Remington 700 decision

[Chrome]

I'm set on a 700 in .30-06. Please do not try to convince me of other wise. My family has used them since they were brand spanking new in '62 and I will continue this tradition.

Back to my decision. I have a chance to pick up a brand new 700 ADL with a synthetic stock, but NO iron sights for $280 + tax. I initially wanted the much nicer BDL, but it is out of my price range at the moment.

Now. I have nothing against a synthetic stock, and the bolt can be jeweled easily. However, what about the iron sights? I understand that the 700's sights are drilled and tapped, so they could be added, but at what cost? Any of you gunsmith's care to chime in?

And yes, I really do want iron sights, it is a major factor in my descision. An ADL with iron sights jacks the price up to $520 + tax, although it does include a laminate stock.

Thoughts?

Later,
Chrome...

 

[Regolith]

Don't know how much it would cost, but I'm curious as well. When I buy a bolt gun, I definitely want to have a set of irons as back in case something goes wrong with the scope.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

Strange. Back when ADL was the model number (SPS now) - that model with the synthetic stock came with iron sights. Friend of mine has that very rifle. Kicks like hell, but is lightweight quality rifle. It was $350ish at the time (like 3-4 years ago).


Either way, $280 brand new is dirt cheap. Sounds like a super deal for a 700.

 

[Chrome]

Same to me. Only thing holding me back is iron sights and money is tight. I can swing it, but I'd have to sell another gun before the cc bill comes on the 30th!

Later,
Chrome...

 

[Whitman31]

Save up, get the BDL.

 

[30-06 lover]

To my knowledge the ADL synthetics were all drilled and tapped, but the wood came with a clean barrel, so if the ADL you are looking at started off as a synthetic, it should be tapped already. If you check places like ebay, they usually have iron sights that someone took off their rifle fairly cheap.

 

[Bartkowski]

Save up, get the BDL.

Thats what I would do, or just wait for that one deal to come around and buy it then.

 

[Chrome]

To my knowledge the ADL synthetics were all drilled and tapped, but the wood came with a clean barrel, so if the ADL you are looking at started off as a synthetic, it should be tapped already. If you check places like ebay, they usually have iron sights that someone took off their rifle fairly cheap.

I'm positive this rifle had a clean barrel. I even triple checked. It is absolutely brand new in box at a large retailer. Two rifles, both synthetic stocks with clean barrels.

So does anyone know what a drill and tap for sights would run?

Later,
Chrome...

 

[skinewmexico]

Deleted obnoxious post.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

Great caliber 30-06, great gun the model 700 and they make up for a wonderful combination especially if you reload. Can't beat it with a stick. Load it fast and hot with a 120 grain bullet for varmints or load it 180 to 220 grain bullets for the really big critters. The masses over the years got on the band wagon and followed the other calibers and cartridges and left the 30-06 in the dust but the 30-06 is still one of the best cartridges leading the way. It always has and probably always will. It will never go out of style.

 

[armed85]

If I were you, I would save my money and buy a 700 CDL or 700 BDL. I prefer the CDL myself. In the long run, I think you'll have more enjoyment out of one of these two than an ADL. You might not have your rifle now, but 20 years from now you'll be glad you waited.

 

[Legionnaire]

If I were you, I would save my money and buy a 700 CDL or 700 BDL.

Ditto. Sounds like you really have your heart set on the 700. It also sounds like a wood stock and rifle sights are strongly preferred. Budget grade rifles don't hold resale value well, so if you later flip the ADL to buy a BDL, you'll lose out in the long run. Sounds like you have other guns, so it's not like you don't have something to shoot while you wait. I'd save for the gun I really want. In the meantime, scan Gunbroker.com and Auctionarms.com for a deal on a good used one. They are out there!

In my experience, satisficing rather than saving for the gun you really want is NOT a good thing when it comes to something you expect to become a cherished possession. Hard to take pride in something when every time you pick it up you think, "Man, I really wanted that BDL ..."

Save for it.

 

[alsaqr]

Buy a BDL.

 

[Bwana John]

+1 for saving for the BDL or CDL.

Then save some more to have open sights mounted.

 

[esmith]

There is no point in buying a gun that you dont really want originally. Plus you are going to have to fuss with putting new sights on. Get the BDL

 

[skl1]

I also think you should save up and buy a BDL, but to answer your question:

Gander Mountain posts their drill and tap pricing on the web. They are charging $65 for the complete job. Mostly I've seen pricing "per hole" of $20-40.

