Trued actions vs fancy actions

[Alex Wheeler]

I used to build my personal rifles on 700s. I would true them, lugs, threads, action face, bolt lugs and bolt face. Then I would bush the firing pin hole and turn down the pin. I would also re cut the cocking cam and time them for no cock on close. Correct the primary extraction, locate and increase the scope base screws to 8-40 as well as double pin the rail. I also used a double pinned recoil lug. Some times I would also sleeve the bolt body. They were as smooth as I could make any action including a custom. They also shot as well. But I had to give them away when I would sell them. No one wants to pay for that labor. So just know you can do it, but the value of a 700 can not be increased over stock form. So these days I only use "fancy" stuff.

 

[FEENIX]

I used to build my personal rifles on 700s. I would true them, lugs, threads, action face, bolt lugs and bolt face. Then I would bush the firing pin hole and turn down the pin. I would also re cut the cocking cam and time them for no cock on close. Correct the primary extraction, locate and increase the scope base screws to 8-40 as well as double pin the rail. I also used a double pinned recoil lug. Some times I would also sleeve the bolt body. They were as smooth as I could make any action including a custom. They also shot as well. But I had to give them away when I would sell them. No one wants to pay for that labor. So just know you can do it, but the value of a 700 can not be increased over stock form. So these days I only use "fancy" stuff.

^^^This!^^^

 

[J E Custom]

I still true "ALL" actions If I build a custom rifle, the reason is simple. They all need something and it eliminates any doubt when load testing if everything is as good as it can be. Some don't feel it is necessary and others feel it is a must if you want extreme accuracy.

Labor is a big cost in any service you have done and what you are paying for is the tools used, the skill and knowledge, not how long it takes. the labor is the cheapest part of the equaision. Setting up the action for the different processes, takes the most time depending on the amount of work it needs.

There is however a limit to what you should be charged to true an action and this should be discussed before the work begins. there is no way you can tell how detailed (How much) will have to be done to the action and some figure the worst case scenario and come out on top because the action didn't need many of the processes that others do/did.

I consider $400.00 to be to much and after checking everything, normally some things are correct and $400.00 dollars would be an over charge. I think that $250.00 is a fair price for all actions and some of them don't require very much machining and normally cut the owner a brake and charge $200.00 for these actions because of time spent checking/testing tolerances and labor.

When done correctly and fairly, blueprinting an action is rewarded by customer
satisfaction and accuracy, plus a well done action can reduce the load testing and normally pays for itself in time and loading components.

Each Smith has his reason for the price he charges and the owner of the build has to agree or go somewhere else. I have also taken down actions that the owner said had been blueprinted that had not been touched but were charged for. and before proceeding on any work I had to show the owner all the things that were not done. So sometimes you may not get what you pay for. at any price.

Get to know your smith and then you can decide what price to pay, but have it done if you want the ultimate accuracy that can be achieved.

J E CUSTOM

 

[L.Sherm]

I've been a 700 fan forever and got a safe full of them, Alex and J.E. have good points some " Fancy" action need more than others.
As far as the 700 is you can pour perfume on a pig and its still a pig especially when or if you go to sell it.
With Defiance Tenacity and Bat coming out with there lower priced action its a no- brainer to me if you want the timing and other things customs have to offer.

 

[25WSM]

You can still make bacon from a pig with perfume. Who doesn't like bacon. I've been building on 700s for a long time and the newest crop of actions have been very straight. The worse one from the last 6 was only out .002 with most being around .001 which is plenty straight. I measure every action I do including all the customs and they are usually around .001 also. If accuracy is all your worried about the 700 is proven and makes a great hunting rifle. Just throw a prefit on an out of the box 700 and the vast majority of them will do under 1/2 moa. For compatition I would go custom.
Shep

 

[Jeffrey Van Zandt]

Hi. I'm trying to get my 375 rum done but I'm a bit short dollar wise for an action. What are people's opinions of a re wrorked factory Remington action? will they produce the same accuracy as a custom action providing the gunsmith does it the correct way?

cheers
Lucas

if a smith trues it ect along with chambering brake ect it will cost almost as much as a after maket one and every time you need to change the barrel it will take a trip back to the smith just get a bighorn action and get a shoulder fit or savage nut system barrel buy a part when you can till you have them all then put it togeather your self and you will be able to add barrel cals when you want and change them yourself in around 20 mins

 

[BigDon]

I just went through this decision process to start a 6.5 Sherman build. By my math, if you want a claw extractor and side bolt release, fluted bolt, plus the blueprinted action, its Much less expensive to buy a custom action over reworking a 700. If all you want is 'straight' then go Remmy. But after you add in any resale consideration - you're still under water.

 

[parshal]

I'd get a Kelbly atlas tactical and call it a day. I bet you're within $150 of having a factory action trued.

I have three of these and they are the best $1000 action out there. Side bolt release, fluted bolt, trigger hanger, mechanical ejector and fully nitrided.

 

[30BR]

Hi. I'm trying to get my 375 rum done but I'm a bit short dollar wise for an action. What are people's opinions of a re wrorked factory Remington action? will they produce the same accuracy as a custom action providing the gunsmith does it the correct way?
cheers
Lucas

Compare costs locally vs a Barnard... They are great actions. I use a Type S on one of my 6.5-284's and it is very good. And don't forget that most Barnards INCLUDE a trigger!

 

[JimFromTN]

Pacific took and gauge sells blue printed 700 actions. Are these truly blue printed?

 

[ofbandg]

I have a factory Rem 700 stainless in 375 H&H that in spite of the lousy trigger and flimsy stock shoots less than MOA and one of my hunting partners has the same rifle in 375 RUM only in a laminated stock and it shoots even better. I guess it comes down to what you intend to use them for.

 

[Randel]

Take a look at BORDON TIMBERLINE MAGNUM ACTION, MR JIM BORDON EASY To work with been around for long time he is a competitive shooter him self.

 

[TXTrained]

A 700 action can be very accurate, but can need several fixes.

You'll need it blueprinted and possibly the firing pin hole bushed to prevent cratering. Also you may need the bolt handle repositioned to insure primary extraction.

I've had to do some or all on 700 actions in the past, so I would not use another.

I've been hunting for 55 years with a Remington 700 ADL 270 Win.and a Remington 700 7mm Rem. Magnum. And only missed one deer.
However the 7mm Mag did have the Faulty Trigger which I had replaced. I've never had an issue with the handle position or ejection problems.
Now that I'm into Long Range & Extreme Long Range shooting I have handle and Ejection Preferences on my custom made rifles.
The Remington 700 is the most cloned IE variences actions of today.

 

[RAGGED EDGE]

Gunwerks GRB and a T-T Primary. Right around a grand here. Or maybe Mr. Foster could help you out.