Walnut monte Carlo stock. 308 remington m700 in 308 with a heavy barrel.
Like seriously. It should be the basic most available rifle.
Like seriously. It should be the basic most available rifle.
Why are basic bolt guns so hard to find?
- Thread starter 03RN
- Start date
99.99% of the market doesn’t want a heavy barrel Remington in a wood stock. Most of the target oriented market doesn’t want a wood stock anything anymore so it would be foolish for a Remington to make that. Those going for a basic wood stocked 700 are looking at BDL’s and CDL’s not varmint models and those are available new from Remington.
If a heavy barrel walnut 700 is what you want look for an older 700 Varmint Special AKA BDL Varmint. They made them in 308 but that’s one of the less common ones but they do pop up from time to time. Nice BDL Varmints usually run $1200-$1500 these days. The BDL Varmint stocks also pop up on eBay frequently for $250-$300 so you could be a new SPS varmint and put together your own with a new barreled action for around $1K.
If a heavy barrel walnut 700 is what you want look for an older 700 Varmint Special AKA BDL Varmint. They made them in 308 but that’s one of the less common ones but they do pop up from time to time. Nice BDL Varmints usually run $1200-$1500 these days. The BDL Varmint stocks also pop up on eBay frequently for $250-$300 so you could be a new SPS varmint and put together your own with a new barreled action for around $1K.
Some makers will still do that, heres a SAKO and a Tikka. Probably cause its cold in finland...
Not sure if they import them all to the US however.
Not sure if they import them all to the US however.
Your title is misleading.
You want the most basic bolt gun available, well just go grab you a Ruger American.
Basic... all the way.
You want the most basic bolt gun available, well just go grab you a Ruger American.
Basic... all the way.
At the ranges I frequent, the rifle on the right outnumbers the one on the left probably 4-5 to 1. A couple of weeks ago I was at our local PSA outlet. Pretty extensive gun department, to include such brands as Tikka, Bergara, etc. Out of curiosity, I asked the gun counter salesman what brand of more “ traditional “ style bolt action rifles they sold the most. He didn’t even hesitate . “ Savage”. No doubt price point has a lot to do with that.
The market has spoken and hardly anyone is buying them... So why would someone manufacture them if the demand is so low?
Either find a vintage BDL varmint, build one off a 700 action (a SPS Varmint would be a good action/barrel donor with a replacement wood stock), or get a Sako/Tikka.
I would personally get a Tikka Varmint and drop it in a wood stock if Tikka isn't importing the T3X hunter in that configuration.
I recently picked up a wood stocked T3X Hunter in 308, but it is a 16" medium profile barrel not the a 24" varmint barrel like the Varmint/Super Varmint. Very happy with it for a compact hunting rifle.
Either find a vintage BDL varmint, build one off a 700 action (a SPS Varmint would be a good action/barrel donor with a replacement wood stock), or get a Sako/Tikka.
I would personally get a Tikka Varmint and drop it in a wood stock if Tikka isn't importing the T3X hunter in that configuration.
I recently picked up a wood stocked T3X Hunter in 308, but it is a 16" medium profile barrel not the a 24" varmint barrel like the Varmint/Super Varmint. Very happy with it for a compact hunting rifle.
I think @redneckbmxer24 pretty much nailed it.
Walnut stocks are more susceptible to the elements and cost more to produce. Heavy barrels are less likely to be chosen for hunting anything but varmint hunting or target shooting. That is a pretty solid combo for eliminating 90% of the prospective buyers these days, and probably the reason why that setup is harder to find and costs more. What the OP wants is now a niche item.
What is now considered a basic bolt gun these days is going to have plastic stock and trigger guard, lightweight barrel, and the least expensive finish and assembly the manufacturer can get away with. You can find many examples at every big box store in America.
Walnut stocks are more susceptible to the elements and cost more to produce. Heavy barrels are less likely to be chosen for hunting anything but varmint hunting or target shooting. That is a pretty solid combo for eliminating 90% of the prospective buyers these days, and probably the reason why that setup is harder to find and costs more. What the OP wants is now a niche item.
What is now considered a basic bolt gun these days is going to have plastic stock and trigger guard, lightweight barrel, and the least expensive finish and assembly the manufacturer can get away with. You can find many examples at every big box store in America.
Yeah, I get it. I guess it's just me being grumpy.
You can have what you want, you just aren’t going to walk into any random gun store and find it unless you get lucky and they happen to have a BDL varmint on the shelf. Old hole in the wall gun stores and pawn shops are the places with finds like that. I make it a point to pop into all the ones in my area every couple months to see what’s new and I’ve walked away with a lot of good deals on hard to find stuff.
Remington also made a run of reproduction M40’s like 10-15yr ago that had a walnut stock but I haven’t seen one of those in a long time and they normally fetch big $$ when they do pop up since they’re a very rare collector item. The BDL varmints were produced in a lot higher quantities making them easier to find.
Remington also made a run of reproduction M40’s like 10-15yr ago that had a walnut stock but I haven’t seen one of those in a long time and they normally fetch big $$ when they do pop up since they’re a very rare collector item. The BDL varmints were produced in a lot higher quantities making them easier to find.
OP.
If you can't find what you want, there's always companies like Cooper or, if you have deep pockets, the former Dakota Arms is now Parkwest.
If you can't find what you want, there's always companies like Cooper or, if you have deep pockets, the former Dakota Arms is now Parkwest.
