Remington 700 Review: Accuracy, Reliability and Value

The Remington 700 doesn’t need much of an introduction. It’s been around since 1962 and has earned its place as one of the most recognizable bolt-action rifles ever made. Hunters, precision shooters, law enforcement, and military users have all put some version of the 700 to work over the years.

Of course, a long history doesn’t automatically make a rifle worth buying today. Remington itself has gone through plenty of changes, and the Model 700 has changed along with it. New production rifles are still being built, while older Remington 700s remain everywhere on the used market.

For this Remington 700 review, I spent several hundred rounds behind the rifle to see where this classic bolt gun still shines, where it shows its age, and whether the 700’s reputation still holds up.

An iconic bolt action rifle that has seen service with sportsmen, competition shooters, and snipers in its various configurations over the past 60 years!

A Note About Current Model 700 Triggers

The rifle tested for this review came equipped with Remington’s X-Mark Pro trigger, which plays a big role in my comments and grading below. However, that’s worth separating from what buyers will find on a newly manufactured Model 700 today.

Remington has since moved to factory-installed Timney triggers on newly manufactured Model 700 rifles. That’s a meaningful upgrade, especially considering the trigger was one of my biggest complaints with this particular rifle.

Remington 700 Background – Over 60 Years of Remington 700s

The Remington 700 debuted in 1962, giving this bolt-action platform more than six decades of history. In that time, Remington has produced the 700 in an almost ridiculous number of configurations, calibers, stocks, and barrel profiles.

That variety is part of the rifle’s appeal. The basic Model 700 action has served as everything from a straightforward hunting rifle to the foundation for serious precision builds. Its massive aftermarket also means you’re rarely stuck with the rifle exactly as it came from the factory.

Of course, affordability is subjective. As a lifelong shooter, I’ve come to appreciate the 700 as a classic and functional bolt-action rifle. It’s both capable out of the box and ready for any user-inspired upgrades or updates, as needed. In other words, if you can’t afford exactly what you want on day one, pick up one of these and treat it like a blank canvas.

The Remington 700’s action is where it’s at. The 700’s basic design marked a change in how bolt action rifles were made—subtle though it is. The receiver is cut on a lathe, from round bar stock, rather than being milled. Another notable feature is the recessed bolt face, which encloses the cartridge head for a better alignment and enhances the rifle’s overall accuracy. 

Many of the other parts are stamped. While some are dubious about stamped parts, Remington knew that tight tolerances on milling were crucial for accuracy—but only on some parts. By investing in those, and cutting costs elsewhere, Remington trimmed production costs (production time, too) and built guns that would perform better than their predecessors, but at a lower cost. 

As for the stock, this one is an SPS (special purpose synthetic). As you can imagine for a gun that’s been in circulation for more than half a century, wood is prevalent. Synthetic is the new norm. But everything else is available, too—from carbon fiber to PRS stocks to… you name it.

Models and Variations of the Remington 700

Calling the Model 700 a single rifle doesn’t really tell the whole story. Remington has built this action into everything from basic hunting rifles to heavy long-range and tactical configurations.

Current offerings include traditional hunting setups alongside models such as the SPS Tactical, Long Range, Magpul Enhanced, and newer Alpha 1. That gives shooters plenty of room to choose a 700 that fits their intended use before they ever start digging into the aftermarket.

Remington 700 –  Our Take

How it handles

When I consider shootability, I have to account for my size. I’m 6’4”, so I need a longer length of pull than most. This rifle doesn’t provide that for me, and it isn’t adjustable. 

I’m often faced with this, though, so no surprises. I have learned to shoot guns that are too small for me, and I can still shoot well with this 700. 

The bolt moves freely—no complaints there. 

This is a standard style stock for bolt-action guns today, and there are options for mounting bipods and slings, as you’d expect. While the slings are lighter, the bipod is more stable and an asset for any serious long-range shots. 

Ultimately, this 700 is light enough to carry all day and ideal for hunting. The barrel is thin though, so don’t look for crazy repeat accuracy from the bench without a suitable cool-down period. 

Reliability

The elephant in the room here is the Remington trigger recall. Some Remington Model 700s had triggers that could dislodge if the gun was hit hard enough. This is bad. The connection of the sear at the trigger was designed for an optimal trigger pull, not for an impact, and there were catastrophic results. 

This one was built after. To test its reliability, I emptied the gun, cocked the bolt, put the safety in the fire position and struck the butt violently against the floor. I also struck the sides with a rubber mallet. While I didn’t beat the gun into oblivion, I also couldn’t get the sear to disconnect. Each time, a trigger pull was all that was needed. 

The trigger pull, though—that’s another story. We’ll get to that.

Ergonomics

As I mentioned above the stock is what you get. For the average shooter, this will be ideal. 

The synthetic stock has some over-molded sections for more grip. These work well as visual accents and as a grip. And the butt has a thick rubber pad on it to eat up some shock from the .308s recoil. All in all, this is a very traditional build and a stock that will stand the test of time.

On Target

The action is free-floated, too. And that aids the accuracy. I shot some 165 grain and 150 grain .308, and both worked well. 

The only hindrance to accuracy, apart from the ergonomic difficulties I mentioned above, was the trigger. The trigger pull out-of-the-box is stiff—5 pounds. These come with the X-Mark Pro externally adjustable trigger, which means 2 pounds of movement. 

But it has the slightest hitch in the pull—a bit of movement that is hardly perceptible to the eye, but one you can feel in the tip of your finger. The trigger on this is its weakness, for sure. 

