Does anyone have experience with this rifle from Remington? Pros and Cons please.

I have one.

Pros:

- Light
- Very accurate (with factory ammo, 5 shots in less than a 1" group)
- Stainless
- Synthetic stock

Cons:

- Push feed

Maybe it is just me but the light weight did not make the recoil bad at all. I thought it was very pleasant to shoot.

Mike

Had a Stainless Rem 700 BDL. Very accurate, portable, and shootable. It now resides in Ak cause I couldn't give up my Model 70. But for non dangerous game, it was the better rifle.

After owning both a CZ and a Whitworth in that caliber.

I will state that if I ever buy another 375 H&H it would be a Rem 700 and most likely an XCR to boot.

I own a CZ in 416 Rigby, so I've got the DG rifle covered and any 375 H&H would have to be a general hunting rifle. All the Remington advantages outweight the PF issue.

quote:

Pros:
- Light
- Very accurate (with factory ammo, 5 shots in less than a 1" group)
- Stainless
- Synthetic stock

Cons:
- Push feed

Which BTW after shooting probably over 10,000 rounds through various 700 actions, I have never ever had a problem with the PF action.

Thanks guys, I have always shot Remingons and have never had a failure of any kind. I have read all the pissing matches about the PF but that doesn't go far with me since I have never experienced a problem. I think it is an overblown issue. My intent is to use it for buffalo. The only other choice in the xcr is a 375 RUM but I think the H&H is enough.

I have the xcr in the Rum and it is too light for that caliber. I switched and added the laminated stock and a limbsacer pad. The extra bit of wight was enough to make the difference.
Frank

Frank,
I thought it may be too light for the 375 RUM also but needed your experienced comment.

I have a Rem700 BDL in .375H&H, blued barrel, wood stock. It was Rem's "classic" model for 1996. It's light, accurate, reliable and was relatively inexpensive. My wife shot a cape buffalo with it a few years ago in Zim. We wouldn't hesitate to bring it on another DG hunt. I don't know what the big issue is with push feed anyway. I've owned a dozen Rem700's and have never experienced any failure to feed problems. Maybe I'm just lucky?

Push feed smush feed.
My Sako 375 with a push feed bolt behaves perfectly.
If Remingtons are what you like, buy one, and see how performs.

If I only had one rifle to keep,it would be this one. It has everything I demand in a rifle plus more. This should make you a good choice.

Thanks guys for the comments. If Push Feed is the only con then it looks as though I am making the right choice since I am a Remington fan anyway.

Make sure to change the extractor to a Sako style one, make sure to change the trigger to eliminate the famous Remington accidental discharge problem, make sure to weld the bolt handle on because often the solder does not hold, and make sure to modify the safety so that it locks the bolt down otherwise the bolt can get knocked up or open accidentally.

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
Make sure to change the extractor to a Sako style one, make sure to change the trigger to eliminate the famous Remington accidental discharge problem, make sure to weld the bolt handle on because often the solder does not hold, and make sure to modify the safety so that it locks the bolt down otherwise the bolt can get knocked up or open accidentally.

blah blah blah blah

quote:

Originally posted by schmaus:

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
Make sure to change the extractor to a Sako style one, make sure to change the trigger to eliminate the famous Remington accidental discharge problem, make sure to weld the bolt handle on because often the solder does not hold, and make sure to modify the safety so that it locks the bolt down otherwise the bolt can get knocked up or open accidentally.

blah blah blah blah

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
Make sure to change the extractor to a Sako style one, make sure to change the trigger to eliminate the famous Remington accidental discharge problem, make sure to weld the bolt handle on because often the solder does not hold, and make sure to modify the safety so that it locks the bolt down otherwise the bolt can get knocked up or open accidentally.

I talked to my gunsmith about your recomendations and he feels that it would be a worthless expense with no substantial data to warrant the changes. He has over 30 yrs experience and I have shot Remingtons for over 40 perfect yrs and I agree with my trusted friend. I assume you are just a Remington basher to justify what you shoot.

