Remington 700 build-am I wasting my time?

[302w 83]

I have a very nice 223 "precision rifle" and I have been wanting something similar in 30 caliber for awhile now.

 

I have a old 30-06 700 that I am considering messing around with. It has the stock 1978 thin barrel with iron sights and currently wears a Leupold Vari-x 2 and the original sporter stock. It looks like an old deer rifle and I have never used it.

 

I would like to buy a new stock along with a bipod and throw one of my better Leupolds on it and call it a day. Is that a waste of my time? I enjoy a bit of bench shooting, I just don't know a ton about what to build/buy. I realize this sounds a bit redneck compared to aftermarket triggers and home gunsmithed bull barrels.

 

Also, is the recall trigger an upgrade on this rifle?

 

Sorry for the newbie questions. Thanks!

[Wojo 98]

If you enjoy doing the work and spending the money, then it is not a waste. You know the drill, write out your wish list and put some real numbers to it and see where you land. Are you going to have a Franken-rifle for a lot of money? Or pick up a factory fresh tack driver for about the same coin? there are some nice deals now that prices have come down on some used toys.

[Shane45 807]

Will you be re-barreling it?

[Old School 611]

Adam - What's your budget?

 

I've been very successful with a Savage 12 and including glass I'm way under 2 grand.

[302w 83]

Adam?

 

I'm not looking to rebarrel it for the time being. How much of a hindrance is the stock barrel? I imagine that it is probably not any cheaper than purchasing a complete rifle.

[Old School 611]

Adam?

 

I'm not looking to rebarrel it for the time being. How much of a hindrance is the stock barrel? I imagine that it is probably not any cheaper than purchasing a complete rifle.

 

Ya know what would be a cool project?

 

Building an M24 clone.

 

But costly!

[T1Defense 17]

How does it shoot now?

[Shane45 807]

If precision is your goal, I have significant doubts about the stock thin barrel. Especially once it heats up.

[Iggyort 44]

If money is not an issue and you want accuracy

 

Get a Heavy Barrel

True the action

New Trigger

New HS V Block Stock or similar

[kman 56]

I say stick to your plan - new stock, bipod, better glass.  Then see how it shoots and how you like it.  Why start spending big bucks on barrels if you are satisfied with the accuracy as it is?

 

Then look for a nice sling for it.

 

Get rings that hold your preferred scope as low as possible. 

 

Relieve the stock and make sure the barrel free floats....

 

If the barrel is too thin, you could always try having it cut down to 18 inches or so, so it has less opportunity to whip around under recoil and a handier package.

 

Shoot the damn thing too....

[kman 56]

And also make sure you got the new trigger so the thing doesn't go off at the wrong time!  From what I hear if you can afford it, it's easier to just buy a new aftermarket trigger than it is to send it back to Remington and wait to have them fix it, but it depends on whether your time or your money is more valuable to you.

[T1Defense 17]

If the bore and chamber are good and not shot out, a few things you can do which aren't costly. Bed action and stock, new trigger, recrown muzzle. Theirs absolutely nothing wrong with an old wood stock as long as it's bedded properly. You may also want to look into handloading ammo. If you'd like to talk about it more you can call me at the shop.

[302w 83]

1. I have not shot it yet. I would need to swap out scopes first which is no biggie. It currently wears a 4x Leupold and I have a different one I would like to use. I also don't have any .30-06 other than some 1957 Match stuff that is in original boxes.

 

2. I don't hate the stock as it is, but I prefer a more "target" style. I was actually looking at the Hogue overmold for cheapness and ease of synthetic, but I am leaning more towards a laminate stock because of the weight and balance. A polymer stock with a bipod would create a very light rifle because of the barrel profile, but I think it would be front heavy. I like a balanced rifle and I would consider adding weight to the buttstock to balance it if it is bad. 

 

3. This is my current "precision rifle". It isn't the best shooting gun in the world by far, but I LOVE mine. The stock is perfectly shaped for me, and it is heavy but very balanced. This is not my pic, mine is a .223 with a massive Leupold and a Harris bipod. Ruger M77 MK2 Target.

 

[Shane45 807]

Another consideration, you may be able to sell off the 30-06 to a hunter and then chase down something like a lightly used Remington LTR. Its a rifle I have found to consistently shoot well out of the box, sky is the limit for accessories, customizable to no end, and in 308 which you will find obtaining factory match ammo for easier.

[302w 83]

Another consideration, you may be able to sell off the 30-06 to a hunter and then chase down something like a lightly used Remington LTR. Its a rifle I have found to consistently shoot well out of the box, sky is the limit for accessories, customizable to no end, and in 308 which you will find obtaining factory match ammo for easier.

 

I reload so match ammo isn't a huge concern, although I do have a ton of USGI 7.62 and accompanying brass.

 

I actually tried selling my three 700's on here awhile back and got no bites. I almost traded the .30-06 +cash for a Garand but it wasn't a good deal for me. I have another in .22-250 and I want to say 7x57. I think it is 7mm but I don't remember what 7mm.

[T1Defense 17]

Hey 302, so have you come to a conclusion as to what you mind end up doing to your 700???

[302w 83]

I'm crazy busy now, so I'm likely going to ship my 700s to Remington for the trigger upgrade. It's easy now because I don't have time to tinker around.

 

I will be keeping the barrel for now.

 

I'm looking into a cheap stock. I'm leaning towards a Boyds stock because it's cheap and I can mod it as I see fit. I am big on balance and feel. I have never bedded a stock but I'm pretty good at furniture making so I should be okay. I will also get another bipod since I like mine.

 

I need to take a good look at my glass and get info on it too.