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Remington Model 700

Remington Model 700

Next year, the Model 700 will have been used by shooters for 50 years.

By Rick Hacker

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10/26/2011

For many, the Remington Model 700 has been the very personification of a classic pre-war, bolt-action sporter. But appearances can be deceiving. The Model 700 was actually introduced in 1962; one of its predecessors, however, was the short-lived Model 720, brought out in 1941 to herald a new era of hunting rifles for Remington. But World War II cut short the 720’s production run. After VE Day, Remington unveiled two almost identical rifles, the Model 721, with a long action, and the short-action Model 722. Both rifles were discontinued in 1962 to make way for the Model 700.

Merle “Mike” Walker, one of two Remington engineers whose team developed the Models 721 and 722, was also a competition benchrest shooter. He designed the Model 700 to be a mass-produced rifle capable of superb accuracy right out of the box. And with the gun’s fast 3.2-millisecond lock time, free-floating barrel and crisp single-stage trigger, he achieved that goal.

The Model 700 was offered with both long and short actions, and thus, was able to handle a plethora of cartridges, ranging from .222 Rem. to .458 Win. Mag.—the latter in Safari Grade rifles available through Remington’s Custom Shop.

Initially, two Model 700 variations were offered, the 700 ADL (A Deluxe Grade) with checkered stocks and fixed floorplates, and the 700 BDL (B Deluxe Grade), which featured checkered stocks, jeweled bolts, black-composite pistol-grip caps and fore-end tips, hinged floorplates, and a highly blued steel polish. A two-position vertical safety was located to the right rear of the bolt, and a hinged floorplate release for the BDL was on the upper inside front of the trigger guard.

In 1969 the rifle went through a series of internal and external changes, and to date there have been an almost bewildering array of sporting, law enforcement and military versions, with more than 5 million guns produced. One wonders what Remington plans for the 50th anniversary of this classic rifle in 2012.

The Model 700 BDL shown here is chambered in .25-’06 Rem. and is topped with a Bushnell Banner 4-12X scope. Made in 1980, it remains in 95 percent condition with just a few minor nicks from hunting. More importantly, it kept all of its fabled accuracy.

Gun: Remington Model 700 BDL
Caliber: .25-’06 Rem.
Serial No.: B6261XXX
Condition: 95 percent; NRA Excellent (Modern Gun Condition Standards)
Manufactured: 1980
Value: $600 to $650

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Comments

  • The Hippie

    5/24/2013 10:44:54 PM

    How can I tell which model 700 I have? It is a 30.06 with camo composit stock with hooded front sight, hinged floor plate and checkering on bolt handle.

  • P. Canard

    12/19/2012 1:57:56 PM

    If you want a Remington M700, best to get an old one. My local gunsmith built a custom rifle on an M700 action, and it was defective upon receipt and had to be sent back to Remington for repair. A local longtime fan of the M700 said that quality had been falling off for the past few years. Remington has been losing money the past few years, so that does not bode well for quality. Do a thorough check before buying a new one. Magazines that exist on advertising are not the place to get gun reviews. FWIW, the two most commonly carrried rifle brands in Africa are Winchester Model 70 and CZ 550 or Safari Magnum. I have been burned too many times going on past reputations of firearms. My CZ 75 pistol was so much better than my more expensive S&W pistol that I was very glad to get rid of the S&W, and it sold very quickly based on past reputation and not current facts. It has generally been easier for me to sell my junky stuff than my good stuff, because the junky stuff tends to be more heavily advertised and written about. All three of my CZ centerfire rifles got 1/2" groups at 100 yards with only a few different handloads tested, out of the box, not even a trigger adjustment. Model 700 never beat that, and you will not get a 700 BDL anywhere close to what I paid for my CZ 550, walnut stocked, $700 delivered. CZ has many military contracts, has recently retooled the factory, and is making money and expanding. That is info I like to hear about a company I buy from. CZ sells about 1/2 of all new hunting rifles sold in Africa these days. The FN produced Winchester Model 70 or CZ 550 will have new MODERN CNC tooling behind it from companies that are making money and don't need to cut quality to stay afloat. While some will have differing opinions on a Model 700, every CZ owner I ever met has raved about the accuracy, and Montana is where you need long range accuracy. The local Montana gun shops have a hard time keeping CZ rifles in stock due to their reputation for accuracy.

  • Kade keesee

    12/7/2012 9:53:57 AM

    I have a 70 year old bolt action Remington 30-06 it says us arm on it it's been in the famly for a long time and was wondering if any one knew any thing about it

  • Matthew Collins

    10/25/2012 10:08:53 PM

    How can I tell what year my model 700 25-06 was manufactured? any help??

  • Ed

    9/7/2012 6:32:52 PM

    I purchased my 700(3006) in 1988 best rifle I have ever owned it is just like the one pictured here

  • Jack B

    8/16/2012 10:44:36 PM

    I bought my 700BDL Varmint in 25-06 looking for something that could compete in my league's 200yd offhand matches and maybe take an occasional deer or woodchuck. I wanted a little better trigger than the original and I found one very close to home - I bought a trigger assembly for the 40X from Remington for less than $15 and it slipped right into the 700. Gave me a variety of adjustments that the field trigger didn't allow and made the 700 a real target rifle as well as a great field gun. I don't get to use it as much as I'd like to but I won't part with it. It has the older 700 stock with light wood and a really nice checkering design - much nicer than the darker wood and very conventional checkering that replaced it in the early 1970s.

  • JC

    8/3/2012 9:49:25 PM

    Bought my 700 BDL 30-06 back in'78 & topped it with a Weaver V9 scope. The most accurate rifle I've ever had the pleasure of shooting. And speaking of shooting, tomorrow looks like it'll be a fine day to take it out to the range.

  • Wayne

    4/2/2012 3:37:04 PM

    A 700 BDL in 30.06 was the first rifle I bought for myself. I was serving overseas and sent money for my dad to buy it for me. It's a great rifle. I reload and get great accuracy. Many, MANY great memories with that rifle.

  • BOB R

    12/30/2011 4:07:14 PM

    MY dad bought a remington 721 for deer hunting in the early 40's. He passed at 89 years old and I still use his remington 721 30-06. I have taken many deer at 300 yards and under like he did. The Remington 721 is the best hunting rifle I have. Thank you dad. And one day my grandson will be hunting with my dad's remington 721 when I pass.

  • bill r

    11/5/2011 7:23:10 PM

    I LOVE THE REMINGTON PRE ATI DAYS WHEN QC MENT SOMETHING THE NEWER ONES ARE NOT LIKE THE OLDER ONES

  • ken

    11/1/2011 10:26:16 AM

    I have an action from a 700ADL that went through a fire. Anybody that can heat treat the action to repair it?

  • Ricardo E Alvillar

    11/1/2011 7:39:38 AM

    I still have my 1969 Remington 700 BDL "Varmint Master" in .25-06 and, would not sell or trade it, even for a custom-built bench grade rifle. Its accuracy is 3/8" at 100 yards, it's killed two mule-eared deer, nine goats, three antelope--all at 200-400 yards with a single shot (100 & 117 grain bullets) and will now account for coyotes (with 85 grain bullets). It's versatility is fantastic!

  • Bill K

    10/31/2011 5:22:27 PM

    I still have my 25-06 ADL, from the day it came out. Still shoots super and I would not sell or trade it. It has taken a lot of various game over these years. From Alaska to the western states.

  • Kase

    10/29/2011 10:15:23 AM

    I find my 7MAG a better shooter than any rifle I have for long Range. I have been a proud owner of Remingtons for many years