Test: Strasser RS 700, the new straight-pull rifle with Remington 700-compatible action 

Strasser's success story in the field of hunting rifles began almost two decades ago with the RS 05. It continued with the RS 14, a straight-pull repeater from the eponymous year 2014. Further developments resulting from this were the Evolution in 2016, the RS Solo, and then – even more modern – the AVA-Tahr models since 2020.  Naturally, Strasser also jumped on the carbon fiber bandwagon, and the RS 14 Unic Carbon followed. The new RS 700 straight pull repeater launched under the aegis of company CEO Mathias Strasser and technical director Martin Skrivanek continues to bear the unmistakable Strasser signature, but easily strikes the right balance with the short action version of the Remington 700.

Technical details of the Strasser RS 700 bolt-action rifle

Technically, the new RS 700 is largely based on the Strasser RS 14, a straight-pull repeater with radial element bolt that can be completely converted for left-handed shooters if required. When cocked, an indicator pin protrudes from the bolt shroud, providing a clear visual and tactile cocking indicator. The short bolt handle is located on the right. To ensure that the rifle can be opened or closed in any position and to prevent jamming, Strasser has integrated a "Carobronze" guide into the receiver. The bolt of the test rifle slid smoothly  in the action "as if on rails". Thanks to its "PlasOx" surface coating, it can be opened and closed without any effort. This makes the bolt action of the straight-pull rifle fast and smooth. The bolt locks into the barrel via four solid radial elements made of heat-treated steel. A shot can only be released when the rifle is locked one hundred percent by the positively controlled mechanism. Strasser advertises maximum safety here, which is supposed to withstand even extreme gas pressures. That this is the case was impressively proven by an independent expert at the first presentation of the RS 700. Even with pressures of well over 5,500 bar, the bolt held.

For the German market, the barrel is offered in .308 Winchester caliber in the special length of 20 inches (510 mm). In Austria, .308s are supplied with a barrel length of 22 inches. The barrels are plasma nitrided, with subsequent oxidation providing the sleek, even color. The Remage-style barrel nut is also very eye-catching. If you decide to buy an RS 700 but would like to install a different barrel, you'll need some rework: the "Fat Bolt" design of the RS 700 has a slightly larger bolt diameter than the original.

For the trigger, Strasser relies on the U.S. brand Timney and installs its "Elite Hunter" model. This provides a trigger pull weight of 2.5 lb (around 1,130 g). The direct trigger pull is very crisp and breaks clearly. Similar to the Remington 700, the two-position safety acts on the trigger only, and as with the U.S. rifles, the Strasser RS 700's bolt can be operated even when the safety is on. Initially, Strasser will offer the new straight-pull models only as complete rifles. Later, only the actions themselves can be purchased as an option. As with the other firearms from Strasser, the normal manufacturer's warranty can be extended to twelve years.

The RS 700 from Strasser is available in several stock options

Strasser's stocks for the RS 700 encompass the current popular preferences of customers: Wood, Polymer or Long Range Chassis. Here, the manufacturer can partially fall back on already existing series, such as the AVA-Tahr series, and full of verve, has also provided a new walnut stock as well as an XRS chassis from the Canadian manufacturer MDT. You don't like all that? No problem, the RS 700 fits all stocks for the Remington 700 Short Action, in both right and left-hand versions. The holes for the action screws are provided with a pillar bedding. The bolt is also available as a right-hand or left-hand version. If you're wondering with a raised eyebrow: how is a straight-pull action supposed to fit a stock that was built for a "normal" bolt action featuring a two-lug bolt and 90-degree throw? It works fine. The Austrians simply placed the pin that unlocks the bolt catch in the recess for a conventional Remington-style bolt handle. While Strasser rifles are usually available in many different calibers in the existing bolt-action series, the RS 700 action is based on exactly four calibers with three different stocks and three barrel contours.

The Legend stock of the test rifle is option number 1, for which Strasser uses high-quality oil-finished walnut. The second option is Strasser's AVA-Tahr polymer stock, available in either graphite black or forest green. For those who like to go ultra-modern, the third stock option could be MDT's XRS chassis. For the barrels, the 22” (56 cm, 51 cm for the German market) "Standard" version and the 24" (61 cm) "Magnum" version are available; you can choose the 24" Semi Weight contour or the 26” (65 cm) "Long Range" as well. Exclusively for the Long Range version, the 6.5x47 mm Lapua caliber is also available. In addition to the .308 Winchester tested here, the 6.5 Creedmoor caliber and the 6.5 PRC as a magnum version are also available for all three barrel profiles. Other calibers are to follow.

In the Legend wood version, the stock ends with a very wide rubber recoil pad. The buttstock itself appears massive. The height of the Bavarian cheek piece is pleasingly correct. An attachment point for a QD sling swivel is provided. The shape of the buttstock gives the rifle a rather pompous appearance, while the pistol grip fits neatly into the overall picture. If you look very closely, you can see that the checkering consists of quite a few small Strasser logos: a detail that is not only functional, but also beautifully designed. Although there seems to be a current trend for very narrow grip surfaces, Strasser nevertheless remains true to the classic design here. The simple pistol grip cap is made of rosewood. In keeping with the classically elegant overall concept, the forend is also adorned with a rosewood tip. A smart red stripe between the rosewood and walnut wood adds a modern touch. An M-Lok rail with two mounting slots has been integrated into the underside of the forend. With this system, accessories can now be added at will. The front QD sling swivel mount is located on the nose of the stock.

