Quality aftermarket actions?

11B CIB

11B CIB

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Debating upgrading my Rem 700 action in one of two ways. I’d ultimately like to replace the barrel with a Proof stainless blank at some point in the nearish future and have it chambered/threaded etc. so I could either blueprint and tune the existing action while I’m at it OR replace it entirely.

Send it off to somewhere like LRI for the work? Is there a local SC/NC smith youd trust to chamber a barrel and tune a rifle? Basically I want the bolt to run more smoothly, a firing pin bushing (or something to the effect to keep primer flow to a minimum to stop simulating hot loads when they’re not), and to blueprint it. Something like upgrading the extractor or bolt handle angle would be nice but not necessary and just extra $.

The other option besides custom work to the existing action would be pairing the new barrel with a new action.

I know the big names in R700 SA footprint actions like GA Precision, Impact, Bat, Bighorn, etc, but there are others like the Mack Bros Stainless Evo that has great features but is around half (or less) the cost of some of the others mentioned at $675 when in stock. Are there any other quality brands that aren’t $1500+ ? I don’t know enough about the bolt action world


My start down this path was wanting to tune the action a little, since the bolt seems to “stick” during the pull back/push forward, not during locking/unlocking, and the primer pin channel is oversized. I just go down the rabbit hole from there in that if it’s already torn down for that work, might as well blueprint, and if I’m blueprinting, might as well go with a new barrel.

What do I do with the rifle? Well, I’m debating doing some competition with it (bolt action/Tac division since it’s a .308). I took a deer with it this season. Kind of will use it for whatever comes up so I don’t want a 26” long 30lb bench rig nor do I want a carbon fiber 7lb shoulder dislocator

Or I just leave this one alone and just buy a Bergara B14 HMR or something and get over tuning this Remington

Thanks
 
Jackson, SC

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Have you changed stocks on the rifle? It’s possible the rear action screw is protruding into the receiver and lightly contacting the bolt.
 
Pogue said:
Have you changed stocks on the rifle? It’s possible the rear action screw is protruding into the receiver and lightly contacting the bolt.
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I have changed the stocks. I’ll take a look again…can’t hurt. It feels however like the bolt has enough side to side play that it almost binds in its travel if it’s not PERFECTLY thrown or pulled straight

@ronn47 I actually shot a match at Jarrett a couple years ago. Amazing property. I knew they made rifles but didn’t know about custom work on a supplied rifle

@Hashknife ive actually heard of Arrow but for some reason it slipped my mind. I think I’ve actually met Cecil once at a shoot but may be recalling a conversation about his work. Thanks


I know a local shop, Amicks Guns, in West Columbia says they can do the work but don’t know anyone who’s had a rifle worked by them that has testimony to share
 
11B CIB said:
I have changed the stocks. I’ll take a look again…can’t hurt. It feels however like the bolt has enough side to side play that it almost binds in its travel if it’s not PERFECTLY thrown or pulled straight

@ronn47 I actually shot a match at Jarrett a couple years ago. Amazing property. I knew they made rifles but didn’t know about custom work on a supplied rifle
Click to expand...
Still going to be top of the tree high, he has a rep and charges for it.
 
Buy an Impact precision 737r and be done. It'll set you back about $1300 but its the cream of the crop for 700 footprint actions. It takes pre fit barrels and uses trigger hangers and any stock inlet for a rem 700. Theres a reason it has won the last 6 IIRC PRS championships and is the most used action in the PRS. I absolutely love mine and will most likely have another one bought this year.
 
Well a smith I can highly recommend is Gray Sloan at Swift Creek Rifles up in NC. Great guy and does great work.


That said I get trying to make the 700work but it's not the 90s anymore. I still have one 700 actioned rifle which was my first 700VS I got in 1993. Only keep it for memory's sake. My newer rifles over the past 20 years have been custom actions and the past 3 years Bighorn TL3s for the reasons listed. With that I would highly recommend not dumping more money into a 700 action. My recommendation if trying to keep cost down and get a good action would be the Bighorn Origin. It's $900 and comes with a 20 MOA base and pinned recoil lug. 700 footprint so easy with stocks or chassis and takes 700 triggers. It also has the ability to take shouldered prefit barrels so you can swap them easily at home and no need for a barrel nut. No need to send the action anywhere just order the barrel and with a barrel vise and action wrench you do it at home. You can also easily swap the bolt face so you can have a .308 bolt face cartridge, short magnum and a .223 bolt face cartridge on the same action with just a change of barrel and bolt face. That saves money as you can have a .223, or any caliber, with the same stock, scope etc and not have to build a completely different rifle.

In the long run you will be much happier with the construction and function of the Origin over trying to fix a 700 and it still not being near it. Sell the 700 to fund the Origin. Gray at Swift Creek can do prefits for you too. Or you can buy the Proof prefits at Altus.

www.altusshooting.com

PROOF Research Zermatt Origin Stainless Steel Pre-fit Barrels

Fans of Bighorn Arms actions will be an even bigger fan of the PROOF Research pre-fit stainless steel designed for the Bighorn Arms Origin action.
www.altusshooting.com www.altusshooting.com
 
Rob01 said:
Well a smith I can highly recommend is Gray Sloan at Swift Creek Rifles up in NC. Great guy and does great work.


