How reliable and durable is the Remington 700 rifle?

[Questor]

So many things on this rifle seem rinky-dink cheap, from the safety to the little tab that extracts the cases. I realize it's a rifle classic, but it seems kind of frail to me.  How durable are these things?

[Lawdog]

So many things on this rifle seem rinky-dink cheap, from the safety to the little tab that extracts the cases. I realize it's a rifle classic, but it seems kind of frail to me.  How durable are these things?

When it comes to dangerous game I wouldn't bet my life or the life of others on one.(Or any push feed for that matter.  To many incidents where they have jammed at the wrong time)  That's the problem with Remington anymore.  Too cheaply made.  Lawdog
 

[brasskeeper]

I work with a guy takes a Rem 700 in 375 H&H to Africa and to Kodiak Island. He was taken the big buffs, a kodiak bear which is the biggest bear ive seen, Leopord ect. He has not had any problems or concerns or reservations.

[Redhawk1]

Lawdog, tell us how you really feel.

[Questor]

Lawdog, this isn't a push feed vs. controlled round feed question. I know the reasons the Mauser actions are preferred. I'm asking specifically about the manufacturing quality of the Remingtons. They seem nice on the outside, but the inside seems cheaply made. How well are they made compared to other rifles of the same type?

[Redhawk1]

Questor, I feel as you do about there quality. I don't own any Remington Rifles. I will pick a Tikka, Sako, Browning or Ruger over a Remington.

I do how ever have 4 Remington Shotguns. But my Browning Gold is my first choice for bird hunting.  

[mparks]

Wonder what action military snipers choose?  Hmmm...

[brasskeeper]

Wonder what action military snipers choose?  Hmmm...

Dont forget Police

[Lawdog]

Lawdog, this isn't a push feed vs. controlled round feed question. I know the reasons the Mauser actions are preferred. I'm asking specifically about the manufacturing quality of the Remingtons. They seem nice on the outside, but the inside seems cheaply made. How well are they made compared to other rifles of the same type?

I realize that you asked;

How durable are these things?

[/b]

all I was trying to do ws keep this from turning into a "Remington Bashing" thread(don’t want to hurt Remington owners feelings anymore than I already have).  I own a number of Remington rifles BUT none that were made after the mid 1980’s.  That is when Remington changed their manufacturing process and changed(dropped) the quality control and Customer Service.  Today’s Remington rifles don’t near come up to what they once were and the worst part is Remington doesn’t care.  Here is my list of SIX good reasons why NOT to buy NEW Remington rifles,

1.]  hideous safety

2.]  flimsy extractors

3.]  brazed on bolt handle

4.]  declining quality control

5.]  non existent customer service

6.]  a trigger group made from stamped metal

I believe that all SIX of these reasons address your question "How durable are these things?".  Lawdog
 

[Questor]

Thanks, Lawdog. The things you stated match my observations. I have a Remington that was made in the 1990s and I think I'm going to sell it.  I am really disappointed that a rifle with such a good reputation is in reality of poor quality. I have a few Czech rifles that are masterpieces compared to this thing.  

My observation is that the extractor is so small (in .375 H&H) it's hard to believe that it can even work, and that if it wears even a little, it should fail.

[captainkirk]

Questor: this may or may not answer your question.  I have had a Model 700 in 30-'06 since 1986 that was manufactured in 1971.  I have put literally a couple of thousand rounds through it (I handload and keep records).  The barrel (throat) was pretty worn when I got it, such that I can seat a 200 MK out pretty far before it contacts the lands.  The rounds will still fit the magazine, but just.  I have taken my share of game with it here in TX. and many varmints with light bullets.  But mostly it has been my companion at the range or informal targets in the fields where I grew up.   I plan on having it rebarrelled with something heavy and stainless in the near future and to retire it to the range for good.  I hope to enjoy many outings to American Shooting Centers and the relatively   long ranges they have to offer.  (around here any way)  

All that to tell you this:  I have never had a hint of trouble from this weapon.  Never spent a day at the smith having anything fixed etc.  Shoot it, clean it.  This neither confirms nor denies what Lawdog says above though as this is hardly a NEW gun it is in fact 34 years old..

