Originally Posted by
fritz1
Where is this decline in quality? I have several Remington 700's in various models, my oldest is my 338 Win Mag. according to the barrel code was made April 1988, my newest is my 300 Ultra Mag., barrel code said it was made May 2005. I see no noticable differences in quality between the two. They have the same triggers. The stocks maybe a little cheaper, but then when I look at my Sendero, it has a factory H.S. Precision stock on it, so go figure.
I have to admit, I agree with zrex. I have about 10 700's and have owned probably 25 or more. My oldest is 1974, 1979, 1980 and 1983. These rifles have deep blueing. Quality blueing. Stocks are stable walnut, highly figured. Checkering is quality. Barrels smooth as Lilja barrels I have owned. Don't really copper foul. My 2000+ year 700's, expecially the 300RUM's I have owned have had the roughest barrels I have seen. Copper foul horribly within 8 rounds. Varying throat dimensions on freebore from 3.66" to 3.8". I went on a quest going around to guns stores measureing the throats on 300RUM's. All over the place. You would have thought they were weatherbys. Even had one 300RUM with crown not a perfect 90 degrees.
It just makes sense from here on out to buy a used ADL, or BDL on the cheap. Take to the smith, and have replumbed, with a McMillian stock. In the end, I have 1200 dollars in it, but got what I want.