Remington 700 scope base

[john fisher]

I bought this remington 700 BDL a few years ago, it came with the Redfield scope base and rings and a leupold scope as shown in the pictures. The rifle was made in 1968, so I am kind of stuck with the Redfield base and rings at the moment. My question is if there are any modern scope bases that I can buy that would fit this rifle, or is the current Redfield scope base and rings good enough? I have only shot this rifle out to 300 yards, but I would like to one day shoot out to 500 yards or so. I plan to upgrade the scope and maybe the stock in the future.

 

[mcb]

It's a 700, Remington (RIP) didn't changed that receiver since it first came out. There are heaps and heaps of options for mounting optics on a 700. Most of the new mounts should work just fine on your old receiver. You just need to determine if you have a short action or a long action. Given the age your receiver it will use 6-48 screws so your only minor catch will be not buying a mount that uses 8-40 screws that some version of the 700 have used in recent years (usually just military and police focused models).

 

[AlexanderA]

What you have is a Redfield JR scope base and rings, with a lateral (windage) adjustment built in. If you go with a modern Weaver or Picatinny rail and rings, you will lose this external windage adjustment. (You'd have to rely on the scope's internal adjustment.) On the other hand, modern rails are available with various elevation offsets (the top of the rail is not necessarily parallel to the bore). It seems that this is more important for long range shooting than the external lateral adjustment.

 

[jmr40]

YEARS ago windage adjustable mounts were necessary. Many rifles made prior to the 1960's were not drilled and tapped for scopes. Gunsmiths had to do it and it wasn't uncommon for the holes to be drilled less than perfect. Even some early rifles drilled at the factory were off and that would cause the scope to not be perfectly aligned with the barrel.

Windage adjustable mounts allow you to adjust the entire scope to get it aligned with the barrel before you started messing with the internal adjustments. If you need them because your mounting holes are not drilled correctly then you have to have them. Otherwise, they are much better options. I wouldn't touch them unless I had to have them.

By 1968 your holes should be OK and you probably don't need them. I'd go with a more modern mounting system. On most hunting rifles I like Talley Lightweight mounts. These have the rings and bases made altogether as one piece. They are light, easy to mount and relatively inexpensive. You could also buy something with a Weaver, or Weaver style cross slot. Any ring with a cross slot will fit them.

A rail is very common today. They have mutliple cross slots to give more options as to where you mount the scope. Those are great on a target rifle. I like them a little less on a hunting rifle, but they do work. That's mostly personal preference.

 

[Hookeye]

Have always run Weaver bases (aluminum) w Burris Zee rings on my 700s.
May go to a pic rail on the only one I have left. Yote rig.
Not against removing some material if need be.
Looks (aesthetic) are important.
Will mod my EGW Ruger #1 base whenever I set that up.
Dunno if I'll run an EGW or Recknagel pic rail on my 700.
Have the latter on a Steyr and its well made.

 

[CopperClad]

I put a EGW one piece on my 700 PSS. Can't say it did anything for accuracy, but it definitely is a better mount that the old two piece designs.

Worth every penny imo.

EGW Gun Parts

www.egwguns.com

I used SKU:80000

 

[243winxb]

The big windage screws can snap off, if over tightened. I learned this when i snapped one off in the 70s.

Nothing wrong with the mounts. Been on my Rem 40X for many years. I see no reason to change. 1"- 5 shot groups are possible @300 yards.

 

[lightman]

In my opinion, theres nothing wrong with the rings and bases that you have. I have a few rifles and my Wife and Sons have a few more with that set-up and all have been dependable and trouble free. What I'm saying is if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Most of my Varmint rifles have Picatinny rails and Tactical type rings that are no doubt stronger but how much extra strength is really needed? The main reason that I went with this set-up was to get the built in elevation. ( mostly 20 MOA)

 

[Hookeye]

What a pic rail can also get you is the use of Burris Signature Zee rings.
The plastic inserts wont scratch a scope and can be had w offsets to make up for alignment issues.

Burris used to make insert rings ( Signature ) in gloss for standard bases ( dovetail front, windage rear ).

Proly have to hunt for a used set on Ebay like I did
Not exactly cheap either (60 bucks).
They do not look as good as regular standard rings as the inserts stick out a little on either side of a ring but are good enough IMHO