Remington 700 BDL Questions

[TOBY458]

My $.02. I’ve probably owned 6-8 of which at least 3 were ‘06. Only 2 now with 1 in ‘06 and 1 in 222. They all shot extremely well occasionally clover leafs...but my number 1 gripe is some of the bolts lock closed in safe position and some do not! I hate the ones that do not lock! Several times I have had my rifles slug on my shoulder, rushed to get into position for a shot only to discover the bolt had come open and the cartridge fell out somewhere down the mountain!
Just a dislike of mine. No clue why some do and some don’t and I haven’t found a fix for it yet.
I also agree with everyone’s thoughts on the redundancy of the 30-06 and 300 WM. Even though I too own both, I wouldn’t take both on a PG hunt unless there were two hunters.

Best of luck deciding what to do!

Remington started cutting off the little flag on the safety that locks the bolt. This was done beginning in the early to mid 80s I believe. This was done so the action could be opened while the rifle was still on safety. I, like you, hate a non locking bolt.
The cut out in the bottom of the reciever where the flag went through was still on many receivers to come, so if you had a safety with the flag on it laying around, it was a simple fix. Now they don't even machine that slot out anymore. I would be willing to bet that this 1986 rifle at least has the slot cut, but may not have the locking safety.

 

[TOBY458]

Shame...No need for, gold, triggers, Nitrate, blueprinting, push feed .....blah blah blah on a DG rifle for Africa.

You need reliability each and every time.

Don't you love how Larry Potterfield says he chose the Remington 700 because he was familiar with the action, then proceeded to change the safety to a bolt mounted 3 position safety, completely unlike a 700 safety! To me the safety is the very thing that really separates one rifle from another, as far as using the rifle goes. All else is kind of the same in operation. In my view, "The Perfect Safari Rifle" would definitely need to be CRF, especially if it's built in a 375 or above.

 

[Red Leg]

Don't you love how Larry Potterfield says he chose the Remington 700 because he was familiar with the action, then proceeded to change the safety to a bolt mounted 3 position safety, completely unlike a 700 safety! To me the safety is the very thing that really separates one rifle from another, as far as using the rifle goes. All else is kind of the same in operation. In my view, "The Perfect Safari Rifle" would definitely need to be CRF, especially if it's built in a 375 or above.

Maybe not if it is an R8 .............

 

[Forrest Halley]

Basically he's got the money to play with and build his own safari rifle. "Nearly Perfect" because he likely envisioned the same internet boards picking it apart for caliber or lack of CRF.

What I don't understand is why he didn't make some innovation with all that time spent. How about a left handed 3 position safety mounted on a right hand rifle or a super fat Rigby drop magazine the held like 8 or nine rounds? Or double set triggers? How about a takedown option? There's so much fun he could have had...

 

[CBH Australia]

If anyone wants a CRF I have a .458wm for sale in Australia.

 

[CTDolan]

I am seeking some advice. I want to get a 30-06. I came across a 1987 Remington 700 BDL with a Leupold Vari-X II 3-9 for 700 USD. It's in great condition. I plan to take it to Africa and hunt PG along with my .300 Win Mag. I am cautious with all the Remington issuesI want to get some input from the experts on AH. Is it a Fair price? Is it a quality rifle I can depend on in Africa? I don’t know much about and have no experience with leupold scopes. Is it a good scope? What are your thoughts in general about this rifle.
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With the Leupold it's a fair price.

Don't be afraid of the 700 BDL. It's "faults" are way overplayed.

 

[CBH Australia]

With the Leupold it's a fair price.

Don't be afraid of the 700 BDL. It's "faults" are way overplayed.

Remington 700 has 50 years in production, over 5 million sold and still going on,

The Rem 700 is the most customisable and most copied action that I can think of.
Second too that is the current Tikka line have plenty of aftermarket accessories. If a big market like America embraced them they will be the current production model for years to come.

They say the early Remington is better, the same is said about other rifles.
In today’s works I think there is a decline in product quality in general. Things change cars are not built like they were.
People have noted a decline in the finish of the actions between a Brno 602 and a CZ550 action. Essentially the same specs but the quality of workmanship and finish is considered to have declined.

If something fails it can be repaired. “Nothing is infallible”!

“Because that’s the way it is”

 

[IvW]

Remington 700 has 50 years in production, over 5 million sold and still going on,

The Rem 700 is the most customisable and most copied action that I can think of.
Second too that is the current Tikka line have plenty of aftermarket accessories. If a big market like America embraced them they will be the current production model for years to come.

They say the early Remington is better, the same is said about other rifles.
In today’s works I think there is a decline in product quality in general. Things change cars are not built like they were.
People have noted a decline in the finish of the actions between a Brno 602 and a CZ550 action. Essentially the same specs but the quality of workmanship and finish is considered to have declined.

If something fails it can be repaired. “Nothing is infallible”!

“Because that’s the way it is”

True,but a Rem M700 is still a very poor platform for a DG rifle, no matter how much you pimp the thing. Yes on some CZ 550 actions(no no longer made), the main issue is feeding with some rounds, easily sorted. With the M700 there is a whole lot wrong for a DG rifle and "that's the way it is....."

 

[CBH Australia]

@IvW the OP didn’t believe mention DG,

I’m not sure on the CZ550 thing, I keep hearing they stoped making them. I also heard they still make the Magnum actions.

What I did hear first hand was a rep in Australia in a store telling the store people that they were clearing them in what they had, .308 I think. The reason was it is discontinued as it is expensive to make. People here advised they still make the Magnum action rifles, dunno I got my .375H&H and the .458wm is for sale, maybe the price just went up if I hold.

@Patrick Darby I don’t know what they go for thee. That’s probably $1000 here with exchange rate and you would expect to pay $1000 here,

Just buy it , it will be perfect for something.

