Remington 700 Classic 6.5x55 fixer upper

[ShrtRnd]

Aw man

A regret I share with you.

And a regret I’m reminded of every time an EE ad or post/comment in this sub forum comes up about one

But… I’m looking into replacing it with the new kid on the 6.5 block in a 6.5PRC or possibly building out a 6.5x284 or 284win. Hoping my regret is thus nullified by one of those.

At least that’s what I’m attempting to convince myself of..

 

[NAA]

Rem 700 Classic 6.5x55mm

I had one that I foolishly gave up just over a year ago. Super clean and a less then 50rnd count.

Had one, too. Almost too pretty to shoot!

Went down the 6.5x55mm rabbit hole about 30 yrs ago after shooting a buddy's Winchester Model 70 featherweight. At the time factory sporters in that ctg were not plentiful so I sourced a Model 96 Swede short rifle, which were relatively plentiful & inexpensive & had it sporterized. It was ok but not my new 'holy grail' ala Win 70 f/w.

Then I happened into a NIB Ruger MkII in 6.5x55mm at Lever Arms in Vancouver, B.C. It shot excellent right out of the box. A few years after that was able to score a Rem 700 Classic off the EE here. Again, almost to pretty to shoot. Sold the Ruger on the EE. That one I kinda regret!

The sold the Rem Classic to a then neighbor after acquiring a NIB stainless Tikka 695 in 6.5 Swede locally out of Island Outfitters. Then finally, about 5 yrs ago, was able to score my holy grail, an excellent condition Winchester Model 70 featherweight at a gunshow in Duncan, B.C. from a fellow gun enthusiast. The Tikka subsequently was sold off not too long after that.

Patience pays off. Another one will come along sooner or later.

---------
NAA.

 

[PinkyPlinker]

Hi Dave,
What is the chamber like in your Shilen? I have the same barrel, with a very, very short throat. 140 SMKs compress even a mid load. What are you using with success? Please PM if you don’t want load info posted. I’ve almost given up on it…
Thanks!

First barrel, the factory C-M, started to degrade accuracy after about 3000 rounds.
The second, a Pac-Nor SS match grade, was good for 3500 or so, then it started
to show erratic tendencies. [If a 6.5 barrel will not maintain 1.25 moa, it is gone]

The barrel on there now is a Shilen Match grade SS. It is a .5 moa barrel with at
least 4 different loads.

I usually load to extract as much potential as is safe. Milder loads would give more
barrel life, I am sure. It takes a lot of shooting to wear out a barrel. 3000 rounds
at an average charge of 48 grains equals approximately 20 lbs of powder to wash
out the throat. [My first barrel had no rifling left for 5 inches from chamber] Dave.

For the record, I do not shoot long strings of rounds to make the barrel very hot,
since that will shorten barrel life a lot. I had an acquaintance who washed out his
6.5/300 Weatherby barrel in 700 rounds. D.

 

[Leavenworth]

I have a Remington 700 Classic in 30.06 purchased in 1989 the wood stock fits me I’m 5 ‘ 10 “ and a little bit . I don’t care much for the
Recoil pad that came on it it’s like a hockey puck and after shooting my shoulder really feels it and has a technicolor sheen .
But I just can’t bring myself to have anything cut off that stock seems like a shame . I bought a Limbsaver recoil pad for it but it’s to large and not sure if I could just trim the pad to fit ?
Leavenworth

 

[Joel]

NAA,

The pictures you post of that Winchester...she's a beaut!

ShrtRnd,

That rifle build, in somethin like a nice Mcm 700 Classic stock? Or even a take-off Classic wood stock? Whooo!

Leavenworth,

I've never ground a Limbsaver, I don't know if yours is grind to fit?

What I did for the one I have here is order a Pachmayr Decelerator in D752 "Old English" style like this here, and a 1/4" plastic spacer. Maybe not original, but I think it matches the colour scheme of the rifle at least, with more functionality than the hockey puck lol. Since its a cut stock anyway, no real sin to change.

 

[NAA]

I have a Remington 700 Classic in 30.06 purchased in 1989 the wood stock fits me I’m 5 ‘ 10 “ and a little bit . I don’t care much for the
Recoil pad that came on it it’s like a hockey puck and after shooting my shoulder really feels it and has a technicolor sheen .
But I just can’t bring myself to have anything cut off that stock seems like a shame . I bought a Limbsaver recoil pad for it but it’s to large and not sure if I could just trim the pad to fit ?
Leavenworth

I love the Classic stocks, too. I have one on a Rem 700 long action that I had made into a .264 Win Mag.

Have another, as new, take-off long action Classic stock just waiting to decide which BDL stock to switch it out for.

---------
NAA.

 

[remington jim]

I have a Remington 700 Classic in 30.06 purchased in 1989 the wood stock fits me I’m 5 ‘ 10 “ and a little bit . I don’t care much for the
Recoil pad that came on it it’s like a hockey puck and after shooting my shoulder really feels it and has a technicolor sheen .
But I just can’t bring myself to have anything cut off that stock seems like a shame . I bought a Limbsaver recoil pad for it but it’s to large and not sure if I could just trim the pad to fit ?
Leavenworth

GEF can fit that pad for you and it will look GREAT ! RJ

 

[ShrtRnd]

I hadn’t given thought to a Classic Stock build on a newer cartridge. But now that you mention it..

