12 Upgrades in New Remington 700 Alpha 1 Rifle

Check out my video review of the new Remington 700 Alpha 1 Rifle below!

New at Remington, America’s oldest arms maker, is… Remington itself. But also a truly new bolt-action rifle. Not just a new stock or barrel length, but new bolt, new extractor, longer magazine, faster twist rates…

Remington itself is new because after bankruptcy it emerged under new ownership, freed of its many subsidiary brands including ammunition. This suggests the new Remington can and will concentrate on making Remington rifles. CEO Ken D’Arcy told me as much during a recent unveiling of the M700 Alpha 1 at FTW Ranch in Texas. 

As the attached video shows, the new Alpha springs from the M700 but includes many of the “upgrades” M700 fans have been asking for for years. I spoke with Hunter Cummings, VP or Engineering at RemArms LLC to get details on what makes the Alpha 1 different. 

1. It’s built with a higher quality steel matched in the barrels and action. 

2. Tolerances have been tightened such that the actions are essentially “blueprinted” for accuracy right out of the box. 

3. Barrels are fluted and rifled 5R. This means the five grooves and lands are slightly radiused on the edges to reduce bullet scouring and groove fouling. Should be more accurate and easier to clean. Some claim a better gas seal, too. 

4. Muzzles are threaded and 11-degree target crowned. 

5. Twist rates are increased for most calibers and twist is marked on the barrel! Great idea. 

6. Ejection port is larger and magazine boxes longer. (3.924” and 2.975”) 

7. Diamond fluted bolt body machined from one billet back to the cocking/extraction cam. Handle dovetailed and brazed on, knob screwed on and interchangeable. 

8. Extractor hook in locking lug, internal coil spring activated, field replaceable.

9. Simple twist and pull of cocking shroud to remove firing pin from bolt. 

10. Two gas escape vents in front receiver ring. 

11. Flat Timney Extreme Hunter trigger at #3.

12. Oberndorf bottom metal in aluminum or steel. 

Add it up and we may be looking at the finest M700 bolt action rifle to appear since the original landed on dealer shelves in 1962. Seems fitting for America’s oldest firearms manufacturer.