 

[IvW]

Yip but this Potterfield fellow makes it out to be something it is not.

For PG anybody can use what they like but being of questionable reliability I stick to what works, without issues.

 

[IvW]

In 30-06 the OP should have no issues...but a Rem M700 bit me once a long time ago so for me is not an option, I prefer reliability in the bush before anything.

 

[fourfive8]

Have had several - currently none. They tend to be accurate, and except for the Mossbergs and Savages, they have always been at a lower price point in the US market than their historical competitor—- the Win M 70. While I could do without that thick bartop finish, it is very tough bit I do like the M700 stock design and feel. That box trigger if properly adjusted and kept clean really isn’t too bad but it invites adjustment by the most unknowledgeable— many times creating an accident looking for a place to happen. Likewise let an over zealous reloader feed it hot ammo (for necessary ballistic and long range purposes of course) and sooner or later that little extractor nib won’t get the job done.

One reason they are popular is the action is a cylinder so gunsmithing and tinkering is much easier and simpler and probably the main reason grinin’ Larry Potterfield demos his “expertise” with them. But no, they wouldn’t be my choice for a hard working DG rifle.

 

[Forrest Halley]

grinin’ Larry Potterfield

I happen to like GLP's rendition of a famous equestrian TV star...of course of course...

 

[CBH Australia]

If i had Potterfields money or collection id be Grininn too.

 

[IvW]

If i had Potterfields money or collection id be Grininn too.

I would also have much better guns.....

 

[Deleted member 46122]

Being that it is a mechanical instrument, there is always the chance, however, it is no surprise that someone who owned a Remington at a time when lightening a trigger was all the rage and at a time when you were told its "Remingtons fault" if you make a ND, that someone would attribute it to the manufacturer and not themselves.

Quantity of firearms does not make you proficient, and 63 isn't impressive to many circles I'm privy to be around. You want proficient, speak to the guys whom shoot thousands of rounds a week and chase 2 legged critters all over the world and go thru multiple selection processes to get to that level. I lend an ear to their word over most.

Again, not to be offensive, but nothing stated above takes away from the Remington 700's accomplishments and ability as one of the finest rifle platforms used by hunters and professionals alike. Its reputation is sound, and people love them out of the box or accuratized and many here, myself included, have multiples of each.

I have a safe full of 700’s in lots of calibers.
Not one has ever let me down. Crazy accurate out of the box.
As a former soldier and police officer, I stand behind the 700 platform. But that’s just me.

 

[Forrest Halley]

I have a safe full of 700’s in lots of calibers.
Not one has ever let me down. Crazy accurate out of the box.
As a former soldier and police officer, I stand behind the 700 platform. But that’s just me.

Respectfully, your weapons were made by the lowest bidder and you shot factory ammunition with relatively low working pressures. This isn't about accuracy. It's about extraction of spent case reliability. 5.56 and 7.62 NATO aren't anything to really sing songs about in the pressure department. They also don't have an expanded case surface area like some of the belted magnums and safari cases. Forget to lube a 5.56 and you can horse it out of the sizing die. The 7.62 is not going to be easy, but it's not the end of the world. Try this with a .300 WM or a .416 Rigby and you're in for a real job with a stuck case extractor. Read the Crane Reports about the Mk248Mod0/1. The reason why the extractors were modified will become evident rather quickly. I'm fond of the 700, however if I'm to play in the dust and dirt and hot with sandpaper on a lion's posterior, I'd like the bigger extractor.

 

[TTundra]

And all these posts back and forth and the conclusion remains for the OP...

This rifle would make a fine addition and a great PG rifle.

 

[mdwest]

Respectfully, your weapons were made by the lowest bidder.

Actually, they were not..

Both the USMC and the US Army contracts associated with the Rem 700 were “best value” awards based on a series of tests and the weapons being offered within a “competitive range” of pricing... neither contracts were “lowest price, technically acceptable” (LPTA) awards..

Nor is the Lake City contract to produce match grade ammo for the military..

As far as law enforcement precision rifles go.. weapons procurement can be handled a number of different ways ranging from individual purchase to agency purchase.. but, almost without exception, law enforcement approval on a weapons system is first driven by liability concerns.. (which means a weapon is going to have to be proven to be accurate, reliable, and safe.. and the selection process for the weapon needs to be defensible in a court of law... “it was the cheapest thing we could find that would work” doesn’t pass that test)...

 

[Deleted member 46122]

Ac

Respectfully, your weapons were made by the lowest bidder and you shot factory ammunition with relatively low working pressures. This isn't about accuracy. It's about extraction of spent case reliability. 5.56 and 7.62 NATO aren't anything to really sing songs about in the pressure department. They also don't have an expanded case surface area like some of the belted magnums and safari cases. Forget to lube a 5.56 and you can horse it out of the sizing die. The 7.62 is not going to be easy, but it's not the end of the world. Try this with a .300 WM or a .416 Rigby and you're in for a real job with a stuck case extractor. Read the Crane Reports about the Mk248Mod0/1. The reason why the extractors were modified will become evident rather quickly. I'm fond of the 700, however if I'm to play in the dust and dirt and hot with sandpaper on a lion's posterior, I'd like the bigger extractor.

tu I have a 700 in 300 WM. It was my first. I’ve killed everything Alaska, not Africa, has to offer with that rifle/caliber combo.
Until you can say the same, respectfully, don’t assume. I prefer controlled round actions as well. But unless I’m facing an enraged costal brown, I’m happy with the 700 platform.
And by the way I’ve taken several grizzly bears with the 700 in 300 mag.
Also I have a fair assortment of real
life dangerous game rifles as well.
Oh one other note. I’ve been hand loading since Christ was a corporal. So once again, don’t assume.