Remington 700 CDL Reliability

[vaslugger]

Thinking very much of purchasing a new 700 in CDL in the 243 caliber mainly for deer and bear hunting.While I had a 700 BDL for 20 years in 270 and loved it I am wondering about the quality of this model especially.How has accuracy been on it,does it cycle the shells well,how many shots before barrell gets hot,and is fit and finish been good on newer models.If anyone has shot a 243 in this model what are your thoughts on it.I have never owned a 243 and am looking for milder recoil but no matter what caliber you shoot any information will be helpful.Mike

[jerry d]

I have the SPS in 243,i consistantly get 1 1/4" 3 shot groups @ 100yds. thats with factory ammo and using sandbag rest

[Sheridan]

I have the SPS DM in 243. I consistantly get 1" 3 shot groups @ 100yds., and that's with bulk factory ammo and using 2 sandbag rests.

Now, I do have the barrel hand lapped (if not done by the manufacturer) & a basic trigger job done (set to 3lbs) as I do with all my rifles.

[Pawildman]

.... I own a 700 CDL in 7mm-08, which is simply the .243 necked up to 7mm. Have had it for about 6-7 yrs. now. I do handload for it, as I do for all my guns. That rifle is one of the best "out-of-the-box" shooters I've ever had. I've never touched the bedding or floated the barrel. It loves 140gr. Accubonds. I'm going to see how it likes the Ballistic Tips this summer. Never had one moment's problem with it, nor do I expect to. I think you will be happy with it. Deer hate it.

[IBHUN10]

I have the remington "buckmaster" edition .243, which is basically the SPS with a camo stock, and it shoots very good. I shoot the winchester "gray" box 100gr and they are pretty much touching holes all the time at 100yrds.

[salukipv1]

very interested in the cdl-sf myself, would be curious to know too....??

[Backwoods7]

I had a remington 700cdl in 243 it was. agreat gun it shot great was beutiful and extremely reliable the only reason i got rid of it was to step up in calibor. The 243 is a goodvarmit/deer round but its severly lacking in power for bear. Id suggest a 7-08 more power and about the same amount of recoil

[vaslugger]

Thanks guys for all the feedback on the 700.Sounds like they are still good as they used to be.I also like the way the Model 7 looks to and it comes in the 20 inch barrel versus 24 inch barrel.I now shoot a Marlin 45-70 and since having neck surgery I need to drop down to a milder kicking gun so that is why the 243 is at the top of my list as it has moderate recoil and will also reach out if I need it to.One other question I have is does the new recoil pad thay have on the new Remingtons really reduce recoil as much as advertised on their website.Thanks again. Mike

[VAhuntr]

Originally Posted by vaslugger

Thanks guys for all the feedback on the 700.Sounds like they are still good as they used to be.I also like the way the Model 7 looks to and it comes in the 20 inch barrel versus 24 inch barrel.I now shoot a Marlin 45-70 and since having neck surgery I need to drop down to a milder kicking gun so that is why the 243 is at the top of my list as it has moderate recoil and will also reach out if I need it to.One other question I have is does the new recoil pad thay have on the new Remingtons really reduce recoil as much as advertised on their website.Thanks again. Mike

If you are referring to the Supercell pad then, yes it does reduce recoil pretty good. But IMO it is ugly and for me at least, it forced the recoil up on my cheek bone.

[Backwoods7]

Oh yea it dose. My 300 win mag kicked horribly so i contacted remington and got one of thesupercells and now its recoil feels about like a 270. The cdl i had had a R3 recoil pad(to me the two are the same) and it felt like a 22-250