Neglected Rifles-Rising Star?

[M65Man]

I figure most gun nuts have at least one supposed Killing King in their rack, some many of them, but for me it's this one & only. I got it aprox 2.5 years ago, just ran into it, and everything about it says, Wow a North American Jewel! First Remington 700, (this being my 1st), and in 270Win (my 1st), and reloading for it, (1st)!
But I literally fell in love with it, got to work immediately, bought used brass (only available during the supply crunch), dies and only 2 powders available then, IMR4831 and R17, and Speer 130gr HC, Hornady 140IL btsp, and Sierra 140gr Gamekings btsp.
Well I'm not getting into detailed loads, but I researched what I had, and my results where not IMHO good, few hunting accuracy out to 250yds yes for sure but not what all the 270 hype had me believe!
Basically I had really good accuracy with a Speer 130 & RL17 load. And plenty acceptable with Hornady 140 & 4831 load. The Sierras where the worst, although I quit them after first try. I eventually tried a 2nd time later and confirmed my 1st results with the Speer and Hornady!
But that's been a while, and I've since acquired H4350 and 2 boxes of factory Rem 130gr CL and Tipped 130gr CL.
I've got my beloved 30-30 's & 30-06 'so I don't really need this rifle. But the hankering of what it could be is on fire now. I do 75% of my shooting and loads work after deer season thru spring, and I've gotta put this rifle in my hands in the woods with the confidence in Load, Bullet, and Rifle I've got with my 06's and that's a high calling!
But here she is, and I welcome other rifles & pics that are begging for their stories and glory yet to be made!
By the way, I forgot, is this an adl or bdl? It's got the floorplate.
But I'm dead set to get this rifle singing! Any others? Or any good advice? I've done hours of research lately, am familiar with many pet loads, but any advice with my components I have already?
This rifle was made 2012, and not fired that many times im quite sure. The guy had its twin in a 25-06.
Again share yours similar rifles, and I welcome advice, will consider any even if I don't confirm!

 

[doubleh]

That is a beautiful rifle. I haven't really kept up with Remington rifles but with the floor plate, checkering, spacers. etc. I am guessing it is a BDL. The ADL of old was a plain jane gun.

I am no help with loads having only used factory 270 ammo.

 

[M65Man]

That is a beautiful rifle. I haven't really kept up with Remington rifles but with the floor plate, checkering, spacers. etc. I am guessing it is a BDL. The ADL of old was a plain jane gun.

I am no help with loads having only used only factory 270 ammo.

I was thinking BDL but couldn't remember for sure. Thanks, as far as handling, to shoulder & feel, dry firing on target, it's a winner! And if I settle upon factory loads that'll be fine! But last summer I had this rifle sold, last minute guy decided he couldn't spend the money. Before it was decided, I was feeling kinda sick at myself, and was glad he backed out! Went immediately and bought the 2 factory boxes ammo, on a new course, determined to make something out of it. But I reserved it till now, so now I'm ready!

 

[Dr T]

Nice BDL. The ADLs had no floor plate.

Unfortunately, rifles do not read the internet or gun magazines so they do no know how they are supposed to behave. For example, my 270 loaded with 130 gr loads and H4350 chronographed about 200 fps LOWER than the books, magazines and hype all said it was supposed to do. There is a lesson in there.

I found the 270 interesting to load, and it was definitely a learning experience. My rifle was pretty picky, and would not group better than about 2.5" at 100 with some 130 gr bullets. I finally found one that would shoot into about an inch with, as I recall, H414 and chronographed at 2750. This convinced me to start taking gun writer experts with a 40 lb block of salt. The bullet was an early version of the Nosler Ballistic Tip that was a bit frangible, and I took two of my biggest bucks with it--both at about 85 yards. The bullet performance was interesting--but that is another story.

Enjoy.

 

[jmr40]

That is the most common configuration of the BDL. But in reality, a BDL has a floor plate. An ADL has a blind magazine. No more, no less. MOST ADL's were plain with no white line spacers and more conventional checkering. Functionally they were just as good and about 1/4 lb lighter without the bottom metal. But over the years there have been many exceptions. The use, or non-use of a floor plate is the only constant.