ShrtRnd,

That rifle build, in somethin like a nice Mcm 700 Classic stock? Or even a take-off Classic wood stock? Whooo!

 

[anglia2]

A really nice rifle . I had one , but I ended up giving it to my niece . She's used it to take a number of animals over the years , it's her main hunting rifle . I don't regret giving it to her ................ maybe a little , but I've been keeping an eye out for another one . They are one of my favourite M 700 stock designs as well . Great scoop and post some pics when you're done .

 

[Joel]

ShrtRnd,

A classic rifle in a new, hot chambering like that? Think it would be the heat

Anglia2,

You sure gave her a great "lifetime" rifle there. Hope another comes along for you some day...race you to it haha. Thanks I'll be happy to show some pics. I was a bit bummed about the rifle not looking so new overall like the bolt having that grey patina, but I guess its character. Its going to see a lot of use anyway!

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

NAA,

The pictures you post of that Winchester...she's a beaut!

ShrtRnd,

That rifle build, in somethin like a nice Mcm 700 Classic stock? Or even a take-off Classic wood stock? Whooo!

Leavenworth,

I've never ground a Limbsaver, I don't know if yours is grind to fit?

What I did for the one I have here is order a Pachmayr Decelerator in D752 "Old English" style like this here, and a 1/4" plastic spacer. Maybe not original, but I think it matches the colour scheme of the rifle at least, with more functionality than the hockey puck lol. Since its a cut stock anyway, no real sin to change.

That's the exact pad I would put on a 700 Classic like yours. It should be a nice rifle fer ye. Good score.

 

[BlackRam]

I've owned two of the Rem &00 Classics in 6.5x55 over the years.
First one had 500-700 rounds a year fired through it, and was still maintaining 200 yard 5 round 1' groups with its preferred handloads (max book loads with IMR4350 for both the 140 gr Partitions and X Bullets). The action slicked up so nice I could cycle it with my thumb without removing my hand from the grip. Smoothest Rem 700 I've ever owned. It ended having that same patina you mentioned, but did not detract from the rifle, as it was so slick.
My second had really pretty wood, but was not as accurate, but still acceptable (MOA).
These were sold in order to look for a left handed 6.5x55.
Would have been nice if they had made the Classic stock in a left hand configuration, as it is very comfortable. At least the CDL was offered in left hand, but just not quite the same.
Now own a LH Sako 85 Hunter that shot 1/2" groups with factory ammo right out of the box. Very slick action.
Have always been a fan of the 6.5x55 and it has performed well on a variety of game over the past 28 years!

Would have been nice if Winchester and Ruger had also built 6.5x55's in left hand. While Tikka does, I am just not a fan of their synthetic stocks. A lh laminate version would have been nice.

 

[Joel]

Thanks for the advice on getting that scope base off, everyone. It worked.

And thanks, SHELL SHUCKER! I must be doing something right then haha. Although, I might go with a NECG 1-1/4" pad that looks almost the same, to have a bit more length of pull.


BlackRam, wow that is a lot of shooting over quite a few years! I wish they made more left handed options for you. Good to hear that this is how the bolt looks after plenty of use and its normal. Might not be quite as broken in as yours, but after cleaning/oiling it is plenty slick. Whole different animal lol.

 

[Leavenworth]

He is a great gunsmith but he would need to cut the stock I don’t want the stock cut
Leavenworth

GEF can fit that pad for you and it will look GREAT ! RJ

 

[Leavenworth]

Does that recoil pad have more cushion than the hockey pad that came on my 700 Classic ? Also will it fit without removing any of the wood stock etc .?
Thank You
Leavenworth

NAA,

The pictures you post of that Winchester...she's a beaut!

ShrtRnd,

That rifle build, in somethin like a nice Mcm 700 Classic stock? Or even a take-off Classic wood stock? Whooo!

Leavenworth,

I've never ground a Limbsaver, I don't know if yours is grind to fit?

What I did for the one I have here is order a Pachmayr Decelerator in D752 "Old English" style like this here, and a 1/4" plastic spacer. Maybe not original, but I think it matches the colour scheme of the rifle at least, with more functionality than the hockey puck lol. Since its a cut stock anyway, no real sin to change.

 

[Leavenworth]

Could someone answer this ?
Leavenworth

Does that recoil pad have more cushion than the hockey pad that came on my 700 Classic ? Also will it fit without removing any of the wood stock etc .?
Thank You
Leavenworth

 

[dan belisle]

Could someone answer this ?
Leavenworth

Yes, the decelerator pads are softer than the factory pads. They were the go to for kickers for a long time until softer ones came along. - dan

 

[Leavenworth]

Hi Dan . Will it fit my 700 without cutting the stock ?
Thanks Leavenworth

Yes, the decelerator pads are softer than the factory pads. They were the go to for kickers for a long time until softer ones came along. - dan

 

[Joel]

Hi Dan . Will it fit my 700 without cutting the stock ?
Thanks Leavenworth

It would, they'd grind the pad to fit the stock.

 

[dan belisle]

Hi Dan . Will it fit my 700 without cutting the stock ?
Thanks Leavenworth

There were some sold for specific models. Most I've seen were grind to fit. If you're careful, it isn't hard to do. - dan