Remington 700 Classic Series Rifles

Status
Not open for further replies.

mshootnit

Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2007
Messages
4,472
Each year beginning in 1981 and ending in 2005 Remington released the 700 Classic model in a unique chambering. Sort of an annual tribute.
http://gun-data.com/Remingtonclassics2_arms.html
They usually had straight comb walnut stocks with no cheek piece. Wrap around checkering, and plain tip. For those of you who own one of these, or have experience with them, what are your experiences or observations with this model?
 
Classic was probably as appropriate a name as they could have come up with. I'd handled a couple but only shot the .222. Nice departure from the high gloss finish on the BDL. I had a thing for the Ruger 77's at the time, but I considered trying to collect the Classics instead. I know they're not "cheap" now anymore than they were then, but they're a pretty nice outfit.
 
I'm not exactly certain on the years produced, but before they went to the one cartridge/year they offered them in a variety of cartridges. I had one in 30-06 and I'm pretty sure I remember seeing 7mm Rem mag. After a few years they started doing the limited run in a different cartridge each year.

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...l--30-06--22-inch-barrel.cfm?gun_id=101284473

One of the nicer stock designs ever on a Remington.

It is basically a BDL but with a more classic stock with no cheek piece, a dull finish on the wood and much nicer checkering. I never cared for the modernistic BDL stock design with the bowling ball bright finish. The photo in the OP link link does not show a Classic. It did not have the forend cap like the one in the link.

Classic stock.

th.jpg
 
They were the best looking rifles Remington ever made as far as I'm concerned. I either forgot or didn't realize they made them prior to the 1 caliber/year. They did make it in 22-250 apparently, but prior to the 1/year deal.
 
Yes jmr40 you are correct about the classic being available in a variety of cartridges before offering only 1 chambering a year.

I owned a classic in .300 H&H for a good number of years. It was a trouble free rifle, very accurate and never needed anything other then minor maintenance. Whoever owned it before me had the barrel free floated and the trigger pull lightened. I miss that rifle as I sold it 2 years ago because I no longer do big game hunting. For a cartridge that was going on 100 years old it was a joy to reload for and shoot.
 
Last edited:
I have a friend that has one in 6.5x55. He is not really a gun guy but he won it in a raffle many years ago. He uses it as his spare and lends it to his wife and his nephew every year. I have tried to buy it and or trade for it but no dice. It shoots too good and is light recoiling.

I had a spare Classic stock that came with a BDL in .222 Remington a while back. I had my 700 in .300 WSM rebarrelled to 6.5-.300 WSM and had it pillar and 'glass bedded into the Classic stock. It was a nice looking rifle and shot very well but it couldn't do anything my .270 Tikka couldn't do better. I lost interest in it and sold it on GB for a decent price.
 
I had A NIB 2001 Remington 700 Classic in 7mm-08. Nice gun, close to one MOA shooter. Should have kept it. It had a rather unforgiving recoil from the bench with that straight stock and hard rubber pad. It liked 140 gr. loads
 
I got a 700 Classic for cheap a few years back. 2004 model in 8mm Mauser, got it cheap because some yahoo shot surplus corrosive ammo in it and destroyed the barrel. Didn't shoot any better than paper plate at 100 yards. I stripped the barrel off and sold the action to a friend and the classic stock was sold to someone else. Made a $225 on selling if for parts.
 
I got a 700 Classic for cheap a few years back. 2004 model in 8mm Mauser, got it cheap because some yahoo shot surplus corrosive ammo in it and destroyed the barrel. Didn't shoot any better than paper plate at 100 yards. I stripped the barrel off and sold the action to a friend and the classic stock was sold to someone else. Made a $225 on selling if for parts.
An endearing tale...
 
Have one in 35 Whelen-2nd gun I bought after we got married; it pretty much instilled in me a life-long love for anything 35 caliber. Have had: Both a Winchester(2) & a Marlin in .356 Win, a Savage in .358 Win, an Interarms X action in .358 Norma Magnun-by far, the most accurate rifle I have ever owned...never did come across a .35 Rem or I would have/had it. My wife shot her moose with the Whelen back in 2005, and it is now ‘her’ rifle.

Sam
 
I saw a set of them from every year at a man's estate auction. He had collected them all and kept them unfired in the box. It was kind of sad seeing them broken up and sold one by one.
 
I almost bought one of the 7x57's when they came out, but was afraid that if I loaded it to full potential, the rounds might accidentally find their way into my old '93 Mauser.

Bought a Sako in .257 Roberts instead and have been very happy with it.
 
Lets pick one and say 6.5X55

And I believe Timney makes a trigger which would drop in to remedy the Remington trigger issue
 
Last edited:
I have 2 of them. One is the 257 Roberts and the other is a 308 Winchester. For lack of a better word, they are classy looking rifles. It seems like the stocks are from a better selection of wood and they appear to be of a higher quality than other "off the shelf" Remingtons. Neither of mine shoot really great, about 1 MOA, but I have not altered them either. No doubt redoing the crown and a bedding job would tighten up the groups.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top