What would you vintage folks do to this vintage caliber 1984 R700?

C

ChrisBCS

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 8, 2014
312
0
#1
Remington 700 Long Action ADL in .30-06
Found this, put it on layaway. In love. Made the year I was born. They wanted $399. The action alone is worth more. Completely unmolested.

Step 1: outfit it with an M1907 pattern sling.
Step 2: shoot it. A lot.
Step 3 through N: different bolt handle? New barrel crown? Glass bed stock and float barrel? Or get a stock with a floor plate/larger magazine then bed/float? Better optics?

14059269369_0234ceff29_c.jpg

14107088468_a5109a159b_c.jpg

14291771912_f5c91bab01_c.jpg

14107098270_2e488abdbd_c.jpg

14107196367_828def81e0_c.jpg
 
#3
I shoot a lot and hunt almosd never. I'm obsessed with the .30-06. I'd like to use this rifle/action to learn load development and better/proper optics use. although the longest range I know of in central TX is eagle peak (300 yds). The optics are an old Bushnell sport view in Weaver rings.
 
#4
Best of the West is in central Texas. It's close to Liberty Hill, TX.

About the rifle. Keep it and shoot a deer with it. Then give it to your son/daughter as their first deer rifle. Barring that, give it to your daughter's husband or something. Just make it into a family heirloom and don't screw with it.
 
#6
Thanks folks. Good scope and hand load sounds like a plan.

Re: hunting, I appreciate the sentiment. My deer rifle growing up was an ADL in 7 mm mag. But, I haven't hunted in a decade and don't see myself doing it in the future. I bought this rifle to turn it loose regularly. I bought it as a .30-06 shooter. That's not to say I won't hunt with it, but that's not its primary niche for me.
 
#7
Leupold standard style rings and bases properly installed. Vintage Weaver T-10 with crosshair reticle. If you get so far as to re-barrel, a slightly heavier contour in .25-06 or 6.5mm-06, with the stock properly inletted, would be nice.
 
#8
I agree mostly. A .30-'06 700ADL heirloom is about as classic a deer rifle as they come.

Matters of maintenance, and upgrades of components that do not alter the underlying rifle would be more than acceptable to me.

I would replace the scope and mounts with something of a modern nature. Good modern mounts and optics, along with a crown restoration, would meet with my own definition of appropriate.

I like the Leupold 'JR' type windage adjustable bases; just received delivery from Amazon of two sets of two piece bases and turn-in rings yesterday for my own pair of heirloom 700BDL's, one .25-'06, the other a 7mm Rem Mag. They will be set up, cleaned up, and in my Son-in-Law's hands in the next week or two.

My Wife says I have too many rifles, and she is right.

BTW, I am still looking for a pre-X-Mark takeoff trigger for the 7mm.

I took a NIB Bushnell 4-12x40 generic package scope off my new Savage 11VT that he liked, and will mount it on the .25-'06 for him.

Greg
 
Last edited:
#13
I don't own 700s now but did in the past. If memory serves me correctly the s/n for the rifle was ep'd on the bolt. The OP needs to check to see if the s/n on the bolt matches the rifle... doubt it since it is most likely a Sportsman 78 bolt.

Checking the headspace should be done before shelling out any more coin.
 
#17
Yup! 1984 isn't vintage. I have a pair of boots older than that, a very nice pair of Heyer Mahans if you are interested. I can't believe you would shoot it. Polish it and put it in the safe. In 75 years maybe.....on the other hand, replace the scope and rings and go shoot it.
 
#18
Shoot the sucker. Bet you'll find out it shoots pretty good.

As to the M1907 type sling. Yup, I'd go for that. I have a Mid 70s Model 700 I used in LE C/S. First thing I did was put a M1907 sling on it, works great (its a varmint gun now).

I use this sling on all my hunting (as well as target) rifles.

Other then that I wouldn't do anything with it until you see if it shoots. Bet it does.
 
#19
Its beautiful as is but truth be told Im not preferential to a shiny woody.

Just as a what would you do mental excercise I WOULD buy a Numerich 700P stock and finish it with a GI oil finish, mount a heavy profile barrel, properly bed, and parkerize/black oxide the metal and finally mount a vintage scope Weaver T10, Redfield 3-9X, and Id add a M1907 sling as you suggest.

Thats what I would do.
 
#20
Leave it "as is" and enjoy it for what it is...a hunting rifle. I had one from the late 70's and sold it many years ago and still wish I would have kept that one.
 
#22
Mossyrock said:
Gonna have to disagree with you on that one. I have a seven-digit 700 with the serial number EPd on the bolt. .243 caliber.
Click to expand...

Was done by a previous owner. Call Remington, they will tell you. I seriously doubt it was done at the factory. I have 6-digit, 7-digit, A, B, C and E receivers, never saw a EP'd bolt. I can take some pics.

If it was a factory standard procedure, all bolts would be EP'd right? If 1/10 is EP'd, I dont consider it to be a standard procedure.

All markings at Remington were roll marks or punch stamps. And then after passing every inspection and quality assurance tests, a worker would mark a brand new bolt with a funky electro-pencil? Doesnt make sense. If all bolts were EP'd, why did the armorers were told to EP'd the Remington M40 bolts? They woulnt have to.

