I am starting a project to build a varmint rifle in either 223 or 22-250. I would like some advice on the best action to build it around. I am most familiar with Rem 700 721 etc none later than mid 70's era. The new 700 actions seem real loose and tinny compared to the old ones so am wondering if Sako or some others would be better.

If you are going to build a rifle I would suggest a custom action. You will have more money into building a model 700 than you can buy a custom action for. That is assuming the 700 action is built correctly by a well known gunsmith who does not cut corners.
If you are still stuck on building a factory action look for a 40X. A 40X is a single shot and will hold it's value better than a 700 Rem. action.
Mad`

Sako

Sako L461 or an AI,if you can find one. I have recently acquired an AI laminated sporter in 223 and it is one slick little rifle.Also have an AII Varmint in 22-250 and they are light years ahead of a 700 as far as fit and finish...and I "like" 700's, have many.

Sako first

Remington 2nd.

This is a thorny issue as there are many opinions out there. I have a Hart SS barreled Sako L461 (.222Rem. Mag.) that is accurate, but still not in the same class as my Remington 40XBBR (.222Rem.) with the Remington factory heavy barrel. I also have a Savage 110 with a Hart SS heavy 26" barrel (.22-250Rem.) that prints .25" most of the time. In degree of accuracy it falls between the 40XBBR and the Sako. I could probably improve all 3 rifles by getting the actions blueprinted. This doesn't mean you'd have the same results. Each rifle seems to be an entity unto itself. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Mellison: I have a bunch of custom Varminters built on Remington 700 actions. I am pleased as punch with all of them! They are in calibers 6mm Remington Ackley Improved, 22 remington BR, 17 Mach IV, and 223 Remington. I have one custom Varminter built on an older Sako action in caliber 222 Remington Magnum no complaints there either!
If you are interested in the 22-250 I would go with the Remington 700 action - no question there! But if you are leaning toward the 223 Remington for a Varminter I would go with the sensational Remington XP-100 single shot action! Jewell makes triggers that fit these super sturdy little actions, McMillan and many others make all varieties of stocks for them and - it will be accurate! My custom XP-100 Varmint Rifle (caliber 6mm BR) is every bit as accurate as my Remington 40X-BR Varminters are! Yeah look for a good deal on a single shot small bolt face XP-100 action ($400.00ish range) and go FIRST CLASS!
If you do not want a single shot in 223 Remington then go with the Remington 700! My custom 223 built by Darrell Holland on a 700 SA has shot a five shot 100 yard group of .151"! This using a 20X scope and Varmint bullets! I am guessing the average slow fired group from this Rifle in calm winds at my pace is in the low .300's! Sensationally accurate Varminter this one is!
Good luck with whichever you choose!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Go to your nearest gun store that sells Sako's and Remingtons. Pick each brand up and work the action on the Sako 75 and Remington 700. Then make your decision.

Shooter that is great advice and just what I did. Quite revealing. The Sakos are nice. Thanks. Here is what my decision has boiled down to. I have Rem 700 LA that needs a stock and rebarreling. I can either make it into a varmint rifle at 25-06 and buy a regular caliber for the second gun or make it into a 280 or 30-06 and buy a varmint gun in 223 or 22-250. Would appreciate any insigts you all have as to the 25-06 as a varminter and/or any insights into what any of you would do.

25-06 is an EXCELLENT caliber.

I used 75 gr. V max's with 55 gr of IMR 4831.

A 25-06 is really a one gun arsenal that can do it all. From chipmunks to deer it will kill em all!!!

You can get fluted teflon coated Shilen, Hart or Lija barrel fit to your action, install a Jewell Trigger and a HS Precision Camo Stock .( they have a wide range a colors and patterns to choose from).

Then you would not need another rifle. This one gun will do it all!!!

Plus you will look good doing it.

700 action are good. A lot of gunsmiths swear by them.

I still like the sako action myself.

I do have a tricked out 308 with a 700 action and HS stock with a fluted teflon coated Shilen barrel.

Very nice and super accurate.

Have a Nikon 6.6 -20 Monarch for optics.

By the time you get a Remington action and get a benchrest gunsmith to blueprint it, you might as well buy a Nesika. I own "blue printed" Remingtons. But; Unless you've handled one you can't describe the difference in the Nesika. It is a better action; period. This is if you are planning to keep the rifle for the rest of your life. 15 years from now; you'll be glad you spent the money.