Dwight,

500grains is, in general, a factory made gun basher! I cannot recall too many kind words from him for any factory made, aka none custom built, rifle. Heck he slams many of the so-called custom guns too!

He may be of some value at the next hot air balloon race.

I bought the Remington 700 XCR in 30-06 and liked it so well I recently purchased another
in 375 RUM. Nice rifle, waiting on my Zeiss scope to sight it in with Nosler Custom ammo based on their 260 grain AccuBond at 2970FPS.

Schmaus and Dwight,

500gr does not need my aid, but I am curious as to how many trips either of you have made to Africa, and how many of the Big Three, Elephant, Rhino, and Cape Buffalo; you have between you. I believe 500grains harvested list is about a 3-page printout. NOT trying to get cross with either of you, but this man does know whereof he speaks.
As far as PF versus controlled feed; it would be my luck to take a Remington 700 on a DG hunt and be the first fatality (being stomped or gored, or even clawed and bitten to death is not my idea of THE way to go) due to that stinking extractor breaking. I have had that experience twice on Remingtons, a 40X and a 700. The first time it just pissed me off. The second time I was just ahead of the pack at the Oregon State Hunter Class Benchrest Championships and it took me from a win to about seventeenth place with one failure to fire. Last I heard, there were no "mulligans" when dangerous game hunting. As a friend says, "...you screw up, they scoop you up...and an empty Chivas bag will hold what is left of you". I just have to err on the side of caution here, since it is my life at risk.

regards,

Rich

Oh yes, the crushing blow in the discussion; anytime ScottS agrees with you...you are doomed!

Rich

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
Schmaus and Dwight,

500gr does not need my aid, but I am curious as to how many trips either of you have made to Africa, and how many of the Big Three, Elephant, Rhino, and Cape Buffalo; you have between you. I believe 500grains harvested list is about a 3-page printout. NOT trying to get cross with either of you, but this man does know whereof he speaks.
As far as PF versus controlled feed; it would be my luck to take a Remington 700 on a DG hunt and be the first fatality (being stomped or gored, or even clawed and bitten to death is not my idea of THE way to go) due to that stinking extractor breaking. I have had that experience twice on Remingtons, a 40X and a 700. The first time it just pissed me off. The second time I was just ahead of the pack at the Oregon State Hunter Class Benchrest Championships and it took me from a win to about seventeenth place with one failure to fire. Last I heard, there were no "mulligans" when dangerous game hunting. As a friend says, "...you screw up, they scoop you up...and an empty Chivas bag will hold what is left of you". I just have to err on the side of caution here, since it is my life at risk.

regards,

Rich

Not trying to start anything here but he didn't say anything in his first post about using it for dangerous game, he was just looking for some feedback on the XCR. I owned an XCR for about 1 hour then promptly traded it to a friend for his M70 375 H&H classic, but that was the only reason I bought the XCR anyways. We weighed it at my friends store and it came in under 7 lbs, he and I both agreed that it would probably kick like a mule. Other than the weight issue I would assume it would be a shooter like most Remingtons.

Recoil is not bad at all.

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
Schmaus and Dwight,

500gr does not need my aid, but I am curious as to how many trips either of you have made to Africa, and how many of the Big Three, Elephant, Rhino, and Cape Buffalo; you have between you. I believe 500grains harvested list is about a 3-page printout. NOT trying to get cross with either of you, but this man does know whereof he speaks.
As far as PF versus controlled feed; it would be my luck to take a Remington 700 on a DG hunt and be the first fatality (being stomped or gored, or even clawed and bitten to death is not my idea of THE way to go) due to that stinking extractor breaking. I have had that experience twice on Remingtons, a 40X and a 700. The first time it just pissed me off. The second time I was just ahead of the pack at the Oregon State Hunter Class Benchrest Championships and it took me from a win to about seventeenth place with one failure to fire. Last I heard, there were no "mulligans" when dangerous game hunting. As a friend says, "...you screw up, they scoop you up...and an empty Chivas bag will hold what is left of you". I just have to err on the side of caution here, since it is my life at risk.

regards,

Rich

Looks as though you like to toot your horn and pump you ego like 500 grain and bash Remingtons. Where in the start of the discussion did I mention Africa and DG?
As I stated above my trusted friend and gunsmith for many years knows of no data to back your claims.
Since your started the DG stuff, how many injuries have been the result of Remington failures on DG hunts? If you can't produce factual data, then please stop tooting your horn based on personal pet peeves.

