700ml build

[barrycuda]

Is anyone building SMLs from 700ml actions anymore? I have an action and a blank Brux barrel.

[dannoboone]

I think the gentleman who goes by elkman1310 still does. He posts
on the other forum more than this one:
hanksmessageboard.freeforums.net/user/110

[hunter]

Gary bush is stii doing 700ml builds

[barrycuda]

Gary's build is around $5k and you have to furnish the action.

[sideshow]

I read where elkman1310 has a health issue going on and is down for the count for a little bit . Blood clots are no joke !!! 3 to 6 months are what he says .
I dont know this Garys work but elkman1310 fires some Extremely Healthy loads out of his with zero issues easily compareable to lugged actions . Id wait for his recovery myself . The 700ml built elkman1310 way gives up Nothing !!! All with a 209 too which is fabulous i think . He really has the 700ml figured out beautifully AND with Minimal almost non exsistant screw wear !!!

Personally to me $5k is quite excessive Period for these guns . But i also do much of the work myself . It really isnt that hard . Tedious yes hard no , once a barreled action is in hand .
Truthfully i think giveing up on the 700ml like many have just isnt right . Its become a production line type build for these guns on a 700 lug style action . Custom should be whatever you want if its easily feasible at least . The 700ml fits that catagory .

[dannoboone]

To be fair, there are fewer and fewer 700ML actions available
now. People would have eventually gone to 700CF actions
anyway.

Otherwise, I totally agree with sideshow. Builders prematurely
stopped building on 700ML actions at all. For someone like
barrycuda who has what's needed to begin, they are mostly left
out in the dark.

Before Luke stopped doing work on them, he spun off the old
barrel and spun on a .45 for me. I did the rest. It is not
rocket science. Any good 'smith can both thread the barrel for
action as well as cut/thread, even headspace for the breech
plug. Hunter's bolt nose kit can still be had and stocks from
sources such as Boyds are still available even though the
channel in the forearm may need opening up.

My years' old mostly DIY conversion which is also pillared
and bedded:

[jims]

I do not know if Bestill does any Rem 700 MLs anymore but I bought one of his personal ones perhaps 6 or 7 years ago. I think he was just testing the idea, he certainly uses another brand as his base now I think.

[lakeplainshunter]

It would be great if someone was still building SMLs on these actions. I am still tweaking mine in and it would be good to have someone to work with.

[billc]

McGowen will make and install a RemAge barrel for you.

[sideshow]

Thank you dannoboone , and i agree with you as well . Love them crossbolts too !!!

With Remington down the tubes really the next will probably be the Bergara conversion as our lowest priced bolt action option . Yea they got metric threads so what ?? They also got a floating bolt head too . Still manageable . Many of us dont need an aftermarket action either just adding cost .

Theres nothing wrong with the 700ml for hunting . I can see that for a target rifle the cf action being better for service ability . Its just plain easier to find parts for .
But i still think that these builders have done us a great disservice by refuseing to do the 700ml now . Thats wrong . Schultz will.build a 700ml and im told by a friend that knows him , his work is just beautiful as well . Also his attitude is not Snobby but good too . A classy guy all around .
Ive no idea on his prices though . But he does build 700ml SMLs . MTC is another . Id hope there are others too that havent been mentioned .....Yet.....honestly a list would be nice of builders and what rifles theyll do . It shouldnt be so hard to find these guys for Any Build but this info seems hidden . That too is wrong .

Another thing i think will help MANY is Woodman Arms makes a HIGHLY TUNEABLE AND ADJUSTABLE 209 carbide bushing rear sealing SHORT breech plug too . Perfect for my intensions is how i see them . Theyre pretty nice INNOVATIVE plugs !!! Now your primer crush/headspace is whatever You want/need it TUNED to be(.004 crush) . Flame Channel Volume is SELECTIVE too Without excessive length and comes with 3 to choose from let alone what can be modified from those . Volume is volume guys regardless if its super short or not . I think this is the Key 2 Things for a Successfull 700ml build . Its Long Overdue for the 700ml , especially if its a 40 or a 416 . Woodman Arms also has BRASS 209 Primer Bodies FOR LRMP that are inexpensive enough to be throw aways or reloadable . THIS PLUG IS THE TINKERS DREAM !!! McMASTER-CARR or others will fill in the blanks for bushing sizes Woodman doesnt already offer . The plug is 17-4 SS too and tuneable to handle up to 60k psi with a .035/.040 bushing . Thats pretty darn nice for a 209 plug .
As delivered it will require the primer holder shortened to bottom out the primer Nose for crush and Will work with a SMOKER hunter bolt nose . Not a biggie to have a great adjustable Front of primer seal WITH A SHOULDERED BARREL !!! Easy in fact , And Regardless of the screw wear too or primer used if need be . Both Important Considerations especially these days !!!
And yes , a barely "8lb scoped" switch rig IS in the works.......

[153]

I have had three 700ML builds, all by different well known builders . Elkman built the last one and after that I sent him the first two to Elkman also for him to correct problems with them. I would wait the six months for Elkman and hope he can do it for you. His builds had no blow-by and that was the main thing he corrected with my first two builds. He had to custom make new breach plugs for both. It was pricey but well worth the money. Spend once cry once.

[sideshow]

UPDATE - A friend just recieved a Woodman Patriot Omega/McGowen 1 in 18 barreled action in 45 and it has one of Marks 209 adjustable breechplugs i spoke of above .
My friends description of the bp is about spot on as he calls it "muzzleloader jewelry" , the finest workmanship hes ever seen !!! This fellow has built ALOT of rifles !!! He also said that it runs Cleaner with Federal 209a than either Hanks or ASG moduals & bp have useing rifle primers . He shoots milder 4198 loads of around 57gr in 45s .

Worth noteing boys.......!!!

Incidentally it , replacement SML barrel , is also is showing to be a tack driver.

[timgunner]

Ever find someone to build your smokeless mz? I’ve got a 700 ML that I’m preparing to build a smokeless on my self.

[billc]

Dec 7, 2022 12:18:49 GMT -5 timgunner said:

Ever find someone to build your smokeless mz? I’ve got a 700 ML that I’m preparing to build a smokeless on my self.

McGowen did one for me this past summer. I installed a bolt nose and firing pin. I then sent the action, recoil lug, and a breech plug to them. They installed and head spaced the breech plug into one of their barrels then shoulder mounted the barrel into the action.

[sideshow]

Im sad to report news from the other board , Elkman 1310 has lost his battle with cancer .
A truly talented guy has gone Home .......
He will be missed greatly .

[dave d.]

So sorry to hear this. RIP Elkman

[jims]

I liked the information he was able to provide.

[cuda]

SAD to hear that now we have lost so much knowledge again. He will be missed!

[billc]

RIP