New Build: R700

T

Tangentabacus

New member
I got an R700 Varmint in .308. It's got a 26" heavy barrel and no mods.

I want to take it to Wild West Guns here in Anchorage and talk to them about doing some work to it. Here's the list. Opinions welcome and encouraged!

-Cut to 24" and thread to fit AR-10 threads

-Flute barrel

-Lapped, fluted bolt, bigger tactical bolt handle (not sure what else to do here got any suggestions?)

-Probably drop in a timney trigger

-Want to make it so it can accept the AR-10 10 round magazines (any suggestions on this?)

-B&C medalist stock

All of this will be right at the edge of my budget so a thing there or here may be dropped or edited. Trying to shoot for right at $1,000. Got the gun for free so not worried about spending a little money on it.
 
What is the rate of twist in the barrel?

What are your intended uses after all the custom work?

-Cut to 24" and thread to fit AR-10 threads
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You only want to cut 2" off the length and have it threaded 5/8x24tpi. Are you planning on using a Flash Suppressor, Muzzle Brake, or Suppressor?
Flash Suppressor: You won't gain anything in adding this to your rifle.
Muzzle Brake: This will net you less recoil and muzzle jump when fired, but will gain you directional noise aimed at the shooters next to you. I have one on my .308 and I love it, but mine has an 18" heavy barrel.
Suppressor: .308 Suppressors are long and heavy. You will want to cut the barrel to 20" or less if this is route you want to go. Unless you want a rifle that is over 5ft long with suppressor attached and that is very barrel heavy when carrying.
-Flute barrel
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Why? Main reason for Barrel Fluting is to make a larger OD barrel be lighter weight and be just as rigid as a barrel with smaller OD weighing the same, and it also helps with heat discipation. If you want less recoil though, this will counter-act the addition of the muzzle brake.
-Lapped, fluted bolt, bigger tactical bolt handle (not sure what else to do here got any suggestions?)
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Larger bolt handle can make for easier bolt throw, but if you are having it lapped, then it should be plenty smooth and the bolt handle would not be required. If it's for looks, then by all means, go for it.
Fluting the bolt adds no real value and is just for looks.
-Probably drop in a timney trigger
Click to expand...
Not a bad investment.
-Want to make it so it can accept the AR-10 10 round magazines (any suggestions on this?)
Click to expand...
There may be conversions on the net for the Rem 700 to do this, but I dont own any Remingtons so I can't help you here.
-B&C medalist stock
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This is where you should start before doing anything else. Have the new stock pillar bedded and free floated then see how she shoots.
 
Be careful who flutes your barrel, as improper cutting of those flutes can induce stress and interfere with what otherwise be an accurate barrel.

If I was trying to save money, I'd probably skip the barrel and bolt fluting altogether. If the rifle is too heavy, get a lighter weight barrel installed.
 
You can get the Bell and Carlson stock from Stocky's already fitted to accept Accuracy International magazines.
 
Have you shot it yet? Make sure it shoots dicently before doing barrel work. I had to re-barrel my Remmy. 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD because it wouldn't group under 2" at 100 yards. If it won't shoot 1/4 MOA get a custom barrel and have the work you want done to it. You'll be happier in the end.
 
i do not think that you can convert a 700 to use ar10 mags. you can add dbm
to accept AI mags but you need to inlet your stock for the bottom metal
 
Interesting info. I'd want to cut the barrel and thread it so I can fit a suppressor in the future. For now just for looks until I can afford a good suppressor. The main reason behind I want to flute anything is to shave weight. The bolt handle is just for looks and again the fluting would be for weight savings. Since I have it at the gun smith getting other work done figured I'd do that too. And B&C ones accept AI mags? I'll have to look into that. Just thought a 10rd MagPul magazine would look epic.

As far as I know the gun shoots fine but you got a point. Maybe I need to reassess what I got and run with that. The exact order I'd do this stuff would totally be dependent in what type of money I can afford to spend.

What does a good barrel for an R700 run you anyways?
 
Krieger, Bartlein, Rock River run in the $300.00 $375.00 range. I have a Krieger and a Bartlean on 700 actions in Bell & Carlson stocks. Both shoot 1/4 MOA.

First three shots with the Bartlein. The diamond is 1/2".

BartFirst3A_zps77e59d51.jpg
 
Sounds like you want a rifle from Redhawk!

I don't see any point in cutting the barrel back to 24". If weight savings is your goal cut it back to 20". You won't loose that much velocity, and when you hang a "can" back on there in the future it won't look so LOOONG. I imagine cutting 6" of varmint barrel off will save more weight than any amount of fluting.

I don't think there is much out there to convert a M700 to use AR10 mags, ACIS will be your best bet. I know there are issues getting AR15 mags to work with the M700 action as well. There is some milling to open up the bottom of the receiver that has to be done to accommodate the double stack mags. ACIS is just a bolt on and go upgrade, only need to inlet the stock for the new floor plate.
 
To complicate matters someone wants to buy my R700 for $650 (above retail in my area) and there's a dealer in town with the SPS tactical for $699... Might have to change my plans a bit here!!
 
In case anyone is wondering. This is what I ended up doing instead....

Remington 700 AAC-SD
Vortex HS-T
Nightforce Direct Mount
And a random sling

That alone has put me out $1,448 so I think my work here is done... For now...
 
The very first thing I did with my AAC-SD was put it in a Bell & Carlson stock. The original stock is way to flimsy up front. Apply just a little pressure with your thumb and fotfinger and the stock contacts the barrel.
 
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