Precision Rifle Actions(bolt gun): Is there any better than the Remington 700 action?

[Gravelbelly]

I'm looking to start building a dream precision rifle. Im researching precision rifles and parts and the concesus is to start with the action. Im looking to see any suggestions you guys might have to look in to. Ultimately, I want to build a sub 1/4 MOA rifle with ability to maintain MOA at 600m . It more than likely wont be used for hunting because i have a used and abused .308 FA91 (my first gun ever) that is pretty accurate (2"-3" groups at 200yd from benchrest) and will handle hunting ranges that can be considered moral.
Im not sure on the caliber yet but im leaning towards 6mm PPC.
Any suggestions, comments, will be helpful. Any actions or precision rifle companys would be very helpful

 

[Robert Wilson]

The 700 takes a lot of work to make it into a top action. Benchrest actions like those from Stolle and Nesika are quite a bit more expensive out of the box, but are pretty much ready to go.

 

[Walkalong]

building a dream precision rifle.

Buy a Stolle, Hall, etc. Buy a Schilen, Hart etc barrel. Have a Benchrest gunsmith put it together. Buy some flags, get ready to eat a lot of humble pie, and go for it.

 

[taliv]

there isn't much WORSE than a 700 if you're talking about dream actions.

My latest build was a Big Horn Arms action, on Zak's recommendation which was most appreciated. Love it so far.

But you really can't go wrong with a Pierce, Surgeon, BAT, Badger, etc in addition to the ones mentioned above. Heck, even an FN or Savage or an old Mauser will work, though they don't show up in peoples' dreams all that often.

My recommendation would be to scan the 6mmBR forums for overviews of most of all those actions and a dozen more to generally educate yourself.

However, instead of starting with the action, I would start with the gunsmith. Find an accomplished benchrest shooter/gunsmith and then ask them what actions they like best and why, then ask what barrels are shooting best lately, etc.

 

[kaferhaus]

Gotten some good advice so far. The money it would cost to bring a M700 up to par with a true "precision" action wouldn't be worth it.... The BR action of your choice would be cheaper from the get go and re-sale value would be MUCH higher should you decide to part with it down the road.

 

[Skylerbone]

Are you dreaming big or dreaming small? In other words, what's your budget? If you're going to commit to an action after your research you may find yourself limited to smiths and vice versa. Those who build precision rifles tend to focus on a short list (sometimes 1) action for all builds. Many also build with all but barrel, trigger and stock added giving you those final choices. Wait times can then be reduced to months rather than years.

 

[BrocLuno]

Who's going to do the machine work to assemble the rifle? If you have a favorite machinist, ask them what they want to work with? Who barrel? How many lug surfaces do you want? How much weight are you willing to put up with?

 

[MCMXI]

there isn't much WORSE than a 700 if you're talking about dream actions.

Define a "dream" action. What qualities should it possess?

 

[unwise11]

yep. But the 700 remington and M-1500 Howa actions make some of the best sniper rifles. so do savage. and, maybe winchester.
But A true benchrest action will be more accurate, often a single shot, and too heavy, also very finnicky.

 

[esheato]

One other thing to consider, when you start talking PPCs and custom actions, most of those guns are built for a specific game...ie the gun that is built for short range benchrest for score is different than the long range benchrest gun for groups.

F-Class is another entirely different rifle if you want to be really good at it.

So, if there is a specific game you're interested in playing, I would look to what they shoot and use.

I just picked up a short range benchrest gun and it's wildly different than anything else I own. It's a Borden Rimrock action with a Bartlein barrel in 6 PPC with custom fiberglass stock.

Also, there are heavily discounted guns on the used market. Barrels are "use and throw away" items. Might be a good way to get a nice action/stock for cheap.

Lastly, hope you got a pile o' cash and an understanding wife. BR and/or precision rifle of that quality takes time, money and effort.

 

[ar24095]

I just ordered my dream rifle a couple of weeks ago and I went with a Bat model HR action with integral 20 moa rail and recoil lug. As stated before go to 6mmbr.com they have a comparison of several different actions to look at.

 

[taliv]

Define a "dream" action. What qualities should it possess?

well, it should be something most people dream about having.

but if you mean more practically, what features, beyond the MUCH better materials and tolerances most BR actions have compared to rem700s, they include such things as:

very small loading/magazine ports to make the action stiffer
integral recoil lug
integral picatinny rails
floating bolt head
stiffer/thicker rear tangs
options for any combination of left/right-hand, left/right-port
gas blocks and features (recall Zak's thread about the AI blowout)
reliability features like AI AW's
adjustable bolt throw

just off the top of my head

 

[coug]

sounds fun these guys are corect the 700s realy aren't a BR action but the part of being abli to buy a dream action for less than the cost of totaly tricking out a 700 just ain't so. a sergon or bat action will run in the thousands. but if a savage action is a dream action to you you canget one in the $1000 dollar range just a bit under. I think those are single shot only from savage. corect me if im wrong. I looked at one about 2 years ago. but I just as they warned didn't like all that weight. but I do like a heavy rifle. I just don't want to use a wheel barrel to get it to the bench. I hope you get what you want.

