Introduction
A Foundation of Precision
The Remington 700. A name synonymous with rifle accuracy, a legacy etched in the annals of American firearms history. From its humble beginnings, this iconic bolt-action rifle has captivated shooters, hunters, and military personnel alike, becoming a cornerstone in the world of precision shooting. Its enduring popularity isn’t merely happenstance; it’s a result of its inherently sound design and its undeniable potential for exceptional accuracy. But, even a rifle as revered as the Remington 700 can be improved, can be elevated to its absolute zenith of performance. This is where the art and science of Remington 700 Action Blueprinting enters the picture.
What is Blueprinting?
What exactly does “blueprinting” entail? In the context of gunsmithing, blueprinting is the meticulous process of bringing a firearm’s internal components to their absolute best, ensuring all dimensions and alignments adhere precisely to their intended specifications. It’s about eliminating manufacturing variations and imperfections, harmonizing all elements to achieve maximum accuracy and consistency. It’s about transforming a good rifle into an outstanding one, ready to deliver the tightest groupings at extended ranges.
Article Purpose
This article serves as your comprehensive guide to Remington 700 Action Blueprinting. We will delve into the intricacies of this critical process, examining its benefits, the techniques involved, and why it’s essential for those seeking the ultimate in shooting precision. Get ready to embark on a journey that will elevate your understanding of rifle accuracy and unlock the hidden potential within your Remington 700.
Understanding the Remington 700 Action
A Legacy of Innovation
The story of the Remington 700 is a testament to American ingenuity and the pursuit of excellence. Introduced in the mid-1960s, the Model 700 quickly gained traction, thanks to its robust construction, modular design, and relatively affordable price point. It wasn’t long before the Remington 700 became a favorite among hunters, target shooters, and law enforcement professionals, cementing its place as a true workhorse of the shooting world.
Key Design Elements
The Remington 700’s design is a masterpiece of practical engineering. It features a robust bolt-action system, known for its reliability and smooth operation. The cylindrical receiver, usually forged from high-strength steel, houses the bolt, trigger mechanism, and magazine. The two-lug bolt design, coupled with the sturdy receiver, provides a strong and secure lock-up, contributing significantly to accuracy. The controlled-round-feed bolt (in some variants) ensures positive feeding and extraction.
Manufacturing Tolerances
However, even with its exceptional design, the Remington 700 isn’t immune to the realities of mass production. Manufacturing tolerances, while generally acceptable, can introduce slight variations that subtly impact accuracy. These variations can stem from a variety of sources, including imperfections in the receiver machining, bolt face alignment, lug contact, and thread alignment for the barrel.
The Importance of Blueprinting
This is where Remington 700 Action Blueprinting becomes crucial. While a factory-fresh Remington 700 will likely perform admirably, blueprinting ensures that every component is precisely aligned and functioning optimally. It’s about taking a great rifle and turning it into a truly exceptional one, one that delivers unmatched precision and consistency. Ignoring these subtle inconsistencies means sacrificing the rifle’s full potential and accepting less than stellar results.
The Blueprinting Process: A Deep Dive
The Art and Science
Remington 700 Action Blueprinting is not simply a matter of swapping out parts; it is a precise process that necessitates a deep understanding of the rifle’s mechanics, the right tools, and a steady hand. This isn’t a process for the novice, though understanding it is important for everyone.
Essential Tools
A successful Remington 700 Action Blueprinting project relies on specialized tools and equipment. These tools aren’t just helpful; they are critical. Among the most important are:
- Precision Indicators: These are used to measure the runout (eccentricity) and alignment of various components. They are your eyes, providing the ability to “see” and measure minute deviations.
- Surface Plates: Providing a perfectly flat and stable surface for measuring and inspecting parts.
- Precision Vices: To securely hold the action during the various machining and lapping steps.
- Lapping Tools: Specialized tools used to refine the fit of components, like bolt lugs and bolt faces, to ensure perfect mating surfaces.
- Torque Wrench: Necessary for assembling the rifle with precise torque specifications.
- Thread Alignment Tools: to ensure correct barrel threading alignment.
- Various Hand Tools: Including screwdrivers, punches, and files, for disassembly and reassembly.
- Go/No-Go Gauges: To confirm correct headspace during barrel installation.
Action Disassembly
The process begins with completely disassembling the Remington 700 action. This includes removing the bolt, trigger group, and any other internal components. The utmost care must be taken to avoid damaging any parts. The action must be carefully cleaned and inspected for any existing damage or wear.
Measuring and Inspecting the Action
This is the heart of the Remington 700 Action Blueprinting process, where measurements are taken, and corrections are made:
- Receiver Ring Squareness and Concentricity: The receiver ring, where the barrel threads into the action, must be perfectly square and concentric to the bolt’s path. Deviations here will induce stresses and negatively impact accuracy. Gunsmiths will carefully measure the runout and use specialized tools to true the ring, ensuring it’s perfectly aligned. This is often accomplished using a facing cutter or a reamer, removing minute amounts of material until the desired specifications are achieved.
- Bolt Face Truing: The bolt face must be perfectly perpendicular to the bolt body. If the bolt face isn’t square, the bullet will be unevenly impacted when fired, leading to inconsistent groups. The gunsmith will use a facing tool and indicators to true the bolt face, guaranteeing that it makes even contact with the cartridge case.
- Bolt Lapping: While the bolt may appear perfect, the interior of the receiver and the bolt itself may have minor imperfections. Lapping involves carefully polishing the bolt to fit smoothly within the receiver. This is done using fine abrasive compounds and precision lapping tools, creating a perfect, frictionless fit. This helps ensure consistent lockup and eliminates any binding that could affect accuracy.
