Remington 700 with Iron Sights

[Jonnybronco]

I just found a Remington 700 30-06 at a local pawn shop for $399.

It is all synthetic and looks like it has never been fired.

As the title states, the gun has iron sites. Looking at Remington's web site I don't see any guns that match this description.

I don't particularly want the gun for the iron sites, I am looking for something to mount a scope to, but this seemed like a pretty good price. The gun does have a drilled receiver to accept scope mounts.

How could I tell if the sites were added later? Would it really matter if they were added later?

Do iron sites affect the accuracy of a scoped rifle? I would really like to make this into a tack driver over time, would this be a good gun to start with?

Jonny

 

[unwise11]

If you mount a scope the right way, it will be plenty accurate, I personally prefer no sights on a bolt gun, with a nice scope.
I would honestly keep looking if you are going to mount a scope.

 

[Skylerbone]

It really depends on what model it is as to whether or not it's a good deal. A brand new Model 770 can be had for less than that new, though it wouldn't be a good basis for a tack driver.

My older 700 BDL came with irons from the factory, all Remington 700 receivers are factory drilled for scope mounts and the sights won't affect accuracy but may need to be removed for scope clearance.

Remington also has rebates available from time to time which, again depending on model, might make for a better deal. No one can say for sure if any specific rifle will ever be a tack driver unless it has been guaranteed and tested by the factory. There is no reason to object the idea however as the 700 is generally capable of exceptional accuracy and a large aftermarket support network.

Best of luck on your decision, the Savage/Howa/Tikka is better crowd will be along shortly to let you know that 7 million people have chosen Remington 700s by mistake.

 

[Abel]

I would honestly keep looking if you are going to mount a scope.
__________________

Why? The irons will not affect accuracy or mounting a scope as long as its a 42mm or smaller objective.

A brand new Model 770 can be had for less than that new,

Why would anyone want a 770 over a 700?

 

[Tirod]

Interesting to find a 700 with sights. Most models deleted them years ago in favor of the scope. BUIS are kinda rare for the bolt gunner. They don't plan on beating their stuff that much.

They were common enough in the '60's, by the time I bought mine in 1992 it was nearly a special order. I wouldn't pay extra for them, but if they came with them, no harm no foul. It would still shoot if your scope got disabled out on a once in a lifetime hunt, something all the guides and pro hunters recommend.

 

[Jonnybronco]

This is definitely a 700. It doesn't look like the BDL on the Remington website. The front site isn't hooded and the bolt is blued.

Is there a way to tell what model it is? I know the reciever says the model number (700) on it, but I didn't take notes on what it said. Can you tell from the serial number?

Thanks for the insight.

Jonny

 

[Fremmer]

I thought that the older ADL's came with irons. Maybe I'm wrong. But if it is a model 700, and in new condition, $399 is a good price. Go ahead and get it, the sights shouldn't interfere with using a scope. I've used a 700 that had irons & a scope mounted, it was not a problem, I couldn't see the irons when using the scope.

 

[MtnCreek]

Sounds like a 700 ADL. I bought one in the mid to late 90's that iron sights. I removed the iron sights before I mounted my scope. Remington iron sights sit pretty high. It's not likely that the sights are aftermarket, as the cost of adding iron sights would be greater than mounting a scope.

Remington 700 is typically a very accurate rifle out of the box. I would look closely at the bore to check for cleaning rod damage. Also check the bolt lugs for damage. Hint: Make sure rifle is not loaded, open bolt, press trigger and hold, close bolt. The bolt should close itself after moving about half way toward close.

If it were me, I would purchase a quality base and rings. I've seen a lot of my friends spend several hundred on a rifle, several hundred on a scope and then go cheap on the mounting. The rifle will only be as accurate as its weakest link.

Good Luck!

 

[swiftak]

ADLs and BDLs all came with iron sights at one time. I have three. Just mount the scope. The iron sights won't affect anything.

 

[Skylerbone]

Abel, the 770 is part of the 700 series. I know of no one personally who would choose one over a 700 ADL/BDL (although someone must be buying them). I just wanted to establish that the rifle in question wasn't a used 770 at full price +.

As for factory irons, my 700 BDL was manufactured in 1990 and every one of the 20 or so 700s on the shelf wore irons at that time. Mine was fine with a Tasco World class on it but needed the sights removed for a 42 mm objective I purchased later.