That said I get trying to make the 700work but it's not the 90s anymore. I still have one 700 actioned rifle which was my first 700VS I got in 1993. Only keep it for memory's sake. My newer rifles over the past 20 years have been custom actions and the past 3 years Bighorn TL3s for the reasons listed. With that I would highly recommend not dumping more money into a 700 action. My recommendation if trying to keep cost down and get a good action would be the Bighorn Origin. It's $900 and comes with a 20 MOA base and pinned recoil lug. 700 footprint so easy with stocks or chassis and takes 700 triggers. It also has the ability to take shouldered prefit barrels so you can swap them easily at home and no need for a barrel nut. No need to send the action anywhere just order the barrel and with a barrel vise and action wrench you do it at home. You can also easily swap the bolt face so you can have a .308 bolt face cartridge, short magnum and a .223 bolt face cartridge on the same action with just a change of barrel and bolt face. That saves money as you can have a .223, or any caliber, with the same stock, scope etc and not have to build a completely different rifle.

In the long run you will be much happier with the construction and function of the Origin over trying to fix a 700 and it still not being near it. Sell the 700 to fund the Origin. Gray at Swift Creek can do prefits for you too. Or you can buy the Proof prefits at Altus.

www.altusshooting.com

PROOF Research Zermatt Origin Stainless Steel Pre-fit Barrels

Fans of Bighorn Arms actions will be an even bigger fan of the PROOF Research pre-fit stainless steel designed for the Bighorn Arms Origin action.
www.altusshooting.com www.altusshooting.com
Click to expand...
The Bighorns are nice actions for sure. If I was to buy something other than an Impact it would be a TL3.
 
11B CIB said:
Debating upgrading my Rem 700 action in one of two ways. I’d ultimately like to replace the barrel with a Proof stainless blank at some point in the nearish future and have it chambered/threaded etc. so I could either blueprint and tune the existing action while I’m at it OR replace it entirely.

Send it off to somewhere like LRI for the work? Is there a local SC/NC smith youd trust to chamber a barrel and tune a rifle? Basically I want the bolt to run more smoothly, a firing pin bushing (or something to the effect to keep primer flow to a minimum to stop simulating hot loads when they’re not), and to blueprint it. Something like upgrading the extractor or bolt handle angle would be nice but not necessary and just extra $.

The other option besides custom work to the existing action would be pairing the new barrel with a new action.

I know the big names in R700 SA footprint actions like GA Precision, Impact, Bat, Bighorn, etc, but there are others like the Mack Bros Stainless Evo that has great features but is around half (or less) the cost of some of the others mentioned at $675 when in stock. Are there any other quality brands that aren’t $1500+ ? I don’t know enough about the bolt action world


My start down this path was wanting to tune the action a little, since the bolt seems to “stick” during the pull back/push forward, not during locking/unlocking, and the primer pin channel is oversized. I just go down the rabbit hole from there in that if it’s already torn down for that work, might as well blueprint, and if I’m blueprinting, might as well go with a new barrel.

What do I do with the rifle? Well, I’m debating doing some competition with it (bolt action/Tac division since it’s a .308). I took a deer with it this season. Kind of will use it for whatever comes up so I don’t want a 26” long 30lb bench rig nor do I want a carbon fiber 7lb shoulder dislocator

Or I just leave this one alone and just buy a Bergara B14 HMR or something and get over tuning this Remington

Thanks
Click to expand...
Pacific Tool and Gauge supposedly bought up all the extra 700 LA, 700 SA, and Model 7 actions Remington had when they collapsed. They are now selling them several ways... Plain and blue printed https://pacifictoolandgauge.com/1679-remington-barreled-actions-actions-receivers

For barrels look into the "Remage" barrels they use a barrel nut like savage but has the rem threads. I just built a 223 bolt and assembly is faster than putting together a stripped AR lower. You need the receiver, recoil lug, barrel, barrel nut, and barrel nut wrench, go/no gauges and a vise.

I had the action but say you buy a blueprinted one above so $700 for action, $450-550 for barrel, $300 for B&C stock (Stockys below and I can't recommend it), $175-200 for a 2 stage trigger, $40 for PTG recoil lug, and $60 for go/no gagues.

20221019_172818.jpg
 
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Zermatt Arms (formly Big Horn). I have one of their Origin actions, highly satified with it! Two big positives for me were the swapable bolt head for caliber changes and it takes Savage small shank barrels. With a few tools and a set of gauges I can do my own gun plumbing in the garage.

www.zermattarms.com

Our Actions - Zermatt Arms Website

All of our actions include Floating, Interchangeable Bolt Head Controlled Round Feed Enclosed Mechanical Ejector Pinned Picatinny Rail Bayonet Style Firing Pin Assembly 2 Lug. 90° Bolt Throw Right or Left Hand Receivers DLC Coated Bolt Heads Black Nitride Finished Bolt Body Compare our...
www.zermattarms.com www.zermattarms.com
 
And OP you would be crazy to spend $740(including a non pinned recoil lug) for a Rem 700 when you can get a custom Bighorn Origin for $160 more and be able to get a pinned recoil lug, the ability to use shouldered prefit barrels and easily changed bolt faces not to mention being made perfect from the start and not having to have someone "true", read fix, the action.
 