- Lug Lapping: When the bolt closes, its lugs engage with the receiver’s recesses, locking the bolt in place and containing the forces of the firing cartridge. Lapping the lugs ensures that they make even and complete contact with the receiver recesses. This is crucial for consistent lockup and overall accuracy. Uneven lug contact can lead to inconsistent bullet velocities and point of impact shifts.
- Bolt Body Straightness: A bent bolt body can cause a variety of problems, including inconsistent lockup and difficulty in cycling rounds. Using indicators and precision measuring tools, the gunsmith will check the straightness of the bolt body, correcting any deviations.
- Thread Alignment: The threads on the receiver must be perfectly aligned with the barrel threads for optimal accuracy. Precise alignment ensures even tension, minimizing any stress that could negatively affect precision. The gunsmith will often use specialized tools to check and correct thread alignment, guaranteeing a perfect fit between the barrel and action.
Trigger Work
While not always a part of blueprinting, Remington 700 Action Blueprinting often includes trigger work to enhance the rifle’s performance. This typically involves:
- Trigger Enhancement: A skilled gunsmith can significantly improve the trigger pull by polishing internal surfaces, adjusting sear engagement, and optimizing spring tensions. The goal is to achieve a crisp, clean, and predictable trigger pull, essential for accurate shooting.
- Trigger fitment to action: Making sure the trigger is properly fitted to the action for optimal performance.
Reassembly and Inspection
Once all the necessary corrections have been made, the rifle is carefully reassembled. This includes installing the trigger group, bolt, and any other components. A final inspection is performed, using indicators and other tools to confirm that all dimensions and alignments meet the original specifications. The gunsmith will also check headspace, the distance between the bolt face and the chamber shoulder, to ensure it falls within the correct range for the cartridge being used.
Benefits of Blueprinting
Tangible Advantages
The rewards of Remington 700 Action Blueprinting extend far beyond a simple cosmetic upgrade. The improvements translate directly to tangible benefits on the range and in the field:
- Improved Accuracy: The most significant benefit is a dramatic improvement in accuracy. By eliminating manufacturing variations and ensuring perfect alignment of all internal components, blueprinting allows the rifle to consistently deliver tighter groupings. Groups that were previously inconsistent or wide can become remarkably tight, allowing shooters to reach further and hit their targets with increased confidence.
- Consistent Performance: Blueprinting creates a more predictable and reliable platform. With all components working in perfect harmony, there are fewer variables to affect the bullet’s trajectory. Shooters can expect consistent performance from shot to shot, eliminating the frustrating inconsistencies often associated with factory rifles. This predictability is especially important for long-range shooting and competition.
- Increased Barrel Life: The stresses placed on the barrel are significantly reduced with blueprinting. The even alignment and lockup provided by blueprinting create a more stable platform, reducing the strain on the barrel and extending its lifespan. The consistent forces applied to the bullet during firing mean less wear on the barrel’s bore, allowing it to maintain its accuracy longer.
- Enhanced Resale Value: A blued Remington 700 is always desirable, but a blued and blueprinted Remington 700 is a valuable piece of equipment. A rifle that has been professionally blueprinted and is properly maintained will hold its value and often appreciate over time, representing a sound investment for the discerning shooter.
- Increased Overall Reliability: A blueprint will also make the rifle more reliable. By reducing friction, improving fit, and removing binding points, the blueprinting process helps ensure the rifle functions smoothly and reliably in various conditions, from the range to the hunting field.
DIY vs. Professional Gunsmithing
Making the Right Choice
The question often arises: can you perform Remington 700 Action Blueprinting yourself? The answer depends on your skill level, access to tools, and understanding of firearms mechanics.
DIY Considerations
- Pros: The potential to save money, the satisfaction of working on your rifle, and the learning experience.
- Cons: Requires a significant investment in specialized tools, a steep learning curve, and the risk of damaging the rifle if mistakes are made. You also have to weigh your confidence level in working on your own equipment.
Professional Gunsmithing
- Benefits: Access to specialized tools, the expertise of a skilled gunsmith, and the guarantee of professional results. Your rifle is in the hands of someone who knows how to perform a blueprint and has done it many times.
- Factors to Consider when Choosing a Gunsmith:
- Experience: Look for a gunsmith with a proven track record in Remington 700 Action Blueprinting and excellent reviews.
- Reputation: Research the gunsmith’s reputation within the shooting community.
- Communication: Choose a gunsmith who communicates clearly and transparently throughout the process.
- References: Ask for and check references from previous customers.
Conclusion
Maximizing Your Rifle’s Potential
Remington 700 Action Blueprinting is an investment in precision, a commitment to unlocking the full potential of a legendary rifle. It’s a process that can transform a good shooting rifle into an exceptional one, capable of delivering remarkable accuracy and consistency. By meticulously addressing the nuances of the Remington 700 action, eliminating manufacturing variations, and ensuring perfect alignment of all components, blueprinting opens the door to a new level of shooting performance.
The Path to Precision
Whether you are a competitive shooter, a dedicated hunter, or simply a firearm enthusiast seeking the utmost in precision, Remington 700 Action Blueprinting is a worthwhile endeavor. By choosing this process, you can be confident you will reach levels of accuracy you’ve only dreamed about. It allows you to achieve maximum accuracy and get the best results out of your Remington 700.
Resources
While this article provides a comprehensive overview of Remington 700 Action Blueprinting, we recommend the following resources for further study:
- Consult with local and established gunsmiths.
- Search online for gunsmithing tutorials.
- Join a forum or online shooting community and ask questions and learn from other shooters.
This information is intended to provide a base of knowledge on the topic of Remington 700 Action Blueprinting. However, all gunsmithing should be conducted by qualified professionals. If you are not familiar with the processes outlined, we recommend seeking professional assistance.
