Rem. 700 classic
- Thread starter foxhollowkennels
- Start date
I just picked up a very nice Classic in 243.
I've owned Classics in the 220 Swift, 6.5 Swede, 270 Win, 300 Weatherby, 7mm Weatherby and 35 Whelen.
The shop I got the 243 from was adamant that it was a BDL in a Classic stock (which of course it actually is) because "they never made the Classic in 243"
Lots of guys are not aware that the Classic was a regular production gun from '78 until '81 when the one chambering per year began.
This 243 is a very early Classic with a date code of Dec '77
I've owned Classics in the 220 Swift, 6.5 Swede, 270 Win, 300 Weatherby, 7mm Weatherby and 35 Whelen.
The shop I got the 243 from was adamant that it was a BDL in a Classic stock (which of course it actually is) because "they never made the Classic in 243"
Lots of guys are not aware that the Classic was a regular production gun from '78 until '81 when the one chambering per year began.
This 243 is a very early Classic with a date code of Dec '77
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When I got my first Roosevelt elk draw in 1986 it did not take much to convince me a 338 WM was required.
No luck so the .30-06 was called upon.
In December 1986 the local gun dealer had been to the Shot Show and advised the Classic for 1987 was the 338 WM.
According to him the prototype did not have sights so one was ordered. When it arrived in March it had sights and they were removed.
Got another elk draw in 1987 and the 338 came through. Over time it accounted for grouse, gophers, groundhogs, coyotes, deer, elk, moose and black bear.
Sold it about 17 years ago when Elk and moose were not going to be hunted by me.
IMO it would be the rifle if only one rifle could be owned it would now be more than these old bones and shoulder could withstand!
Bought a used Classic in 1991 and sold it after the 280 BDL SS was added.
While researching for an accurate load for the 270 with a 150 grain bullet, Nosler published the most accurate load/powder as 52.0 grains of H4350 and that proved to be the ticket.
No luck so the .30-06 was called upon.
In December 1986 the local gun dealer had been to the Shot Show and advised the Classic for 1987 was the 338 WM.
According to him the prototype did not have sights so one was ordered. When it arrived in March it had sights and they were removed.
Got another elk draw in 1987 and the 338 came through. Over time it accounted for grouse, gophers, groundhogs, coyotes, deer, elk, moose and black bear.
Sold it about 17 years ago when Elk and moose were not going to be hunted by me.
IMO it would be the rifle if only one rifle could be owned it would now be more than these old bones and shoulder could withstand!
Bought a used Classic in 1991 and sold it after the 280 BDL SS was added.
While researching for an accurate load for the 270 with a 150 grain bullet, Nosler published the most accurate load/powder as 52.0 grains of H4350 and that proved to be the ticket.
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this is the essential difference. My 'Classic' is a 350 Rem Mag. Which I put in a Mcmillan stock that was almost identical in design. The Classic stocks are elegant imo and recoil seems to be better handled as it is directed in a straighter line to the shoulder. Another factor that also differentiated the annual 'Classic' issues was the selection of a calibre that was not normally chambered in the regular 700 series ie 350 rem mag, 35 whelan, 220 swift, 6.5x55 etc. They are nice rifles imo. I jumped quick when the 350 Rem Mag was released and never regretted the decision!
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
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The Old Man had a Classic in 338 that he had 1.5" trimmed off the muzzle and about 1" off the forend. Ended up behaving like a Model 7 on steroids. Too bad he sold it.
Had a 220 classic but it came out earlier than 1992, late 80's when I got mine was super accurate after floating barrel and making loads for it! If I may ask where did you get it. Sold mine Alberta still have heavy barrel Swift in Rem aluminum bedded stock(HSPrecision)!
This is copied from "The Remington Society of America"
The Model 700 Classic was first introduced in 1978, sixteen years after the
grand conception of the Model 700. Initial chamberings included: 22-250 Remington,
243 Win, 6mm Remington (1978-1983), 7mm Remington Magnum, 270 Win, 30-06 Springfield.
In 1981 the Model 700 Classic was designated annually as a Limited Edition in a single select, classic caliber. The six original calibers remained a part of the standard product line until 1985. The 2005 offering marks the 25th and final classic cartridge offered in this storied series.
