Rem 700 questions

[bkb0000]

Hola, señores.

i'll preface by stating that i'm bolt-gun dumb... i know nothing.

i have a rem 700 ADL in 7mm mag with a black synthetic stock. i can easily take pics if it helps.

details:
12ish years old
9lbs with simple nylon 2 point sling, leupold VX2 3x9/40 with two steel rings
stock trigger, 6lbs pull, seems "crisp" to me (an AR guy)
the stock is a POS... it's bulging under the magazine spring and at the buttstock where it meets the rubber pad and appears to be missing a cap or something under the grip
action, bolt and barrel are now clean, rust free, and in good condition.. bore is shiny and sharp, no pitting inside or out
24" blue steel bbl (chromoly?)
3 round internal magazine, no trap door
150-200 rounds fired
gave me two sub-MOA 3-round groups the last time it was zeroed, years ago

from what i can tell on the errornet, the 7mag is a great flat-flying, target-pounding load in a 160gr SPBT up to 1000m.. one article said the secret service uses or has used it for counter-sniper work. but it seems the cartridge needs a 26" or longer bbl to give that kind of performance, otherwise it doesn't fly any better than other less expensive and less abusive calibers. how accurate is all this?

aside from elk hunting, which i've lost interest in, is this weapon good for anything? my interest in bolt guns is sort of sparked by pulling it out of the safe and cleaning it up.. might be fun to attempt some LR shooting with it. at $1.50-$2.00 minimum per round, however, i cant see myself doing a LOT of "fun" shooting with it.. but i do still have about 100 rounds of various unknown cartridges for it.

so, some more questions:

should i consider rebarreling? is this cost effective, or at least fun?
what are the differences between the ADLs and the BDLs, and is anything but the stock/magazine style different?
are all 700 receivers the same- ie, will any 700 barrel fit any 700 action?
where should i look for stocks?
anything else i should know/consider?

thanks, gentlemen.

[Thomas M-4]

The ADL can be converted to the more desirable BDL Brownells offers a kit.

It has been a while since I had my 7mm mag I have not kept up with the ammo choices. But to be able to shoot it lots reloading will be a big ++ for cost and bullet selections for long range shooting.
Brownells has a building rem 700 articles http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/cid=3.../Remington_700
You could re barrel it to 300 win mag by just changing the barrel. FGMM 190grain factory ammo is a good long range load.
It could be converted to a .308 but you will need a different bolt with a .308 bolt face and it would have to be done by a competent gunsmith because the bolt handle will have to be soldered/ welded to the bolt body [and it has to be timed to the action] .
Stocks big selection most guys use Mcmillian , Manners or AICS.

[Artos]

bkb,

If you re-bbl you will have to pick a round with the same bolt face of the 7mag which is gonna limit you pretty much to the boomers. I'm not 100% sure you can get a mag length bolt with the .473 bolt face for the .308 / 30-06 family?? Custom work pricing on avg will run +/-$225 to true up the actions. A new match tube is gonna run around the $300 window with chamber and fitting another $250. Of course you need a stock like the McMillan Thomas recommended and that is another $450 and it will need to be bedded for another $200. Fun yes, but adds up.

I too would prefer a 26" tube for that round. I shoot a custom 280ai which is on the heels of the 7mag and have been playing with the 120gr triple x x x bullet. They sure are more pleasant to shoot at the range over the heavier pills and great on game.

You can check out Miky Bryants page and has more info w/ a bunch of pics of finish custom builds.

http://www.bryantcustom.com/

[bkb0000]

thank for the replies gentlemen. you've given me stuff to spend time reading up on.

[thopkins22]

I'm starting a bolt gun project based on a Remington 700 .308 VS. I'll be putting it in one of these which seem to be getting rave reviews.

http://www.mcreesprecision.net/

ETA: Other than that, the AI AICS, McMillan, Manners, and some of Bell & Carlson stocks seem to rule the roost.

[6933]

bkb- Some experience over the years with them, don't own one. Plenty of friends have. Suffice it to say it's a great platform that can be made into an excellent rifle. If you have the time and $$$, you can end up with a great gun.

[ReconRanger]

I'm starting a bolt gun project based on a Remington 700 .308 VS. I'll be putting it in one of these which seem to be getting rave reviews.

http://www.mcreesprecision.net/

ETA: Other than that, the AI AICS, McMillan, Manners, and some of Bell & Carlson stocks seem to rule the roost.

I have my 700 in one of these. http://www.kmwlrs.com/SENTINELstocks.htm

It beats the $hit out of the AICS.