remington 700 classic or ruger mk2 in 223?

[LJOHNS]

I am looking at a Remington 700 classic or a ruger mk2 in .223.  Which would you choose?  I know the Remington has an adjustable trigger which is a plus.

[jhm]

Ljohns:  At present I own a ruger mk. 11 in 223 and there several of them around, but if I had a chanch to get a rem. classic in 223 I would get it b-4 the ruger, not knocking the ruger I like mine (not as much as my howa in 223) but thats another post, enjoy which ever one you get both are good rifles.    JIM

[Lawdog]

LJOHNS,

I can give you five reasons why NOT to buy the Remington,

1.] hideous safety

2.] brazed on bolt handle

3.] declining quality control

4.] non existent customer service

5.] a trigger group made from stamped metal

The Ruger’s trigger is an simple, easy fix and leaves you with a much better adjustable trigger.  Just install a Timney Adjustable trigger and you have a much better trigger.  Remember Ruger will take care of their customers and Remington doesn’t care.  Small groups and tight lines to you.  Lawdog
 

[Carl l.]

LJohns, Jim gave you good advice, that would be the way I would go too. Buy what you like and afford and enjoy which one that you choose. I have used Rem. and Rugers for years and I have never had trouble with any of them. Carl L.

[LJOHNS]

Well, I bought the Remington Classic.  I wouldn't deal with factory costomer service anyway, I would go to a good gunsmith instead.  As far as the Rem. trigger goes, it can be adjusted or replaced if need be.  I picked up this nib classic for a great price of $495. I figure it will only increase in value since it was only made for one year.  Thanks for the replies.

 

[AZ Dan]

Good morning Lawdog.  You are scarring me.  I'm new to this game compared to others.  I like remingtons but I do value your opinions.  So is my model 7 a piece of crap and just don't know it yet?  Or did I get lucky and get a good one?  I use the safety as a habit but do not trust any safety on any rifle.  I have never had  to call remington's customer service.  Like I said, I value your opinion.  Dan.

[Graybeard]

AZ Dan, if you "just got lucky" then I must be the world's luckiest person even tho I've NEVER won anything cuz all I buy is Remingtons and I have no trouble with them. Of the over 200 of them I've owned I've had to send only one back to the factory and I've never paid one red cent to have one repaired. When it comes time to get another shotgun or bolt rifle Remington is the only thing I look at.

GB

[Daniel]

Ditto what Lawdog said.

[Thomas Krupinski]

I have seen and shot Dan's Model 7 in 260.  Stainless with synthetic stock with a nice scope.  There is absolutly nothing wrong with that outfit.

Now if Lawdog and anyone else wants to badmouth such a fine rifle, I say keep at it boys as it would just make it easier for me to talk him out of it.  I don't have any need for another rifle in that chambering range, but that is a really nice combination and I would love to add it to stable.

[Graybeard]

Know what ya mean Tom. I need another in that size/power range just about like another hole in the head. BUT I sure have been toying with the idea of a Custom Shop M7MS in .260 Rem. I have a set of dies, a whole passel of bullets and cases for the round and have never owned one. I'm thinking of calling them and seeing if I can convince them to make it SS metal and a gray rather than brown laminated stock. If I asked and they said yes there is no way I'd not own it.

GB

[Lawdog]

Thomas Krupinski,

Have no fear I WILL keep telling everyone my opinion of Remington, their products and their lack of caring about their customers.  The last two bolt action rifles I bought from Remington(both top of the line M700 BDL’s) could not be cured by ANY gunsmith.  One needed a totally new stock which Remington refused to replace and the other would not group any better than 3 inches(and only after playing around with many different loads would it do 3.413"(best group)) which Remington stated was within their company standards and would not replace either.  Both of these went to a gunsmith first and it was at their recommendation that they go back to the factory.  The Remington M870 Marine shotgun I bought for a duty weapon would jam every other time you fired it.  Remington said they could find nothing wrong with it.  I traded it off to another guy that itched to have it( told him what was wrong with it but he wanted it anyway and I wanted his old M97 Winchester).  By the way the guy spent over $200.00 on gunsmith fees and it still jams occasionally.

Until the mid 1980’s I used to put Remington right near the top(Weatherby was and is still #1) as far as customer service and quality were concerned.  Then the late 1980’s arrived and Remington started to do their cut-backs.  Quality control and Customer Service were the first to get the axe.  The number of lawsuits filed due to Remington’s unsafe safeties is a matter of record.  The Remington extractor failing and breaking is legendary.  It shouldn’t have to take an attorney to get a refund on products that will not perform up to expected standards.  Until Remington cleans up their act and gets back to where they were back in the first part of 1980, and before, I will not and can not recommend their products to anyone.  Lawdog
 

[Thomas Krupinski]

Thanks, and like I said, keep at it and I hope the Remington owners want to give them away.  

