New Rem 700

[Spindrift]

Well, first day at the range today with my 700. And a nice day it was!
The gun functioned flawlessly. learned a few things, however
- the stock is perhaps an inch to short for me. Had to put my mittens between shoulder and stock to avoid a black eye
- the trigger is too heavy. I sort of knew that, but... have to fix it.
- Seems to shoot 5shots around 1MOA with jax.

I think, with the proper adjustments (so the gun fits better to me), this wil be a really accurate gun. Below is a target with non- artful bullets (Nosler CC 168grs). 100m, prone position, support on bag, target increments 30mm/1 MOA. No load development whatsoever. Now, I know that the accuracy potential is there; from now on, cast bullets for this one.

 

[CZ93X62]

Very promising target image there. Townsend Whelen called it a long time ago--"The 30-06 is never a mistake."

Rem 700s from the 1990s are usually good rifles that shoot well right outta the box. The Walker triggers need to be changed out if the rifle is to be a hunting/field gun or law enforcement tool, but for pure range work where the rifle sits on bags or otherwise remains pointed safely downrange......it is not such an issue. That the OEM trigger has unpleasant manners kind of answers the question for you.

The mid-90s DM-series 700s (detachable magazine) were not made in great numbers. If you plan to hang on to the rifle, I would try to locate 1 or 2 more of those magazines if possible. I carried a bolt rifle at work for a number of years, and have carried one in the field for most of my life. The magazine releases found on service rifles like the Mini-14 and AR-15 do a very good job of retaining the magazines, and spares/extras are easy to find. With bolt rifles, the magazine latching is something of an afterthought and often none too secure--they can be bumped inadvertently, causing the magazine to fall free and get lost. The Rem 788 is the worst offender in that regard, the 700 DMs are only mildly better. My preference in a bolt rifle is the pivoting floorplate/spring/follower mechanism that has served armies, police agencies, and sportsmen so well for so long. A "blind" bolt rifle magazine is OK, too. With few exceptions, I want no part of detachable-magazine bolt rifles.

 

[Spindrift]

I also actually prefer pivoting floor plate in a hunting rifle; one thing less, that can get lost. The detatchable magazine in this rifle is among the better, however. Absolutely no plastic, no parts protruding under the balancing point of the rifle, rounds can easily be loaded from above, easily operated with gloved hand.

I will keep the Walker trigger, for now. It needs a good clean-up and adjustment, however. And as you say, as long as it is mostly a range rifle, the Walker should do OK. I have other rifles perfectly adapted to my hunting needs, this will primarily be a rifle for recreational cast bullet shooting.

The thing that has me pondering the most, is actually the stock. It is beautiful and classy. But it is also a little slippery, to short for me and give limited cheek rest with a scope. These shortcomings became very clear when I switched between the 700 and my GRS-stocked Howa, which fits like a glove (actually, it fits even better than the proverbial glove). In the aesthics-vs-function compromise, I usually choose function. I have not decided yet, as fitting this rifle with a composite adjustable stock almost feels like something bordering on criminal behaviour...

 

[Ian]

Nothing criminal about making a rifle safer and more comfortable for you, just don't wreck the old stock and you can out it back to original any time you want.

Do you think someone has reduced the length of pull, or does the Remington stock simply not work for you at all? I'm actually kind of surprised it doesn't fit within reasonable optic mount options, unless its been cut down.

 

[Spindrift]

I don`t think the stock has been cut. But I am a little long (6`6), and most standard factory stocks are a little short, especially for prone shooting. Well, you are right Ian. Its not like I have to use the original stock for firewood, if I get a new one. I think you just helped me decide, thank you!

 

[Spindrift]

Just wanted to add a little update regarding the trigger. I decided to let my local gun smith (which is a former international level BR competitive shooter) clean and adjust my trigger. I am glad I did that! What he found, was someone had done a little amateur gunsmithing on the sear. As he lightened the trigger, it was very unsafe and could discharge by slight impact. He had some factory new trigger units (left overs from BR custom builds), he installed one he had trimmed to perfection, for a very reasonable price.
To quote a famous motion picture character: «A man’s got to know his limitations». Glad I did, this time.

 

[Rushcreek]

You did real good. I'm glad you got the trigger lined out. There is nothing wrong with a clean, oil free Walker trigger. You have a tackdriver there with more horses available than your likely to need. Try a Limbsaver slip on pad to increase LOP with the added benefit of taming recoil. The Remington 700 is the top selling commercial bolt action rifle in history for a reason. My experience with nine of them over the years has been great. I always preferred the blind mag ADL models.

