700 Remington Quality

[IOWA DON]

I know someone who had a Ruger bolt action in 7MM Mag and fired cartridges would not go back into the chamber unless they were orientented the same way they came out. If rotated 180 degrees, the bolt could not be closed. The problem was that the bolt face was not exactly perpendicular to the direction of the chamber. Ruger would not fix the problem. I had a custom bolt action with the same problem. It was not a high priced job and I knew there was no way of getting the problem fixed. Finally, I was at the range a couple weeks ago and a guy with a 700 Remington was explaining to me how he had to full length resize when reloading or the reloads would not chamber. After shooting a cartridge we determined that if a fired cartridge was oriented the same way it was extracted after firing, it would chamber. Otherwise it would not (same problem as above). He was having trouble getting good accuracy. Maybe that had something to do with things not lining up right. Anyway, I am a little disapointed as I always though Reminton 700's were made right and accurate. At least the ones I bought were accurate. Hope Remington will make things right for this guy.

[no guns here]

yeah but I bet it would shoot under a MOA right???

you are going to get old Swampy stirred up somethin' terrible if you don't stop talking bad 'bout them 700's...


ngh

[Bart Solo]

I know this will get me in trouble, but I shopped for a rifle recently.  I discovered the fit and finish of the Remington 700 SPS isn't up to the rest of the Remington line. I compared an older Remington 700 ADL with a synthetic stock directly with a Remington 700 SPS and the comparison was stark.  Maybe the SPS I looked at was just a poor example.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Nope--not a poor example---Remingtons just haven't been good for the last 25 years----looking over a CDL SF they seemed to be going in the right direction though----a bit overpriced.

They can't hardly give away the cheaper ones around here---too many better choices for the same or less money.

[Swampman]

You guys must have the worst luck in the world.  Problems caused by reloaders shouldn't be blamed on the rifle.  I've never seen a Remington that wasn't nicely finished & well fitted.  They are of course "the best selling bolt action rifle in the world" and also "the most accurate production rifle you can buy."  In order to get Remington quality you'll spend twice the price.  They are a bargin if you look at what you get.

I wouldn't own anything else.

[kyelkhunter3006]

Yep, we know Swampy.
 
 I too have had issues with the good ole' 700 in the past.  I'll also say that I've had a few that were great guns.  I must have great luck, since all of the other brands that Swampy feels are horrible, cheap, junky guns, have given me the best performance and most consistancy in the field and at the range. 

Man, maybe I should buy a lottery ticket, since I've had good luck with Ruger, Savage, and Howa.   

[Graybeard]

I doubt any three or four of you on here buy as many Remington rifles in an average year as I do. I just am not seeing the quality issues you guys claim. I hate to say I don't believe a fellow gun owner when they report a problem but damn it guys I buy a bunch of them annually and just do not have the problems you folks are reporting EVER.

So why is it I can own perhaps ten or twenty to your one and you always have problems and I don't? Something seems mighty fishy to me. I can recall only one with any significant problem in the last 50 or so I've owned. It had a laminated stock that was cut wrong in the barrel channel and it pressed against the barrel on one side. I called Remington and explained to them what was happening and that I had not bought it new but rather used. I was told to box up the stock with SN of rifle and ship it for an immediate replacement which I did. Problem solved.

You folks complaining of Remington quality are either the most unlucky people in the world, the most picky or not being 100% truthful in my opinion. Which I dunno.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

There are only 2 brands I'll buy without reservation--- Browning and Tikka/Sako---everything else has just given me fits. I've owned darn near all of em.

Never or ever will own a Savage----just too nasty.

Have my first CZ on lay-a-way----so we'll see there.

Otherwise---I've owned em all at one time or another.


I've owned a good 10-12 Remingtons over the years---NONE would ever give a decent group---even after trying to "fix" them----I was stupid for ever buying more than one---kept on buying into the Remington reputation---which is non-existant.

[jvs]

It is always a good idea to resize your brass wehn reloading, if you don't brass is of different quality and thickness and expands at different rates and sometimes won't chamber.  Having a shell that won't chamber is a problem that usually only comes with fired brass, not new, factory brass.  While some of it may be a headspace problem, metal expansion from the extreme heat of firing clearly can be blamed for the rest of the problem.  

Some Brass is so thin after a few firings and expands so much, it can be hard to remove from the chamber or can crack and break.

Any resized brass should chamber, until its useful life is over.

[Graybeard]

I've owned a good 10-12 Remingtons over the years---NONE would ever give a decent group---even after trying to "fix" them----I was stupid for ever buying more than one---kept on buying into the Remington reputation---which is non-existant.