Year........Model No....Caliber
1978-1985...............Various
..............................22-250 Remington
..............................243 Win
..............................6mm Remington
..............................270 Win
..............................7mm Remington Magnum
..............................30-06 Springfield
1981.........5758........7mm Mauser (7x57mm)
1982.........5850........257 Roberts (24" barrel)
1983.........5846........300 H&H
1984.........5754........250 Savage
1985.........5756........350 Remington Magnum
1986.........5898........264 Win Mag
1987.........5899........338 Win Mag
1988.........5901........35 Whelen
1989.........5903........300 Wby Mag
1990.........5907........25-06 Remington
1991.........5909........7mm Weatherby
1992.........5913........220 Swift
1993.........5852........222 Remington
1994.........5759........6.5x55mm Swedish
1995.........5875........300 Win Mag
1996.........5877........375 H&H Mag
1997.........5873........280 Remington
1998.........5876........8mm Remington Magnum (with sights)
1999.........5871........17 Remington
2000.........6344........223 Remington
2001.........6342........7mm-08 Remington
2002.........6348........221 Remington Fireball
2003.........5869........300 Savage
2004.........6352........8mm Mauser (8x57mm S)
2005.........6310........308 Win
The Model 700 Classic was first introduced in 1978, sixteen years after the
grand conception of the Model 700. Initial chamberings included: 22-250 Remington,
243 Win, 6mm Remington (1978-1983), 7mm Remington Magnum, 270 Win, 30-06 Springfield.
In 1981 the Model 700 Classic was designated annually as a Limited Edition in a single select, classic caliber. The six original calibers remained a part of the standard product line until 1985. The 2005 offering marks the 25th and final classic cartridge offered in this storied series.
Year........Model No....Caliber
1978-1985...............Various
..............................22-250 Remington
..............................243 Win
..............................6mm Remington
..............................270 Win
..............................7mm Remington Magnum
..............................30-06 Springfield
1981.........5758........7mm Mauser (7x57mm)
1982.........5850........257 Roberts (24" barrel)
1983.........5846........300 H&H
1984.........5754........250 Savage
1985.........5756........350 Remington Magnum
1986.........5898........264 Win Mag
1987.........5899........338 Win Mag
1988.........5901........35 Whelen
1989.........5903........300 Wby Mag
1990.........5907........25-06 Remington
1991.........5909........7mm Weatherby
1992.........5913........220 Swift
1993.........5852........222 Remington
1994.........5759........6.5x55mm Swedish
1995.........5875........300 Win Mag
1996.........5877........375 H&H Mag
1997.........5873........280 Remington
1998.........5876........8mm Remington Magnum (with sights)
1999.........5871........17 Remington
2000.........6344........223 Remington
2001.........6342........7mm-08 Remington
2002.........6348........221 Remington Fireball
2003.........5869........300 Savage
2004.........6352........8mm Mauser (8x57mm S)
2005.........6310........308 Win
The 243 I have now and the 270 I owned had sights. The LE ones with sights were the 350, the Whelen and the 375 H&H that I've seen. Maybe others.
But I also know of BDL's in 243 and 280 that were bought new without sights,...so, you never know what Remington did.
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I've had several Classics, including a 30-06, .270, 7mm RM, .280, 35 Whelen, .350 RM, 7X57, and a .375H&H. I only kept the 7mm RM. I had 2 30-06's at one point and one had sights (1978)and the other had a smooth barrel (1981). I believe Remington came out with the Classic as a throwback with the straight stock with no riser, cheek piece, etc.....
My 350 Classic has irons... in fact the biggest deer I harvested was with that rifle and open sights...I had removed the scope (QD EAW mounts) because I was in pretty thick bush...but I came to a clearing in a ravine and heard a loud snort...looked up and about 70yds climbing away from me was the buck...he looked back over his shoulder and I took a 'texas heart shot' with the irons. It just dropped! No entry wound (but a big mess of the insides and lungs). I had never adjusted those sights and simply confirmed them once when new right after I sighted in the scope I mounted. I like to think it was my terrific shooting but realize that even a blind pig finds a truffle now and again. I have always preferred to have irons on a rifle for this reason... sometimes the terrific handling of a well stocked rifle is completely 'FUBARed' by a large scope perched on high rings! I would be happy to have a 257 Roberts or even a small 250/3000 in a Classic configuration as a deer rifle any day!
I currently have three classics. 350 rem mag that came with irons, a 257 Roberts and a 250 Savage that came with smooth barrels. All three have Leupolds on top. The 250 came with a S&B 6 power and EAW pivot mounts that are now surplus. Love the Classic stock design and red recoil pad. Great look. Same as an older model 7's with 18" barrels.
