I Have This Old Gun: Remington 700 BDL

After Winchester came out with its iconic Model 70, Remington Arms had catching up to do in the sporting-rifle market. Eventually, its answer was the Model 700, a gun that became one of the most recognized bolt-action designs of all time. Watch our "American Rifleman Television" I Have This Old Gun segment above to understand where the design came from and how it evolved.
"The Remington Model 700 is perhaps one of the most well-known, widely recognized hunting rifles in American history," said National Firearms Museum Director Philip Schreier. "It comes in a myriad of calibers, from .30-'06, which was a standard military round, allowed young guys to shoot up surplus ammunition, to some of the more modern, you know, 6.5 Creedmoors, and some of the newer cartridges that are being introduced almost on a daily basis."
The design emerged in 1962, as Remington sought to economize its production and improve on its previous Models 721 and 722. Mike Walker, a Remington-employed firearm designer and engineer, headed up the design team that created the rifle.
"It is built around the principles of what they call the 'three rings of steel.' You have the receiver ring, and you have the bolt head, and then you have the barrel," said American Rifleman Executive Editor Evan Brune. "And so it is an incredibly robust, incredibly strong design. And it is also incredibly easy to manufacture, particularly compared to pre-war designs. When Remington develops its Model 700, then this takes off as an affordable, reliable, robust alternative to what is an expensive, hard-to-build rifle in the Winchester Model 70."
Two versions of the Remington Model 700 existed at launch and are still widely considered to be the two main categories into which rifle models fall: ADL and BDL models.
"You know, you could have it two ways. You had the ADL and the BDL," said NRA Publications Editorial Director Mark Keefe. "You had the plainer ADL at a better price point, then you had the BDL and that had fleur-de lis-pressed checkering and white spacers and a gloss finish and, you know, it was shinier."
Today, the Remington Model 700 lives on in several military iterations, as well as through the millions of commercial models built and sold across the world.
"The interesting thing about the Model 700 is it's used by gunsmiths, it's used by long-range target shooters, but also it was used by the military," Keefe said. "The United States Marine Corps created the M40. Now, I think, they're on the M40A5. They're still using that Remington action. The US Army adopted the M24 sniping rifle system, SWS, as its sniper rifle. So, you know, when you talk about the need for a rugged, reliable, accurate rifle, I'm not sure there's higher praise than having both the United States Army and Marine Corps adopt your gun."
To watch complete segments of past episodes of American Rifleman TV, go to americanrifleman.org/artv. For all-new episodes of ARTV, tune in Wednesday nights to Outdoor Channel 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. EST.

[@Duckman558]

I've carried my 280 mod 700 since i was 12....im 62 now....nobody's got enough money to buy it.....great gun!

[@chrisheard5727]

I just bought a 1975 Rem 700 in .30-06 a few weeks ago and already feel the same.

[@chocolateface8664]

I’ll give you 100 millions dollars for it

[@richarddevoe5871]

I love my 280 Mountain Rifle, Remington surely knocked it out of the park with the Model 700

[@danielbuchanan3593]

I have 2 700bdls a243,and 7mmrem mag. For over 30 years best rifles.never had 1 problem and acurate

[@robertpacheco6283]

how do i know what year my remington is I have the 700 663724

[@gailkohler9583]

My wife bought me a left handed 700 BDL back in 1972 it was a sacrifice on her part because she paid on it for a year. Still use it to this day .

[@garyteague9555]

Love this story

[@bluescatreimer]

The 700 BDL has been my favorite rifle since I was 18 (1971) when I bought mine in 25-06 and put a Weaver 10 power scope on it.

[@williamgaines9784]

I got a BDL in 25-06 in 1975, my first centerfire rifle. Bought it on lay away with paper route money, $174 NIB out the door. Had a Redfield 3-9 put on it, that cost as much as the rifle. I shot that thing a lot, but never killed a deer with it until last year(duck hunting took over my hunting interest from about the time I bought the rifle until I got married in 1988, then family put all hunting on the back burner)

[@GregorsOutdoors]

Have always been a fan of this Model. This very gun was my first deer rifle in the heavy barreled Varmint Special chambered in .308 Winchester 36 years ago. It will not leave the fold as I plan to hand it down to a grandson when I depart.

[@jameskringlee8974]

FYI - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKuXaX6vntp6n5Y for the Best 700 trigger problem explanation and repair that I found on youtube "Remington 700 Walker trigger fix and safety explanation. Rethink replacing a 700 trigger" by AKBAKWUDS. Also for background information with good close up pictures, but with a more difficult to do right repair method that may not be as secure but worth a look for how to clean and abrade the parts before epoxy, search using " Walker Trigger Repair--Part Two, REPAIR by J Belk" google search? I know the "duck" finds it as the top listing

[@CCH-R]

Every 700 bdl I’ve shot drives tacks. Plus at that time the 1100 came out. Still the one of the most seen semi autos at the trap range!

[@bulletsalad6914]

I am grateful to have this old gun

[@Bens359pete]

My 1996 Remington 700 BDL 300 WM is still in mint condition. Love it!

[@mikethetreeguy]

I have a 700 ADL 7MAG that my dad bought used in 1967 ! I still hunt with it .

[@ronaldbogucki796]

I bought my 700 BDL in the 70's but mine is chambered in the .17 center fire cartridge we my brother and me hunted varmints during the summer months. it was advertised as being the fastest factor round at just over 4,000 ft/sec at that time , the bullet is a jacketed hole point. I reloaded the spent rounds and still have a very accurate caliber round for varmints.

[@jeffreylocke8808]

My first big game rifle bought on layaway at Walmart was a Remington 700 BDL 7mm Remington Magnum. I loved that rifle. Redfield Wide Field 3 x 9 Rangefinder Scope and I was set. Custom sling with my initials. Long gone…

[@metalcavy33]

I was gifted a 721 30-06. Love it. Heavy. Accurate. The old guns are so fun.

[@billmcpheeters1888]

My BDL was a Christmas present in 1969 in 30.06. We went to Foleys dept. store where all they had was the 30.06, I wanted a 270. Came with a 4X Weaver scope I have since replaced with a Bushnell 3x12. One of my greatest treasures.

[@classicgunstoday1972]

My dad got me mine in 30-06 Springfield for Christmas 25 years ago. Open iron sights. I upgraded the stock from synthetic to wood and put a Nikon 9x40 scope on it elevated leaving room to still use the iron sights. I reload most of the ammo for it with 150 gr bullets and started deer hunting with it 10 years ago after moving to the country.

[@reohomebound]

I bought my 700BDL in 270 in 1966 for 129$ I’m 76 and hunt with all the time

[@jakewollman6340]

The best gun ever made 😊

[@109jacosta]

Love my 700 classic 7MMwthby magnum. Still looks like new and has been a great deer rifle.

[@sha6mm]

I would like to back to 1976 and buy Remington 700 BDL in every caliber. Hell I would like everything in the 1976 Remington Catalog.

[@JohnDoesItAll]

My first rifle is a Rem 700 BDL mfg in October 1967 (which happened to be the same year and month that I was born as well.) It was also the first month (if memory serves) that it was mfg in 223. After fire lapping and bedding the action and floating the barrel, it will cut string at 100 yards. (With factory UMC ammo). It's the last gun I'd ever part with.

[@bobr7380]

LOL I still have my father's original year 243Win with the original sling, Redfield Jr. mount and rings, and the Redfield 3x9 that's been recharged. With old fashioned 75gn Sierra flat based hollow points and 43gns of IMR 4350 it pretty consistently shoots 5/8" groups and the only model was free floating the barrel. The only 2 700s that wouldn't group were in 8mm Mauser and 300 Savage but I didn't spend a lot of time loading for them. Also, I managed to get the first year 1100 on 20 gauge.

[@lfeco]

You know you're getting older when on "I have this old gun" they review a 700 BDL.

[@davidguelette7036]

Ouch!Bought my 1965 700 BDL in72.Still seems like yesterday. Until I stand in front of the mirror.

[@user-vx7vi3vq1c]

Same

[@user-se8ds5ev5k]

I've got an old BDL 7mm Remington magnum with the flur de lis checkered stock. It's a helluva rifle. It came out in 1962, and so did the 7mm magnum. This newest caliber back then sold like cinnamon rolls at a Lutheran fund raisers.

[@jerryobannon]

It’s the best gun I’ve ever owned

[@dalanwanbdiska6542]

I have a sporterized p14 303 and m17 3006 and they are very beautiful rifles. They look like these guns without the scopes. Real nice hunting rifles

[@wilmamcdermott3065]

I had a p17 that was converted to a 300 Winchester magnum

[@jerrybushey6654]

I have a 1986 700 classic 30-06 I bought new 30 years ago still a tack driver and a beautiful rifle

[@rbm6184]

Have had mine in Monte Carlo stock since the '90s in .222 or Triple 2. It is a precision rifle. Thank you, Mike Walker, the developer of both the rifle and the cartridge.

[@jessgatt2306]

As to the Model 1100 Remington semi-auto shotgun in 2&3/4" offering, it was the long barreled, full-choked goose gun that drove sales, I own one, a gun my father bought in the early fifties. It is the penultimate game-bird killer. Turkey season comes round again next year, and if I live and can hunt the gun again it will be turkey on the table, or pheasant, dove, quail, or even deer with single-ott buckshot so as not to super-stress the full choke.

[@reloadnorth7722]

I just purchased a 1975 700 BDL in 308 with a Bushnell Scopechief IV 1.5x - 4.5x. It still has the original issue sling. $350

[@davidpacker117]

That was a great bargain. I was at an aution in central Pa.where one in 270 sold for 1,450 dollars with a Nikon scope on it.

[@edwardjackovic]

back in the 70's my first hunting rifle was a 700 BDL custom deluxe in 30 06 still shoots .5 groups

[@genelyda1102]

I can believe it😊

[@user-rq8rz3hj4u]

I have 4 Model 700 rifles - a Sendero, a Varmint, and 2 customs that stated out as BDLs. Each one has a job, and even though I could get by with just 1 of them....I really just like 'em.

[@txgunguy2766]

I bought my BDL .270 practically brand new from a neighbor for $200. I later saw the exact same model and caliber in a store for $777.

[@louiskiser9989]

I have a 17 Remington grom 1973,of course all those were BDL

[@jeffhays1968]

My first real deer rifle. Still have it.

[@scottthorning3963]

Love my 700s!

[@sammartinez8084]

Great information thank 💪💪💪💪👌👌👌👌👌👌👍👍👍💯💯💯💯💯

[@TerryHallman-vo9uo]

Mine is 7mm,got in 86, love it

[@jamesmason7262]

I live in the UK. I bought my left hand 700bdl 270 in 1983. I've taken about 100 reds with it and only needed the one round. No matter who manufactured the amunition or bullet weight it'll group. Unfortunately here they have the policy use it or lose it. As I'm 77 now and unable to get about so well I am afraid I'll soon have to part company with it. Such a shame as it served me well.

[@wilmamcdermott3065]

Have 3 model 700 Rifles 220 swift stainless steel 204 stainless steel 338 lapua stainless steel all super accurate

[@clarkrowland6513]

I like the 700 BDLs but I always consider the Marlins to be a work horse in rifles.

[@The762nato]

I won the US NRA Long Range Nationals at Camp Perry in 1990 1993, 1995 and XTC as they call it now in 1994-1995 . All with Remington M700 and 40-X's , M Maxberry

[@mkd7961]

i have a 700 in 7mm mag bought in 1978, last time i shot it was yrs ago 😂😢

[@rickybristersmusic3658]

I have 30-06 , 270, 243, 223 in sportsman 78 which is basically e Remington 700

[@josephdeakyne197]

I had gov one lymen sites lift up had roller adjustments peep gave it to my friend for a home project wonder if he still has it the government one are snipper rifles

[@chuckbaker6935]

I have a 1983 classic in 338 win mag any value ?

[@jeffhays1968]

Nobody mentioned the ACTUAL reason for the BDL, you can cycle the bolt on the shoulder without putting your eye out with the bolt. The ADL you gotta dismount the gun to run the bolt. BIG difference.

[@johnkertzman3223]

No!

[@jameskringlee8974]

I never knew there was a difference but I have probably never cycled the ADL. I did cycle the bolt on the BDL and because I could keep my cheek weld I chose it over another rifle that required moving my head to cycle the bolt. When I was a boy I was taught to shoot and cycle the bolt on the .22 while keeping my eye on the sights.

[@marcussanchez4278]

Daddy had the second one chambered in 22-250 in our county.

[@jeff0nyschuk670]

Sorry guys,!! I had one in a 30-06,,I couldn't get it to shoot straight 😢..It was all over the place..😢 So.I traded in on a Sako Hunters Special 300win mag,,now this is a beautiful rifle, 😂😢

[@burnsboysaresoldiers]

My dad has a m700 BDL-DM pre-warning label with some engraving across the receiver as well. Pawn shop fine several years ago. Any idea what it might be worth?

[@edwardabrams4972]

$600. I bought one a few months back. I have 3 of them right now in magnums and non magnums

[@nathanhaley9987]

I have in an 8mm caliber

[@dn88s]

Remember when they used to be something

[@eugenegress5896]

REMINGTON IS A DISCRACE. Logistically, with Modern CNC Machinery, there is ZERO EXCUSE, This American Classic Turned into Garbage. Todays 700's, at the new Georgia Plant should be as good, or BETTER, Than the old ones Manufactured. Further, the 700 is one of the Least Complicated Rifles to Produce. CEO, KEN DARCY, Is still not Proving , the 700 is back to its full Original Glory. I guess they better " FARM " it out to SAVAGE ...To get it right.

[@garyteague9555]

According to what I’m watching when the man shoots ,it looks like it has a too much kick for me at may age

[@joekelly4870]

Video on remington 700 brought the haters out. If you dont like remington why watch a video of their products unless you just came here to criticize because you have no life and want to take it out on everyone else.

[@nathanadrian7797]

Winchester is still the "Rifleman's Rifle"! The 700, although accurate never matched Winchester's quality. In the same way that Remington took over a huge amount of the rifle market with an inferior yet accurate product, Savage has done the same, producing a cheaper inferior product, and forcing Remington to reduce quality till they finally went bankrupt.

[@Duckman558]

Ahh....you wouldn't be related to the late Jack O'Conner would you...im just kidding

[@jbrown1971]

Winchester was junk I wouldn't trade my 700forbtruck load Winchester rifles.

[@mannequinfukr]

Ah yes winchester is so quality that they dont even produce rifles in the US anymore. Or how about the reported lousy batches of ammo they produce

[@andrewthacker1389]

no mention of the sketchy unsafe trigger

[@floydhawk2169]

What sketchy unsafe trigger? Some models had safety issues, triggers were adjustable.

[@garyblackford8366]

​@@floydhawk2169Firing while still on safe? Lawsuit? Recall by Remington? My rifle was one of the affected. Had to send it back to the factory to be fixed.

[@jasonnester9514]

Winchester is junk