Remington's Model 700 XCR II Part 1

Sometimes, as office staff, we engage in serious debate about the great problems and issues of our time. This morning it was whether or not the appearance of a very large fox was directly responsible for the cessation of daily visits from the local tom or if Billy Lee Riley’s 1957 release of “Flyin’ Saucers Rock N’ Roll” trumps the 1993 Stray Cat’s release. Which is all silly, because Riley’s “Without You Baby” gives him so much more credibility. Then someone tells me to focus…”Focus!” and I return to the subject at hand.

The Remington Model 700 is an evolutionary model, introduced in 1962, the follow on to the Merle Walker designed long action Model 721 and short action Model 722 of 1948 1).  Some of the more notable changes were: Monte Carlo comb and cheek piece, redesigned extractor and countersunk bolt face to provide the now famous “three rings of steel” 2). Since that time there have been countless variations to the core design: chrome moly and stainless, walnut and synthetic stocks, sporters and varmint and target rifle weights and form. There were Titanium models and versions electronically fired. What they all have in common is the same solid core design.

The Model 700 XCR II has a TriNyte® finish; multiple coatings applied in a vacuum with a proprietary vapor deposition process. Only a human hair in thickness, it is scratch and abrasion resistant and super corrosion resistant, more so than any stainless steel alloy, even to salt water… and it looks like a traditional satin blue finish.

The Remington X Mark Pro trigger is a good one. Hard, high polish surfaces, tight tolerances and no creep. Externally adjustable, rifles are received preset to 3.5 Lbs with a 2 Lb range of adjustment. It is backed up with a sear blocking two position thumb safety.

Below – The Remington dark green synthetic stock is strong and impervious to all forms of inclement weather. Hogue® rubber overmolding is present at both the grip and fore-end areas to provide a positive grip even in the slickest environments. The SuperCell™ recoil pad is a good one for magnums like the Ultra Mag series. It eliminates that bobblehead doll look when shooting.

The XCR II’s bottom metal is aluminum, which helps to keep overall rifle weight down. The floorplate is hinged to simplify unloading. All pieces are matte black hard anodized for wear resistance.

A hunting rifle of many calibers

The Remington Model 700 XCR II is currently available in 11 different chambers from the 270 Winchester to the 375 H&H. The 7mm, 30 cal and 338 caliber Ultra Mag versions are supplied with 26″ barrels, something that suits these cartridges. The balance of chambers are appropriately assembled with 24″ barrels.

I am a 338 magnum… liker. Starting with the 338 Winchester Magnum and stretching to the 338-378 Weatherby, I like them all, but I think the 338 Ultra Mag is the most balanced, adding good reach to lots of power without tying the cartridge to a $2,500 rifle.

Nope, I don’t care for the 338 Federal or the 338-06. Probably because loading them with a 275 grain or 300 grain bullet results in rainbow like trajectory and barnyard pig slow velocity. Yes, I know pigs are quick, but they are not fast. The 338 Lapua is the choice of pretentious Americans, particularly recently graduated engineers who want to seem Swedish, but unfortunately, only Swedes can pull off being usefully and precisely Swedish.

Comparatively speaking, above left to right, tabled top to bottom:

What does it all mean? The difference from one to the other is a little bit of trajectory and more substantial kinetic energy. Inside 300 yards, with bullet weights maxing out at 250 grains, they are virtually interchangeable. However, when these round are loaded with heavy 275 and 300 grain bullets, the hard hitting 338 Winchester Magnum begins to fall away from the bigger magnums. The velocity gap between the 338 Winchester Magnum and the Ultra Mag widens to 400+ fps and kinetic energy trails by nearly half a ton.

For folks who want to go lighter than the 338 Ultra Mag, there is a 338 Winchester Magnum M700 XCR II. For folks who want to go a little heavier, there is the 375 H&H.

Next…

The purpose of this second look at the 338 Ultra Mag is to incorporate some of the newer heavy 338 caliber bullets into a review. Some brass has been dumped in the tumbler. Some recent bullet releases are being pulled, along with appropriate power selection and the project is moving to the live fire stage. In the meantime, if anyone would like further information on the Model XCR II, some additional reading:

Model 700 XCR II 30-06 Springfield
Model 700 XCR II 7mm Ultra Mag
Model 700 XCR II 338 Ultra Mag
Model 700 XCR II 375 Ultra Mag

1) The History of Remington Firearms – Marcot
2) The Remington Historical Treasury of American Guns – Peterson.

Remington’s Model 700 XCR II Part 1
Remington’s Model 700 XCR II Part 11