Dwight,
again, not to get cross with anyone here; but what the pee-diddly else would you do with a 375? It ain't a freakin' target rifle, last I heard. If you ever take any rifle on a guided hunt and it malfunctions due to any design flaw, they don't give mulligans there either. You are out thousands of dollars and a couple of weeks out of your life to go birdwatching. In two years or so it will be a moot point, Remington will have dropped production of rifles in this country and we'll all be waxing poetic over the new 798's. The key point on a DG rifle is what do the pros, who have to deal with messed up shots by clients on things that hunt back buy...not Remingtons or any other PF rifles.
Doubles are the first choice, followed by CF Mauser-style boltguns.
Back to my original query: how many times have you hunted dangerous game, Africa or Canada/Alaska? 500gr bases his opinion on experience. Most gunsmiths who build big bore rifles won't talk to you about using a PF action. Me, I've never killed anything bigger than the two buffalo I got in 2004 and 2005, and a couple of black bear. I would guess you could put twenty-four Elk on the list as well, but they aren't usually dangerous.

regards,

Rich

Dwight,
forgot something: ask your knowledgeable gunsmith friend if he knows how many millions of dollars Remington paid out to settle the trigger issue lawsuits.

Rich

Don't worry about the guy posting above me. Most folks round here refer to him as the "idahoshitshooter" because the only thing he's good at is stirring shit and kissing ass. Which is exactly what's going on here. Just ignore him he's worthless.

I have about six 700's in a few configurations. I like them a lot, but honestly, 500 is right, they do have problems with the soldered (yes it IS soldered on) on bolt handles. I've seen it myself more than once. But it is an easy fix and your friend has done it before I'm sure. Installing a different trigger, such as a Timney, isn't a bad call at all. Not necessarily for safety, but because remington's stock triggers leave much to be desired at times. Other than that you should be just fine. At least Remington is still in business, which is more than can be said for Winchester and it's controlled feed mod 70.

Idaho Sharpshooter, I just purchased the XCR in
375 RUM and I have no intentions of ever going to Africa.

It would be interesting to take a poll on what percentage of those who buy big bores ever intend to go there. I think you would be surprised most don`t.

I will tell you how silly these claims are by Idaho Sharpshooter and 500 Grains. Roughly 50K Americans die every year and vehicle accidents and I bet both of them still drive motorized vehicles.
You run into guys all the time that like to toot their horn about the stuff they have is better than everybody elses and conjur all kind of reasons to justify their purchases. I know all firearms have problems since less than perfect people build them all.
Guys going around boosting their egos by annoying others are quite annoying and child like. I own Rems and Winchesters and prefer Rems but I don't go around trashing Winchesters.
I guess some people are born with a jerk gene or they got the little man complex or something.

Not to weigh in and risk getting splattered with the "stuff" that is flying around but a couple of points occurred to me:

- On my first trip to Africa I used a .375 on every animal and they were all plainsgame, so the notion that a .375 is just a DG caliber is simply wrong.
- Not many folks posting on this site will be hunting in Africa without a PH. So while no one would want there to be a PF failure, it is not like that is the only weapon that will be pointed at the animal. And by the way, I would want the PH carrying a CRF or double rifle.
- While I used a CRF rifle on my recent buffalo hunt and would probably use one again on any future DG hunt, I certainly would not hestitate to use a PF rifle on a dangerous game hunt, given the extremely low likelihood of a failure and the fact that there is a backup.

