Fact checked by Steven Lines, lifelong Hunter and Outdoorsman
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The Remington 700 line of rifles continues to be one of the most popular and best-selling lines of firearms in the world year after year. They come in many different calibers and styles, but many have probably wondered if Remington 700 stocks are actually interchangeable.
Almost all Remington 700 stocks use the same mounting system and could be considered interchangeable. There are, however, a few exceptions and a few important considerations that will determine if a particular stock could be interchangeable.
This article will discuss the different types of Remington 700 stocks, how to replace or change them, and what you need to know when considering a new stock for a Remington 700 rifle.
In this post, we'll cover:
Are All Remington 700 Stocks Interchangeable?
No, not every single Remington 700 stock is interchangeable. The vast majority of them, however, are interchangeable with each other. This is due to them all using the same basic design of the receiver. This receiver is the basis upon which all Remington 700 rifles are built and includes the same basic mounting system to attach a stock to.
The only difference, however, is between short-action and long-action rifles. A short action, such as the 308 Winchester, will be slightly different from a long action rifle like a 300 Win Mag. The two different actions will have different spacing for the mounting pillars that the stock will attach to.
So are all Remington 700 stocks interchangeable? Not necessarily, but almost all long action Remington 700 stocks are with each other, and almost all short action Remington 700 stocks are with each other as well.
As long as the given action is taken into consideration, you will know if a stock is able to be interchanged with another stock. This is important when considering aftermarket stocks as well since other companies will produce stocks in accordance with the two different action styles. You must be aware if you are using a short action or long action to ensure you have a stock that will properly fit and mount to your rifle.
Other Stock Considerations
One important to make about swapping out the stock on a rifle is the dimensions of the barrel. Even if the mounting system is the same and the stocks are able to be interchanged, if the barrels are different, you may run into some issues.
For example, a stock that has been modified to accept a thicker bull barrel will be very different from one that is being used with a thinner profile barrel. Once swapped, the stock being used with the thin barrel will most likely not be able to be used with a bull barrel as it is not designed or modified to be used in that way.
As long as the two stocks that are being interchanged are used with the same type of action and accommodate the same size of the barrel (or at least a similar size), then you can most likely swap the two without any issues arising.
Can You Change the Stock of a Remington 700 Yourself?
The Remington 700 is one of the most popular rifles out there, which means it has the widest variety of parts and stocks available both from the factory and aftermarket brands. You can absolutely swap out the stock on your Remington 700 rifle with only a few simple tools and a little bit of time on your hands.
Because all Remington 700 rifles use the same mounting system, once you learn how to do it, you can be able to swap out stocks on any other Remington 700 style rifle afterward. All it takes is to take out the two screws from the rifle’s underside. Once removed, the stock should slide off, and the replacement stock can be screwed on to take its place.
Wood Vs Synthetic Rifle Stocks
The actual stock material will not have much effect on whether or not you can change out one stock to another or not. All Remington 700 stocks are designed to use the same mounting system, and as long as you stick with the appropriate long or short action models, you can choose any stock material you prefer.
The biggest differences between wood and synthetic stocks are the weights and ease of modifications (should they need it). Wood will be much heavier, but many shooters prefer this as it tends to soak up a lot of the felt recoil while shooting. Synthetic stocks tend to be a lot lighter, which is nice if you intend to do a lot of hiking with your firearm.
If you need to do any modifications to your rifle stock, such as add in a rifle sling stud or free float the barrel, synthetic options do tend to be a lot easier to work on as well. But at the end of the day, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to wood vs. synthetic stock options, and it all comes down to personal preference.
Final Thoughts
Because the Remington 700 is such a popular rifle, it is no surprise that there are plenty of great options when it comes to stocks. These can be easily interchanged and swapped out with other Remington 700 stocks or even aftermarket models. Hopefully, you now have a little more knowledge of the different options available to you and can interchange the stock on your favorite Remington 700 rifle!
Steven Lines is a hunter and outdoorsman from Safford, Arizona, USA. Since he was a child, he has been hunting and fishing and has over 20 years of outdoor experience. Steven works as a hunting guide in Arizona during his spare time and runs a Youtube channel dedicated to sharing his outdoor adventures with others.
Sources
- https://shwat.com/how-to-install-remington-700-stock-grayboe-ridgeback/
- https://www.stockysstocks.com/stocks-by-brand/stocky-s/remington-oem-stocks.html
- https://www.boydsgunstocks.com/group/blog/boyds-blog/2018/09/10/short-action-vs-long-action—choosing-the-correct-stock