If it's within your means, I'd go with the Nesika Bay recommendations. I have two. Dream up your ideal rifle, something you'd wanna keep forever, (or at least a really long time) and build it over time if necessary. Sell your Remington to offset some of the costs. Some of the calibers you mention all use the same size bolt-face.
A .22-250 and 30.06 switchbarrel is easily done. Now you've got two rifles by simply swapping barrels. You only need one stock, scope, trigger etc. Want a different caliber down the road, get another barrel. Just think of it as an investment.
Or, for the ultimate in versatility and economy, SAVAGE. Boltface's, barrels, stocks, etc. are all interchangable by you, READ- no gunsmith necessary. Sharp Shooter Supply has the parts to go from a .223 to a PPC to a .300 Win Mag. and about 35 calibers in between. Say what you will about their looks, the proof is in the puddin', and you can't argue with their accuracy. My .22-250 Savage easily bests my .223 Remington at 100 yards (both have factory varmint barrels). Just another thought. Enjoy!

-Rick

Mellison,
You don't need a Nesika Bay action for a varmint rifle. Most Remington Varmint rifles shoot 1/2" or better, right out of the box, why invest $1000 for an action, then $300- $400 for a barrel, threading, chambering,stock, etc. Unless you are going to a NBRSA match, you don't need to spend that kind of money to kill a few groundhogs.
Stepchild
P.S. You can spend $2000 on a varmint/ benchrest rig and a 10 mph wind will cause you to miss at extended yardage, think about it.
Stepchild

I thinkyour best bet would be to contact a custom gunsmith and see what he recommends. These guys know more than we do, and will usually be honest with you. You might also pose this same question on www.benchrestcentral.com There are a lot of gunsmiths there, and they'll set you straight. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

uuhh guys, before we see how much of his money we can spend,(read waste) lets get some more info. Is it going to be a carry rifle? Is it going to be a drive up/set up heavy barrelled rifle for pairie dog shooting? Is it going to be a bench rifle in a varmint calibre? If he's gonna be shooting at real varmints, it makes little difference if the rifle shoots five shots or more into .75 or even 1.0 rather than .25 or less. "Blueprinting" seems to be all the rage right now but over the years, I have owned several .222's, .223's, and 22-250's in carry rifles and heavy rifles. They have been various models of Remingtons (not that I'm pushing Rems). They would all shoot under an inch. Even the 788's with the non-adjustable trigger. And I have yet to have the first one "blueprinted". Have you folks ever read the fable about the "magic spinners and the King that walked naked"?????

Seriously, any action that is stiff, true, and straight with the locking lugs all making at least 75% contact. Rem. Win. Savage, Sako, all good production actions that are good enough for any thing that anyone could expect of a varmint rifle. The smith that installs the barrel, chambers it, crowns it, and beds it in the stock is far more important than which action. I have my actions blueprinted only because I want to leave nothing to chance when building a rifle.

Persoanlly I prefer the old Remington 700's. If for no other reason than after market bells and whistles are easily found for 700's than anything else.

Shoot Safe, Shoot Straight.......RiverRat

You all have been super helpful and all info is much appreciated. I had the opportunity to get a good price on a new Sako 75 in 22-250 and am having the Rem 700 25-06 re stocked with a McMillan and do some other tuning and barrel work on it. If it shoots well after the work ok if not then can go to a new barel. They will both be carry rifles not big heavy barrels. Thanks again for all the info.

Fine choice you have made.

quote:

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Originally posted by mellison:
You all have been super helpful and all info is much appreciated. I had the opportunity to get a good price on a new Sako 75 in 22-250 and am having the Rem 700 25-06 re stocked with a McMillan and do some other tuning and barrel work on it. If it shoots well after the work ok if not then can go to a new barel. They will both be carry rifles not big heavy barrels. Thanks again for all the info.

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A Ruger #1 with a custom barrel of your choice. I like Lilja. A Kleppinger set trigger, a good scope and you've got a shooter. Don't let it bother you that it's a single shot because you can get used to that. I called in 2 coyotes and got them both with a Ruger #1. I usually have an extra shell between my fingers. You don't have to worry about a magazine being long enough or the action being strong enough. The only thing I caution you on is if you go this route be sure and have your custom barrel made to the same specs as your factory barrel or else your scope mounts won't fit and that creates a big problem. I highly recommend the 1V model with the larger barrel diameter. Good luck.

The remington 700's have a poorly designed extractor set up. They often work loose but you can have a sako type extractor installed on it since your havin built anyway. Better yet go with sako in the first place.

Like all benchresters before stolles...700 Rem.No Sakos there,wonder why.75,s are a backward step. Just my 10 cents worth. 6MMBR FAN.

I have a 7mm/06 on a 722 rem, with mag hole tig welded shut, reworked trigger by moving the pivot pin above the spring and travel adjust having too reverse these two items for use. The trigger now lets off at 6oz. The action has a new recoil lug added to it in the area of the old mag slot. It is pillar bedded. This rig with 120gn sierra sfb. Will shoot 1/2 moa at 200. This gun cost me $300 to build. 24 inch varmit bbl. 40xlr stock (this bought from a local gunsmith for $5). Aluminum trigger guard I made myself. I would go with the remington, but if I had something else, I would make that shoot also. My black powder friends say "It aint brag if you can do it."