HAWKEYESATX
Handloader
- Aug 15, 2016
- 1,805
- 63
I've been wondering something the past few days since I have actually had in possession, my very own Remington M700 BDL in .30-06.
I have been wondering to myself, why I haven't had in the past, made an attempt to buy, or obtain the rifle I have in my hands at the moment.
I've done a little bit of research on the 700 series, and this is what I have found out.
The lineage of the 700 series can be traced back to the 721/722 series that started in 1948. The M700 was another modification to the 722, and debuted in 1962. That was the same year that Remington came out with the 7mm Rem Mag, in it's flagship rifle, the M700.
As of this posting, Remington has made over 6,000,000 M700 rifles. The most of any model rifle made in history.
My research has also led me to to know that the Remington 700 is synonymous with quality, and being touted as the most accurate production rifle made, up until Remington moved their factories to Kentucky, and Alabama.
The personal history of my rifle is as such, it was made in March, of 1976. I saw the barrel code on the left side of the barrel close to the receiver. I, as well, looked at photographic evidence of the 1976, and 1988 versions, and deemed from the checkering pattern on my rifle, that it was made in the 1970's.
My rifle has been used, but not abused. I don't think this rifle has had many rounds down the barrel, since it is extremely clean, and the rifling, and grooves are sharp, and noticeable, but a beautiful mirror shine.
The only thing that I noticed after inspecting the rifle, is that the action screws were loose. So, they were summarily tightened.
I know that the M700 was a mass produced firearm, and it was on the gun shelves of almost every gun shop, and hardware store in it's time. But, for it being mass produced, I can honestly say that Remington had true craftsmen making their rifles at that time. I would compare their quality to Smith & Wesson revolvers, extremely well made, beautiful to the eye, and the action is smooth as butter. Plus, they just plain worked.
I remember when I was a young airmen in the Air Force, and I was stationed at F.E. Warren AFB, Cheyenne, Wyoming. It was soon after I settled there, that I made a trip to the Cheyenne Trading Post, a rather large gun store that had fishing, hunting, and camping equipment all over. They always had the latest Remington rifles on hand, along with Winchester's, and some Ruger rifles. My eye was always drawn to the Remington 700 BDL. The beautiful walnut stocks, with high shine polished stocks, along with the polished, and deeply blued metal on the rifles. At that time, I wished I could have afforded the Remington 700 rifles, but had to settle with a Savage 110 GXP3 scoped combo rifle. That was what I could afford at the time. But I kept longing for a Remington 700 BDL. I told myself, someday.
That someday finally came on August 28th. I never knew what I was missing until now.
I certainly hope that this rifle lives up to the Remington reputation. It was the everyman's rifle, and accurate to boot.
Now, it's a prized possession, and will be maintained, and used for it's intended purpose, Hunting!
Hawk
I have been wondering to myself, why I haven't had in the past, made an attempt to buy, or obtain the rifle I have in my hands at the moment.
I've done a little bit of research on the 700 series, and this is what I have found out.
The lineage of the 700 series can be traced back to the 721/722 series that started in 1948. The M700 was another modification to the 722, and debuted in 1962. That was the same year that Remington came out with the 7mm Rem Mag, in it's flagship rifle, the M700.
As of this posting, Remington has made over 6,000,000 M700 rifles. The most of any model rifle made in history.
My research has also led me to to know that the Remington 700 is synonymous with quality, and being touted as the most accurate production rifle made, up until Remington moved their factories to Kentucky, and Alabama.
The personal history of my rifle is as such, it was made in March, of 1976. I saw the barrel code on the left side of the barrel close to the receiver. I, as well, looked at photographic evidence of the 1976, and 1988 versions, and deemed from the checkering pattern on my rifle, that it was made in the 1970's.
My rifle has been used, but not abused. I don't think this rifle has had many rounds down the barrel, since it is extremely clean, and the rifling, and grooves are sharp, and noticeable, but a beautiful mirror shine.
The only thing that I noticed after inspecting the rifle, is that the action screws were loose. So, they were summarily tightened.
I know that the M700 was a mass produced firearm, and it was on the gun shelves of almost every gun shop, and hardware store in it's time. But, for it being mass produced, I can honestly say that Remington had true craftsmen making their rifles at that time. I would compare their quality to Smith & Wesson revolvers, extremely well made, beautiful to the eye, and the action is smooth as butter. Plus, they just plain worked.
I remember when I was a young airmen in the Air Force, and I was stationed at F.E. Warren AFB, Cheyenne, Wyoming. It was soon after I settled there, that I made a trip to the Cheyenne Trading Post, a rather large gun store that had fishing, hunting, and camping equipment all over. They always had the latest Remington rifles on hand, along with Winchester's, and some Ruger rifles. My eye was always drawn to the Remington 700 BDL. The beautiful walnut stocks, with high shine polished stocks, along with the polished, and deeply blued metal on the rifles. At that time, I wished I could have afforded the Remington 700 rifles, but had to settle with a Savage 110 GXP3 scoped combo rifle. That was what I could afford at the time. But I kept longing for a Remington 700 BDL. I told myself, someday.
That someday finally came on August 28th. I never knew what I was missing until now.
I certainly hope that this rifle lives up to the Remington reputation. It was the everyman's rifle, and accurate to boot.
Now, it's a prized possession, and will be maintained, and used for it's intended purpose, Hunting!
Hawk
