I am wanting to have a 7mmRemMag built and need some thoughts/opinions from people on this site as I realize there are some very knowledgable folks who visit here. I want to use a Rem M700 action, have my gunsmith order a "good" barrel from a reputable barrel-maker, and add a decent synthetic stock. I am looking for good (MOA) accuracy. So, here are my questions:
1. Where would you suggest I locate a M700 action?
2. Which barrel do you suggest?
3. Which stock do you suggest?
4. What will such a rifle cost?
I have no interest in buying a new factory-built rifle as I have several now. I just have the "bug" to have one built. I appreciate any thoughts/comments.
Thanks

The easiest and most economical way of doing it would be to purchase a used 700 already chambered in 7 Mag. Pull the barrel and stock, sell them on Ebay or where ever. You now have a 700 action to rebarrel/restock to suit your needs, and the $ you make on the used barrel and stock will offset the purchase price of the donor rifle.

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1. Where would you suggest I locate a M700 action?

You can prowl pawn shops and the like for a good used rifle, but what more guys are finding is easiest (and quickest) is to go to your local Wal-Mart, etc type store, find the cheapest ADL (even better if you can catch a sale), buy it, and strip it.

quote:

2. Which barrel do you suggest?

I have had fine success with Douglas, as well as others (Shilen, Hart, etc), but for the money, Douglas is hard to beat, especially for a hunting rifle. Check out http://www.itdcustomgun.com for some good prices.

quote:

3. Which stock do you suggest?

Hmm, that's a bit tougher. Do you want synthetic or wood? Guys will recommend McMillan for synthetic, but I'm not convinced they are the absolute end-all when it comes to stocks. Sure, they're nice, and I've got a few, but I also like Brown Precision, HS Precision, etc. Bell & Carlson actually makes a very serviceable stock, at a better price. As for wood, there's a hundred choices there...

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4. What will such a rifle cost?

That's one for your gunsmith to answer, as well as you depending on your choice of parts. If you go with a Douglas in a "plain" stock, it will obviously be less than a fluted Hart in a McMillan (or worse yet, a very nice custom wood stock). However, if you go to the I.T.&D. site above, you'll get a feel for barrelling prices, as well as a few other "necessities" (bluing for example if you go chrome moly instead of stainless).

Hope this helps a little and points you in the right direction....

just had one built h-s precision stock,pac-nor match barrel stainless , smithing was done by brett evans of nw armswerkes factory ammo will hold three shots @ 200yds right at an inch

also i just picked up another model 700 bdl for $275 may have sendero type rig built in 7mm

I am actually in the process of doing the same thing, building a 7mm Remington Mag. This will be for Pronghorn and deer. The custom gun bug is addictive, once you have one, you want more
Currently I am assembling componets. Last week I found a new Remington 700 ADL, in 300 Win. Mag, at a local sporting goods store at a pretty good price so I picked it up. This will be used as a donor action for a 7mm Remington mag. When I have this gun built, the action will be fully trued and blueprinted. Cost is a little more for trueing and blueprinting, but really can make a difference in accuracy, and once done it lasts for life of the action. The Remington ADL has been replaced by the SPS model, I just like the ADL better as it seems smoother to me. To get rid of the J-Lock, I bought a replacement firing pin mechanism from Brownells. I am still looking for a hinged floorplate, there are several available, but I am just hoping to find one to match the matte black ADL action. For a stock, I will likely use H-S Precision stock. For a barrel, it will be a custom stainless steel, from one of the top custom barrel makers. All the top custom barrel makers make barrels that are better than I will ever probaly be able to shoot anyway. Not totally sure on contour yet. Thinking about something along the lines of the Remington Sendaro contour. For a trigger, I will get a Jewell hunter/varmint trigger with a safety. Recoil lug will be a Holland. Scope will be Leupold.
But then this is just how I will do it. Each person has to build it according to what they like. Get the best quailty components you can afford. Then have an accuracy gunsmith build it and your in business.
Cost after components will depend on whether you have the action fully trued and blueprinted or not. Also some difference in price of barrels and stocks, custom trigger or reworked factory trigger. Another factor is how much your gunsmith charges for the work he does. Lets see, I paid $374 for a new ADL, a barrel will be around $300, Stock around $325, trigger around $200, then I have to add labor cost, anywhere for full blueprint and trueing, bedding ction to stock, chambering barrel, install trigger etc. Parts and labor likely somewhere around $2000. Then I will need scope mounts, rings and a scope.
Gets spendy, but hey I rationalize it to my wife: I just tell her "ya but I don't smoke or drink honey "
Have fun is the main thing

Cold bore-

Do you have any first hand experience with IT&D?

Just curious as their price seems pretty much on the low side of things, and you know how that old saying goes "you always get what you paid for", and it makes me wonder about the quality.

Thanks,

Bob

I would just buy the cheapest available 700 in blue or stainless depending which you prefer.I have tried mcmillan,h-s precision and bell& carlson and I prefer mcmillan stocks.As far as barrels go,I have used pac-nor,kreiger,hart,gaillard,schneider and mclennon and all have been very accurate with schneider and gaillard fouling the least.

Jerry’s Sports Center has brand new 700’s in several calibers, including 7mm Mag for $365.95. You need an FFL to order from them.

BlackBart-

As for I.T.&D., yes, his prices are hard to beat. I buy pretty much all of my barrels from him, as I have a buddy locally who is a gunsmith and does most of my barrelling work for me.

However, I have recommended him to some other local guys who actually had him do the whole job. Everything that I have seen looked fine, and shot great. I wouldn't hesitate to use him if my buddy couldn't or wouldn't do a job for me.

If you give Dave a call and talk to him, I'm sure you'd feel comfortable. While I've never met him in person, he's always been great to talk to on the phone.

Hope it helps, and better yet, saves you a few bucks!

I recommend reconsidering the Remington action, and looking for a used M70 push feed of fairly recent vintage. I think that is a great action, and USRAC had the heat treating down pat when they built them.

I have used Shilen, Douglas and Lothar-Walther, and the L-W is my current favorite.

I have handled D'Arcy Echols synthetic stock, and it fits me. MacMillan makes them for him, and he will sell you a stock.

jim

I agree with Jim on every point.

But if you want a Model 700 action, I'd simply go to a gunshow or gunstore and buy a used, unaltered Model 700 in 7mm Rem. Mag. or 300 Win. Mag., and I'd especially look for an older specimen with the older-type safety that locks the bolt down when engaged. At least out here, you can buy good used Model 700s for a good deal less than the currently-produced version, and they're better actions all the way, with no BS safety lock, etc.

After than, I'd specify a #3 contour Hart barrel with a 24" finish length, a 1-10 twist, and the McMillan stock pattern of your choosing. No muzzle break, ever..............

AD

quote:

Originally posted by Cold Bore:

quote:

1. Where would you suggest I locate a M700 action?

quote:

2. Which barrel do you suggest?

I have had fine success with Douglas, as well as others (Shilen, Hart, etc), but for the money, Douglas is hard to beat, especially for a hunting rifle.

Agreed. You don't hear Douglas mentioned a lot these days, but their barrels are as good as ever, and as good as many other brands costing more......

Thanks to all for the great info.