Remington 700 questions

[ole fred]

Hi
I just registered, and have a bunch of questions about the 700's. I have purchased several recently in different calibers. I guess my main question is: what about the variations that aren't advertised - like Bull Barrels. I don't see that Remington is offering them in any caliber on their website.
Another thing, I recently bought one in 25-'06 that has what appears to be a stamped or impressed "checkering" on walnut stock. I can't make out the date code, or at least it doesn't make sense. It is: w L w 78 with the 8 only partially stamped. My question is, was this type of "checkering" common and when. All the rest of my 700's have "cut" checkering.
Thanks, I'm sure I'll have a bunch more questions.

[Wulfman]

Hi
I just registered, and have a bunch of questions about the 700's. I have purchased several recently in different calibers. I guess my main question is: what about the variations that aren't advertised - like Bull Barrels. I don't see that Remington is offering them in any caliber on their website.
Another thing, I recently bought one in 25-'06 that has what appears to be a stamped or impressed "checkering" on walnut stock. I can't make out the date code, or at least it doesn't make sense. It is: w L w 78 with the 8 only partially stamped. My question is, was this type of "checkering" common and when. All the rest of my 700's have "cut" checkering.
Thanks, I'm sure I'll have a bunch more questions.

Without seeing what you're referring to, it's hard to be specific.......but, I'll take a stab at it.
You also didn't mention whether they were ADLs or BDLs. BDLs have black fore-end tips and grip caps and hinged floorplates.

Starting in 1968, they produced a "Varmint Special" model. It had a heavier barrel than the standard model. Most were short-action calibers except for one......the .25-06 Rem. chambering.

The impressed checkering began in 1962 when the 700 was introduced. It was used in both the ADL and BDL grades till about 1974 when the cut checkering was introduced in the BDL grade. Sometime in the (early?) '80's, they started producing the cut checkering pattern for the ADL grade, too.

A date code of "L W" could be Feb. 1972......which would be a correct date code.

By the way, I have two .25-06's and one of them has taken LOTS of game. It's probably my all-round favorite hunting/shooting cartridge.
My most accurate hunting load with them is: 53.5 gr. of H4831 with 117 gr. Sierra BT bullets.


Den

[travis301]

Your Varmint Special was made in February of 1972. Should have a "ribbon type" press checkering on the stock.There was 1041 of them produced in that year for the 25-06.The Varmint Special actually hit the gunshops in 1967 thru 1994.Pm me if you need any more details or have any questions.Travis

[ole fred]

Thanks for the help guys. I guess I'm just a little confused as to why Remington didn't produce any given rifle until it wasn't popular in a given caliber and then discontinue it. On Gunbroker, it seems like all these different variations keep popping up. Plus, it seems that sometimes they will sell at over wholesale price for a new rifle purchased today.
Another question: Were the ADL's the first 700's, followed by the BDL's and now the CDL's? If so, why are the BDL's still available - new. Are they just left over inventory or are they still making them. Am I correct in assuming that the ADL's didn't have the floorplate or the grip or nose caps? The BDL's have a Monte Carlo stock and the grip and nose cap with the floorplate. The CDL's don't have a Monte Carlo stock, but have the butt raised higher. Is all that pretty much correct - generally speaking?
Personally, I like the glossy stock finish as I think the new ones available on the CDL's will stain easily. Plus, I like the high gloss bluing, not the satin blue which seems to be the only thing available on the CDL's now.
The CDL's seem to be several dollars higher than the BDL's today. Which will hold their value in the future?
Den - Thanks for the recipe on the 25-'06. I'd loaded 52, 54 & 56 grains of H4831SC with Speer TNT 87 grains. They chrono'd at 2779, 2912 & 3003 respectively. The last two grouped under a nickel at 50m. I really doubt if I'm capable of anything much better than that. Of course, is anything better than that really necessary.
One more thing - I don't really like the "impressed" checkering. It' cheap looking - compared to the cut checkering found later. The same goes for the laminated stock. I like the walnut one's. From what I see from the price, most folks agree with me.

