donor action for remington custom build

[cb4128]

Found an "F" prefix action - remington 700 adl, which I believe is a 1985 production year and was wondering if these actions are more sought after than the current day sps actions? Or does it make a difference if the smith is going to true the action and flute the bolt?

[boomer453]

my .02 worth, if the smith is going to blueprint the action and your going with an aftermarket bolt then it doesnt make much difference.

[CADDOKILLER]

Yes they are more sought after.

[Cajun Blake]

Found an "F" prefix action - remington 700 adl, which I believe is a 1985 production year and was wondering if these actions are more sought after than the current day sps actions? Or does it make a difference if the smith is going to true the action and flute the bolt?

Fwiw

Serial number pre-fix letter will get you to the nearest decade.
4,5,6,7 digit serial numbered receivers-'62- early 70's.
A prefix-70's
B prefix-late 70's
C prefix-late 80's
D prefix-mid-late 90's(ISS/J lock Firing pins)
(bolt/safety lever lock cut eliminated from bolt body)
(Bolt handle tempering operation eliminated)
E prefix-millenium(Embellished Mdl 700/ISS/J Lock Firing Pins)
F prefix-mid 2000's
2006-last Classic Mdl 700 rifle chambering(308Win)
2006-introduction of X Mark/X Mark Pro trigger groups
G prefix- late 2000's ?

RR prefix - most current production 2014 ?

All S/S receiver serial numbers have a prefix letter S
All Titanium receiver serial numbers have a prefix letter TT

All dates are approximate

Rem Custom Shop receiver serial numbers are sequenced w/ a Suffix Letter.
All 40X's are short actions, whether single shot or repeater configuration.

Call Remington to confirm 1-800-243-9700

[Stick1]

I used to look for the older actions on all of my builds. However, after truing more than a bunch from all the generations my opinion now is that I don't have an opinion. Lol. I have seen really good and really bad examples from every prefix. The one thing that can't be argued is that the finish on the older versions is superior in every way. Honestly, the current RR prefix versions "seem" to be running truer on average than any of the older versions. Which would make sense as I'm sure Remington has updated their tooling over the years as the technology became available. Ironically, the finish on the newer ones has went the opposite direction. Nothing a little Cerakote won't cure.

From an aesthetics standpoint, I would search out an older one. From an accuracy potential standpoint, I wouldn't worry too much about what generation the action was from, as long as your planning on truing it anyway.