Paul Miller on a devastating long-range combination
When it comes to accuracy and reliability the Remington 700 series rifles are one of America’s most famous factory offerings of all time, introduced to the market in 1962 and becoming an instant hit. Countless trees have been sacrificed to print magazine articles about this bolt-action legend and here am I adding to that pile. I should also say I’m slightly biased, having owned three Remington 700s with two of those in my safe. What was I thinking when I sold the other one?
The review rifle was delivered in a magnificent Pelican ‘Vault’ double gun case, the best and most secure example I’ve seen to date (it’ll be reviewed later). On opening the Vault I was greeted by a substantial-looking firearm and scope combination with the rifle designated Remington Model 700 Long Range HS.
Importers are Nioa of Queensland and their 2024-25 catalogue says this model is threaded (⅝” x 24) at the muzzle, though the test rifle is not. A muzzle brake would be handy in this instance to reduce recoil from some of the high-performance cartridges available (including test rifle in 7mm Rem mag). Less recoil, irrespective of cartridge recoil level, always contributes to better accuracy when the operator can concentrate on the job and shoot as comfortably as possible.
The Leupold scope mounted on the rifle is also imported by Nioa and is the high-end VX5 HD 4-20×52 with Zero Lock 2 and CDS dial. It would be hard to imagine a better-balanced scope of this size, quality and versatile magnification range. I was itching to see how the combination would come together and if the rifle’s potential would be realised with Leupold’s Compact Dial System tuned in to the factory load provided.
Action
The famous Remington 700 action clearly needs no introduction, being one of the world’s most famous bolt-actions in terms of reliability, strength and accuracy. It’s been widely copied and is always in demand for aftermarket custom rifles for target or game hunting where pinpoint accuracy is vital. Not being overly mechanical, I’m more interested in how the rifle shoots and looks (which makes me sound a bit shallow), as we often judge a book by its cover and the Remington 700 is a very smart, sweptback bolt design.
The receiver is of solid steel bar stock which has always been said to be a contributor to strength and overall accuracy. This rifle sports a Timney trigger which let off very crisply at 3lbs and was a pleasure to shoot because of its consistency, which contributed enormously to the remarkable results achieved.
Stock
First thing I noticed on opening the Pelican ‘Vault’ was the rifle’s purposeful-looking stock. Made by US firm H-S Precision, it’s state of the art with a moulded-in aluminium bedding block (H-S were among the first to offer synthetic stocks). I believe they were also first to incorporate a full-length bedding block which has certainly proved to enhance accuracy. You can take the action out the stock and replace it to find there’s no change in point of impact – very impressive.
I managed to find an immaculate second-hand short-action left-handed H-S Precision stock for my 17 Remington a few years ago in Canberra and couldn’t wipe the smile off my dial for about two weeks. Both stocks provide full floating and ample clearance for both barrels on these two 700-actioned rifles.
With all the bells and whistles available on rifles today – adjustable combs, replaceable pistol grips and fore-ends – I was pleasantly surprised to see this one had a simple but substantially high stock (drop at comb 1¼” and 1½” at heel) with a particularly comfortable and steeply shaped pistol grip. The grip was the same both sides with effectively two light palm swells which felt equally comfortable left or right-handed. The fore-end was wide and spiderweb white and grey colour scheme and substantial feel won me over immediately (there are two swivel studs on the fore-end).
This is a very cleverly designed and super-strong stock which greatly enhanced ‘shootability’ as we’ll see. It was also somehow reducing recoil, something I experienced with my old 700 BDL timber-stocked 30-06 that was much more pleasant to shoot when I fitted a Bell and Carlson synthetic stock many years ago.
Barrel
The 700 Long Range has a substantial carbon steel 5R barrel made for enhanced accuracy, hammer forged, 26” long and tapering to 21mm (.820”) at the muzzle. It has a concave crown and the test rifle is chambered in 7mm Rem Mag, a serious package for the long-range hunter or target shooter.