Not that unusual for me to buy that many in a single year. Not every year mind you but I've owned I'd guess between 150-200 of them. I can recall minor problems with perhaps 3 or 4 of that total. I don't recall ever having to give up on one that didn't shoot plenty well enough for my uses and most shot groups of an inch or less at 100 yards. On the few rare occasions a minor problem cropped up remington took care of it quickly and for free.

[Swampman]

I've owned a good 10-12 Remingtons over the years---NONE would ever give a decent group---even after trying to "fix" them----I was stupid for ever buying more than one---kept on buying into the Remington reputation---which is non-existant.

This is what we call a stretcher in the south.

[roper]

It's kind of funny what you heard at the range.  One guy at our gun club just got a new SS SPS 257 Wby and he was complaining that he couldn't touch the lands go figure.  I've owned alot of Rem rifles and I never had one that wouldn't chamber a round or shoot a decent group and if I wasn't getting what I considered good groups or was having a problem chamber a round I'd sure be getting hold of Rem and sending the rifle back.  

I picked up a 17 Rem when they first came out long before the net was reading one of the gun rags was a recall so called the 800 # they send box and everything to ship it back to them and put on a new barrel I request they didn't put back the factory sights as I only shot the rifle with a scope got the rifle back with no sights.

If you had a truck that wasn't running right was under warannty why wouldn't you take it back to the dealer same with a rifle.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Too bad its the truth. Not like I didn't want em to work out for me---would have saved me a lot of money and frustration.

I moved on from bad rifles long ago----like I said before Browning and Tikka/Sako-----reserving judgement on the CZ--it won't be off lay-a-way for at least a month--maybe two.

[vanbuzen9]

This guy lost all credibility when he said the bolt face was not normal to the axis of the chamber. Even if this was the case, the round would still fire fine. The only way that I can think of to allow the round to be chambered only one way is either to have an elliptical-shaped chamber, or uneven shoulder area. Both of these cases would have probably caused more damage, though.

[kyelkhunter3006]

Believe me, I wish I had the confidence in Remington that I used to. 

After they burned me on my LTR .308 (and that's exactly what they did) and refused to do anything to a gun that was less than two weeks old, after they even admitted that the barrel was sub-standard, that's when they got on the crap list for me.  1st to tell me that there is no standard for accuracy on a law enforcement rifle, and then tell me the barrel is crap, but I'll have to pay a couple hundred bucks for them to replace it, sorry, I just can't play that game.

I've had other mechanical issues with them, but they weren't just because the gun was a Remington.  BUT, I haven't had any issues like those on other brands.............not that it couldn't happen, but it just hasn't.

I don't have the confidence in the brand or that they'll support the brand, so I won't spend my money on them if I can get something else that fits my desires.

[Skunk]

On the Remington quality issue, I haven't had a lot of their rifles, but the CDL that I currently own is darn near perfect in terms of quality: couldn't ask for better fit and finish; everything is straight and works flawlessly, excellent shooter right out of the box. I couldn't ask for a finer rifle in my price range. But on the other hand, all of my Winchesters, Savages, CZs, Rugers, etc. are also very, very, nice in the above terms. I must just be one of the lucky ones.

My boys own lots of Remington rifles and the same goes for them: not a Remington rifle in the bunch that they would part with. But one Son traded his 870 pump off for a Browning recently because the 870 wouldn't shoot worth a tinker's damn.

[Swampman]

"because the 870 wouldn't shoot worth a tinker's damn."

First time I've ever heard of that.  At over 10 million sold they must be doing someting right with the 870.

[jasonprox700]

"because the 870 wouldn't shoot worth a tinker's damn."

First time I've ever heard of that.  At over 10 million sold they must be doing someting right with the 870.

You took the words right out of my mouth.  Literally, I was typing the exat same phrase!  I myself have bever has a problem or issue with a single remington.  I've only heard complaints from others on this board.  I have never met somebody in person who has ever had a bad thing to say about them.  Not to say there may not be some issues with them, or others might have problems.  I'm just saying, I don't know anybody personally who would have a bad thing to say about them.

[Skunk]

"because the 870 wouldn't shoot worth a tinker's damn."

First time I've ever heard of that.  At over 10 million sold they must be doing someting right with the 870.

You took the words right out of my mouth.  Literally, I was typing the exat same phrase! 

LOL you guys. I give the Remington rifles a ton of compliments and praise, I tell you how much I love my CDL, and that's the part of my post that you pick out. Well, I'm sorry but the 870 must of had a bent barrel or something because, "IT DID NOT SHOOT WORTH A TINKER'S DAMN!" 

