Legendary Australian gunwriter Nick Harvey had a remarkable career just short of 70 years long. On the anniversary of his death on 21 February 2024, we pay tribute by republishing the last gun test he did, which happened to cover one of the rifles he most admired.
The Remington Model 700 is the benchmark in bolt-action reliability, strength and accuracy, and remains one of the most popular bolt-action rifles of all time.
More than 5 million have been made over more than 60 years in more than 50 chamberings. It has been produced in a host of variations including my test Model 700 SPS Stainless in .300 Winchester Magnum.
My own history with the Remington Model 700 is extensive. I’ve been shooting them for decades. I can remember hunting with 700s in .204 Ruger, .223, .22-250, .257 Roberts, .25-06, .270 Win, 7mm-08, 280 Rem, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm STW and 8mm Rem Mag, but there may have been others.
The models ranged from the original blind-magazine ADL and the Deluxe BDL to the plain Model 78, a titanium-actioned lightweight model, and my favourite, the Classic in .257 Roberts.
The only model I had no experience of was the EtronX, which fired its cartridges with a bolt of electricity.
The Model 700 is a simple action design with many up-to-date features. It evolved from ugly ducklings like the 721 and 722, and became the largest selling rifle in the world. The early 721-722 actions formed the vanguard of modern design trends.
The internal C-spring extractor and plunger ejector allow an unbroken rim around the bolt face, which in turn is partially enclosed in a recess in the breech of the barrel. Three rings of steel completely enclose the bolt head, making the 700 one of the strongest and safest actions ever built.
The tiny extractor has received some criticism over the years and while it does not have the strength of the Mauser Model 98 claw extractor, it must be strong enough because I have yet to experience a single failure. The same goes for the plunger-style ejector. Keep both clean and lightly lubricated and they will give many years of trouble-free service.
The Model 700 action is favoured by gunsmiths who make modern, super-accurate custom rifles. This is not only because of the Model 700’s inherent accuracy but because of the vast amount of accuracy tooling available for them.
The first step is to ‘blueprint’ the action to make sure everything is perfectly machined, including the barrel threads and face of the receiver ring, and replacing the recoil lug with a heavier-duty one.
This seems a lot of trouble, because I’ve had several Model 700s rebarrelled without all this extra work, and all of these rifles shot very accurately, with three-shot groups running from ½ to ¾ MOA depending on the calibre.
The 700 SPS Stainless under review is a sterling example of how a highly original design, good workmanship, lightning-fast locktime and a rigid, thick-walled receiver combine into a consistently accurate rifle.
The Model 700 SPS Stainless in .300 Win Mag is a handsome rifle with a well-shaped classic-styled stock, a matte finished action and 66cm (26”) barrel. Its weight of 3.5kg (7⅝lb) is ideal for a .30 magnum.
The nicely proportioned stock is matte-black synthetic with over-moulded panels on fore-end and grip which give a rubbery-feeling non-slip hold. The pistol grip is gently curved, 12cm (4⅝”) in circumference and slightly oval, which gives a good feel and control of the trigger.
The comb is high and straight with only a little more drop at heel than at the comb, 29mm (1⅛”) against 35mm (1⅜”). This small difference lessens the recoil effect. The high comb and cheekpiece allow the shooter to get a good firm contact with the cheek for steady holding. Minimal drop at heel ensures the butt rests firmly on the shoulder muscles.
The fore-end is slim and rounded, feeling very comfortable in the hand. The butt has a 19mm (¾”) thick SuperCell recoil pad that is very efficient in absorbing recoil, making the magnum more comfortable to shoot.
The stock is injection-moulded from a polymer material and the inletting is smooth and neat. What was totally unexpected, however, was the lack of any bedding system such as aluminium pillars around the action screws. Evidently, the stock is so rigid and such a close fit that the factory decided none was needed.
The stock’s fore-end is stiff, and there is little flex when it and the free-floated barrel are squeezed together.
The Model 700 action is the perfect vehicle for the .300 Win Mag. The stylish receiver has a close fitting bolt, the body of which has an attractive jewelled finish. When fully retracted the bolt has no discernible angular play and a groove in the outside of the righthand locking lug engages with a track milled into the receiver rail to decrease bolt wobble.
The bolt is brazed together from five pieces. The body and bolt head are machined from chrome-moly bar stock while the handle with chequered knob is investment cast. This built-up bolt construction sacrifices nothing in the way of strength, since the lugs are an integral part of the bolt head.
The original Remington 700 trigger gave trouble, resulting in major litigation. This resulted in the introduction of the X-Mark Pro trigger system in 2009. Not only is the X-Mark Pro safer, but it feels a lot better. This is a moot point for this test, though, because soon after this test rifle was produced, RemArms began fitting Timney triggers instead, which is what you will get on a new Model 700 now.
Model 700 locktime is incredibly fast at 3.0 milliseconds for the long action and 2.6 milliseconds for the short action.
The concentricity of receiver, bolt and barrel together with excellent precision in manufacture contribute to exceptional accuracy. Being a close fit in the cylindrical receiver, the bolt is well supported and gives solid and smooth operation.
The round Remington receiver also strengthens performance by having a greater underside surface which distributes support in the stock. The receiver was modified in 1974 by making the right side-rail slightly higher to form a rail for a new bolt-guide system. At the same time the left side was raised an equal amount to further strengthen the already rigid receiver.
The 66cm hammer-forged barrel has a fairly standard contour.
One of the first things I noticed about the Model 700 series of rifles was their accuracy. Remington barrels have always had a reputation for being finely accurate.
The rifle came with a Bushnell Elite 4500 4-16×50 scope attached via Q/D rings clamped to a Picatinny rail.
There were no surprises at the range. The rifle shot well with everything we fed it. The tightest group of the day was a .785” cluster (equivalent to 21.8mm at 100m) from the Hornady 150gn Interlock. Accuracy results are shown in the table below.
Overall, the rifle was acceptably accurate, just what you’d expect from a Model 700 in .300 Win Mag. The stock design coupled with a reasonable all-up weight made the rifle relatively comfortable to shoot.
Both heft and barrel length are right for the magnum enthusiast who demands the best compromise between recoil, ballistic efficiency, accuracy and carrying ease.
The trigger pull is crisp and clean and the bolt operates smoothly and easily. The stock design is excellent.
While I’ve hunted with many different makes of rifles over the years, I love the lines of this 700 and the way it handles. I’d be proud to own one and wouldn’t hesitate to take it afield in all weathers.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Manufacturer: RemArms, USA
- Type: Push-feed bolt-action
- Calibres: .223, .243, 6.5 CM, 7mm-08, .308, .270, .30-06, 7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag (tested)
- Capacity: 3+1 hinged floorplate (magnum rounds)
- Barrel: 416 stainless steel, 66cm (26”), 1:10 R/H twist
- Overall length: 118cm (46.5”)
- Weight: 3.5kg (7⅝lb)
- Stock: Matte black synthetic with over-moulded grip panels
- LOP: 340mm (13⅜”); drop at comb, 29mm (1⅛”); drop at heel, 35mm (1⅜”)
- Finish: Matte silver
- Trigger: X-Mark Pro adjustable; 1.6kg (3½lb) as tested
- Safety: 2-position lever; action can be cycled on safe
- Sights: None; drilled and tapped for scope bases
- Price: Around $1800-$2000
- Distributor: NIOA
Thanks to our local gun shop, Mudgee Firearms, for assistance with transfers and the usual friendly service.
0 Comments