[TNrifleman]

My experience with Remington rifles has been quite good. I have been shooting them for many years without any problems at all. No extractor problems, (I have a custom shop 375 H&H) no trigger problems, no accuracy problems, no problems! I can't coment on their customer service, I've never needed it... I am a retired law enforcement officer and firearms instructor. The 700P is the overwhelming choice for LE countersnipers.

[jro45]

I own alot of Remington rifles bought a few years ago. I don't know about them now adays. When I bought them you could not buy a better made rifle. Even my 338 RUM is a great rifle of resent years. People can say what they want about Remington but Rem. hasn't failed me yet. I know Rem rifles are the only ones I'll ever buy

[tanoose]

Wow with all the bad things going for it I wonder why the Remington 700 bolt action rifle is the #1 in sales over the last 30 years

[Questor]

I've been trying to get to the bottom of the reliability issue and it seems that the reality is more fiction than fact. There seem to be plenty of Model 700 big bores in service and the "C" extractor and plunger ejector seem to be about as reliable as anything else.  From a gunsmithing perspective, the safety is the least desirable feature because of some reliability problems with it.  

For example, I have a mauser actioned .270 and feeding is awkward at times. It's reliable, but needs a little fiddling. My 700, while not having the marks of quality I hope for is very smooth and reliable.

[captainkirk]

Questor:

In addition to my above voluminous comments I thought of these as well:  Though it seems small, my extractor has never failed.  I have only had the bolt apart once for a cursory cleaning/inspection and found no accumulation of crud worthy of note.  I put it back together and kept shooting.  Same for the ejector.  While it is true the safety would be much better if you could work the bolt while it was on, just follow other safe practices and you should be OK.  

I did have a 700 safari 375 for a while also.  Super nice rifle, excellent wood, beautiful fit and finish.  I just decided I wanted a 458 more so I swapped it off for something else.  Otherwise it was my "ultimate 375"

I seem to remember Remington did a test years ago between their extractor and a Mauser type by putting a brass billet with rim cuts in it between two opposing bolts.    They then applied stress to the bolts from the rear (sort of a "tug-of war") and the Mauser extractor let go first.  I don't think the bolts were locked in a barrel of any sort - so the (somewhat) external Mauser extractor may not have been supported as well as it would have been in a "real" situation.  I do not remember the source, and this was some years back.

captainkirk

[Questor]

I was reading Boddington's book Safari Rifles and found it interesting that Boddington had a left-handed 700 chambered for 458 Lott. He had action and stock work done, and the action work included replacing the factory safety with a flag safety. The resulting rifle is what he considers to be an optimal rifle for big African game. Maybe I need to rethink my position on this rifle.

The barrel and stock are good. The only thing I really take issue with is the trigger and safety, the iron sights, and the extractor/ejector mechanism.  All seem to work OK, but I perceive them as cheap even though they may in reality be just fine.

[pc]

I use remingtons for varmint guns and cz's for hunting rifles. I have a rem 700 vls with HS stock added in .243 and it shoots very well, have added a Rifle Basix LV-1, bager mounting gear and a leupold 8.5-25x50.

I also have a rem 700 pss in .300 RUM coming for long range varmint work from the truck window, it will have same mounting gear and scope as above.

Point I am trying to make is match the rifle to the purpose......I can live with a rem 700 if it is in a heavy barrel gun or there pumps.

It wouls seem the US Army and Marine Core are content for the moment with the rem 700....given the USMC gun has D.D. Ross bottom metal fitted and a McMillan stock.

[Zeke Menuar]

When I get through burning up the barrel and generally trashing my Tupperware Special I'll let you know.  I use my M700 as a plinker because I do not own a .22  After nine years of 130gr speedburners it still works as well as the day it was new.  