[travis301]

ole fred,
The first 700's,ADL or BDL, were introduced in the model year 1962. Both the ADL and BDL was available in a variety of calibers.The ADL has no floorplate,no grip cap,or ebony tip where as the BDL does and the ADL will have a different checkering style.The ADL stands for A Deluxe model and the BDL stands for B deluxe model.I believe the BDL was discontinued in the 2008 year and you are probably seeing the warehouse supplies now on the market.The CDL was brought out in 2007-08 to replace the current BDL and ADL lines.Travis

[Wulfman]

The ADLs and the BDLs were produced simultaneously beginning in 1962 when the 700s were introduced (actually re-designed versions of the 721 and 722 models). The ADLs were the "no frills" version. It was only in recent years that the wood-stocked ADLs were dropped and the CDL version was introduced. The CDL was introduced in 2005......maybe as a new design or variation. There are still synthetic-stocked (no floor plate/no frills) versions (ADLs) still available in a multitude of places.....like Wal-Mart and Cabelas.....for reasonable prices.

Do some of your acquisitions have "bull barrels"? Which one(s) and calibers? I wasn't sure whether you meant the .25-06 was one of those or had a regular standard barrel.

Yeah, the impressed checkering leaves a bit to be desired, but I'm really not that particular.....as long as they shoot good. Back in 1971, I purchased an ADL in 7mm Mag. that has absolutely beautiful wood in the butt stock. It actually looks like the wood in the "Custom C" model (Custom Shop) that's been pictured in the Remington catalogs since 2003.

As far as value goes, it depends on what you paid for them and how long you plan to keep them. However, as an example, the first ADL I bought in early 1969 (a close-out on a '69 model) was $90. In the next couple of years, the 7mm Mag and .25-06 were $135 and $120 respectively. I think they're worth a little more than that now (depending on how much inflation or deflation is taken into consideration).


Den

[travis301]

Den,
I thought the ADL had been replaced by the SPS.Didnt know the CDL had been around that long either,time flies.Travis

[Wulfman]

Den,
I thought the ADL had been replaced by the SPS.Didnt know the CDL had been around that long either,time flies.Travis

They've had so many models and variations over the years, it's hard to keep track. I usually use the catalogs as reference material. I have "most" of them......going back to 1968.
The SPS models had synthetic stocks and hinged floor plates, so they really didn't replace anything. I'm not sure when the wood-stocked ADLs disappeared, but they've been producing synthetic ADLs (no floor plates) for a number of years......and still do for various retail outlets.

The BDL is still listed as a model in their website......so, it hasn't been discontinued.

http://www.remington.com/product-famili ... l-700.aspx

Just because it's not listed in their catalog or on their website, doesn't mean they aren't building models for places like Wal-Mart or Cabelas. (Possibly using up excess inventory.)
Back in the 1970's, the 600 Mohawks weren't in the catalogs either, but they made and sold a lot of them.

I guess that's what makes this hobby challenging......there are so many variations and "limited runs" that exist out there.


Den

[travis301]

Den,
I guess the BDL still has a heartbeat.I noticed some calibers have been discontinued though,must be like you said,burning up the excess parts perhaps.
Travis

[ole fred]

.........a lotta good information here - especially for a newbie like me.

Bull barrels??? I'll have one Wednesday if everything goes right - in .243. Now, all of mine have the standard barrels (~.660 diameter at the muzzle) except for my "new" CDL in 280 Remington. It's about .568" in diameter. I'm guessing it's a "Mountain Rifle". Would you agree?

I have a new SPS in .270 made in 2/09 with a floorplate.

From what I've seen here and see on line, I guess I'll buy the BDL's if they're available in the calibers and profile that I want.

Am I correct in saying that a CDL is pretty much a broad category with a lot of specific models with in - i.e. varmint, mountain, etc? If so, does the same apply to the BDL's?

[Wulfman]

Am I correct in saying that a CDL is pretty much a broad category with a lot of specific models with in - i.e. varmint, mountain, etc? If so, does the same apply to the BDL's?

