i have heard that its hard to built one becawse of the length of the action and the catrige,but the ather day i picked up a case from a 300RUM at the range that is much longer than the Lapua,so where exacly is the problem in using the Rem700 as a base gun for it?
thanks

Length isn't the main problem. The real issue is the boltface. A M700 has that ring fully encircling the cartridge base. There just isn't enough steel to open up to 0.585 - 0.590 inch diameter and still have the extractor attached. Its probably been done but everyone I have talked with about this has nixed the idea. You can do it on a Winchester M70 because its an open faced Mauser style bolt.

Hello Ins.
I belive its difficult on both these actions. I had the same "dream" about a 338 Lapua once, but came to the conclusion that it couldnt be done, safly.
Harald is right about the boltface on the Mod.700, but there is an other problem to:
Both mod.70 and the mod.700 have to small frontring on their actions. So with this large -cased cartridge you will have "a lack of steel" around the chamber. A few actions that I know that can handle it is: BRNO 550 Magnum (old 602), Sako TRG-S, Weatherby, Lazzeroni, and probably some more.
I would go for the 338 RUM instead. Just get hold of an original 338 Win.Mag. or similar casehead, and rebarrel it. Or if the barrel is good, you can rechamber it. I have done that with a Win.mod.70, stainless.

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Shoot well, and hit hard.

Arild.

The 338 Lapua can easily be built on a M70 Classic action and safely to. The bolt diameter of a M700 is .700". That does leave a rather thin rim around the cartridge head, but it does leave a rim.

Talk to your gunsmith. If he will do it then go for it. The three rings of steel bullsh!t is just that. Mauser and mauser derivatives have never supported the case head. You do not hear about them blowing case heads apart do ya!

The bigger concern may be if you drop the bolt on a concrete floor you may bend the counterbore rim and them not be able to insert a cartridge.

Todd E

I looked carefully at a Rem 700 bolt tonight and frankly I believe this can be done. You will have to install a sako type extractor and open the boltface to .590.opening the rails and dealing with the mag box will be the biggest problems as will be getting this cartridge to feed properly. Good Luck! The bolt will look ugly, but I would really not worry about it. You will have other problems!
The real question is why do it. The .338 ultramag actually will outperform the .338 Lapua in terms of max velocity and availability of the brass with carefull handloads. I've gotten better than 3000fps from mine with 250 gr sierras or lapua bullets with sub MOA groups. Make sure you use a 28 inch barrel and good muzzel break in this caliber.IMHO, the only thing the .338 lapua has going for it is the consistency of the brass.
I really suggest that unless your heart is set on a .338 lapua, that you build a good heavy barreled .338 rem ultramag and spend more time shooting than waiting.-Rob

Ditto on Harald and Todd E

Mike

Several years ago Remington's custom shop fabbed a prototype sniper rifle in .338 Lapua. They opened the boltface of a 700 long action a bit and used a Sako extractor.

You can see a picture here:

http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/0500/573.htm

Now that's a big honking magazine. It has a 'warden release' too (detachable mag).

mfw

Mark F. Ward
mark@swervingatom.com

I stand corrected, Mark. I had never heard of Remington making that conversion. Todd is of course correct that the very thin collar around the Remington boltface (which actually does not support the case anyway) will not provide any degree of strength. My concern (suggested by gunsmiths I consulted on this) was that not enough steel would remain to include the original extractor (hence the Sako conversion) or prevent inadvertant crushing of the rim (it is undercut already). Lacking a wrap around claw, you cannot easily just cut away the ring and let it go at that. The Dakota M76 and M97 will definitely handle this cartridge because they build these guns. If you like the M700 style, consider getting a Dakota M97 action from Brownell's, and use aftermarket Remington furniture and stocks. These are interchangeable I understand. Double check that last, but I think a M97 will bed into an H-S Precision M700 BDL LA stock.

As discussed it is possible to do this
conversion but as previously stated it
leaves a minimal ring around the bolt face
and also may necessitate the machining
down of the top section of the Sako type
extractor to allow proper function.

To counter this problem on our 1.355" actions
we went with a .730 diameter bolt. Works
great.

Ross
www.prairiegunworks.com

Tactical Rifle had an article on this conversion. It was a joint effort by Remington and Daisy (of BB gun fame). The front of the receiver had to be notched severely to allow a loaded round to come out of the receiver and was deemed as being unsafe and the project was dropped.
Todd

I have a 338 Lazzeroni on a rem 700 I know the caes head is in the .580 but I am not 100% sure.

Works fine shoots great.

But if I I was having another done I would use Ross S action of praire gun works. if u have never seen one they are sweet.

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MED

The sole purpose of a rifle is to please its owner

Ins. Take a look at Dan Liljas article at

http://www.riflebarrels.com/psdumbques.htm

Remember that the Lapua has the same case as the Rigby below the shoulder.

"The .338 ultramag actually will outperform the .338 Lapua". NO WAY! They have almost exactly the same case volume, but the Lapua brass is a third heavier than the Ultra brass. Lapua brass is actually 10-25gr heavier than the bigger 378Wby cases. Getting 3000 fps out of the Lapua with 250gr bullets is no problem, BTDT. Lapua and RUM are ballistical equivalents with a big plus for Lapua brass quality and strength. If you want Lapua performance in a Rem700 go for the RUM. AKI

AKI- The .338 ultramag can hit 3100fps plus with 250 gr bullets. I've not been able to match that with the .338 Lapua with any handload so far. In fact, I've seen clear pressure signs anytime I've exceeded 3000fps in that cartridge in my rifle. I've not seen any published/reputable loads that do it either. In addition, as far as I can tell the accuracy is no different out to 1000yrds which is as far as I've been able to make a valid comparison,( both cartridges using the same bullets and similar wind conditions). This with 1 MOA groups being the norm. I also submit that at the cost of Lapua brass here, that the .338 Ultramag is a great bargain for the majority of shooters given it will work in an inexpensive action like the Rem 700( which can be modified into an EXCELLENT benchrest quality action). I agree that the Lapua brass is more consistent, but for 5 to six times the price of .338 Ultramag brass, I'll sort and cull ultramag brass everytime. This becomes very important if you shoot alot at 1000 yrd matches! Spending over $200 for brass every other month or so gets old fast!
As you have pointed out, the Rem 700 is marginal with the .338 Lapua and will become a single shot in the best case. With the .338 Ultramag, the point is that you can have the equivalent accuracy,precision and power of the .338 Lapua in a cartridge that will feed 3 rounds from the mag and doesn't cost a fortune to shoot alot.-Rob

[This message has been edited by Robgunbuilder (edited 01-28-2002).]