Revisiting The Old Model 700 in .270

J

JDeere

Member
Joined
May 31, 2020
Messages
1,659
I have an old Model 700 BDL .270 my Dad bought in the late 60s. He didn't much care for it as he preferred his Win Model 88 .308. I took it over when I was 13 or 14 and went to town hunting deer on our lease we had. Started out with a Tasco 6x with that German post reticle. Took some deer with her as she was very accurate. My dad came home one day with a couple of Redfield Widefields in 3x9 so we put those on our rifles. There was no such thing as box blinds back then. We had tree stands. A board or 2 up in the tree with spikes to climb. I always wanted to venture away from the norm and hunt someplace new. No problem climb a tree and sit on a limb for hours. Dragged that .270 up into many a tree and beat the yaupons with her hunting. 30 years ago or so I put her away in favor of the 7-08. Fast forward to this week I decide to revisit the old girl and mounted a newer scope I had on her and took off to the range. After getting the her zeroed with the new scope I made 3 last shots and quit. That shot right was before my final adjustment I'm going to hunt with her next season just for old time sake. Damn fine rifle and lots of memories
Target ,270.jpg
 
I purchased a 700 action (long) recently from an estate and am in the process of slowly building it into a DIY Remage .270. I also bought about 200 unfired .270 cases from the same estate, a good incentive to go with this chambering. I already own an Husqvarna M98 sporter in .270 and like the cartridge.

I'm no a fan of the 700's extractor, having seen a couple break, so I've purchased a one-piece bolt from PTG cut for their M16-type teeter-totter extractor. Just finished lapping the lugs. A long way still to go on the project, but I am learning to love this bomb.

Remage01.jpg
 
Classic! I love the ol 270. I took a buck at 450 yards with one. And busting brush. Can others do it better? Maybe. But none of the digested white tails ever complained about falling to such an “inferior” cartridge. I find myself without one at the moment(Though I can use my dads anytime), but that’s soon remedied.
 
The M700 BDL .270 Winchester, pencil barrel and all, has been a fine hunting rifle for many a decade.

Sub-MOA cold barrel groups with handloads and respectable sub 1-1/2" groups with factory ammo,

Heavy bullets for the woods and light ones for the plains.

Retired it not too long ago, for a new stainless Winchester in the same chambering - that kills game no better.
 
I have a 1974 production 700 in 30-06 that was my primary hunting rifle for close to 40 years. In 1925 the 270 and 30-06 were very different animals, but with modern loads there isn't much that you can do with one that the other won't do. The 30-06 still has an edge in that it will handle 200gr and heavier bullets. But for any animal from elk on down a 270 is the equal of 30-06.

I've sort of soured on the 700 design and moved to 308 about 15 years ago. I still have mine and after replacing the trigger take it hunting occasionally. I was actually thinking the other day about getting it to the range and using it more next Fall.

I would strongly advise changing out the trigger. The ones made prior to 2007 are a flawed design. Incidents are quite rare, but they do occasionally discharge with no trigger pull. Usually when you move the safety from "SAFE" to "FIRE". The sear can disengage as the rifle is carried and handled. When that happens, the safety is the only thing holding the firing pin back. Move the safety and the gun discharges.

Mine never dropped the firing pin on a live round, but did it on an empty chamber twice, once in the 1990's and another time in the 2010's. Twice in 50 years isn't bad, but I'd prefer none. After the 2nd time I ordered a new trigger. It's a 15-minute DIY project.

Before Remington was sold the last time they would replace it at no cost as part of a lawsuit settlement. They never advertised it but if you contacted them they would do it. I don't know if the new owners will honor that agreement but the last I heard it was a 3-4 month turn around. I just did it myself.

www.midwayusa.com

Timney Triggers Impact Remington 700 Trigger Right Hand 3 to 4 lbs

The Timney Impact is the next trigger in the People’s Choice Line of Excellence from the craftsmen and women of The World's Finest Trigger. Timney...
www.midwayusa.com www.midwayusa.com
 
After starting out with a 30-30 (as required by law in Pennsylvania;)) I quickly graduated to a Remington 721, the predecessor of the 700. That served me well until I bought a stainless 700 Mountain Rifle in 30-06 and haven't used anything else for the last 25 years.
 
