Best Remington 700 Clones of 2024

Back in the 1960s, Remington and Winchester dominated deer hunting like the Beatles and Rolling Stones dominated the pop charts. Winchester did it first with the Model 70, and Remington followed with the Model 700.

Time and technology don’t stop for anyone, and the Remington 700 succumbed to a slew of problems, including a class-action lawsuit over faulty triggers and the end of Remington as we knew it.

Fortunately for us, any patents Remington had on the Model 700 have been expired long enough for other manufacturers to pick up the design and make it their own.

Remington 700 clones aren’t quite as prolific as AR-15 variants, but they might be up there with copies of Glock pistols.

But which are the best Remington 700 clones? Here’s a list of our top five, in no particular order.

THE QUICK LIST

1. Editor’s Pick

   Bergara B-14 HMR

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2. Most Affordable

   Taurus Expedition

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3. Lightest Option

   Christensen Arms Modern Carbon Rifle

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4. Best Tactical Rifle

   GA Precision M40A3

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5. Best Hunting Rifle

   Weatherby Model 307 MeatEater

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How We Chose the Best Remington 700 Clones

Of all the guns I’ve had the opportunity to shoot, bolt-action rifles have a special place in my heart. I learned to shoot with a bolt-action .22 LR, pushed my long-range limits at Vortex Edge using a bolt-action 6.5 Creedmoor, and currently hunt with a bolt-action 6.5 Weatherby RPM.

I’ve spent more hours than I can count reading up on the history of the Remington 700 because it’s one of the all-time greats. If you’re not sure why so many people consider it the standard for bolt-action performance, I’m happy to fill you in.

In addition to researching and shooting old Remingtons (and the vintage Winchesters and Savages that competed with them), I own a modern Remington 700 clone — the Weatherby 307. It is my go-to hunting rifle in part because of its reliance on the proven 700 action.

Best Remington 700 Clones

If you want the real thing, have at it. There are old Remington 700s all over the place. But sometimes a cover band is better than the original.

1. Bergara B-14 HMR – Editor’s Pick

A while back, we named the Bergara B-14 HMR (Hunting and Match Rifle) one of the best bolt-action rifles you can buy. No wonder, because it’s based on a legend.

The Spanish hunting rifle builds on the proven 700 action with a composite stock that’s adjustable for comb height and length of pull, a threaded barrel, conventional sling swivels, quick-detach mounts, a vertical grip, and removable AICS magazines.

That’s a lot of features, but they add up in terms of weight. The B-14 HMR checks in at 9.5 pounds before you add ammunition or a scope.

Unlike Remington, which has struggled in terms of quality in recent years, Bergara makes some of the smoothest actions in the business. Fit and finish are excellent; this is a rifle you can be proud to show off.

The B-14 HMR is a great option for shooters who want a reliable hunting rifle and have a penchant for shooting tight groups over long distances. It’s available in 308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 22-250, 450 Bushmaster, 6.5 PRC, 300 Win Mag, 300 PRC, and 7 PRC.

2. Taurus Expedition – Most Affordable

When Taurus decided to start selling rifles, falling back on the old Remington 700 action was a great way to avoid new-model glitches.

Sure, the company hasn’t built anything like this before, but customers have trusted the underlying design for more than 60 years. All Taurus has to do is follow the blueprint and avoid manufacturing errors.

The Expedition comes with a chunky synthetic stock that should create a stable shooting position, flat sides for a tripod vise mount, an M-LOK forend, and a hammer-forged barrel. The action and barrel use DLC-coated stainless steel, which should bode well for durability in harsh conditions.

At launch, Taurus is only offering the Expedition in 308 Win. More cartridge options are surely on the way – neglecting popular hunting rounds like 6.5 Creedmoor or up-and-comers like 8.6 Blackout would be a huge miss.

Only time will tell how good this new 700 clone is, but early indicators are good.

What are your thoughts on the Taurus Expedition?

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3. Christensen Modern Carbon Rifle – Lightest Option

Ultra-lightweight hunting rifles are all the rage, and Christensen’s Modern Carbon Rifle looks like it came from the future. How funny that it’s a riff on an old Remington.

Wrapping up that classic action is a carbon fiber stock that keeps the rifle’s overall weight to just 6.7 pounds. The cheek riser and buttstock are adjustable. Both M-LOK and QD mounts are integrated into the stock, so you can add a bipod and sling.