Well, actually the "broad category" would be the "Model 700". Every rifle uses the same basic style of action. The ADL, BDL, CDL, Varmint, Mountain rifle, SPS, etc. are, according to this link, called "variations".

http://www.remington.com/products/archi ... l-700.aspx

ADL (1962 – 2004)
BDL (1962 – Present)
D-Grade Custom Shop (1962 – 1982)
F-Grade Custom Shop (1962 – 1982)
BDL Heavy Varmint (1967 – 1985)
Custom C (1969 – 1982)
Safari High Grade (1971 – 2000)
BDL Left Hand (1973 – 2004)
Classic ( 1978 – Present)
High Grade I Custom Shop (1983 – Present)
High Grade II Custom Shop (1983 – 1990)
High Grade III Custom Shop (1983 – 1990)
High Grade IV Custom Shop (1983 – 1990)
Sportsman 78 (1985 – 1989)
Mountain Rifle (1986 – Present)
Police (1986 – Present)
Custom KS Mountain Rifle (1987 – Present)
Gun Kit (1987 – 1988)
FS (1987 – 1989)
RS (1987 - 1989)
FS Camo RH & LH (1987 – 1989)
Gray RH & LH (1987 – 1989)
ADL LS (1988 – 1993)
AS (1989 – 1991)
Custom KS Safari (1989 – Present)
BDL Heavy Barrel VS (1987 – 1994)
Varmint Special VS (1992 – 2004)
SS (1992)
Camo Synthetic Mossy Oak Bottomland (1992)
BDL SS (1993 – 2004)
BDL European (1993 – 1994)
Mountain SS (1993)
VSSF (1994 – 2004)
Sendero (1994 – 2002)
APR (1994 – Present)
AWR (1994 – Present)
VLS (1995 – Present)
Mountain DM (1995 – Present)
BDL DM (1995 – 2004)
BDL DM LH (1995 – 1999)
BDL SS DM (1995 – 2004)
ADL Synthetic (1996 – 2004)
LSS (1996 – 2004)
Sendero SF (1996 – 2004)
BDL SS DM-B (1996 – 2001)
ADL Synthetic Youth (1998 – 2004)
VSSF-P (1998 -1999)
LSS LH (1998 – 2004)
Mountain LSS (1999 – Present)
VS Composite barrel (1999 – 2001)
Sendero Composite barrel (1999)
EtronX VSSF (2000 – 2003)
VS LH (1998 – 2004)
RMEF (2001 – 2004)
Titanium Ultimate LW (2001 – Present)
ABG Custom (2001 – Present)
CDL Classic Deluxe (2004 - Present)
TI Magnum (2004 - Present)
LV SF (2004 - Present)
CDL LH (2005)
SPS (2005)
SPS DM (2005)
SPS Stainless (2005)
SPS Youth (2005)
VSF (2005)
VSF LH (2005)
VSSF-II (2005)
XCR (2005)
XCR RMEF Camo (2005)

‡ NOTE: All information listed was compiled from standard catalog listings. Remington Arms has always produced a line of special run firearms for certain distributors and conservation groups, and these items do not appear in the catalog. These guns are often produced to meet the needs in various geographical areas, as promotional items, or to test the market to see how well a new product will be received. Special run firearms are produced in limited numbers and are usually available for a particular length of time but these guns are not classified as “Limited Editions."



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[ole fred]

What more can I say but - WOW. That's a bunch of rifles.
I'll never get all this figured out.

[travis301]

Just a correction,the BDL Varmint Special (wood stock,heavy barrel for clarification) was available from 67-94. Technically there was a handful made in 66,but they wasn't catalogued.Travis

[Wulfman]

Just a correction,the BDL Varmint Special (wood stock,heavy barrel for clarification) was available from 67-94. Technically there was a handful made in 66,but they wasn't catalogued.Travis

In the 1968 catalog, the "BDL Varmint Special" is listed as "NEW".
I don't have any catalogs prior to that year, but if the Varmint Specials were available (earlier), I would presume they were either not BDLs or they were built in '67 and not cataloged until '68.


Den

[travis301]

Den,
I looked in my 68 (ducks on the front) and I see what you are saying as they are listed as new. I went to my 67 catalog(bear on the front) and it has the exact same ad for the new Varmint Special. It is word for word as the 68. Basically the 68 is an error by saying they were new for 68 when in fact it was 67.Travis