 

[Kachok]

I know it does not sound really dreamy, but the savage compatition actions are supposed to be REALLY GOOD, Team Savage kinna cleaned up this year in 600 and 1000 yard events from what I understand. I know their "cheap guns" are awsome I have bought three of them now, and the 12 FV has been called the most accurate production rifle ever they supposedly shoot .25 in groups right out of the box. Rem 700s have been hit or miss for me. I know the m24 sniper rifle uses a blueprinted 700 action, but I don't think the M24 holds up to the target rifles that we have now.

 

[jpwilly]

but if a savage action is a dream action to you you canget one in the $1000 dollar range just a bit under.

Savage Target actions $500 LINK to Bruno Shooter Supply

...a Savage 12 LRPV 6MM Norma Bench Rest can be had for just north of $1000

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Ahhh The age old question of a dream BR weapon. Well, as others have said, about the worst way to go would be the Rem 700 action. Me personally, I absolutely love the single shot actions. I don't compete and don't know all the rules and stuff but as far as shooting, I have a few purpose built BR weapons that I used to shoot regularly at 1000 yards for giggles. All Hart Barrels built on Single shot frames. To me, Less to worry about such as lugs, bolts and bolt faces, and all that good stuff. All you have to worry about then is your stock, barrel, and trigger group. If a bolt action receiver is needed, it is pretty hard to go wrong with a Big Hall, Stoll, Peirce, Mauser, or even the Savage purpose built target action. I have a 220swift Built on an old K98 Mauser action with a hart barrel that I would be more than happy to compete with out to 600 yards. As far as the "sniper" weapons mentioned, The M24 is about as far from "stock" as you can get. They are completely redone at the armory by some of the best gunsmiths on the planet and they still wouldn't hold a candle to many of the BR's out there. They are great for what they are built for which is killing a man at long range, but I wouldn't want to bet on one in a 1000 yard match against say a Stoll with a Shilen barrel sitting on a hand made Mcgee stock (Little known stock maker but damn nice stocks)

 

[taliv]

my new best friend has an eliseo stock, pierce action and broughton barrel that's supposed to be assembled/delivered by mid-december in 6.5 CM. I can't wait to see him shoot it.

that combo isn't the prettiest thing on the planet, but man, i bet it shoots

 

[browningguy]

I would go with a Savage Target action long before a Remington if you are going with a stock type action. And as mentioned any of the custom (but much more expensive) actions will also be better.

 

[Snubshooter]

You might try a Sako TRG in either .308 or .338 Lapua. I love my TRG in .308. Don't forget GOOD optics and lots of practice and to buy your wife something nice for putting up with all the expense.

 

[MCMXI]

Ahhh The age old question of a dream BR weapon.

Wait, are we talking benchrest here or a "practical" precision rifle. If we're talking about an all-purpose (jack of all trades) rifle, I think that a Remington 700 action makes for the basis of a good build particularly if you have a 700 that you're not happy with or not using i.e. donor action. I chose a Badger Ordnance M2008 action for my latest build because I wanted a 60˚ throw bolt handle and "integral" picatinny rail.

 

[kaferhaus]

Plenty of "practical" custom actions out there including "repeater" types. By the time you get the remington up to par with one of the customs you've got as much or more money tied up in it and crap for a resale value

 

[MCMXI]

Plenty of "practical" custom actions out there including "repeater" types. By the time you get the remington up to par with one of the customs you've got as much or more money tied up in it and crap for a resale value

If I ever sell any of my "custom" Remington rifles, I'll include a box of 100 of my reloads (with the recipe) and some of my targets shot in matches along with some shot during load development ... I think I'd do ok. However, since I have no plans to sell any of them, I'll never know and don't really care either way.

 

[hardluk1]

Check out accuratearms.com for info in general for actions and benchrest info and look to Krieger for barrels

 

[Hangingrock]

Custom built rifle with optics $5100.00/$5600.00 plus tax and destination charges. Good Luck!

 

[eastbank]

i know where there is a stock out of the box pos rem 700vls in 308 with a 6.5x20 target leupold scope that will do moa or better with 44grs varget and 175gr smk,s at 600yds. and not just once as in fluke. quart oil cans are not missed very often at 600yds.. eastbank.