Upgrades to the Remington 700 action include a carbon fiber bolt knob, a skeletonized bolt handle, and a 20-MOA Picatinny rail. The carbon fiber barrel is hand-lapped, features a match-grade chamber, and has threads for adding a suppressor (or you can use the factory brake), so it should be extremely accurate.

The MCR is chambered for 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 7mm PRC, 308 Win, 300 Win Mag, and 300 PRC.

4. GA Precision M40A3 – Best Tactical Rifle

If you want a bolt-action rifle with legitimate tactical chops, it doesn’t get much better than the GA Precision M40A3. This rifle will look familiar to Marines of a certain age because it served as the Marine Corps sniper rifle for many years.

The McMillan stock provides everything you need for precision shooting. The action is bedded for accuracy and paired with a 2.5-pound trigger. The 30-MOA Picatinny rail will set up your scope for maximum turret adjustment at extreme ranges. The whole package costs $5,362, and the lead time is six months.

True to the Marine Corps M40A3, this is only available in 7.62 NATO / 308 Win. That’s not a cartridge many precision shooters consider adequate these days, but there are plenty of snipers who will happily put that claim in the dirt. It’s still a capable round; you just have to know what you’re doing.

Are there better precision rifles out there? Yes. But are they cooler than the GA Precision M40A3? Doubtful.

5. Weatherby 307 MeatEater Edition – Best Hunting Rifle

When Weatherby launched its newest rifle, the 307, it was a little bit surprising to see a clone of someone else’s design. After all, Weatherby created its six- and nine-lug Mark V actions with the intent of making the strongest rifle action in the world.

As great as Weatherby’s actions are, they come at a hefty price. Remington’s two-lug design allowed product planners to spend the customer’s money elsewhere without sacrificing accuracy or reliability.

As a result, the hunting-focused 307 MeatEater Edition gets an adjustable stock, a fluted barrel with Cerakote protection, and a hand-painted camouflage pattern. Peak provides the 20-MOA Picatinny rail, and the incredibly sharp trigger comes from TriggerTech.

This rifle is perfect for everything from whitetail hunting in the deep woods to pursuing antelope and sheep out west. At as little as 7.3 pounds, it’s stable enough to inspire confidence and light enough to carry all day.

Weatherby offers the 307 MeatEater Edition in 240 Wby Mag, 243 Win, 257 Wby Mag, 270 Win, 280 Ack Imp, 30-06 Sprg, 300 Win, 308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 Wby RPM, 7mm PRC, and 7mm Rem.

Build Your Own Remington 700 Clone

With so much aftermarket support, why not build your rifle from scratch? This is a great way to get exactly what you want in a rifle that’s one of a kind.

Remington 700 Actions

Trying to pick the best Remington 700 action is like choosing the best AR upper — there are too many options to consider.

Look to companies like American Rifle Company, Defiance Machine, GA Precision, and Terminus for high-end actions, and expect to pay somewhere around $1,500. More affordable options cost half of that.

When in doubt, hit up forums or local groups that cater to your discipline of choice (hunting, PRS matches, etc.) and see what others recommend for specific use cases.

Remington 700 Triggers

Just about anyone who builds triggers supports the Remington 700 platform.

When we tested some of the best Remington 700 triggers, Timney and Triggertech dominated the results. Jewell and Rifle Basix also made the cut.

Which one is best for you will depend on your intended uses for the rifle, be it hunting, target shooting, or competition. Be sure to consider pull weight, adjustability, and whether you prefer a single-stage or two-stage pull.

Expect to pay between $130 and $280 for your trigger.

Remington 700 Stocks and Chassis Systems

Stocks are where you can really start to put a personal touch on your project rifle. We did a roundup to find some of the best Remington 700 stocks out there.

A straightforward synthetic stock from Hogue or Magpul will get you in the field without breaking the bank, and you’ll get a good product for your money.

If you have more to spend and want a little more performance, spring for something from a premium stock builder like H-S Precision or Manners.

In addition to conventional stocks, you have the option of buying a chassis system for your Remington 700 build. Companies like MDT make fantastic chassis setups (and stocks) that offer tremendous room for DIY customization on precision rifles.

Final Verdict

Remington’s glory days may be in the rearview mirror, but the Model 700 is riding as high as it ever did.

It’s nice to see other manufacturers carrying the platform’s banner. If you want a Remington 700 clone that rocks right out of the box, any one of these will do the job. If you’d rather build one yourself, more power to you.  

What are your thoughts on Remington 700 clones? Let us know in the comments section below! Like these types of firearms? Be sure to check out our hands-on review of the best Remington 700 upgrades!