OPINIONS on 700 BDL DM 7mm Rem Mag

[Barbs]

Bought a Remington 700 BDL DM in 7mm Rem Mag with engraved receiver, excellent condition, for $600 used, 1999 serial number. I love the engraving, but I am confused somewhat by Remington's motives building this rifle.

The barrel is relatively short at 24", the detachable magazine seems a little odd for a hunting rifle, it came originally with shrouded sights, and the high-gloss polyurethane stock seems to be built take a bit more beating than a typical satin stock.

The only niche I can see this rifle fitting would be for dangerous game, with open sights, at relatively close ranges. Does anybody have any input, experience, opinions, etc, on what this rifle was DESIGNED for? Just curious because I have had some frustration shooting it lately at longer ranges (high recoil, enormous muzzle "jump", rattly magazine) and am puzzled by its design.

 

[Lone Star]

I'm baffled by your confusion. It is clearly designed to provide an upgrade over the normal BDL, with better finish and engraving intended to appeal to those wanting a nicer appearance in their hunting rifle. The 24-inch bbl. is, I believe, std. for 7mm Rem. Magnum.

I doubt that it's intended for dangerous game, per se, as the caliber for such rifles tends to be .375 H&H Magnum or .416. Maybe .458, although that limits your range.

Some users prefer detachable magazines. And you can reload very quickly with a spare magazine. And if a mag. spring ever breaks, just change magazines.

I suspect that quality control on your 1999 rifle is better than on current Remingtons.

Oh: DESIGNED FOR ? Plains shooting or mountain shooting of pronghorn, mule deer, and wild sheep. Some like it for elk at longer ranges. It'll kill bears, which may be what you mean by dangerous game, but more caliber and bullet weight is better. I'd carry a .338 or .375 H&H if I lived near big bears.

I suspect that you need some basic reading on hunting rifles. I suggest the late Jack O'Connor's, "The Hunting Rifle" and, "The Rifle Book."

An iron-sighted 7mm Magnum is never, to my knowledge, recommended as a dangerous game rifle. It might work, but is at the other end of the scale for what's usually advised. W.D.M. Bell and others used 6.5mm, 7mm, and .303 rifles on elephants, but that's not what's usually advised, or even legal now. A dangerous game rifle is meant to stop charges by lion, rhinos, elephant, and Cape buffalo. I know of one lion that soaked up 11 .375 bullets before dying.. But J.A. Hunter shot lions for their hides in the early 1900's with a 7X57mm, a Boer War relic, Mauser M-95 in military configuration. But when he could afford it, he bought better rifles. He used lighter calibers for antelope and the like, but the .500 Nitro Express was a favorite. He probably killed more rhino than anyone, having been hired by the colonial govt. in Kenya to thin out rhino in an area where they wanted to re-settle some black tribesmen. Now, a .500 IS a dangerous game cartridge!

If you plan to shoot moose or bear with that rifle, use Nosler Partition or other premium bullets and study those animals' anatomy before facing them.

 

[NCsmitty]

As mentioned, it's just another offering from Remington that diversifies the great M700. Here's a link to a discussion on a similar rifle.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-401350.html


NCsmitty

 

[nathan]

My Rem 700 BDL 25 06 made in 1994 is one super accurate rifle , of course , with its sweet load of 100 gr nosler BTs. Older Remingtons are still the way to go for many who wants the Remington brand.

 

[Barbs]

i know it is an odd inquiry. but, this rifle is designed somewhat odd compared to the "typical" hunting 700s that i, in my marginal experience, have seen. the cdl was offered in 1999 alongside this rifle, standard with a 26" 7mm rem mag barrel and hinged floor plate, with no sights. therefore, offering the bdl with a 24" barrel, with DM, with iron sights, and in a heavier package made me curious enough to ask the question as to what remington may have designed it for, if anything in particular at all.

i have read that a lot of people prefer 26" barrels for the magnum cartridges, saying that 24" is "too short" to make the 7mm a practical round, but i suppose there is both truth and speculation surrounding that debate.

thanks for the detailed post above. im not a dangerous game hunter, just a recreational deer/pig/coyote hunter. wouldnt mind doing it, just never have. again, only thinking aloud here, im not an expert and non-critical input is appreciated.

 

[jmr40]

All BDL's of that vintage came with irons regardless of the chambering.

I'm not a huge fan of DBM bolt rifles, but not dead set against them. Some just like to be able to quickly load and unload when getting in and out of vehicles. It is just something to lose, and those are very expensive. I don't really understand why 30 round AR magazines are $15 and many of these 4 round bolt rifle magazines will cost you $100 if you lose one.

The 24" is pretty much standard for magnum chamberings. Anything longer from the factory is pretty rare.

I'd rather it not have the cheap engraving. To me it cheapens the gun.

I'd be surprised if your new rifle doesn't shoot just fine.

 

[Barbs]

sad to say, but i dont like much of anything about the rifle but the engraving (reminds me of a rifle dad had) and the fact that it was chambered in a caliber i did not previously have. the detachable magazine kills the whole rifle for me, personally. and yes, to purchase another is very, very expensive. oh well, still a decent deal i suppose.

 

[nathan]

If i were you , you could just have spent that $600 on a Tikka with the stainless barrel. Again, that s just my view. Anyway enjoy your rifle

 

[Barbs]

eh, saw a .30-06 tikka t3 blued with a wood stock new for $700 out the door the other day (never shot, but not "new" because it was previously purchased). was a hard choice between that and the model 70 featherweight .270 i ended up leaving with for $759. i didnt like the tikka aesthetically, but i hear they are good rifles. to each his own. probably need to stop buying guns for a while before i get kicked out of my house.

 

[A-FIXER]

I have had some frustration shooting it lately at longer ranges (high recoil, enormous muzzle "jump", rattly magazine)

Its called flinch!!! And its a MAGNUM round, equals a 300 Win mag balistic's wise at 500 yrds, as said earlier nothing will beat that vintage of 700 Remington is nothing but CLASS and the 24'' barrel at 600 is just fine. I push my 154 interbond hornady at 3050 and it will do all I ever want it to do now if your recoil sensitive trade it off now and don't train yourself bad habits shooting rifles.... just saying.
Luck AF