[Bart Solo]

I am sorry to have offended. As I said in another thread, fully 3/4 of the long guns in my safe are Remington. I was set to buy either a 700 sps or an older 700 adl.  The adl was well finished. I decided I would rather have a floor plate, so I looked carefully at the sps.  Sorry, the fit and finish wasn't up to the other Remingtons in my gun safe.  I looked at a CDL and was impressed. I wouldn't take it in the field,  but if I had an extra $1000 or so I wanted to take out of my bank account and put in my safe I would buy one.  I have long believed that a firearm is a tool.  If I can't take it into the field it is just a pretty piece of useless furniture, nothing more.

As to the 870, something must have been broken. I have one and it has never failed me.

[Swampman]

Nobody offended me.  I converted my new ADL to a CDL for $175.00.  I could have done it for a lot less if I hadn't been in a hurry.  It's a mighty handsome piece.  I plan on hunting with it a lot.  I want my son to have a "rifle that meant something to me"  That's all he said he wanted left in my will for him.  I couldn't see leaving him a plastic rifle.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Funny---the only Remingtons I even own anymore is a pair of 870's and I trust them enough for HD duties.

[no guns here]

Man I like me some Remmy's but then I like Tikka, Marlin, CZ, Blaser and Ruger too.  I drooled over a Chapuis single shot for a year or two until a buddy bought it out from under me.  I don't think any of them are perfect.  Some are better than others.  As long as I can get 1.5 inches out of them they are okay.  If I can get 1 inch they are pretty damn good.  If I can get much under that then I'm happy as the proverbial pig in poop.  I get what I pay for most of the time.  Less price is obviously less pretty, less well finished, cheaper wood, non blued etc.  More money buys more pretty.  Looks don't affect shooting...  My old Ruger 77 6mm shoots beautiful groups of about 1/2 inch.  The stock feels like a two by four and the barrel has rust on the outside in spots (from the previous owner).  The Chapuis that my buddy bought before I could convince the missus that I NEEDED it shoots about an inch, maybe a little more, maybe a little less depending on the day.  It's a $3k rifle with a $1200 scope on it... Beautiful rifle.  Trim, light weight, impeccable blueing and polishing.  Wood and metal meet as one all over the gun.

Ya makes yer choices and ya gits whut ya pays fer...  I don't pick based on Model or Make.  I pick based on whether I like it or not.  Most modern rifles get under the 1.5 inch mark.  Some get less.  Either will kill deer or hogs...

ngh

[Coyote Hunter]

If we’re talking about the quality of Remington firearms, I think we need to include all the firearms that bear the Remington name.   That would include the 798/799 and 710/770 as well as the 700.

Every 798 I’ve handled has left me deeply unimpressed.  Although I’ve wanted a Mauser-design rifle for quite some time I refuse to buy a 798 or 799.  Overpriced junk, IMHO.

The 710 and now the 770 also fail to impress me.  The barrel on these rifles is press-fit rather than threaded, which is reason enough for me to keep my money or spend it elsewhere.  Never mind the other “features”.

 When it comes to M700’s my .308 Win BDL was made in 1975 and acquired by me in like-new condition in 2005.  That rifle shoots very well and has great cosmetics for a production rifle.  My M700 ‘Special Purpose Walnut’ was made in 2005 and acquired by me NIB earlier this year.  It also shoots well but not as well as the 1975 .308 nor as well as some of my Rugers.  I’d say it and my Savage .30-06 are pretty much on a par in the accuracy department.  As to cosmetics, the ‘special Purpose Wood’ .30-06 is pretty plain - no fore-end cap, satin finish, hard plastic buttplate, the bluing is definitely not as nice as the BDL/CDLs, etc.  Not that I care – it’s a hunting rifle, not a showpiece.

I’ve never heard of the bolt handles coming detached on a Ruger one-piece bolt, but I know of a couple with Remington M700’s.  Nor have I ever heard of a Ruger extractor breaking or failing, which is more than I can say for Remington M700’s.  That doesn’t mean the Remington M700’s are bad rifles, but, like other brands, they are not perfect by any stretch.

[Swampman]

That doesn’t mean the Remington M700’s are bad rifles, but, like other brands, they are not perfect by any stretch.

Not perfect, but as close as you can get in a production firearm.  They are after all made by men.

I keep hearing the bolt handle & extractor rumors but nobody has ever been able to show ANY proof.  I've never met anyone that has experienced either.  I really like all the Remington bolt guns.  The new Mausers (made for those who have embraced the controled round feed myth)& the 710/770s are awesome values and very very accurate.

