
Had one acting funny and LRI cured that.
I only have 2 trued m700's and the second one got it done, just in case.
Since 2007 I've used Defiance mostly and Stiller and Lone Peak once each.
Not getting away from custom actions, no way, never.
Had one acting funny and LRI cured that.
I only have 2 trued m700's and the second one got it done, just in case.
Since 2007 I've used Defiance mostly and Stiller and Lone Peak once each.
Not getting away from custom actions, no way, never.
I had a trued Rem 700 with a Bartlein on it, pulled the barrel, turned down the threads, screwed it onto a new Defiance and was instantly shooting better. It certainly didn't turn a crappy load into a shooter but it was noticeably better.
You can buy essentially the same Anti action today but with a pinned rail, pinned lug, and same headspace guarantee for $900. A no brainer from where I sit.
You can buy essentially the same Anti action today but with a pinned rail, pinned lug, and same headspace guarantee for $900. A no brainer from where I sit.
I can well afford one or 3 or 4 custom actions. Don't need it for what I am going to do. For a action that I can get at about $300.00 to $400. and a custom action for $1,500.00. I don't think so. Just to say I have custom action rifle nor do I need it. I am not going to shoot matchiness so why do I need a custom action.
And that is why you use a custom action for a few dollars more as there isn't any guessing about it or difference from one to the other.
"Custom" does not always you get custom results.
I have Customs, 700s, Savage, A bolts with Brux, Krieger, Hart, Lilja, Shilen, X Caliber, Pac Nor, Schneider, and Pence barrels, hard to tell the difference in accuracy with platforms being the same stock and scope. Ever seen a Ruger Tang safety and Mark II shoot 3/8" groups(and less) constantly with a custom barrel? Not too difficult to accomplish!
I like to test what the "talking heads" are spouting as being the gospel truth because so much of it is their ego, marketing, or just regurgitating popular BS. At one time, all I had was one type of custom action or another, a best friend had to die and leave me his Parker Hale and Ruger Tang safety with custom barrels to bring me back down to the Truth.
The issue of Pride of ownership is much different from a guy who is trying to achieve super accuracy with a limited budget.
The biggest issue chasing accuracy is learning to "Tune" hand loads for that particular barrel's harmonics. The issue of tuning a load is of major importance relating to chasing 3/8" and less accuracy attaining amazing accuracy with factory rifles at 500-600 yards.
Many new guys think that they can just buy accuracy, and many get disappointed, but they do have a rifle/scope to be proud of.
I have quite a few Remingtons. When the new barrel is installed, I go with a custom recoil lug .250 in thickness. If I feel they are acting up a little, I change the firing pin spring. Bed them in a SOLID stock, I prefer laminate, bed action, free float, top-of-the-line trigger, Muzzle break, and Free float magazine box. Having done this, everyone shoots tiny, tiny groups without exception. When hunting season is over, I will have the bolt handle timed. For some of the 700, the Mag well is opened up to accept a much longer Wyatts mag box, and the 7 STWs all get the 4.000" Wyatts mag box. I have thought of upgrading the firing pin to better lock time, but the chances of an improvement in accuracy is little to none.
Concerning the Remington 700s, there was a run of screws that were too long for the Remington front scope base. If the screw touches the threads on the barrel, that barrel will never shoot extremely well. So, when you install a scope base or rail on a Rem 700, tighten down the screw over the barrel tenon, then remove the screw, and look at the bottom of the screw. if you see indentions or the blueing mashed off the center or edge of the screw, then look down in the screw hole at the barrel tenon, you will see the threads flattened if the scope base/rail screw has dug into the barrel threads.
Regarding truing Rem 700s, I have two 40xs that I have had trued by Greg Tannel, they do not shoot any better than the non-trued 700s, same stocks, the same brand of barrels, same reamers used, and another project to compare.
I would never true another Remington 700 action, I consider it money down a rat hole, buy a top-of-the-line Custom action if you are shooting competition. True every Win model 70, especially the Pre 64.
There is so much Lying & ignorant BS out there, it is just sickening. For me and mine, when a barrel starts shooting 1/2", it is on its way out or adjustments are to be made. 3/4" is unacceptable, something is amuck!
If a guy had the intention of really wanting to reload and shoot tiny groups, he should invest the money to get set up to reload at the rifle range. Changes in primers, bullet choice, neck tension, powder charge, and seating depth are done on the spot, while the barrel is cooling. After a while, you develop an "instinct" of what is needed. I started reloading at the rifle range in 1984 at Registered Benchrest matches and adapted the same for varmint and big game rifles. Folks at the rifle range, are mentored in reloading skills, it is very, very contagious to say the least. You are teaching HOPE to guys that only have the funds for factory rifles, and they can be tuned to an amazing level of accuracy.