Remington dropped the BDL briefly when they introduced the CDL. The CDL is just a BDL with an classic style stock which I much prefer. The original BDL stock design was inspired by the modern flashy space age looking stocks Weatherby was using in the late 60's and 70's.

But there were enough people who still wanted that stock design that Remington brought it back with limited chambering choices briefly before Remington went under. Being made in 2012 I'm guessing your rifle is one of these.

My 1st rifle was a 1974 production ADL in 30-06 that I bought during the summer of 1975 with money made mowing lawns at $3 each. The rifle was $175. I had the shop mount a scope, bought a box of ammo and a sling walked out the door for $250.

my 270 loaded with 130 gr loads and H4350 chronographed about 200 fps LOWER than the books, magazines and hype all said it was supposed to do. There is a lesson in there.

My 700 is consistently 90 fps slower than my newer Winchester 70 in 30-06 with ammo from the same box. I have a friend with another 700 in 30-06 that is consistently 130 fps slower than my Winchester.

A difference of 25-50 fps between different rifles is common and 100 fps isn't unheard of. Over 100 fps is pretty rare.

 

[Hookeye]

I find the BDL stock to be comfortable, esp in magnums (had a 7mm Rem mag and a .300 Winmag).
Had a .243 BDL but went to an ADL synth for less shine while yoting. Got another one later and now it sits in an HS stock.
Have shot a few Classics buds have had.
Overall 700's fit me well.

 

[M65Man]

Well I finally got out yesterday to try those two Rem factory 130gr CLSP & CL Tipped in my 270. Was with a friend and didn't shoot long, no pics. But both did well, the regular CLSP grouped better than the Tipped, CLSP 2,960fps and Tipped 2,992fps. Gonna experiment with some my reloads using the new brass, with 130g Speer HC's & 140g Hornady btsp, try to get this rifle in hunting ready!
Beware of New Rem ammo, one round of the Tipped wouldn't chamber. Turned out to be a 30-06 round!
I'll do better alone, didn't really get a good rest situated. Alone, I'll really Drawdown!

 

[Pat Riot]

Beware of New Rem ammo, one round of the Tipped wouldn't chamber. Turned out to be a 30-06 round!

I did the same thing years ago. I had a sporterized Springfield 1917 that was chambered in .270. My Garand was 30-06. I am not sure how I did it but I got a 30-06 round mixed in with some Federal .270. I was also shooting my Garand that day. I got it stuck pretty good. It went in a lot easier than it came out. Never left two kinds of similar ammo on the shooting bench again.

Congrats on your Remington. That looks like a really nice rifle.

 

[I6turbo]

I like that rifle and the chambering. There are a lot more .277 bullets available nowadays than there used to be so it should be just a matter of trial and error to work up a load that it likes. Some of the bullet options:

My only .270 is a 1992 model BRNO ZKK 600. I don't load for it, partly because I don't get a chance to shoot it much.

 

[M65Man]

Thanks guys, I'm gonna get to work on getting this rifle in shape. Actually just finished reloading couple loads to try. When I bought it, I wasn't even interested in a new rifle. Went to a gunshop with a buddy just to tag along. Owner showed us 2 700's purchased same time, one in 25-06 and one I got in 270. It's a 2012 made, and I know hardly shot, hard to turn down, $600 out door, and I'd heard the 270 hype all my life, and a good shooting buddy had just recently been on me, you need a 270, you'll retire them 06's! Ya Right! But I had to try, and getting reloading components was at its worst. Managed about 50 well used Hornady Brass, 3 bullets, and 2 powders. Couple range sessions, I considered selling it! But I knew I hadn't give it a fair run, so it's been in cabinet since.
Back in winter, I about had a nervous break down! My lifelong rifle shooting idol
Townsend Whelen, who I'd known all my life, and knew his love of the 06! I was reading where he in latter years said something of this similar "The 270 in his Model 54 Win, has become his favorite rd&rifle for most all game I think short of dangerous game? And he said he'd dropped a large moose with the 270, the quickest he'd ever seen done! Along with other praise"! I got thinking, I need to get my 270 in shape, if it's capable! No denying the handling and all around feel of using the 700! So I'm determined to take it out to sea!
I can honestly admit one thing I've witnessed. Having been raised and lived here since 60's, a good number if good hunters, who for most part used to be 06 or 308 loyalists, have went to the 270 in last 20 years! I know they're only whitetails, both plenty capable, but everyone got a favorite for a good reason! Them I trust!