 

[Fumbler]

Chrome, no one really answered your question.

A Rem 700 is drilled and tapped for scope bases, not iron sights.

A soldered on front sight will probably cost you $50-70 for parts and labor.
You can find rear reciever sights to add to your drilled and tapped holes. They'll probably be $50-100 for just the rear sight and you can attach it yourself.
Dovetailing a rear sight into the barrel (like factory sights) will probably cost you $50-70 for parts and labor also.

So, best case scenario is an additional $100 for sights.

I think you need to shop around and buy the exact model you want.

 

[glockman19]

+1 for saving for the BDL or CDL.

+2

I have a CDL in .30-06 and love it. Good choice in rifle.

 

[rantingredneck]

Both my Remington 700ADL's have iron sights and they are drilled and tapped and screwed in, not soldered. They are both synthetic and they both came from Walmart. They'll also both hold MOA or better groups using factory ammo (once I start reloading for .30-06 or .243 we'll see what they look like then). If you're on a limited budget, like me, shop around for an ADL with irons and spend the extra money you'd drop on the BDL or CDL on better glass. You'll be better served by the best glass you can afford than a few more refinements in an already pretty darn refined rifle. As always just MHO. Your mileage may vary........

 

[berettashotgun]

I'd;
GET THE DARN RIFLE FOR THAT PRICE
Get a piece of crap scope and rings (for now) NEVER EVER have need "back-up sights"~ never look back
Paint the stock with some granite texture krylon ( I did one and it looks excellent)
Giggle uncontrollably about my good fortune.
]
R3 recoil pad- I didn't read about that on this rifle, get one.

I'll try to post some pics tomorrow of the paint job I put on a synthetic remmy stock.
My wife painted the telephone service box in the yard with that granite texture krylon 6 years ago- still there, weedeater hasn't tore it up yet.

Litmus test passed!

 

[rantingredneck]

BTW, I got my latest 700 ADL in .243 Win from Wally World for 325 before the 30.00 mail in Remington rebate. That puts me at 295.00 and I have iron sights. They had another ADL sitting right beside it in the rack that had a 24" barrel and no irons. I think that's the difference you are seeing in your prospective .30-06. I'd bet it has a 24" barrel where the ironsighted version is 22". You sacrifice irons for 2 more inches of barrel or you sacrifice 2 inches of barrel for irons depending on your perspective. Me, I like the option of irons. You can take them off and put the same filler screws in the holes that you took out to mount a scope. You can put the irons back on and resight them later if you choose.

 

[Regolith]

Get a piece of crap scope and rings (for now) NEVER EVER have need "back-up sights"~ never look back

I have, except at the time I didn't have irons on the rifle. I took a spill and landed on my rifle, which knocked the scope off center. I didn't realize it until later though, after I took a shot at a deer. Luckily, instead of wounding the deer or me missing it all together, the bullet took it in the neck, destroying the spinal column. I was aiming for the kill zone. If the scope had been jarred off in a different direction, I could have gut shot it or missed it all together. Not a good situation, IMO.

All it takes is one fall to jar your scope off center, and then you'll have to either quit the hunt and take it back to the range to recenter, or hope to god that the scope didn't get jarred too bad. Having the option of simply taking the scope off and using irons is definitely a good thing.

 

[rantingredneck]

I used to think that a cheap scope was the way to go. Just in the last six months, though I've had a Simmons 8point walk the crosshairs 30 degrees off level and I've had a BSA shoot the Objective lens completely out. My last two scopes I've bought have been Nikons and I just sent money on a deal here at THR for a Millet. I'll not buy another BSA or Simmons or equivalent scope again.

 

[30-06 lover]

Are you sure it is not the newer SPS you are looking at?

 

[Chrome]

Positive it's not the newer SPS.

Anyway. I went back to look at it again, and the guy mentions the other Wal-Mart, about 10 minutes away, had one too, but it was "different."

Drove there and what do you know, a synthetic 700 ADL with iron sights...for $295. I couldn't resist. It's sitting here now awaiting a scope. Now I gotta sell my Marlin before the CC bill comes!

Later,
Chrome...

**EDIT**

RantingRedneck, you are exactly right. Until 2002, the ADL came in 22" or 24" barrels. 24" did not come with sights. My gun was made before 2000. It's old stock, but was brand new and hadn't been out of the box.