Remington 700 Upgrade – Building Your Ultimate Sniper Rifle

Updated October 2017. I’ve always wanted an Ultimate Sniper Rifle. Like you see in the movies or video games.

Maybe the awesome CheyTac M200 Intervention?

Or the mighty Barrett M82!!

But when you look at the high-end rifles you can’t buy anything under $10k. I don’t know about you, but there is no way I can justify that with my income.

Then comes the Remington Model 700 Tactical Chassis! Wow at $3k this is an awesome sniper rifle. Coming in the most popular sniper calibers .308, .300 Win Mag and the .338 Lapua Mag with a 24″ or a 26″ barrel. This is what I should buy!

Problem is, I already bought a Remington Model 700 SPS in .308 with a threaded barrel a few years ago. Before the Remington 700 Tactical Chassis version was even available.

And I’m not the only one. The Remington 700 is one of the most popular rifles for the last 50 years. Its accuracy and the reliability is known around the world. Military and law enforcement agencies use them as sniper rifles. Civilian hunters use them to hunt just about every animal out there. Many people already own them. So this article will focus on what you can do to your existing Remington 700 rifle to improve the accuracy and the aesthetics of it.

The Best Remington 700 Upgrades for your Ultimate Sniper Rifle

Choose Your Stock Upgrade

Let’s start by swapping out your stock. This can be done in just 30 minutes and could make a huge difference to your rifle.

The Magpul Remington 700 Hunter stock is made from reinforced polymer, anodized A380 cast aluminum bedding block and offers users a fully adjustable length of pull, comb height, and enhanced ergonomics. This stock is a true “drop-in” solution. It is also M-LOK compatible to accept a huge number of accessories. Best of all is the available Magpul’s Bolt Action Magazine Well (sold separately. Only available for the .308, .300 Win Mag and the .338 Lapua Mag.), which allows your internal rifle magazine to now have an external magazine without the need for custom inletting. Be sure to order the correct model depending on if you own a short or a long action rifle. It’s a great upgrade, available in several colors and for under $250.

This unique chassis system from Masterpiece Arms provides a super precision platform for the Remington 700 Short and Long. Whether you’re increasing the accuracy capabilities of your existing action due to the V-Bedding System as well as adding tactical features to your rifle, or building a super precision rifle for long range competitions, the MPA BA Chassis will provide a world class chassis system sure to exceed your expectations. Be sure to order the correct model depending on if you own a short or a long action rifle. This is my favorite stock, available in several colors and for under $900.

Then there is the Accuracy International AX AICS Chassis. This is the most advanced replacement stock system available for the Remington 700. It has full-length aluminum chassis, folding stock, pistol grip, adjustable cheek piece, butt pad, bipod adapter, 13″ or 16″ forend tube, flush cup sling loops. Be sure to order the correct model depending on whether you own a short or a long action rifle and the correct caliber rifle. Only available for the .308, .300 Win Mag and the .338 Lapua Mag. Available in several colors and expect to pay over $1500 for this stock.

Here is a short video that shows how to install a new stock on your existing rifle.

Choose Your Scope

The Bushnell Elite Tactical 10x40mm is kind of the entry level sniper scope. It has a Mil-Dot reticle, large windage/elevation knobs and a fixed magnification power.

The Leupold 115390 Mark AR MOD 1 Riflescope 3-9x40mm is a good mid-level sniper scope. With a very clear image, variable magnification from 3 to 9 power and precise windage/elevation knobs.

The Weaver Tactical 3-15 x 50mm Illuminated Long Range Scope is another good mid level sniper scope. Variable magnification from 3 to 15 power and an illuminating reticle for easy target acquisition.

The Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50 Riflescope is an incredible rifle scope. The illuminated recticle is perfectly designed. The adjustment knobs are easy and the view is very clear.

The Nightforce BEAST is a high end scope that is at the top of the pack. Variable magnification from 5 to 25 power and near perfect light transmission. This is what is on the rifles of the US military. At just under $4000, this beast is not for the faint of heart. But this is the ultimate sniper rifle glass.

Choose Your Trigger Upgrade

The single upgrade that will improve your rifle’s accuracy the most is a high-end trigger. You will find single stage and two stage triggers. Timney makes some incredible “drop in” replacement triggers. Calvin Motley is the trigger designer at Timney who produces the single stage or two stage triggers that you should buy. Single stage is better for field fire and two stage is better for range fire. If you plan to shoot really long ranges, a two stage trigger is the better choice.

Here is a list of their features:

• Self-contained drop in trigger.
• Lightweight 6061-T6 CNC Machined aluminum housing with Wire EDM cut, Heat treated Tool steel trigger and sears.
• Featuring a double sear design.
• Two position, trigger blocking side safety.
• Fully adjustable Sear Engagement, Over-travel, and pull weight from 8oz.-2.5lbs.
• Available in blue(black) and Nickel Plated.
• Teflon nickel coated Sears to guarantee a lifetime of reliable service.

Timney Calvin Elite Remington Model 700 520CE

Timney Calvin Elite Remington Model 700 532CE 2-STAGE

Here is a video to help you install your new trigger:

Choose Your Barrel Accessory

I bought a Remington 700 with a threaded barrel, not to add a flash suppressor or a muzzle brake, but because I wanted to get a silencer for the rifle. Now understand that a bullet must be sub-sonic to truly be silenced. So a high powered rifle round isn’t going to be completely quiet. But at the range you’re shooting, the bullet should hit before you hear the noise. So the sound suppression is intended for the area close to the actual rifle. Depending on the brand and the round that you are shooting, expect between a 120-150 decibel reduction. Since there is special licensing involved in silencers in some locations, I am not linking to places where you can buy them directly, but rather the manufacturer’s sites. Should your Ultimate Sniper Rifle be quiet?

• Surefire
• SilencerCo
• Yankee Hill Machine
• Advanced Armament
• Griffin Armament
• Gemtech

Integrally Suppressed Remington 700

What if you didn’t have to screw on a silencer? What if the actual barrel had a built in silencer? Though not common or inexpensive, they exist. They are called Integrally Suppressed firearms and are used by special operation groups around the world. But lately as silencers become more attainable, a few companies have popped up with popular civilian firearms available. Here are a few that offer the Remington 700.

• Dark Horse Arms
• Suppressed Weapon Systems

Choose Your Bipod

Harris Engineering makes the best BiPods available. They are light, easy to adjust and affordable. Don’t bother saving a few dollars with a different brand.

• Harris Bipod 6-9″
• Harris Bipod 9-13″
• Harris Bipod 13.5-25″

Don’t Want to Build it Yourself?

If you want to start fresh with a brand new Remington 700 and pick every modification possible (including custom gunsmithing) then try SniperCentral.com. They have top notch services to build a truly ultimate sniper rifle, starting with several base rifles, including the Remington 700.

See the following article by TopSurvivalPreps.com to see their top picks for the best rifles for preppers including the conversion of your existing AR-15 to 300 AAC Blackout.

Take care of your rifle! TrekWarrior.com put together a great gun cleaning kit post.

Additional Remington 700 Resources

• Remington 700 Upgrades
• Remington’s All-Around Tactical Rifle — The Remington SPS – CheaperThanDirt.com
• American Sniper Rifles: 5 of Chris Kyle’s Favorite Sniper Rifles