I started making my own so I could blend wood with modern features like tight tolerance actions and prefit barrels.
i understand the OP in this one. My Remington BDL's with heavy barrels, my Weatherby's and Brownings i have collected over the years just because i love the look of fine wood. Winchester really never made a fancy fine wood, i still enjoy collecting the old lever actions with the wood stocks., though some of the special editions came out with fine wood. A lot of this stems from the fact all thru high school, i worked for my dad who was a carpenter who loved building custom cabinets. I also had my own construction business for 26 years, and built many homes that i custom built cabinets for including my own. 5000 bd ft of ponderosa pine. Every board hand sanded , stained and varnished. Sloping ceilings that peak 18' above the floor take a lot of lumber to cover. Wore out 3 Makita palm sanders before i was done. They have a great warranty thank goodness
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Can't remember the last time I saw a wood stocked 700 in any configuration at any of the half dozen gun shops I frequent.
Come to thing of it I don't remember seeing a wood stocked center-fire rifle period anywhere in my buddies shop last time I was there a couple weeks back.
7-8 years ago he went from having a descent selection of used 700's in stock to having none practically overnight.
I asked him about it and he said several people were buying them up before they hit the rack for the actions for custom builds, especially the older ones.
Saw an older BDL .243 Varmint about a year ago. Priced well worth the money even if the barrel was shot out. They’re out there.
About 30 years ago I had a real teachable moment about what an accurate rifle with some heft, good ergos, and a great trigger could do. I’m still sort of amazed thinking back to that afternoon. It was a 700 Varmint .223.
About 30 years ago I had a real teachable moment about what an accurate rifle with some heft, good ergos, and a great trigger could do. I’m still sort of amazed thinking back to that afternoon. It was a 700 Varmint .223.
That is a really fine ass rifle.
EuroOptic all day long.
Your question is wrong.
The actual question you're asking is "why doesn't anyone make beautiful walnut stocks and sell them as the cheapest base model anymore?"
You can get what you want. It's just not a $400 rifle like it was in 1986.
A $400 rifle now has a simple but effective synthetic stock. It requires no maintenance, it's stable, and it's cheap.
People laugh at the Rugers, but I've seen a lot of them shoot far above their price point.
The actual question you're asking is "why doesn't anyone make beautiful walnut stocks and sell them as the cheapest base model anymore?"
You can get what you want. It's just not a $400 rifle like it was in 1986.
A $400 rifle now has a simple but effective synthetic stock. It requires no maintenance, it's stable, and it's cheap.
People laugh at the Rugers, but I've seen a lot of them shoot far above their price point.
Here's a Howa 1500 option, like someone already mentioned above: (search for Brownells coupons to bring price down)
Barreled Action:
www.brownells.com
Stock:
www.brownells.com
Only hangup would be making sure the stock's barrel channel can accommodate the heavy barrel contour. Someone asked the same question on the stock's page, and Brownells said "Yes", but not sure if I'd 100% trust it. You could always open up the channel yourself, assuming there's enough material.
Barreled Action:
HOWA 1500 308 WIN 24" THREADED HEAVY BARRELED ACTION | Brownells
Check out HOWA 1500 308 WIN 24" THREADED HEAVY BARRELED ACTION | Brownells available Online at Brownells Today and many more Rifle Receivers & Parts products are available in our Gun Parts Department.
www.brownells.com
Stock:
HOWA Super Deluxe Howa Short Action Stock SKU: 430110572 | Brownells
Check out HOWA Super Deluxe Howa Short Action Stock SKU: 430110572 | Brownells available Online at Brownells Today and many more Rifle Stocks & Parts products are available in our Gun Parts Department.
www.brownells.com
Only hangup would be making sure the stock's barrel channel can accommodate the heavy barrel contour. Someone asked the same question on the stock's page, and Brownells said "Yes", but not sure if I'd 100% trust it. You could always open up the channel yourself, assuming there's enough material.
I was just looking into this option while debating 7 REM Mag or 7 PRC.Here's a Howa 1500 option, like someone already mentioned above: (search for Brownells coupons to bring price down)
Barreled Action:
HOWA 1500 308 WIN 24" THREADED HEAVY BARRELED ACTION | Brownells
Check out HOWA 1500 308 WIN 24" THREADED HEAVY BARRELED ACTION | Brownells available Online at Brownells Today and many more Rifle Receivers & Parts products are available in our Gun Parts Department.
Stock:
HOWA Super Deluxe Howa Short Action Stock SKU: 430110572 | Brownells
Check out HOWA Super Deluxe Howa Short Action Stock SKU: 430110572 | Brownells available Online at Brownells Today and many more Rifle Stocks & Parts products are available in our Gun Parts Department.
Only hangup would be making sure the stock's barrel channel can accommodate the heavy barrel contour. Someone asked the same question on the stock's page, and Brownells said "Yes", but not sure if I'd 100% trust it. You could always open up the channel yourself, assuming there's enough material.
Howa is another that punches above its price point. Still not as pretty as my early Kimber Montana, but Defenitely not the same price point either.
'Browning X-bolt 2 White Gold Medallion - .243 to .300 Win Mag and everything in between....
2025 Shot Show Special - Hi Res Image:
2025 Shot Show Special - Hi Res Image:
I’ve always really liked the looks of those white gold medallions. Mmmmm…