If PF rifles were that inferior to any other weapon I cannot help but believe that the outfitters and PHs would insist that hunters bring either a double or a CRF rifle. I know on my hunt they were just interested in the caliber, not the mechanism. I was never asked what type of rifle I was planning to use, just the caliber.

I hunt with both, PFs and CRFs but my preference for DG is a CRF rifle based on what the overwhelming majority of Professional Hunters and Guides use in the field. I prefer Weatherbys as my PFs, and while a Remington would not keep me from hunting, I've owned just one and wouldn't own another one on a dare. Here's why:

1. Do a "google search" for Remington Safeties and law suits. The mere fact that the safety does not lock the bolt in place I find unacceptable.

2. Do a search here and on other forums for Remington extractor issues. They are flimsy and prone to breakage/failure in dusty, dirty environments.

3. Same search for the two piece bolt handle coming off. That one I've seen at the range and on more than one occassion.

4. I've never hunted Alaska but I have Africa and the bush is no place to have issues with your rifle. It ain't your average deer hunt.
Ever try to take apart a Remington bolt for cleaning? good luck.

5. Aesthetics. I simply dislike the throat-lozenge looking bolt knob and the 65 Mustang-Hurst shifter look-alike safety lever.

Having said all of that, if you like it, go for it. One more thing, Remington does not have the accuracy niche all sewed up. Sure they are the action of choice for the Bench Rest crowd, but accurary alone does not a good hunting rifle make ans shooting the ass of a fly at 100 meters is not the same as a buffalo at ten paces. Remingtons are good hunting rifles, just not for me. jorge

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:
I hunt with both, PFs and CRFs but my preference for DG is a CRF rifle based on what the overwhelming majority of Professional Hunters and Guides use in the field. I prefer Weatherbys as my PFs, and while a Remington would not keep me from hunting, I've owned just one and wouldn't own another one on a dare. Here's why:

1. Do a "google search" for Remington Safeties and law suits. The mere fact that the safety does not lock the bolt in place I find unacceptable.

2. Do a search here and on other forums for Remington extractor issues. They are flimsy and prone to breakage/failure in dusty, dirty environments.

3. Same search for the two piece bolt handle coming off. That one I've seen at the range and on more than one occassion.

4. I've never hunted Alaska but I have Africa and the bush is no place to have issues with your rifle. It ain't your average deer hunt.
Ever try to take apart a Remington bolt for cleaning? good luck.

5. Aesthetics. I simply dislike the throat-lozenge looking bolt knob and the 65 Mustang-Hurst shifter look-alike safety lever.

Having said all of that, if you like it, go for it. One more thing, Remington does not have the accuracy niche all sewed up. Sure they are the action of choice for the Bench Rest crowd, but accurary alone does not a good hunting rifle make ans shooting the ass of a fly at 100 meters is not the same as a buffalo at ten paces. Remingtons are good hunting rifles, just not for me. jorge

Well said

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
...not to get cross with anyone here; but what the pee-diddly else would you do with a 375?

Ummm, blow stuff up?



George

jore, I have been hunting with Remingtons for over 40 years and have had none of the problems your talking about.

Maybe some training in how to properly work a bolt or load a magazine is in order for the folks who are having problems. I find people tend to blame equipment all the time for not completeing their mission.

Maybe some people just don't like certain rifles and they have their reasons, whats wrong with that?? My wife hunted with a Remington 700 in 243 this past fall for sheep. While walking the various drainages looking for rams she had the bolt open on her 5-6 times. We weren't impressed and ended up carrying the rifle inside her pack which was a pain so it does happen, i've seen it. That rifle was a real shooter but the bolt opening like that scared me. I'm not bashing Remingtons but like jorge, they are just not for me or my wife. The 375 H&H is NOT just for DG, it does a helluva job on moose. Didn't mean to get this thread sidetracked, my apologies.

Hokkaido,
welcome back to the forum, have missed your scintillating wit and command of the english language. I was afraid they had banned you permanently over the vulgarity and little tactic of using your internet skills to PM me that you had my home address, phone numbers, personal data, etc.