 

[Spindrift]

I have mounted a really nice recoil pad, and a spacer plate that sorted out the LOP- issue. The rifle has really come together now, balance, very low scope mount with good cheek weld, LOP, trigger.... The only problem is I can’t shoot it for another two weeks!

 

[Spindrift]

After shooting the rifle with both cast and jacketed bullets, I have decided to rebuild it. There’s nothing really wrong with it, it has honest moose-in-the-freezer accuracy. The primary function of this rifle is not to put moose in the freezer (already have that covered), but to entertain me. And the accuracy potential was not quite good enough for that.

The plan is:
-bed it into a GRS Berserk stock (my favourite)
-convert to hinged floorplate (my preference)
-rebuild to Sako- type extractor
- square bolt face, lap lugs
- threaded sleeve in front reciever ring, converts it to switch-barrel system rifle
- sporter profile .30-06 barrel, threaded and
- 6,5x55 semi heavy barrel, and
- a third barrel in one of the less common «30-06- bolt face» cartridges, see below

 

[Ian]

Interesting. I understand all about "Moose in the freezer" accuracy and still wanting to entertain yourself with pursuit of more. Is there any chance you can get a tight-neck reamer for the '06 barrel? .337" is a standard option for one of the U.S. reamer makers.

 

[Pistolero]

I used to have a .44 Auto Mag pistol....never heard of chambering a rifle in it, but why not.
Feeding might be interesting or worse.

Bill

 

[Spindrift]

My gunsmith has some readily barrels made by Varberger in Sweden (and Schultz & Larsen in Denmark) that he sells quite cheap. The barrels are excellent, but they have standard chambers. In theory, I could probably get a tight neck barrel made, but at greater expense.

My gunsmith is building a .44 auto mag rem 700 for himself, also. He has some ideas how to make it feed from the magazine. I am prepared it might be a single shot, which is no problem as the barrel will primarily be for recreational range use.

Actually, this will be my first straight-walled cartridge (except shotgun, og course), I have only had rifles with bottle neck cartridges.
Made use of the current discount at NOE yesterday, ordered a couple of moulds, size bushings and expanders. Looking forward to this!

 

[Ian]

Without CRF it will be a single-shot. The 45 Raptor would probably work though....

 

[Ian]

Sorry Spindrift, we cross-posted.

 

[Spindrift]

I’ll get back with a detailed report when everything is ready. I expect the rifle and .30-06 barrel is ready in a couple of weeks. I have to wait for some paperwork (permit) before I can get the other barrels, probably early autumn. In the meantime, I can cast some .44 bullets when these arrive

NOE Bullet Moulds

And this one, 4 cav 50/50

TL432-249-RF-BQ2 2 cavity 1GC 1PB, NOE Bullet Moulds

 

[Pistolero]

I understand that in some countries, the barrel is the controlled part. Here only the receiver is controlled
so barrels are just parts, like a trigger or hand guard.

The 300 gr Lee LBT style is a good bullet if you are looking for heavier, too.

Bill

 

[Spindrift]

Returing from the cabin in the mountains today, picked up a couple of things at the post office. The 44 Auto Mag- project is coming along, the gun will be ready in a couple of weeks. Got some Lee- moulds today (or bought some tickets in the Lee- lottery, if you will), quick wipe- down with acetone, then started casting- with the primary objective of breaking in the moulds. Got some reasonable bullets.

From the left:
Lee 429-200-RF; actual dimensions .431 (and round!), 210 grs. Hurray!
Lee TL430-240-SWC, which were also the numbers I got (or maybe .4295. PC, maybe?)
Lee C430-310-RF, mine were .431 and weighed 308grs with a copper gator check, from NOE

I also got a couple of NOE- moulds today, but they will get a little more proper preparation before casting.

 

[fiver]

I have had good luck with that 240gr bullet just tumble lubed and fired at lower speeds.
I'd probably break down and buy that mold but I got others that fill in now.

usually I'd say run a lap in the mold, then run it again when the mold is hot.
but if you got P/C on the table i'd try that first.

 

[Spindrift]

I will cast some more bullets today, and mic them again. These «first generation» bullets from the break-in session might not be completely filled out. If I get the same results, PC it is.

 

[Spindrift]

So, this is my complete family of .44 bullets. Have been breaking in 5 moulds this weekend- they are working just fine, now. Since I have no experience with .44 caliber, these moulds were chosen either because they were cheap (the Lee’s), or because my intuition told me they looked like shooters (NOE). 400 pieces of Starline brass is underway. Rifle will be ready in a couple of weeks. With 6 different bullets, powder coat, conventional lube and tumble lube- this should keep me out of the streets for years