 

[M65Man]

I like that rifle and the chambering. There are a lot more .277 bullets available nowadays than there used to be so it should be just a matter of trial and error to work up a load that it likes. Some of the bullet options:

My only .270 is a 1992 model BRNO ZKK 600. I don't load for it, partly because I don't get a chance to shoot it much.

She's a Beaut!!!

 

[Pat Riot]

The .270 Sporterized 1917 Springfield I mentioned above was a very accurate rifle. I traded an M1 Carbine for it in the early 90’s. It wasn’t scoped. It had a Lyman peep sight rear and a basic blade front sight. With Federal 130 grain hunting ammo (I cannot remember the details of the ammo) and the rifle rested I could put 3 rounds in a 1 1/2” circle at 100yds. There’s no way I could do that now.
I couldn’t bring myself to drill into that receiver and mess up the roll marks to install a scope.
A friend of mine really liked that rifle as it was so I sold it to him.
I like the .270 Winchester round, but I have no plans to buy a rifle chambered for it any time soon.

 

[Varminterror]

I'm dead set to get this rifle singing!

That rifle should have no trouble reliably printing 3/4MOA groups. We might need to eliminate a few hitches in her 'git-along to get there, and have to put together some good ammo for it, but if you can't relatively quickly find a 1/2-3/4moa load for it after a few tweaks, then I'd cut my losses and sell the rifle. Kinda pretty is great, but it doesn't make up for not shooting, and sinking a bunch of money to replace a barrel wouldn't make a lot of sense just for a run of the mill BDL.

Free floating the barrel, pillar blocking and glass bedding the action, and free floating (ensuring free float) on the mag box will help stress relieve the action. Some folks like to bed the mag box into the stock and eliminate the screw holding the box to the action, and I tend to agree with the idea in principle, but I haven't seen a palpable influence in performance for either method - but it IS important to ensure we don't have any binding on the mag box which influences the action. A 2012 BDL should have an X-mark trigger, which isn't necessarily bad as a hunting rifle trigger, but it's certainly not good either. That era of X-Mark trigger is also likely under the voluntary recall, which is obviously now defunct since Remington went under, so personally, I'd spend the money to replace it. Lots of options out there for aftermarket triggers which will improve shootability over the factory XMP.

On the ammo side, in general, it should be difficult to make a rifle which wants to shoot well ever shoot poorly. If those hindrances described above are removed, a 700 BDL from 2012 should shoot sub-MOA with a dozen different bullets, so your job SHOULD be easy. Since this is a hunting rifle, maybe a few orange box options might make sense (or orange labels on yellow boxes now). Nosler Ballistic Tips and Accubonds should shoot small for you, Berger Hybrid Hunting bullets, Hornady ELD's, Sierra Matchkings, or the Berger TTSX's, if you know how to load them... if none of those shoot, then either the loading process is busted, or the barrel is a tomato stake.

 

[M65Man]

That rifle should have no trouble reliably printing 3/4MOA groups. We might need to eliminate a few hitches in her 'git-along to get there, and have to put together some good ammo for it, but if you can't relatively quickly find a 1/2-3/4moa load for it after a few tweaks, then I'd cut my losses and sell the rifle. Kinda pretty is great, but it doesn't make up for not shooting, and sinking a bunch of money to replace a barrel wouldn't make a lot of sense just for a run of the mill BDL.

Free floating the barrel, pillar blocking and glass bedding the action, and free floating (ensuring free float) on the mag box will help stress relieve the action. Some folks like to bed the mag box into the stock and eliminate the screw holding the box to the action, and I tend to agree with the idea in principle, but I haven't seen a palpable influence in performance for either method - but it IS important to ensure we don't have any binding on the mag box which influences the action. A 2012 BDL should have an X-mark trigger, which isn't necessarily bad as a hunting rifle trigger, but it's certainly not good either. That era of X-Mark trigger is also likely under the voluntary recall, which is obviously now defunct since Remington went under, so personally, I'd spend the money to replace it. Lots of options out there for aftermarket triggers which will improve shootability over the factory XMP.