I wouldn't be overly concerned with barrel wear so much as the crown and chamber. As the OP may be unfamiliar with what to look for perhaps a new 700 SPS might be a better choice for (with rebate) about the same money.

In this pic it wears a Hawke 4-16 X 50 mm.

 

[BlackJack]

I prefer iron sights on a rifle and don't buy one that doesn't have them, even if I'm scoping it for hunting season. I had a Remington Seven in .308 at one time with a Bushnell 40mm scope on it that worked fine. Now my main hunter is a Winchester 70 CRPF with see through rings and a 32mm scope so I can use both the irons and the scope.

Most shots here in FLA will be short--50 to 100 yards--so irons are easier to use for quick shots. If a longer shot presents itself, I feel comfortable taking it out to 220 yards or so with the scope.

 

[mag1911]

Walmart carried some matte, synthetic 700s a few yrs ago with "iron" sights that had a plastic rear sight assy. A friend bought one in .308 prob three-four yrs ago for, I believe, $359 plus tax.

 

[sansone]

ADLs and BDLs all came with iron sights at one time. I have three. Just mount the scope. The iron sights won't affect anything.

+1 more

 

[Skylerbone]

Just mount the scope. The iron sights won't affect anything.

If that's really true then why did I have to remove the rear sight for the above scope to fit? Those are X-High rings on Millet standard bases by the way. Which scope you choose will determine whether or not the sight will need to be removed. Just remember to keep the ring height as low as possible.

Same rifle with a 42mm scope showing the now plugged location of the rear sight base in relation to the objective:

 

[Curt Blunt]

If the sights are screwed on they can be removed and the holes plugged with the headless screws that plug the scope mounting holes.

 

[Geckgo]

I'd check around on the price. I got a brand new Remmy 700 off the shelf 2 years ago for under 300 bucks. I can't remember ADL/BDL at the moment and I'm not home so I can't go look at the box (yes, I'm that lame that I save boxes for everything). Out of the box it shoots really tight groups, even with me on the trigger Definitely price it at the sporting goods stores before you buy though.

 

[Geckgo]

I retract my previous statement. Just looked on Rem's website and grabbed the msrp off of the SPS that looks exactly like mine, they have it for over 600 bucks.

 

[heeler]

Either I am getting really old or there are some very young members here.
Practically all American made hunting rifles came with iron sights for decades.
It sounds like the OP's rifle is a discontinued ADL synthetic whose finish was a matte paint similiar to what you get on the 870 Express.
I bought one of these on a whim in the summer of 2000 and took it to the range sans scope and using only the iron sights could easily keep my 100 yard shots inside five inches and at two hundred an eight inch circle.
Remingtons owners manual told you the sights were set at 100 yards.
In fact I just pulled the 1975 owners manual out of the safe to my long ago stolen BDL 700 and this is what it says...."Factory sights on Remington high power rifles are targeted at 100 yards and carefully adjusted at factory for average shooters".
Somewhere in the 90's manufacturers started moving away from iron sights.
I have several hunting rifles and all have the factory sights except for one that did not come with them and it is the imported from Finland by Ithaca early 70's built LSA-55 Deluxe.The same rifle in the non Deluxe package came with iron sights.
Believe it or not men killed scores of deer without scopes for decades.

 

[Skylerbone]

Heeler, the problem is that rifle accuracy long ago surpassed the average shooter's ability with irons. Rather than challenge ourselves we switched to magnified optics. In this age of time commitments and constraints sadly few have any desire to even learn on irons let alone use them.

Thank goodness there's a whole crop of new AR fans out there who advocate practicing with BUIS as part of their mandatory routine.

 

[Art Eatman]

The 700s are generally good rifles, and it's certainly no big deal to remove the rear sight to clear a scope, if need be.

Heck, see if the pawn shop will come down to $300 or $350 for that rifle. Never pay asking price for old or used stuff at a pawn shop without dickering.

 

[Pacsd]

Personally, I'd pull the iron sights off if you are going to scope the gun. It may not make much difference in the light gathering ability with the sights but, getting as much out of a scope is important to me. Besides, that's something less that can hang up on brush & easier to clean under the scope bell.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I bought a 700 BDL at walmart about 4 years ago for $325. It was in 30-06 and had irons. That same night I bought a 94 Winchester for $125 also from walmart. I sold both rifles for exactly what I paid for them as I already had pleantly.