Remington 700 BDL

[TheAvenger]

Hello,

I am thinking about buying myself a rifle tomorrow and would like to know what you guys think about the Remington 700 BDL, as far as expected accuracy, durability. I was thinking either 270 Winchester or 30-06 Springfield. I live in North Carolina so I don't feel the need for a 7mm Rem Mag or the 300 RUM. I would also be turned off by the 243 Win because it would eat the barrel up in a hurry. Would a 7MM Rem Mag be too much for the area and considered overkill? I would like to hear some general commentary on the subject, so please tell me what you guys think about the rifle in general pro or con.

 

[Fishbed77]

I don't know much about the current-production 700s (under Cerberus management), but the 700 has been one of the most popular bolt-action rifles of the past half-century for a reason.

I would also be turned off by the 243 Win because it would eat the barrel up in a hurry.

I've been hunting deer with a 700 ADL in .243 for about 20 years and have yet to replace a barrel (or see any degradation in accuracy whatsoever). That rifle has been stupidly accurate and reliable from day one. That said, 270 or 30-06 is a great choice as well.

 

[Kachok]

No the 243 is no barrel burner, never had to replace a barrel on one, I would advise you aginst the Remington rifle, I have had horrifying luck with them since they sold out to CCM, and refuse to touch another one until they fire their entire QC staff.....yeah they were that bad. Take a look at Savage, TC, Tikka, Howa, and Weatherby, they are just better rifles for the money.
If you still don't want a 243, and wanted either a 270 or 30-06 it depends on what you will be hunting, if it is just whitetail deer I say 270 it kills them just as dead with a better trajectory and less recoil, but if you hunt larger game that is where the 30-06 shines with it's 180 and 200gr bullets. I have used both for years, both are great, but my 6.5x55 is my go to gun. I used 7mm Rem mag for years but it really is just too much of an overkill on deer, all I was doing was paying $40 a box for ammo to blow up more meat, 270 is just a more logical deer rifle.

 

[splithoof]

Got my first one on 1980, an '06, and been bringing home all kinds of game. It will shoot the same hole twice at 100, and keeps on going. Saw a brand new one the other day, it looked just fine, and in my mind has a better factory trigger. Put on a decent 6X fixed optic, a bipod & sling, and get the freezer ready.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have nothing but good things to say about every 700 that I have owned.

 

[Kachok]

I have nothing but good things to say about every 700 that I have owned.

Are they pre or post Apr 2007? That is when CCM bought them, and I have not been impressed with them ever since. I though they just went to $#!^ until last year when I found out that they sold out to a headhunter company (the same one that nearly sank Chrysler), that explains everything.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

My newest one is from 1992.

 

[TheAvenger]

Sorry, about the .243 Winchester comment; I guess I got some bad information, I was told a .243 would burn a barrel up.

Up till now I have only had military surplus (Mauser(s) M48 and VZ24, and a No.4 Mk1 Enfield, but I have taken many deer with them.

I had thought about buying a Browning White Gold, but I like to buy things made in the USA and they are made in Japan. I thought about the Weatherby Vanguard, but again foreign made. I would consider a Winchester Model 70, but not sure where they are made anymore.

Just curious, but what are the QC issues you have with the Remington rifle?

 

[Kachok]

The QC issues I had were
1st rifle: would not chamber a round period, factory would not fix.
2nd rifle: constant jamming and less then acceptable accuracy.
3rd rifle: started rusting the day I took it out of the plastic, regular cleaning and oiling would not stop the rapid rusting, after only a few months it was completely unusable. To be fair the hot humid climate down here on the gulf is hard on anything but I never had that issue with any of my other rifles.
I used to be a hardcore Remington fan that is why I am so upset with them. The only Remington currently own is my old 522 Speedmaster that works like a charm but that was built long before CCM ever bought out the company. Remington is not what it used to be, they have gone downhill alot in the past few years even the die hard Remington fans will tell you that. The older 700s are great, so if you find a deal on one snatch it up, but I would not buy a new one, Savage 110s are a much better rifle for alot less money, I have owned a half dozen of them over the years including two newer models and they have all been perfect, not a single glitch and the all shot under moa even with factory ammo. If the Savage does not fit you right check out the TC Venture, also made in the USA and it is more of the Rem 700 size/weight they run about $500 with a lifetime warranty and a sub MOA guarantee, now that is standing behind your product.
BTW the new Winchester 70s are made in the USA, in SC I think. Not a super value rifle but they are one of the most attractive rifles out there, and the have the pre 64 Mauser style action that I love so much.

 

[j1]

Mine is 42 years old and going strong. Also in 30 06. All you need now are good rings and mounts and a good scope and you are good to go on almost anything in north america from woodchucks to moose.

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

I have a R700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD, I bought it just a few months ago. It is one of the most accurate out of the box rifles I have ever owned. While I picked the .308 caliber, I would not be afraid of the .243. All three of the calibers you listed are great choices. I personally love the 30-06. I still think it is one of the best all around calibers for our area(from NC too).

