The Genesis of a Legend
The world of firearms holds many iconic names, and among them, few resonate as strongly as the Remington 700. This rifle, a cornerstone of precision and reliability, has graced the hands of hunters, target shooters, law enforcement officials, and military personnel for generations. At its heart lies the Remington 700 barreled action, the fundamental building block upon which this legendary rifle is built. This article will explore the history, construction, customization potential, and enduring popularity of the Remington 700 barreled action, revealing why it remains a sought-after choice for shooters of all backgrounds.
To understand the Remington 700 barreled action, one must first appreciate its historical context. The story begins with Remington Arms, a company with a rich heritage in American firearms manufacturing. The Remington 700, introduced in the mid-1960s, represented a significant step forward in bolt-action rifle design. It built upon the success of its predecessors, incorporating innovations and refining existing concepts to create a rifle that was both accurate and robust. Its immediate impact was felt across the shooting sports and in other industries, establishing a legacy that continues to shape firearm design today.
Key design features that helped make the Remington 700 a success were strength, accuracy, and modularity. The rifle’s receiver design, bolt locking system, and the quality of its manufacturing processes all contributed to its ability to consistently deliver tight shot groups. The rifle’s modularity allows for extensive customization.
The Remington 700’s influence extended far beyond its initial introduction. Over the years, Remington released various models and chamberings, adapting to the evolving needs of shooters. This continuous innovation helped solidify the rifle’s reputation and ensured its continued presence in the market. This legacy is why today the Remington 700 barreled action is still a hot topic.
Dissecting the Core: Components of a Remington 700 Barreled Action
The heart of any Remington 700 barreled action lies in its fundamental components, each playing a critical role in the rifle’s performance and reliability. Understanding these components is essential for anyone considering purchasing or customizing one.
The Receiver
The receiver is the backbone of the barreled action, housing the bolt and providing the platform for mounting the barrel, stock, and scope. Typically constructed from high-quality steel, the receiver is subjected to rigorous manufacturing processes to ensure its strength and dimensional accuracy. Key design features include the integral recoil lug, which absorbs the recoil forces, and the bolt lug design, which ensures a secure lockup between the bolt and the receiver. The receiver’s quality is paramount, as it directly impacts the rifle’s overall accuracy and durability.
The Bolt
The bolt is the mechanism responsible for chambering cartridges, locking the breech, extracting spent casings, and ejecting them. The bolt design itself is usually a three-lug bolt design, meaning it has three locking lugs that engage the receiver, providing a strong and reliable locking mechanism. The bolt face is carefully machined to accommodate the specific cartridge for which the rifle is chambered, and the extractor and ejector are designed to ensure smooth and consistent extraction and ejection of spent casings. The bolt handle provides leverage for operating the bolt and is designed for comfortable and efficient manipulation.
The Barrel
The barrel is the heart of any rifle’s accuracy potential. It is the component that directs the bullet downrange. Barrels are usually manufactured from carbon steel or stainless steel, each material offering its own advantages. Carbon steel barrels can provide excellent accuracy but are more susceptible to corrosion. Stainless steel barrels offer superior corrosion resistance. The barrel profile, or its external shape, significantly impacts its performance. Heavier profiles, such as varmint or target profiles, offer greater rigidity and heat dissipation, which can contribute to improved accuracy, especially during extended firing sessions. The rifling and twist rate, the spiral grooves cut inside the barrel, play a critical role in stabilizing the bullet and dictating its trajectory. Choosing the appropriate twist rate for the chosen bullet weight and type is crucial for optimal accuracy.
Unleashing Potential: Customization and Upgrades
One of the primary reasons for the Remington 700’s continued appeal is its unmatched potential for customization. The Remington 700 barreled action acts as a blank canvas for shooters, allowing them to tailor the rifle to their specific needs and preferences.
Shooters customize their Remington 700 barreled action to enhance accuracy, improve ergonomics, create a more aesthetically pleasing firearm, and match their rifle to a certain type of shooting.
Barrel Selection
Barrel selection is a critical customization step. Shooters have various options to choose from, including different manufacturers, profiles, and chamberings. Selecting the right barrel allows you to match your rifle’s performance to your type of shooting.