The rifling twist rate has been increased to 1:8” from the more standard 1:9 or 1:10 we’ve traditionally seen in 7mm (.284) cartridges. This faster twist is necessary to stabilise the longest 7mm projectiles available in the 180gn range, like Hornady’s ELD-X match which is essentially a target-grade hunting bullet.
Scope and mounts
The rifle was supplied with a Leupold VX-5HD 4-20×52 scope with 34mm tube. The reticle was a simple unadorned fine duplex and optical clarity and accuracy of adjustments were perfection (the scope was already seated in Leupold mounts on a Leupold Picatinny rail). The rifle had been sighted-in and accuracy tested by Nioa technicians, a CDS dial calibrated to the height the scope was mounted above the centre line of the barrel’s bore with the Remington Premium hunting ammunition supplied.
Performance
To say the gun shot well would be a major understatement. Everything about this package came together to give me a shooting experience off the bench that was frankly awesome. At 100m the rifle easily shot sub half-minute of angle which confirmed the test target. It maintained this level of accuracy all the way out to 500m and I managed the best groups I’ve ever shot at that range (three-shot groups averaged just under 2.5”).
I was using Remington 150gn Core-Lokt tipped factory premium hunting ammo which the rifle clearly loved and it’s hard to imagine improving on this with handloads. Sometimes the stars align with factory loads and this is a fine example. As much as I love reloading and fine-tuning a special one for my rifles, I think these loads would still hold their own, testament to the quality of US-loaded Remington cartridges.
The Leupold scope with its fine reticle was perfect for precision shot placement and the CDS dial adjustments were spot-on out to 500m. At 20-power I could easily see bullet impacts on the 6” steel plate. I hoped to head out for some longer range testing as the dial was set up to 1050m but weather and time constraints thwarted that plan. I’ve no doubt that, judging by the performance to 500m, this package would still be spot-on to around 1000m and probably holding half minute of angle groups subject to wind conditions.
This exceptional and repeatable accuracy raises the question of ethical hunting with a rifle like this, which is clearly designed and highly capable of long-range shooting. From a target shooting point of view it doesn’t matter but where you’re engaging live targets, whether game or feral animals, you must consider your skill level and ability to shoot accurately in the field. It’s one thing to have the amazing experience I had shooting this rifle at the range, but another altogether when you’re in the field with much less stability and possibility of a bit of ‘buck fever’ (every animal deserves a clean and immediate kill).
If I owned this rifle I’d fit a more recoil-absorbing pad and, where possible, use different Leupold 34mm mounts direct to bases on the action to bring the scope closer to the bore for an even better cheek weld on this excellent stock.
This rifle opened my mind to the ability to expand my own hunting limits from 300m to say 500m. It would require a lot of practice to achieve this to my satisfaction but the rifle would certainly make it a reality. More skillful shots than me would doubtless be able to stretch that ethical hunting envelope even further, while long-distance target shooters and hunters will love it. I can truly say I was sorry to send this rifle-scope combination back, so thanks to Brad Johnson and Greg Stevens for making them available and answering my technical questions so promptly. More at www.nioa.com.au.
Specifications
Maker: Remington US.
Action: Bolt-action, 700BDL
Calibre: 7mm Rem Mag (tested) also 6.5Cr, 30-06, 308, 6.5PRC in future
Magazine: Three cartridges in magnum, four in standard
Finish: Blued matt
Safety: Remington standard
Stock: HS Precision receiver-length aluminium bedding block
Trigger: Timney single-stage 13½” length of pull
Sights: None
Weight: Bare 8.5lbs, as tested with scope and mounts 11.2lbs (5.1kg)
Barrel length: 26” 1:8 twist, heavy profile, concave crown, not threaded
Overall length: 46.5”
Scope mounts: Leupold 34mm on Leupold Picatinny rail
Scope: Leupold VX-5HD 4-20×52, 34mm tube
Ammunition: Remington factory 150gn Core-Lokt tipped
Importer: Nioa Group
Warranty: Lifetime defect
Price: Rifle $2500, scope $3300, mounts and rings $500 (all approx.)