Marty (BadgerOrd): What do you think? You handled what, thousands of 700's? ;)
 
Last edited:
#23
The 700s I had the last 4 of the s/n ep'd on the bolt, and they were NOT done by the previous owner... they were marked when the rifle was unboxed.

This is how REM does it now... this a brand new 700 AAC :
standard.jpg


4788 is the last 4 of the rifle's s/n.

It makes sense when you want the bolt the rifle was proofed with to make it into the same box the rifle is shipped in... I take it you have never been to Illion...I went to Remington's Armorer school there. They have some people working there that could break an anvil with no tools if given the time.

PS... I have been informed that some ADLs made it out with smooth bolt handles during the time period in question, so it very well could be the correct bolt.

PPS- grabbed a photo of 700 bolt with factory ep of last 4.
standard.jpg

Full s/n ep'd
standard.jpg

Never say never.
 
Last edited:
#27
Picked her up today :)

Optics are an old Bushnell Sportview 3-9x. I have no idea how to use it. I haven't shot a scoped rifle since I was a teenager.

14528530726_4de093cc39_c.jpg

14364946810_dd7917e8ce_c.jpg

14364941540_9899fa178a_c.jpg

14551610505_a20711cc08_c.jpg

14528527646_457eabe4d3_c.jpg

14550045384_73ef3d2b94_c.jpg


I'm pretty sure the trigger is all factory, ridges seem correct, but it is VERY VERY nice... I hope none of the screws have been messed with.
 
Last edited:
#28
Too me there's nothing particularly special about it. The same rifle one see's in just about every pawn shop except in slightly better shape is all. I'd throw some money at it and turn it into something really nice, maybe a Bartlein barrel in 280 or 280AI, a stable stock with adjustable hardware, old trigger would tune nicely, 20 moa base, decent scope.
 
#29
Get the crown checked out, maybe re-crown.

Get a good base, rings, and scope.

Shoot the dang thing until it no longer holds MOA. Re-barrel, rinse, repeat.

Nice looking rifle. $399 was a very good deal.
 
#31
By the way, electropencil on the bolt. Matches the last four of the rifle serial. So the smooth bolt is true to the rifle. Dan M was right on all counts.

I wouldn't mind having a stippled, matte handle, though.
 
Last edited:
#32
Nice rifle Chris... now go out and shoot the hell out of it out of it.

You have many choices for optics, bases and rings. As funds become available you can think about which direction you want to head with it.
 
#33
So I just stripped it down to get a better look:

The trigger/sear engagement looks gunky, like it needs a good cleaning. Any recommendations?

14367918319_3df11c45e8_z.jpg

14554519325_cd4e8e53f6_z.jpg

14553637882_de3264f99f_z.jpg

14574620953_03142b5054_z.jpg

14368069687_bde4751690_z.jpg
 
Last edited:
#35
From first hand experience with old family hunting guns. I can tell, that one is a gem. Very well taken care of from what I see of the wooden stock. It will always tell on a gun.. Keep it the way she is, and make a family heirloom out of it..
 
#36
Barrel channel on the stock touched up to float the barrel, inexpensive web sling fitted until I can get my hands on a nice leather M1907. As American as apple pie and Jesus.

14542444936_46dd26e86f_c.jpg
 
#37
Chris

You had asked about cleaning the trigger... I am far from an expert on cleaning triggers but I have had good luck in the past using Zippo lighter fluid to flush accumulated grime out of installed trigger assemblies.
 
#40
Uhh... It shoots.

After much frustration getting the scope anywhere close to zero, this was my final 5 shot group. 100 yards, sandbags. This is just a $19.99 box of Remmy core lokt. I went super cheap anticipating zeroing difficultly

14546109376_f236f0c544_c.jpg
 
Last edited:
#43
welcome to the hide, good find, she looks like a good shooter, I would put a good scope,base,rings and hand load for your new baby. I dont think you could find a better all round hunting and shooting rifle than you have. thanks for showing your new old classic.
 
#46
looks like got a shooter, when find the handload for it and get scope sorted out I'm thinking will amaze you. nice rifle hope you enjoy it.
 
#47
Yep, 1984 ain't vintage. And any song recorded after I started high school ain't a "Classic Flashback".

I'd say leave it as-is and shoot it. But then, I like "retro" stuff and that rifle really takes me back.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Firearms Custom Dumoulin Mauser 98 in 6.5x55
Replies
1
Views
514
Kamerad
Kamerad
J
Firearms SPF Custom FN 98 Mauser in 35 Whelen
Replies
0
Views
679
jgraham1
J
J
Firearms Custom Interarms MKX 300WM
Replies
0
Views
230
jgraham1
J
Trigger Monkey
Grayboe Phoenix Review
Replies
21
Views
7K
Blaiz1
B
R
Quantico Shooting Club vintage sniper/precision rifle match, Sept 29-30th at USMC base, Quantico, VA
Replies
0
Views
1K
Random Guy
R
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Merch
Alerts