I have Customs, 700s, Savage, A bolts with Brux, Krieger, Hart, Lilja, Shilen, X Caliber, Pac Nor, Schneider, and Pence barrels, hard to tell the difference in accuracy with platforms being the same stock and scope. Ever seen a Ruger Tang safety and Mark II shoot 3/8" groups(and less) constantly with a custom barrel? Not too difficult to accomplish!
I like to test what the "talking heads" are spouting as being the gospel truth because so much of it is their ego, marketing, or just regurgitating popular BS. At one time, all I had was one type of custom action or another, a best friend had to die and leave me his Parker Hale and Ruger Tang safety with custom barrels to bring me back down to the Truth.
The issue of Pride of ownership is much different from a guy who is trying to achieve super accuracy with a limited budget.
The biggest issue chasing accuracy is learning to "Tune" hand loads for that particular barrel's harmonics. The issue of tuning a load is of major importance relating to chasing 3/8" and less accuracy attaining amazing accuracy with factory rifles at 500-600 yards.
Many new guys think that they can just buy accuracy, and many get disappointed, but they do have a rifle/scope to be proud of.
I have quite a few Remingtons. When the new barrel is installed, I go with a custom recoil lug .250 in thickness. If I feel they are acting up a little, I change the firing pin spring. Bed them in a SOLID stock, I prefer laminate, bed action, free float, top-of-the-line trigger, Muzzle break, and Free float magazine box. Having done this, everyone shoots tiny, tiny groups without exception. When hunting season is over, I will have the bolt handle timed. For some of the 700, the Mag well is opened up to accept a much longer Wyatts mag box, and the 7 STWs all get the 4.000" Wyatts mag box. I have thought of upgrading the firing pin to better lock time, but the chances of an improvement in accuracy is little to none.
Concerning the Remington 700s, there was a run of screws that were too long for the Remington front scope base. If the screw touches the threads on the barrel, that barrel will never shoot extremely well. So, when you install a scope base or rail on a Rem 700, tighten down the screw over the barrel tenon, then remove the screw, and look at the bottom of the screw. if you see indentions or the blueing mashed off the center or edge of the screw, then look down in the screw hole at the barrel tenon, you will see the threads flattened if the scope base/rail screw has dug into the barrel threads.
Regarding truing Rem 700s, I have two 40xs that I have had trued by Greg Tannel, they do not shoot any better than the non-trued 700s, same stocks, the same brand of barrels, same reamers used, and another project to compare.
I would never true another Remington 700 action, I consider it money down a rat hole, buy a top-of-the-line Custom action if you are shooting competition. True every Win model 70, especially the Pre 64.
There is so much Lying & ignorant BS out there, it is just sickening. For me and mine, when a barrel starts shooting 1/2", it is on its way out or adjustments are to be made. 3/4" is unacceptable, something is amuck!
If a guy had the intention of really wanting to reload and shoot tiny groups, he should invest the money to get set up to reload at the rifle range. Changes in primers, bullet choice, neck tension, powder charge, and seating depth are done on the spot, while the barrel is cooling. After a while, you develop an "instinct" of what is needed. I started reloading at the rifle range in 1984 at Registered Benchrest matches and adapted the same for varmint and big game rifles. Folks at the rifle range, are mentored in reloading skills, it is very, very contagious to say the least. You are teaching HOPE to guys that only have the funds for factory rifles, and they can be tuned to an amazing level of accuracy.
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Customs are not all $1500. You can get them for $900 and allow you to save money in the long run. But if you just need a cheap factory rifle for 100 yard hunting then get it.
Nobody is winning big BR/Fclass events with Remington's or Savage actions. And it isn't for a lack of trying either. Savage has a sponsored factory team that rarely cracks anything but the bottom. They used to let them shoot aftermarket barrels which they did see some improvement. A factory action may hang in there with a occasional 3-5shot group but it won't out agg a custom in the long run.
I guess well over 200 plus shooters chose to shoot a custom action vs a modded factory job for a reason. This the break down of reported actions used for the 2023 Long Range Fclass Nationals held in Oct/Nov.
I guess well over 200 plus shooters chose to shoot a custom action vs a modded factory job for a reason. This the break down of reported actions used for the 2023 Long Range Fclass Nationals held in Oct/Nov.
NotLongRange
Well-Known Member
Eh…a lot of that is popularity rather than actual performance. If you watch these polls, they change all the time.
Remington 700s used to be the action that won the majority of matches. Take these polls with a grain of salt…
Remington 700s used to be the action that won the majority of matches. Take these polls with a grain of salt…