JBoyette said:
I am a bit old school; I do one of two things.

1. https://www.douglasbarrels.net/fitting-services
2. https://www.hartbarrels.com/Articles.asp?ID=258

I have never in the last 20 years been disappointed with the above two options.
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I wholeheartedly recommend the above; I've used both repeatedly.
Personally, fwiw, YMMV ( and any other disclaimers) I don't touch any 700 made anymore. No actions, no whole guns, no current parts. Kinda broke my heart, but they left me long before I left them.
 
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Without starting a new thread for the same project, another thing I’m looking at is barrel profile.

The Proof blank I am wanting (brand has served me well and I am wanting to stick with them) has 1.2” and 1.25” shank size options, 1:9 and 1:10, that’s simple enough, but which profile? Definitely going to be somewhere between 20-22” (I don’t want to go too short and lose a lot of velocity even with medium heavy bullets), and I’d like to be able to use the rifle other places besides the range. This is not going to be some 30 pound PRS rifle.

Heaviest to lightest using Proof’s 28” specs: Competition profile, classic M24, heavy palma, all the way down to a medium Sporter.

Leaning towards the M24, and cut to length it’ll be in the 4.5-5lb ballpark. A couple lbs heavier than the fluted one I’ve got but the rifle is currently pretty lightweight in the aluminum chassis and Ti can etc.
 
Shank size is normal and either will work. Don't sweat that. Either twist will work also but if just using mid weight .308 bullets just go 10 twist. The M24 contour is a good one. Heavy enough but not too heavy. You could go down to med palma but if using a can i would go with a 22" M24.
 
Not planning anything over 180gr and that would be a hunting bullet.

Primarily 168gr to 175gr SMKs and maybe a 155gr TMK/ELD
 
My smith is not taking in any work right now but he was high on Curtis actions for PRS. Rolling bearing or something. I fiddled with one in his shop and it was pretty darn neat. THere is a lot that can be done to the venerable 700 action to slick it up. Titanium nitride coating of the bolt is one. Ive never done it but have 2 Kelbly Pandas coming that way. Slickest action I ever handled was a Borden Rimrock. Not sure it its even being made anymore.
 
jimmyjames8 said:
My smith is not taking in any work right now but he was high on Curtis actions for PRS. Rolling bearing or something. I fiddled with one in his shop and it was pretty darn neat. THere is a lot that can be done to the venerable 700 action to slick it up. Titanium nitride coating of the bolt is one. Ive never done it but have 2 Kelbly Pandas coming that way. Slickest action I ever handled was a Borden Rimrock. Not sure it its even being made anymore.
Click to expand...

Lipstick on a pig. ;)
 
Rob01 said:
Lipstick on a pig. ;)
Click to expand...

I know there are great aftermarket options. I’m also a little nostalgic for the 700 aaaaaand if I can help from putting anything else on paper ever again…I’ll try
 
I get it and said similar in my first post but not towards the action itself but that particular rifle. I'd never get another 700 and build off it. If you got it and want to do it then go for it. They slick up with use.
 
Rob01 said:
I get it and said similar in my first post but not towards the action itself but that particular rifle. I'd never get another 700 and build off it. If you got it and want to do it then go for it. They slick up with use.
Click to expand...

It’s got just over 1k through it…probably as Slick as it’s gonna get without help lol
 
Call or email Swift Creek Rifle. He's a customer of mine at times. Great guy.

Defiance although I love them, shot their self in the foot recently.


Impact or Curtis
 
11B CIB said:
It’s got just over 1k through it…probably as Slick as it’s gonna get without help lol
Click to expand...

1000 rounds is barely broken in. Lol my 700 rifle has had 9 .308 barrels on it with an average of about 7500 rounds per barrel. Shoot that next barrel out before you look to try and do anything to it to slick it up.
 
Rob01 said:
1000 rounds is barely broken in. Lol my 700 rifle has had 9 .308 barrels on it with an average of about 7500 rounds per barrel. Shoot that next barrel out before you look to try and do anything to it to slick it up.
Click to expand...

Wow lol figured it would be a little more worn in by now. Definitely don’t have a problem shooting it more, just figured it would’ve plateaued by now in terms of wear from use (not being shot out like a barrel)
 
Then definitely no reason to start with a 700 in 2019 unless you had it and wanted to go that route.
 
Mack bros 700 clone. It has a pinned recoil lug. They use to be around 600 bucks. They are 775 now. Still a great deal. I try and buy one when they come in stock.
 
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