Hey all I'm looking at buying a Remington SPS in 300 Ultra Mag.I know the SPS is suposed to replace the ADL.Should the action Quality be the same as say a BDL or CDL.
I'm going to crab can the stock and replace with a Boyds thumbhole sporter in nutmag and to it off with a Sightron SII 4.5-10 x 44 mm.
What is all your opinons on this.
Thanks BBJ

As a point of FACT, there is NO difference in the action of the SPS, the ADL, the BDL....or the CDL - except for the FINISH. When Remington machines the 700 actions, they are all done on the same lines. There are only two variations, before finishing - short action and long action. The raw materials are exactly the same....the machining is exactly the same....the heat treating is exactly the same. In fact, before finishing, a particular action could go into ANY of the different models. The actions are made in one portion of the plant...and the finishing/ assembly in other areas. Actions for each model (in the white) are simply selected from a common parts "dump". Then, they move on to be finished.

Do not make the mistake of many others, in assuming that the different models are somehow made differently...or of different materials. That is utter nonsense. It's a popular misconception, for some reason - but it simply isn't so.

There, of course, is a difference in the finishes. The bluing, I mean. The parts are polished to the same degree before bluing. It's simply a matter of whether this or that particular part will go to the SPS area....or the CDL area. This determines what kind of buing it gets....(either matte, or the deep bluing). There is absolutely NO determination made beforehand, as to say, CDL parts, for example, getting a better polish....or more careful machining...or anything of the sort.

Gorse speaks the truth. I have talked to Remington several times and gotten the same story. They have this 700 action production down to a ruthlessly efficient process. The make only two action and two bolts. The bolt heads (I think there are five now) are made separately, and silver soldered into the bolt bodies. I have built several bench rest rifles on the cheapest 700 action (ADL), and after truing and lapping, they shoot one hole.

Hmmm, good to hear. I just got an ADL in 30-06 a month or so ago and was wondering the same thing. I like the action just fine. It seems fairly accureate and reliable. The action on others felt mysteriously the same. EJ

BBJ,

I did the exact same thing you are talking about with the exact same caliber. I got the pepper colored Boyds thumbhole to be exact. Except I opted to have it trued and rebarreled with a 30" Lilja.

Elkhuntr04,
How much was the stock,and did you use the SPS version of the 700?
Thanks guys for clearing it that up,I always bought the upper end Rem's.I was just wondering if the put plastic parts in it some where,or cut the corners to lower the price.The finish I could give the least about.
BBJ

BBJ,

210 installed. I think my gunsmith just used the ADL or which ever version has the hinged floorplate. I do believe that the stock was not ready to drop in. I sure hope(I know)they didn't do anything to cut corners on the action. I bought the gun specifically to make a custom rifle from.

I bought a new BDL SS last year and comparing it to a SPS that my dealer has I noted that the SPS is a bit rougher. It would be a good donor action to build a custom on but not much more then that.

The bottom metal certainly isn't a nicely finished either and it seems to be made of a cheaper allow than what the BDL's use.

Ah yes, here we go. I knew it wouldn't be long before the "I won't believe it - regardless of complete lack of evidence or information to prove it" crowd...would come out to insist that there must be a difference in materials or machining on the SPS/ADL....vs. the "better" Remingtons. Any difference in "smoothness" likely has to do with the surface finish (the matte bluing on the SPS)....and the fact that no two rifles are ever exactly alike, in this regard (just as no two trigger groups will ever feel exactly the same). As to the bottom metal....nope...wrong. It's exactly the SAME - made on the same equipment, of the same materials. Just as with the other parts, before it's blued, there is NO difference. Again, you may be mistaking the surface finish for a "different grade of metal". Unless, of course, you've done the metalurgical testing to prove your assertion..... no ?.....I didn't think so.

Just because you don't like the "cheaper" finish on the SPS/ADL (the matte bluing)....this means nothing as regards the materials. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion....as are you gentlemen. Just please don't try to sell what you don't have.

How do I know my assertions are correct on this ? One of my best friends was, until he retired just recently, an Industrial Engineer with Remington....working in the Ilion, NY plant. Not only do I have this information directly from John....but I have been throughout the facility myself (one of the perks of having a good friend in a position of authority there)....and I have seen the production lines....the foundry....the barrel works, etc. I have watched receivers being machined....and barrels being reamed. But.... if you choose not to believe it....because your empirical judgement is far better than any factual evidence to the contrary....you go right ahead.