Despite all of your attempts to kill the messenger (s) the message is still there. Not one post has suggested that the PF is superior or even comparable. Remington was in dire straits after the war (II), and desperately needed a cheap(er) action; one that did not require much hand fitting or machining. Mike Walker Sr, saved the company with two innovations. First he developed the button rifling system, that allowed increased production of barrels during the war, and proved to be a way for a worker to make four or five times the number of good barrels in a workday. As soon as the war was over, he turned his attention to a replacement for the bulky M30 and its final variant, the model 720. IMSC that was Remington's last CRF rifle. The 700-series (minus the 720) was a proof-of-concept that the button rifling system, which was a form of broaching; could be applied to an action.
They take a piece of steel tubing and push/broach the railways in and cut the locking lug recess. Voila, finished (pretty much) action. He also developed the washer-style front lug to allow barrels to be chambered enmasse and use the lug to set headspace (IIRC). Aside from the P17 and M30's and an M34, I do not own any Remingtons at this time. Primarily because I am not target shooting with smokeless powder. IMHO, if the 700-series and the Mauser-style CFR were vehicles you would be comparing the Dodge Diesel 4WD pickup (CFR) to an AWD ford minivan (PF). Both will take you to the store and to work just fine. As long as you do not shop or work in the mountains of Idaho...about twenty miles from the nearest paved road.

Remington 700's are very nice rifles. You just asked for opinions, hopefully based on experience, about the pros and cons of the action, and got a response you did not like. That is what this forum is founded on, the chance to ask for and receive information, without getting insulted gratuitously.

Not cross, just perplexed...

Rich

quote:

Originally posted by dad11345:
It would be interesting to take a poll on what percentage of those who buy big bores ever intend to go there. I think you would be surprised most don`t.

Good idea!

George

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:
I hunt with both, PFs and CRFs but my preference for DG is a CRF rifle based on what the overwhelming majority of Professional Hunters and Guides use in the field. I prefer Weatherbys as my PFs, and while a Remington would not keep me from hunting, I've owned just one and wouldn't own another one on a dare. Here's why:

1. Do a "google search" for Remington Safeties and law suits. The mere fact that the safety does not lock the bolt in place I find unacceptable.

2. Do a search here and on other forums for Remington extractor issues. They are flimsy and prone to breakage/failure in dusty, dirty environments.

3. Same search for the two piece bolt handle coming off. That one I've seen at the range and on more than one occassion.

4. I've never hunted Alaska but I have Africa and the bush is no place to have issues with your rifle. It ain't your average deer hunt.
Ever try to take apart a Remington bolt for cleaning? good luck.

5. Aesthetics. I simply dislike the throat-lozenge looking bolt knob and the 65 Mustang-Hurst shifter look-alike safety lever.

Having said all of that, if you like it, go for it. One more thing, Remington does not have the accuracy niche all sewed up. Sure they are the action of choice for the Bench Rest crowd, but accurary alone does not a good hunting rifle make ans shooting the ass of a fly at 100 meters is not the same as a buffalo at ten paces. Remingtons are good hunting rifles, just not for me. jorge

Well Said

Well, I hate to interrupt a good pissin' match but I too looked at one of those XCRs in .375. I figured it might make a good knock around gun. Not too expensive, light to carry, and it ought to be fairly weather proof. If it buggered up, it wouldn't be any great loss.

I probably would have bought it, but there was no way I could get my head to where I could see down the iron sights! Good looking gun, but the damnedest shaped stock I ever saw.

I only have one other Remington among a whole herd of 40-odd Mausers (a little Model 7 in .308), and I have to admit it never gave me any trouble.

The stock they put on the police models have a nice feel to them and if I go ahead with the purchase I will probably change the stock.
I just put one on my short action Varmint 700 to replace the old monte carlo. It balances really well and I like the swollen grip feature. My personal version of the Model seven is a 20" varmint barrel.