Still, even so, I’m able to shoot one-hole groups at 100 yards. For a hunting gun, this trigger is hardly a fatal flaw. 

Is the price right?

Putting one price on the Remington 700 isn’t easy because there are so many versions of this rifle. The used market adds another layer, with decades of older Remington-produced rifles sitting alongside current production guns.

That means value depends heavily on which 700 you’re looking at. A basic hunting configuration and a purpose-built long-range model aren’t really competing for the same buyer or budget.

What hasn’t changed is the value of the platform itself. The Model 700 has enormous aftermarket support, so you can start with a relatively simple rifle and build from there. Stocks, chassis systems, triggers, optics mounts, and other upgrades are easy to find. If you want a bolt gun that can grow with you, the 700 still makes a lot of sense.

Remington 700 Pros and Cons 

Shootability	The testing rifle came with an X Mark Pro trigger. Current production rifles now come with Timney triggers.	B
Reliability	There are few designs with this long of a track record	A
Ergonomics	Average isn’t bad. It is average.	C
Accuracy	MOA or better with 150 grain .308 is solid.	A
Value	If you find a good deal on one, it is a great foundation to build on.	B

Our Grade

B+

Reviewed by David Higginibotham

Reader’s Grade

A

Based on 12 Reviews

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Is the Remington 700 still made?

Yes. The Remington Model 700 remains in production, with several configurations available for hunting, tactical, and long-range shooting.

Do new Remington 700 rifles still use the X-Mark Pro trigger?

Newly manufactured Model 700 rifles now come with factory-installed Timney triggers. The rifle tested in this review has the older X-Mark Pro trigger.

Is the Remington 700 a good hunting rifle?

Yes. The Model 700 has been used as a hunting rifle for decades. The wide selection of configurations and chamberings makes it suitable for many types of hunting.

How accurate is the Remington 700?

Accuracy depends on the specific model, ammunition, optic, and shooter. Our .308 test rifle produced excellent groups at 100 yards despite its heavier factory trigger.

Is the Remington 700 good for a custom rifle build?

Absolutely. Aftermarket support remains one of the Model 700’s biggest strengths. Shooters have countless options for stocks, chassis systems, triggers, optics mounts, and other upgrades.

Remington 700 Starter Pack

If you’re serious about shooting, there are a few extra things you’ll probably want to pick up–if you don’t have them of course.

• Optics: Odds are your Remington 700 will come without any form of aiming device. Visit our Optics Reviews Page for reviews on scopes and How-To guides to mount your selected optic.
• Scope Rings and Bases: Once you select your optic of choice, you will need to mount it on your new Remington 700. Check out our Scope Ring Finder Tool to find the rings and bases you need to mount your scope.
• Gun Cleaning Kit: Gun Cleaning Kit: A quality bolt-action rifle deserves proper maintenance. A basic rifle cleaning kit will help keep the bore, action, and other components clean and ready for your next range trip or hunt. gun cleaning kits you’ll need to keep your rifle in tip-top shape  
• Eye Protection: This should go without saying, but you need to invest in some quality shooting glasses. One errant piece of brass, and you’re in for a bad day. Check out our recommendations for the best shooting glasses!
• Hearing Protection: Protect your ears and get some quality hearing protection. We’ve gathered all of our favorites to help you decide the best hearing protection for you.

Here are some of the best deals you’ll find when searching for your new Remington 700.

Upgrades and Accessories for the Remington 700

The Remington700 is one of the most upgradeable and customizable bolt action rifles out there. Here are a few things that you should think about customizing your Remington 700 and taking it to the next level or just customizing it for your specific uses.

Best Accessories For The Remington 700

Best Ammo for Your Remington 700

Selecting the best ammunition for your rifle can be daunting and depends heavily on what you plan to use your rifle for. Below, we have selected some of our favorite hunting ammo and precision shooting ammunition. The rifle reviewed was in 308 Win, but odds are you can find the same ammunition we show below for the caliber your Remington 700 is in!

Other Bolt Action Rifles of its Class to Check Out

The Remington 700 is a really great choice for a simple hunting rifle or building out a custom rifle. However, there are many other great options out there.  We have listed some of our favorites below:

Sig Sauer Cross

A super modern hunting rifle with all of the features and swagger of a tactical rifle, but in a lightweight mountain-ready package.

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A-

Based on 23 Reviews

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Tikka T3x Lite

Made in Finland and imported by Beretta USA, the Tikka T3x Lite is one of the best imports you can buy.

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A+

Based on 12 Reviews

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Springfield Armory Waypoint

Built like a PRS rifle but with the modern hunter in mind, the Waypoint might usher in a new era of hunting rifle design.

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A+

Based on 9 Reviews

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Remington 700 Review: Final Thoughts

The Sig Cross and Springfield Waypoint are feature-rich bolt-action rifles that will require very little customization, as they come from the factory with upgrades. The Tikka T3x is one of our favorite basic bolt-action rifles that is great as is but can be upgraded to fit your needs.

The Remington 700 has been around for more than six decades for a reason. It’s accurate, dependable, easy to carry in the right configuration, and backed by one of the largest aftermarket selections you’ll find for a bolt-action rifle. My test rifle wasn’t perfect, and the X-Mark Pro trigger was easily my biggest complaint. Still, it shot exceptionally well despite that limitation.

Current production makes the 700 even more interesting. Remington has moved to factory-installed Timney triggers while continuing to expand the lineup with hunting, tactical, and long-range configurations. The rifle has changed over the years, but the basic appeal hasn’t. Whether you want a straightforward hunting rifle or a foundation for a custom build, the Remington 700 still earns its place in the conversation.