[Graybeard]

One guy at our gun club just got a new SS SPS 257 Wby and he was complaining that he couldn't touch the lands go figure.

That seems rather doubtful since Remington doesn't make such a rifle. They list only two rifles chambered to the .257 Whby. Magnum. One is the CDL SF and the other is the LSS Limited Edition to be made only this year. I have one on order that should arrive either today or Monday. Mine of course will be the LSS Limited with the Gray Laminated stock and SS metal. The SPS just isn't shown as available in that chambering.

[AtlLaw]

I keep hearing the bolt handle & extractor rumors but nobody has ever been able to show ANY proof.

While I'm not the extremest the Swampman is    I like my Remington Rifles... and my 3200 come to think of it!  I to have heard the bolt handle, extractor and banana shaped chamber rumors for years but have never personally had, nor known anyone who has had, any such problem.  So they are kind of a non-issue to me.  I feel I can count on getting a good, solid accurate rifle when I buy a 7/700.

Point in case.  I bought a used old model M7 in 260 last year; I've been looking for one to use as the action basis for a .250 project.     Now when I say used I mean really used!  Besides being filthy, the stock looked like it had been used to drive fence posts and the barrel looked like someone had removed the sights with a pair of pliers!      And the screw heads on the scope rings that came on it were so screwed up I felt lucky that I could get them out!  No problem, I only wanted the action anyway.

Now I've got this "thing" about killing something with every sportin gun in it original form before before I start "personalizing" it.  So I cleaned the M7 up and mounted one of my scopes on it.  I didn't do any of the things I normally do to a bolt gun, so for all intents and purposes I was going to shoot it as it came "out of the box."  While bore sighting I noticed that the windage screws on the scope mount, which were also rounded if you can believe that, were pretty hard to adjust, but were close enough to get me on paper at 25 yards.  I didn't give it much thought since I was eagerly anticipating shooting some of the 120 gr. Remington bullets I had been wanting to try.   

Next range trip while sighting in the scope I attempted to make a windage adjustment using the mount, and the screw head falls off!     Now I'll bet whomever the previous owner(s) of that rifle were blame Remington for making a rifle that "won't shoot" rather then Bubba of the Ham Hand who broke the mount!

Oh, BTW, I got another mount Monday, remounted the scope and tried my starting load with the 120's yesterday.  After sighting in I shot a few groups which all hovered around 1 - 1.5 inch.  Although the velocity was a little slow, 2680 fps ave., it's good enough for one deer this year!   

The new Mausers

I wouldn't really call them Remingtons...

[Muddyboots]

This is always an interesting discussion. I've never had a Remington (about 15 of them over years) that wouldn't shoot lights out. I am taking a Sendero in 300 WM elk hunting in couple weeks since I just can't part with the accuracy I get with it. It consistently shoots inside 1/2" at 100 yards with 200 gr. Accubonds. I don't care about the weight. I'll just leave out an extra 2-3 sandwiches out of pack. Could stand to lose a few more pounds anyway. . BUT I have had one Tikka T-3 in .300 WSM that just wouldn't do it. I discussed this a lot couple years ago since I was so disappointed with it. I sold it. Bought a Remington SPS in .300 WSM and guess what...shoots lights out. The only other rifle that beat me was a Ruger No. 1 in 7 MM Rem Mag. OK - Graybeard say it...I told you so....I did everything to that rifle up to sending it to one of the best gunsmiths on No. 1's around. Best it would ever do was about 1.5".....not good enough in my book. But acceptable to any manufacturer. I just like better performance. I have a couple real old Savage 110's that I wouldn't part with under any circumstance. They shoot everything and have held up for over 40 years.
Craig

[Mckie Hollow]

Yeah, those Rem's are a POS. I have 3 hunting rifles on the rack right now(1972-2006), and not one of them will shoot 1/4". Maybe I should call them and complain?

[roper]

One guy at our gun club just got a new SS SPS 257 Wby and he was complaining that he couldn't touch the lands go figure.

That seems rather doubtful since Remington doesn't make such a rifle. They list only two rifles chambered to the .257 Whby. Magnum. One is the CDL SF and the other is the LSS Limited Edition to be made only this year. I have one on order that should arrive either today or Monday. Mine of course will be the LSS Limited with the Gray Laminated stock and SS metal. The SPS just isn't shown as available in that chambering.

The rifle he has is the SS SPS model in 257 Wby cost him $575 at Sportman's Warehouse and it could of been a special run made just for Sportman's Warehouse or some wholesaler.