ZM

[tanoose]

Quester i guess i have to get out there and check out the new remington 700's  because i have one made in 1971  that as durable and reliable  as any other rifle out there. 34 years old with never a problem it still gets into the deer woods

[DanP]

Curious thing...  While lots of people complain about PF vs. CF, I've seen only a few complaints of extractors not working except in Africa stories (could be the heat with over-pressure cartridges), or bolts falling off, etc.  I've seen it mentioned that the extractor on a 700 is similar in size to that of a SxS double.  It looks to be similar in size to a number of single-shot's I've seen and owned.

However, the curious thing is that these aren't the things that Remington has had problems with.  The problems they've had involved the trigger/safety getting gummed up by poor cleaning habits to the point that taking the gun off safety could cause it to fire.  It didn't help that their older 700's had a bolt that was locked while the safety was on -- requiring that you take the safety off to unload (particular problem for the ADLs that have a closed mag).  This resulted in a fatality (woman shot her son when she was trying to unload the gun).  Remington had a recall to remove the bolt-block so it could be unloaded while the safety remained on, and to give the trigger/safety a good cleaning.

Dan

[Lawdog]

DanP,

The problems they've had involved the trigger/safety getting gummed up by poor cleaning habits to the point that taking the gun off safety could cause it to fire.

Not so.  Happens more on brand new, spotlessly clean M700's.  That is what most of the lawsuits that have been filed are about.  Lawdog

[DanP]

I hadn't heard about that, lawdog...  it looks like their recall effort does not really connect with this problem.

Even so -- I am (now more) surprised that this wasn't one of the things mentioned regarding problems with the 700's.

Dan

[tanoose]

I know that remington is changing over saftys on 700 built before 1982 they are charging $20.00 and giving back a $20.00 coupon. I personaly think this should be done at no charge. But unless i am mistaken Remington has never had a recall on there 700's for such a problem.

[Lawdog]

I know that remington is changing over saftys on 700 built before 1982 they are charging $20.00 and giving back a $20.00 coupon. I personaly think this should be done at no charge. But unless i am mistaken Remington has never had a recall on there 700's for such a problem.

Remington isn't going to issue a voluntary recall because doing so could be taken as an admission that they knew their safeties were faulty.  And Remington has way too many lawsuits against it.  These safeties are on rifles manufactured after the 1980’s.  It’s not the money in the lawsuits it’s having to recall and fix all rifles manufactured after a certain date and the added lawsuits that would be filed by those looking to make a quick dollar.  Remington remembers what happened to General Motors and their saddle gas tanks on their pick-ups.  That one ended up costing GM a bundle.  Lawdog
 

[Savage .250]

Have had a remington 700......7m/m since 1968.   Never had a problem,
  nothing ever "fell" off it, everything still works on it.  Shoots great.
   Would i buy another , Remington that is?  No.  Seems  the older guns are better,IMHO.   Newer ones maybe questionable but i don`t know that .
  Some of you guys think so, so i`ll take you word for it.
  I favor older guns like the Savage99(pre-mil).....ok, now i`m happy.

 " The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."

[John C-S]

My first centerfire was a 6mm Rem in 700 ADL. I was very impressed. I reloaded in those days and shot the gun into chamber erosion with 75 gr Sierra HPs above 48 grains of 4350. Those bullets were accurate and killed coyotes trying to attack our livestock in Washoe Valley, Nevada. The longest shot was 250 yards. That coyote died in place. The ADL with Lyman Alaskan fixed 4X was perfect. That one died in place to one 75 gr JHP around 3600 fps according to the chrono I tested it with in 1974. Now, we hear about claw extractors and Mauser extractors and what have you. But the Weatherby action in MK V is unquestionable in function. I think we need to take a closer look at push feeds with objectivity. They are reliable. They work. And many of the best made rifles have no shame to continue their production. My favorite rifle? The one rifle I would keep as my only rifle? A .300 WBY Magnum in MK V Custom Deluxe. It has history. It has WOOD. It is beautiful. And it is a push feed I can rely upon for accuracy and reliability.