 

[Skyshot]

We fired this on Sunday 6/3/12 with my sons Remington model 700 Sendero in 7mmRemMag. He's had the rifle about 5 months it's 2011 manufactured. We have no QC issues. This target was in a 5 mph crosswind at 440 yards and 78 degree temps. The load is 160 gr. nosler accubond with 63 grns. of IMR 7828. I think he shot 12 rounds and I shot 10 letting the barrel cool between shots.

 

[jmr40]

If you want the best quality USA made rifles made in 2012 look at Kimber, Winchester, Ruger Hawkeye, and Remington in that order. If you just want a cheap gun that shoots well look at TC, Marlin, Ruger American, and Savage.

Good imported guns are Tikka and Weatherby Vanguard.

As to caliber, 270, 30-06, 308, 7-08, or 260 are all you need.

My personal pick would be either the Kimber or Winchester, depending on my budget, in either 308, or 7-08

 

[Fishbed77]

I would consider a Winchester Model 70, but not sure where they are made anymore.

My understanding is that the new-production Winchester Model 70s are made at FN Manufacturing in Columbia, SC, alongside the FN SPR (military/police version of model 70). This is the same factory that produces government contract M-16s and M-249s, as well as the FN lineup of pistols and numerous other firearms.

 

[Robbins290]

i use a bdl in 30-06. had it for years. very nice hunting rifle. good trigger too. very accurate. if i could get another one. i would go with 270 winchester. its flatter shooting rhe the old odd 6.

 

[TheAvenger]

I just purchased the Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical .308 Winchester 20" Barrel. I looked at several rifles including Remington 700 BDL, CDL, Model Seven, and Winchester Model 70. However, the Remington Tactical model caught my eye and the rest is history. I will more than likely drop it off at East Coast Precision Rifles and have the stock replaced with a McMillan, refinish the rifle in a 3-color earth tone camo, add a Badger Ordnance detachable floor-plate magazine, over-sized bolt handle, One-piece mount, NightForce rings and scope.

 

[Jdillon]

About three years ago I bought a 700 CDL SF in 300 WSM. Initially the rifle grouped poorly and I was ready to get rid of it. Instead I had it pillar bedded and the muzzle crowned by Score High in ABQ. The results were amazing and the rifle now consistently shoots sub MOA and on certain days with a minimum of operator error, sub 1/2".

 

[viking499]

I have a 28 year old BDL 7mag that has killed deer and many groundhogs in its early days. Groundhogs are a blast to shoot with the mag. Not so much anymore. My shoulder has found better things in the past few years. It is a great gun and will drive tacks at 300 yards.

If I was looking for any Remington, it WOULD NOT be a new one. It would be at least 15-20 years old. If made in the last 5-10, I wouldn't even consider it.

 

[Old Dog Man]

Rem. 700

I've had too many issues with the newer mod. 700 to recommend it to anyone. Their barrels (hammer forged) are not up to standards. Have had to send several customers rifles to get replaced. Even the service guy's admit they have problems. I personally have had to send one of mine back, the older ones never had this problem. Al

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Remington 700's

I like the 700's but mine are the older ones. Never had any problems. .270 or .30-06 are a good way to go. If just having one, I go for the .30-06.

.270


.30-06


.35 Whelen (700 Classic)


.300 Win Mag



This Remington Seven .308 is a scaled down lightweight version of a 700. Its a newer one but no negatives thus far.

 

[Old Dog Man]

Rem. 700

Now don't get me wrong, I've owned many Rem. rifles and shotguns over my 65+ years of shooting and have loved every one of them. I would suggest if you buy one get the chamber cast and go into the rifling about 1 1/2" to check that the riflings all come back to the freebore. That's where I've seen most of the problem. You can also use a borescope and see it, that's how I do it. The Rem. rifles I still own all have Douglas PG, AG. barrels. Al

 

[Sniper66]

I have a few Remintons and all shoot very well. The 700 BDL is one hellava rifle and the 243 is a hellava round. Not sure where the idea came from that it burns out barrels, but it is nonsense. I've had old and new Rems...all of them are great.

 

[Old Dog Man]

Rem. 700

Had the chance to check another barrel today. It was a 22-250 that shoots a patern not a groupe according to the owner. It has a barrel twist rate of 1-15 1/4" never heard of this twist before and don't know why they would use that in a 22-250 advised the rifle be sent back to Rem. for a new one. It was made this year according to S.N. Al

 

[Water-Man]

If you're adamant about an American maufactured rifle, I'd recommend the Winchester 70 in 7mm-08 or an older Remington 700BDL.

Personally, I like the Tikka in 6.5x55.

W-M

 

[viking499]

Aaahhhhh............a Tikka 6.5x55 = Sweet Bliss........"