Remington 700 Sporter rifle – review

The Remington Model 700 rifle is legendary. First produced in 1962, nearly 60 years later it’s still in production, with an unparalleled reputation for dependability and out-of-the-box accuracy, relied on by elite military units and law enforcement around the world.

Richard Ryan, of Remington’s UK distributors Raytrade UK, is a massive fan. “The Remington 700 claims to be the world’s most accurate factory production rifle and I would agree with that,” he says. “Every single one will shoot sub-MoA. It’s the most copied rifle in the world, and for good reason. It’s a fabulous action that’s inherently accurate.”

Richard explains that the manufacturing process is part of the rifle’s secret. The action is machined as a cylinder, with the flats cut out at the end of the process. This ensures everything is aligned true, contributing to the rifle’s legendary accuracy. “Every rifle is individually headspaced, then tested and shot to ensure accuracy in the factory.”

“The production line set up in 1966 is still there – they got it that right,” he continues. “The Remington 700 isn’t like a typical mass produced rifle today, where components are brought together and assembled. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but these are still effectively made on an assembly line from start to finish.”

The mounting system is set up for the versatile Picatinny rail, but there are plenty of options including one-piece mounts and ring mounts for regular scopes or night vision.

“A lot of people ask about the trigger,” says Richard. “The original Walker trigger has now been superseded by the X Mark Pro trigger, which is adjustable down to about 3 1/2 lbs. I like that personally, but a lot of rifle shooters in the UK want something a bit lighter and they can choose from a plethora of aftermarket trigger options on the market.”

“The 700 is available in a huge variety of calibres, barrel lengths and diameters,” he adds. “With over 7 million rifles out there, there’s every accessory under the sun available for the Remington 700. From triggers to mounts to stocks to bases – you name it, it’s out there.”

Prices start around £1,000. Find out more at the Raytrade website.

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