Remington 700 Dangerous game build?

[adkennedy03]

Recently I've been thinking of building a Remington 700 in a DG caliber but I am still trying to decide on which one. I'll have to measure the receiver on a couple of mine to see if this is true or not but I've seen people posting that the 700 Long action can fit cartridges like .375H&H, .416 Rem mag and .458 Lott which are the three calibers I am trying to decide on. I have also thought about .458 win mag since it is a shorter cartridge and might function a bit better than the longer ones but I'd love to have one of the others if I can. I most likely am going to install a Sako extractor and if there is anything that someone can tell me about building a DG rifle please let me know.

 

[Areaonereal]

Looking forward to differing opinions posted regarding a Remington 700 for DG rifle…I personally have no opinion, but should be educational postings.

 

[Joker12]

There are so many better actions to build one on. Why the Remington?

 

[revturbo9967]

It has been mentioned a few times on here and elsewhere, there is a reason why Remington doesn't make a rifle with their own cartridge anymore, the 416 Remington.

 

[jeanes]

Didn't Larry Potterfield build a safari rifle from a Remington 700?

 

[K E Johnson]

Larry’s video.
not my first choice though.

 

[John Wasmuth]

This should be interesting………

 

[fourfive8]

A 375 HH length cartridge (3.6”) fits into the standard Rem 700 long action- not an issue. The elephant in the room question, at least on this forum would be, “do you want to use a Rem 700 as the basis for a DG rifle?”

If contemplating using one of those short run of Rem bolt actions built with Mauser type actions IIRC M798… that would be a different question.

 

[Labman]

I have a Rem. 700 classic in 375 H&H. It works fine. The Cape Buffalo I shot with it didn't have any complaints.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Agree that a Rem 700 wouldn't be my first choice, however.............

 

[Hogpatrol]

Don't know what kind of extractor the 700 in .416R had but if it's the standard stamped sheet metal type, I would replace it with a Sako or M16 style. Next, replace the blind magazine with an aftermarket box mag / trigger guard. After that, the trigger would need to go. Yep, stock too.

From this chair, it doesn't make sense to buy a factory rifle, then modify it or send it off to someone else to modify to get it to work. Build a custom or purchase a proven rifle. Buy once, cry once.

 

[IvW]

Bad idea many many better option for that application

 

[Joker12]

There is a photo on page 72 of Kevin Robertson's book on hunting cape buffalo that says volumes about the Remington 700 action.

 

[IvW]

Agree that a Rem 700 wouldn't be my first choice, however.............

Jaja and this Spomer fellow recons a 375 H&H is crap just because he cannot shoot it straight....just another TV wannabe......

 

[IvW]

Don't know what kind of extractor the 700 in .416R had but if it's the standard stamped sheet metal type, I would replace it with a Sako or M16 style. Next, replace the blind magazine with an aftermarket box mag / trigger guard. After that, the trigger would need to go. Yep, stock too. View attachment 448084 From this chair, it doesn't make sense to buy a factory rifle, then modify it or send it off to someone else to modify to get it to work. Build a custom or purchase a proven rifle. Buy once, cry once.

Yip and some complain when they need to fix a feeding issue on a CZ.....
Look for a old BRNO XKK602 and have fun....

 

[Iclimb]

If wanting push feed, I reckon I’d buy a Nosler M21 in 375hh and have a front sight installed with a rear peep…
crf I think it’s hard to be the Kimber Talkeetna…these are factory options…
I am not a speak from experience type, youll get better info from others on that…however in the many “mental safari’s and Alaska trips” I’ve ‘taken’ this same question has been on my mind…
crf is the consensus for this type of rifle, that I do know! Are there Remington 700’s used by hunters and ph’s ??? For sure, there are…BUT they are in the minority and they lack the “soul“ you’ll find in a crf…
if you want to build, I wouldn’t go Remington specifically unless you already have the rifle! or if you don’t plan on any truing, although once started it’s damn easy to start adding options! youll get as much into a built Remington as if you buy a custom action…of which there are many…one of the smiths I use refus’s to work on factory actions of any sort (that says a lot to me)…there are some cheaper actions now that are worlds better than factory 700…
if you do use a factory action, my options would include m16 extractor and dual plunger’s, I would just “face“ the action and install a holland lug…stock would be an Echols legend (he can install cross pins depending on caliber chosen) or oregunsmith stock would be a great choice as well.. open sights a must (a preference for me) I’d also likely have a threaded barrel w/ blended brake (schuler brake) & cap. i would probably go with a 416 Taylor or 416 express (mostly because of length although some will cry “foul“ due to headstamp)

I say buy a factory Winchester or other crf…you’ll be money ahead! If you want a 700 then I get that too, I say go for it! If you watch lots of safari videos, youlll note some of them used, even by ph’s…but they are few and far between…mauser’s rule this world! Crf based anything, factory cz’s, some rugear’s…keep your eyes open and pick up a nice used rifle from a member (it’s nice to re-home to caring individual)

my .02…good luck! Have fun, whatever you do!

 

[KIH]

In a Norwegian forum there was a case with a Sako 85 firing a 6,5x55 where the case ruptured from the primer pocket to rim. No injuries to the shooter but gun was not usable any more, bolt kept in place. But this resulted in a discussion about the safest actions when it comes to strength and ability to keep the shooter safe from over pressure gases. Closed bolt actions like Remington 700 and Schultz & Larsen is the safest, Mauser M98 of the baddest. But it was also agreed that Remington 700 needs a better extractor.

 

[IvW]

In a Norwegian forum there was a case with a Sako 85 firing a 6,5x55 where the case ruptured from the primer pocket to rim. No injuries to the shooter but gun was not usable any more, bolt kept in place. But this resulted in a discussion about the safest actions when it comes to strength and ability to keep the shooter safe from over pressure gases. Closed bolt actions like Remington 700 and Schultz & Larsen is the safest, Mauser M98 of the baddest. But it was also agreed that Remington 700 needs a better extractor.

Needs a hell of a lot more than an extractor for DG......6.5x55 is not even close.

 

[mark-hunter]

Safety of various designs:

Remington 700 has advertised safety feature 3 rings of steel to prevent bursting of action: first is the bolt head surrounding part of casing, next barrel (chamber) and then front receiver ring.

Mauser 98 has two front lugs, and one rear locking lug which all together keep bolt and action together as one solid piece. ( I always imagined that, as extremely safe action)

Third solution is closed bridge over action - which makes very strong receiver with only ejection port, with only possibility of loading by magazine - so removable magazine must be.

Now, if rifle design is with front locking lugs, locking in barrel, this allows aluminium alloy receiver to be utilized, and I wonder how safe it really is when compared to above actions on extreme pressures??. In theory, locking in barrel will and should hold together the hole system. In theory.

So, when discussing the safety of some particular design, materials must also be considered, not only type of action.

I saw a practically disintegrated casing on m48 (yugo clone of k98) when bolt had to be hammered to unlock, and then hammered backwards again to open, casing was destroyed in chamber of excessive pressure, but rifle after that was functional again. Nothing happened to the shooter, except he said he felt massive recoil. But how many nice modern rifles with smart design solutions would be able to withstand that? cannot say.

 

[fourfive8]

I most likely am going to install a Sako extractor and if there is anything that someone can tell me about building a DG rifle please let me know.

Common attempt at addressing the Rem 700 extractor issue. Be aware that retrofitting to a Sako or M-16 style extractor can change the extraction angle causing other issues.