Stock Selection
Stock selection is another critical element in any customization project. The stock provides the interface between the shooter and the rifle, so its design and materials can significantly impact comfort, handling, and accuracy. Various stock materials are available, including wood, synthetic, and composite materials. The specific design features, like an adjustable cheekpiece or length of pull, can be essential for optimal fit and shooting performance. Bedding the action to the stock is a common technique to improve accuracy by ensuring a tight, consistent connection between the barreled action and the stock.
Trigger Upgrades
Trigger upgrades are often a priority for those seeking enhanced accuracy. The trigger mechanism directly influences the shooter’s ability to achieve clean, consistent trigger pulls, and aftermarket triggers often offer improved adjustability, lighter pull weights, and crisper breaks. These characteristics can make a marked difference in group sizes.
Other Potential Upgrades
Other potential upgrades include bolt knobs, bolt handle modifications, scope bases and rings. Each modification allows you to customize your rifle in order to improve handling and performance.
The Quest for Precision: Accuracy and Performance
The Remington 700 barreled action is known for its accuracy, but achieving optimal performance requires understanding the factors that influence it.
The quality of the barreled action is the foundation of any accurate rifle. High-quality manufacturing, attention to detail, and proper component selection all contribute to a rifle’s ability to shoot tight groups. Ammunition selection also plays a vital role. Different ammunition types and manufacturers can produce drastically different results, so experimenting with various loads is essential to finding what your rifle prefers. Proper scope mounting and zeroing are also critical, as a poorly mounted scope will negate any potential accuracy gains. Finally, shooting technique is key, and proper fundamentals, such as a consistent grip, trigger pull, and follow-through, are essential for maximizing accuracy.
The potential for sub-MOA (Minute of Angle) accuracy is attainable with a well-built and properly tuned Remington 700. Sub-MOA accuracy means that a rifle can consistently group shots within a one-inch circle at 100 yards.
To achieve optimal accuracy, the following tips should be kept in mind: selecting the right components, bedding the action, proper cleaning and maintenance, and load development (for handloaders).
Versatile Applications: Where the Remington 700 Excels
The Remington 700 barreled action’s versatility has made it a favorite in several applications.
Hunting
For hunting, the Remington 700 has been chambered in various calibers suitable for various game animals. Its accuracy, reliability, and modularity make it a favorite among hunters, and its ability to be customized to suit specific hunting needs is also a significant advantage.
Target Shooting
In target shooting, the Remington 700 is a competitive choice in many disciplines, including benchrest and long-range competitions. The accuracy potential, combined with the possibility for customization, makes it a compelling option for serious target shooters.
Law Enforcement and Military
Law enforcement and military agencies have utilized the Remington 700 as a sniper rifle and in other tactical roles. The rifle’s accuracy, reliability, and ability to be adapted for specific tactical applications have made it a trusted tool in these demanding environments.
Care and Upkeep: Ensuring Longevity
Proper maintenance and care are critical to keeping your Remington 700 barreled action performing at its best.
Proper cleaning and maintenance of the barreled action are essential. Cleaning the barrel after each shooting session helps remove fouling and prevent corrosion. The appropriate tools and techniques will help keep your rifle in good working condition. Lubrication of the bolt and other moving parts ensures smooth operation and prevents wear. Proper storage and protection from the elements are also critical, and a regular inspection is a good idea to identify potential problems before they become serious.
Navigating the Market: Purchasing a Remington 700 Barreled Action
For those considering buying a Remington 700 barreled action, there are a few considerations.
You must decide between buying new or used. New barreled actions offer the advantage of being in pristine condition, while used ones can be more affordable.
Barrel selection is critical for the intended use of the rifle. Consider the caliber, contour, and twist rate that best suit your shooting needs.
Carefully examine the receiver’s condition, checking for wear, damage, or any signs of abuse.
Set a budget and factor in the costs of additional components, such as the stock, trigger, scope, and any customization work.
Legal considerations are vital. Ensure you comply with all local, state, and federal regulations regarding firearms ownership and modifications.
The Final Word
The Remington 700 barreled action stands as a testament to the power of design, accuracy, and dependability. Its legacy is etched in the annals of shooting sports history. Its versatility and adaptability have secured its place as a favorite among hunters, target shooters, and professionals in many fields. By providing a solid foundation for a high-performance rifle, the Remington 700 barreled action allows shooters to create a firearm tailored to their specific needs. With proper care and attention, it will continue to deliver exceptional performance for generations to come.
