Remington 700... Is it still good in 2017??

[someguy2800]

My father in law has an older weatherby vanguard deluxe in 270 that he has killed a couple hundred deer with. It is a beautiful rifle in grade A walnut with an old redfield wide angle scope and is a one hole shooter. I can attest that I have helped sight it in for the last 12 years and the scope caps have never been off in that time. It never needs it. We often joke they are probably rusted on by now. He refers to it as baby. I would like to get one myself but all the ones I come across are not well cared for.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

When looking at used Rem 700s, how can you tell the dates other than looking up serial numbers? Did the manufacture location change? Or any secret stampings??

Also, for anyone interested, I did a quick comparison at my local sporting goods store as they had every rifle in existence. I compared the Savage Axis, Mossberg Patriot, Winchester XPR, and Ruger American. I didn't handle the Rem 783 and they didn't have the T/C compass.

Takeaways: The budget guns were much nicer than they were about 3 or 4 years ago. All felt the same if I were blindfolded. The Winchester was the nicest, but also a pound heavier. I like the Mossberg's cheekweld on the plastic stock. The Ruger was stiff and smooth. And the Savage was mediocre (in a good way) all across the board.

It's gonna come down to which rifle is on sale in the next few months.

 

[pert near]

Too old & hard headed to change. I'll always be a Remington 700 & Chevy man. Neither has ever let me down.

Forget all the others. Even buy a used Remy 700 if price is a problem. An old BDL, the best of all!

FWIW

 

[jmr40]

When looking at used Rem 700s, how can you tell the dates other than looking up serial numbers? Did the manufacture location change? Or any secret stampings??

There is a date code on the barrel that can be looked up here.
http://www.remingtonsociety.org/manufacture-dates/

There is always a possibility the barrel is not original, but that is pretty rare with rifles. Fairly common on shotguns. Plus there were about 2 years in the early 90's when they didn't use the date code.

Overall there isn't much difference in quality over the years, I wouldn't worry too much about date of manufacture. The only real change was in 1982 when the safety was changed. Pre 82 rifles required the safety be moved to the FIRE position to open the bolt. 1982 and newer rifles allow you to open the bolt and unload the chamber with the safety still in the SAFE position. Other than that they are as good, or bad, depending on your point of view as ever.

FWIW, the Ruger American is a better rifle in every way than even the top end 700's ever were. Unless you are interested in flashy wood and metal the Ruger has a stiffer action and bolt, a better extractor and ejector, a bold handle that isn't brazed on a better bedding system, and a better trigger.

 

[F250GUY]

I miss my old Remington Sportsman 78 .30-06 that was stolen from me. I bought a Weatherby Vanguard VGX .30-06 over a year ago. I hope it shoots the way I expect it to. I'd not buy a new M-700. Furniture, finish, quality went down the proverbial tubes, so to speak. I have an old M-1917 Enfield sporter, however....

 

[JeeperCreeper]

So not that anyone should care, but I talked to my dad about the whole situation, and he said what alot of you guys said:

"Your grandfather didn't have alot of money, so if he bought something, he bought it to use it. It's a hunting rifle, go hunt with it. He'd be mad if you didn't"...

...And he's right. Looks like the ole workhorse is gonna get some more action this year.