On the ammo side, in general, it should be difficult to make a rifle which wants to shoot well ever shoot poorly. If those hindrances described above are removed, a 700 BDL from 2012 should shoot sub-MOA with a dozen different bullets, so your job SHOULD be easy. Since this is a hunting rifle, maybe a few orange box options might make sense (or orange labels on yellow boxes now). Nosler Ballistic Tips and Accubonds should shoot small for you, Berger Hybrid Hunting bullets, Hornady ELD's, Sierra Matchkings, or the Berger TTSX's, if you know how to load them... if none of those shoot, then either the loading process is busted, or the barrel is a tomato stake.

Thanks for the thorough rundown, and in my fair rifle experience over years, I agree with all you said! Never had thought of the magwell issue, that's interesting! As far as the trigger, as is is good for me! If I was a serious benchrest shooter with this rifle, then no! But 9out10 of my game shots are off hand and I don't want a light trigger for that, I'm a puncher in those conditions regardless of rifle. I've been killing squirrels all my life, tree and ground with 22's, iron sights & scoped, and 90% of those 000's have been off hand! Only one deer in last 10 years was with a rest, that being my knees sitting. A hunter is at advantage not being so conscience of a needed slow squeeze! It's a practiced quick squeeze!
But I'd consider having it bedded in future, but only as a last resort. I've already shot a few really good groups when I first got it, with 130gr Speer H.C. & Rel17, @ aprox 3025fps. But I want to get it right with a good 140gr hopefully, and I've tried Sierra Gamekings & Hornady both btsp's. But if I can get it near 1moa, it'll hunt! Longest shot I've got here at a deer, is 75yds, ranged. I've shot squirrels perfectly between eyes @ 62 yds ranged, with my CZ 452 scoped. I'm already a longtime lover if my Mod 64 Winchester & receiver sight for hunting, so a very light trigger is not for me, for hunting!
Yap, bench shooting is pleasing and beneficial, but I'm of the mind like Francis Sell said, "strive to become a consistent off hand shooter in hunting practice and the rest shooting will take care of itself"!
So far I've had better groups of the 140's with the Hornady & 4831. But I've got some Sierra GK's loaded to try with Rel17 and Hornady & 4831 & 4350. Probably try the Sierra in morning!
But a tack driver is a very good therapy I sure enjoy!

 

[M65Man]

Shot 2 loads today of Sierra 140gr GK's & Rel17, 2 loads of Hornady 140gr IL & H4350. Nothing brag about but not bad, especially the Hornady. Not gonna get into details yet, gonna try some more combinations. One thing for sure, the trigger is to heavy for good bench shooting, but I can get along with it! Both Hornady loads where actually about identical. 3 shots on one at 3/4" but 4th rd made it 1.75", other load 3 shots at 7/8" but 4th rd made it 1.75". Probably because of me and the trigger?
I don't know which shot on each went wide, I shot both groups then checked.

 

[M65Man]

Today I shot 3 different loads with the Speer 130gr H.C., which has been the most accurate bullet in this rifle from the start, but only a few loads I've tested so far with Rel17. I've adjusted the trigger pull lighter, and now am pleased with it! It's as low as I need it, and I was getting a consistent surprise ignition easily! Today I tried H4350 one load and two loads with IMR4831 which has been good in past. First load was 57grs of 4831 then 57.7grs, which is .3 below the 58grs Max recommended by Speer for this bullet. The 57grs load put 5of 7 in one small hole, and the first shot in the center was the first shot after switching from 4350. The 57.7grs load center of group was about same, not as small, but one thing I really favor, the velocity spread for 7 shots was only 10fps! The 57grs group was tight, but near a 50fps velocity spread! That makes me think somewhere in between, guessing 57.2 to 57.5, it'll bring velocity spread & accuracy together, that sweet spot!
The 4350 group was not good plus a velocity spread of near 75fps. I'm gonna really concentrate on this bullet and 4831 now!
Rising Star? I don't know, but I'm really liking this rifle and my progress!