I never had an issue with the trigger but since I'm gonna put her back in service will put a Timney in anyway. I had adjusted this one years ago. Tested it the way we we should and never fired unless it was pulled. I have replaced my other 700 triggers just because. I have one of the later 700s that came with one of those xmark triggers. Replaced it before I ever shot it. I won't buy another newer model. Just not the same as they used to be. 700 actions used to be the standard for br builds but times have changed...
 
Chuck R. said:
That's the route I'd go.. When my current barrel get's done it will end up with a Bartlein in 1:8.

Both of my .270s liked Nolser 130BTs and H4831. My current load is right at 3170 from a 24" barrel.
Click to expand...
I’m thinking the sweet spot is the 140 grain bullets. I’m just waiting to get my hands on some and I’ll try some R26.

Nothing wrong with 4831 though.
 
Anchorite said:
I’m thinking the sweet spot is the 140 grain bullets. I’m just waiting to get my hands on some and I’ll try some R26.

Nothing wrong with 4831 though.
Click to expand...


It's a good all around, but I think it depends...

A couple years ago when getting ready for a guided mulie hunt in MT I "ran the numbers" from the 130s to the 150s for drop and drift and the 130s at 3100+ were still leading out to 500yds. So that's what I stuck with. The vast majority of the deer I've killed have been with a .270Win and 130s, from 15 - 550yds.

I like H4831 due to the temp "in-sensitivity". I've had warm IMR4831 loads start to stick my bolt in the summer for a load worked up in the fall. At the top of this OCW work up I actually hit 3200 with no signs of pressure, but the accuracy was just better at 3170.

I've been sticking with the Hodgdon's "extreme" powders for a while now, due to availability and our KS temp swings.
 
My .270 REM 700 WalMart special (key lock bolt) in plastic stock is a fine rifle. Got an M8 fixed 4X Leupold on it and adjusted the trigger down to acceptable range.
 
I have had a 1/2 dozen 700's and all of them were sub-MOA. I favor Tikkas now but a good deal on a 700 in a cartridge I like would be tempting.
 
one of my Savage Axis (Walmart specials) is in 270, I decided to stay with the 130gr and have found a decent load with 2700 just a little above mid range, I tried a couple of other powders but I don't think I tried H4831 but I will try it out soon, Shoots very well out to 200yrds with less drop than my Rem 700s in 30-06,
 
Really can't think of any reason not to like a 700 in 270 Win. I replace those Walker triggers with Timneys. A lot of BDLs have just a black hard buttplate. If recoil is an issue I would send the stock to a gunsmith to fit a Pachmayr decelerator 1" pad.
 
Shanghai McCoy said:
My vintage 1960-61, 721 in 270 has the original metal butt plate and it has started to get my attention a bit.
(Even with my "anemic", (according to one member here.. ;) handloads.)
Click to expand...
Yes sir after a few years of that bare metal butt plate I fitted a custom pad to her. As I mentioned I shot the .270 and my 7-08 with my "anemic handloads" as some say in the same session. Although I could definitely tell the difference in recoil it was no big deal.

Speaking of recoil I have noticed in the used rifle section at my LGS that there are many more magnums up for sale than say a couple of years ago.. I can remember the days when owning a magnum was a thing. I never owned or got into magnums except for the .44.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P
  • Locked
Remington 700 .270 WIN
Replies
5
Views
324
LoonWulf
LoonWulf
R
  • Locked
Age and Model of Regmington 700
Replies
7
Views
79K
v8stang289
v8stang289
R
  • Locked
Range trip with 11 year old girl
Replies
4
Views
497
Tokugawa
T
B
  • Locked
Need some info on Rem 700 LH
Replies
6
Views
855
bigolddeerhunter
B
P
  • Locked
1964 Remington 700 versus 1950 Winchester Model 70
Replies
13
Views
4K
SwampWolf
S
Back
Top