The single-stack detachable polymer magazine does not sit too tightly in the magazine well, but it is not rickety or wobbly either. The trigger guard has a button for releasing the magazine that can be operated from both sides. The polymer magazine could be loaded easily during the test. The magazine well is compatible with all AICS-standard magazines. It doesn't matter whether you prefer polymer or metal, both will fit. You also don't have to pay attention to whether the AICS magazine has a so-called "binder plate" or not, both variants will fit.

Test: on the shooting range with the Strasser RS 700 Legend in .308 Winchester and the Noblex NZ 6 3-18x56 inception riflescope

For the test, we fitted a NZ 6 inception (3-18 x 56) from Noblex on the Picatinny rail. All two-piece (!) Remington 700 mount bases are compatible for attaching the target optics. However, if you want to use a one-piece Picatinny rail, you will have to get it from Strasser, since the hole spacing of the mounting hole pairs to each other is not the same as on an original Remington 700 Short Action. The Noblex scope does a good job, for the price of 1,049 euros it offers good value for money. The illuminated dot is fine and continuously dimmable. The tower on the left looks a bit more massive, which fits well with the overall look of the RS 700 Legend. The handling, including the adjustment of the reticle, the illuminated dot and the magnification, worked flawlessly. Always a big plus: the automatic shutdown of the illuminated dot to conserve the battery.

After the rifles from Strasser had delivered top accuracy in our tests so far, the expectations were also very high for the RS 700. Expectations fulfilled: the hit results were consistently positive. The largest shot group from the test rifle, 27 millimeters, was delivered by Norma Eco Strike Medium Game, which was specially developed for silenced rifles and short barrels. However, this cartridge was still under one minute of angle (1MOA) in terms of accuracy, a good result. The best grouping (15 mm) was achieved with the Powerhead Blade from Sako. The other groups, which ranged from 16 to 24 mm, were also quite convincing. We would have loved to put the rifle through a practical hunting test, but the wild boar, which is dangerous in the snow, was smarter and played cat and mouse with us. Unfortunately, the barrel remained as cold as our feet.

RS 700: a well-designed Strasser in a new design

Those familiar with the design of the Austrian manufacturer's firearms will also recognize Strasser's unmistakable signature in the RS 700 Legend. However, in a somewhat new outfit. Everything is very well thought out and adapted to the new circumstances in order to create extensive compatibility with the sheer overflowing accessories sector for the Remington 700 base. To some, Strasser's RS 14 flagships seem too coarse and too clunky. The design was always independent and very individual, but just far from elegant, slender and delicate. With the RS 700 series, Strasser has taken a risk, venturing a step out of the comfort zone. Remington developer Mike Walker also dared to do something when he launched the first Model 700 in 1962. The worldwide success story of this action is legendary today.

Maybe it works the same way with Strasser RS 700? To insert a straight-pull action into a stock designed for conventional bolt-action rifles so that it looks made for it is already an enormous achievement. To simply incorporate something else (sensible) into the recess for the bolt handle so that the recess doesn't look empty and like a foreign object – a smart move. The catch for releasing the bolt is just large enough to make it easy to use and small enough to fit coherently into the overall look of the stock. For those who need a left-hand version, this element can easily be screwed onto the left side as well.

In the test, the Timney Elite Hunter was completely convincing. The way the shot breaks and its direct, crisp features were simply fun. If you don't like the preset trigger weight, you can adjust it to your own preferences in the range between 680 g (1.5 lb) and 1,814 g (4 lb). Of course, there are even finer triggers, but again, what is beautiful is what is pleasing. The interchangeability with the short action of the Remington 700 makes it possible. Even more matching triggers can be found in the Timney catalog from importer Ferkinghoff International.

Strasser RS 700 Legend specs and price

The all4hunters test conclusion on the Strasser RS 700 Legend

If you want to own a Strasser RS 700 Legend, you have to invest at least 3,302 euros, and another 100 euros more for the XRS version. In return, you get a rifle that shoots excellently and has a high-quality finish. Whether you need a straight-pull action based on a Remington 700 is a question of faith. The answer to that is as difficult as whether you can eat hot mustard with meatloaf, which caliber is best, and whether you should get a wood, polymer, or God-knows-what kind of stock. If you've always thought you could never do without Strasser's straight-pull action, but still want to keep other "pimp my gun" options open from the inexhaustible amount of possibilities for Remington 700 rifles, then you've absolutely come to the right place.

To learn more about the RS 700 Legend rifle please visit the Strasser website. 

For details on the scope used in the test please visit Noblex e-Optics NZ6 3-18x56 inception product page. 

Other Strasser RS700-compatible Elite Hunter triggers can be found here at Timney importer Ferkinghoff International.