Choosing a Precision Rifle Chassis for a Remington 700 Footprint

Why the Remington 700 footprint matters

The Remington 700 is the most copied bolt action in the world. Many custom actions use the same outside shape and screw spacing, so a chassis built for the 700 often fits them too. That gives you the widest choice of chassis, stocks, triggers and bottom metal.

Before buying, confirm three things: short action or long action, right or left hand, and your barrel contour.

Short action vs long action

Short-action 700s handle rounds like .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor. Long actions handle longer rounds like .300 Win Mag. The action screw spacing is different, so a short-action chassis won't fit a long action. Every chassis in the Precision Rifle Studio for the 700 is a short-action model.

Barrel clearance and the recoil lug

Barrel channel: most chassis clear sporter to heavy contours, but very fat barrels can rub. Check the maker's list of supported contours.
Recoil lug: factory 700s use a thin lug. Many aftermarket barrels and actions use a thicker one. Make sure the chassis fits the lug you have.

Magazines: go AICS

A factory 700 SPS Tactical ships with an internal box magazine. Most chassis switch you to detachable AICS short-action magazines, which are the precision-rifle standard.

The Magpul PMAG 10 7.62 AC (about $38) is a common choice. Buy two or three before your first range day.

Chassis vs stock

A chassis is machined aluminum with a built-in bedding block, so the action sits the same every time. Most have adjustable length of pull, an adjustable cheek riser, M-LOK slots and often an ARCA rail for a tripod.

A modern stock with an aluminum bedding block is lighter and more traditional. The Magpul Hunter 700 (about $256) is a good example, and it still takes AICS-pattern magazines.

Picks for a Rem 700 short action

Magpul Hunter 700 Stock (about $256): light, adjustable, and the budget pick.
KRG Bravo (about $400): simple, tough and adjustable. A favorite first chassis.
MDT ORYX (about $450): a full aluminum chassis at a fair price.
MDT XRS (about $600): lighter and more refined, with more mounting options.
MDT ACC Elite (about $1,600): a competition chassis with lots of adjustment and weight options.

Fit the rifle to you

The best chassis is the one that lets you get behind the scope the same way every time. Set the length of pull so your trigger finger lands naturally. Raise the cheek rest until your eye lines up with the scope without you lifting your head.

Accessories that pair well

Install a trigger only if you are comfortable doing it, and follow the maker's instructions. A gunsmith can do it quickly.

Trigger: a TriggerTech Rem 700 Primary (about $175) adjusts from about 1.5 to 4 lb and is a big step up from many factory triggers.
Bipod: if your chassis has an ARCA rail, a bipod like the MDT Ckye-Pod (about $600) clamps on and slides to where you want it.

Build it

Open the Precision Rifle Studio, pick the Remington 700 SPS Tactical, and the chassis list only shows parts for its footprint. Check your state and local laws on rifle features before you buy. Prices are rough street prices and change often, so check current listings before you buy.

Parts in this guide

Magpul Hunter 700 Stock (Short Action)

$256 · Stock or chassis

KRG Bravo Chassis

$400 · Stock or chassis

MDT ORYX Chassis

$450 · Stock or chassis

MDT XRS Chassis

$600 · Stock or chassis

MDT ACC Elite Chassis

$1,600 · Stock or chassis

Magpul PMAG 10 7.62 AC AICS Short Action

$38 · Magazine

TriggerTech Rem 700 Primary Trigger

$175 · Trigger

MDT Ckye-Pod Gen3 Single Pull

$600 · Bipod

Open the Precision builder

Prices are typical and change often. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Suppressors and short-barreled rifles are NFA items; check federal, state and local law.