Just better for me, by the way do you happen to have any you want to unload, especially for a price comensorate with you opinon of them?

[AZ Dan]

Hey Lawdog.  I know you had some bad experiences.  Recently I had problems with my cell phone service and my TV service.   I do not have a cell phone  now and my television has rabbit ears on it (I get 2 or 3 channels if I'm lucky.)  I will hold a grudge on these companies for a long long time.  So I understand where your coming from.   Luckily there are enough rifle companies out there to give you whatever options you need.  Dan.

[Lawdog]

Thomas Krupinski,

I do own a number of Remington's(5 M722's, 8 M721's, 4 M700 BDL's) all pre 1980 models and no I have no intention of selling any of them.  I also happen to have a beautiful M870 Deluxe Trap model that my wife gave me for a 5th anniversary present.  No it is not for sale either.  Don't use it very much as I don't shoot that much trap anymore and I prefer O/U for hunting.  I never said I didn’t own any Remington’s, I said I won’t buy any of the new ones and my reasons why.  It also has nothing to do with a grudge, it is all about treating customers right and producing a quality product.  I wouldn’t be in business very long if I ignored my clients concerns or didn’t address their complaints.  Old Graybeard himself wouldn’t have Graybeard’s Outdoors very long if he didn’t address his advertisers concerns and supply a quality forum for them to advertise on.

If you believe that it is perfectly alright to spend money for a new rifle then have it not perform up to standards, then spend more money to take it to a gunsmith to get it fixed is the way to go - have fun, go for it.  But there are a number of hunters/shooters that, when they invest a $1,000(+/-) for a rifle, scope, rings and mounts, can not afford to spend another two to three hundred, or more dollars, to get the rifle fixed so that it performs the way it should have when they bought it.  It is the right of the purchaser to return a faulty product to the factory to either be fixed by the factory at no cost, replaced at no cost or be refunded the purchase price without any long delays.  If you don’t agree with this would you please explain why?  Small groups and tight lines to you.  Lawdog
 

[Zachary]

I own several Remington 700s - all BDL SS (and some BDL SS DM), and all of them have been just great, with the exception of one.....

It was (is) a BDL SS DM in 7mm-08.  (BTW, all my guns I bought NIB).  Anyway, the trigger on it was horrific - it moved left and right, forwards and backwards!  Remember when we used to have out baby teeth fall out?  Remember how they were really loose right before they fell out?  Well, that's what the trigger was like. :eek:

I took it to a gunsmith who told me that there was nothing in the world he could do to fix it.  He said that either I could ship it back to remington (the company would replace it, but I would have to pay for shipping) or I just pay him to install another trigger.  In the interest of time, I just bought a Jewel trigger and had it installed - very expensive, but a million times better than any factory trigger.

But like I said, I have never had any other problems with any of my Remingtons, and they all should MOA or better.

Still, I prefer the Tikkas to my Remingtons.

Zachary

[LJOHNS]

I finally picked up my new classic yesterday and I am very impressed!  The trigger is the best I have felt on any new factory rifle.  It is light and crisp, I am guessing it to be around 3 to 3.5 lbs.  I will check it with an digital guage next week.  My last 700 bdl had a terrible trigger.  I am very satisfied with this buy.  I need to get some glass mounted and I will let you know how she does at the range.
 :grin:

[Rmouleart]

I own both but the best bang for the money and good shooting is the rem 700 adl at wallyworld $295.00 Remember the 700 has a snipper version as well, and I doubt if it was that cheap of a gun you would not hear all the good reviews I have read, I have the 243win in 700 model,this is a tack driver, I worked a good load using a 100gr Hornady interlock sp,I can shoot clover leaf all day with it. I consider this rifle very reliable,nothing fancy but a good field test rifle. Don't get me wrong the markII Ruger is a well built rifle as well, heavy also, I have the 338winmag all weather sweet rifle as well, and a good trigger, bought a full bedded Houge rubber molded stalk, put a good scope on it and I'm ready for anything;) The all weather 700 has a nice dull black primer finish, I thought that was good for hunting situations,no glare, crowned muzzle, I see nothing wrong with the safety as well. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

[grizzy57]

Folks
I have 5 Model 700 BDL's and 4 Classics and not one problem
with any of them!!!All of them were bought new and used as they should be
used (HARD) In all kinds of weather.
                         Just my Opinion!! Grizzy57 :lol: