how old is my 700?

[6.5x55swm]

i picked up a remington 700 bdl left hand in 30-06 but can't figure out when it was made. Barrel code says WB which would make it 1972 but they only started making left hand rifles in 73. W shows up again in 2002 whish this is not it was bought used in the mid 80's. Any ideas?

 

[600RemGuy]

W is the month-August. B is 1981 from the timeline you describe. It should have a B prefix in the serial number

 

[6.5x55swm]

oh, i had it backwards lol, yes B is the first and only letter in the serial number

 

[DANS40X]

The "B" prefix letter in the serial number gives the relative age/vintage of said rifle.

The Bbl code letters are the best option to date any production Remington firearm.

 

[evansd]

here is a link to Remington date code https://w w w.remingtonsociety.org/manufacture-dates/