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700BDL Varmint Special ?

willsnipe

Hey all! I was looking at a very early 700BDL Varmint in 223 this afternoon. I was in a hurry, and didn't think to grab date codes, but it looked late 60s. Does anyone know what the twist rate was in these? A range of values would also be helpfull.
Thanks in advance for any help.
 
I've seen prices vary. I owned a 1968 in 22-250 that was as clean as they come for the age. No reserve auction on GB with an old Redfield (believe it was a 12x) sold for $1100. If it's late 60s and clean with no optic, I'd guess auction price above $750. The first iterations will have the fleur de lis stock and a duller bottom metal, almost grey.

As a side note, I picked mine up in 2007 at a local sporting goods store for $375...I "almost" felt guilty. Only the price tag was visible from across the counter, I pointed at it and said "I'll buy that" without even seeing caliber. There were several customers in that day including a close friend that likes varmint rifles. It was a quiet ride home :).

Example of early stock:
http://www.gunbroker.com/item/583036305
 
The Varmint Special was introduced in 1967; fleur di lis pattern 67-68, ribbon pattern 69-73, solid cut checkering 74-77 and skip line pattern 78-97.

If its a fluer-di-lis, they bring a premium over the other patterns (in all calibers). A good shape fleur di lis $850+.
 
the VArmint Special is the quintessential Remington 700. The only thing that turns my head more is the 70-80"s walnut 40XB or XBBR.

I had an early alum buttplate fleur delis 222. Bought it for $200 in 1978 with an 8x All American on it. Sorry I ever let it go, but the LR bug had bit and I was a one gun guy, s I sold it for a 22-250 VS. It was sold for a 40XB. Still miss the 222. I even hunted tree squirrels with reduced loads with it. Deadly.

snert
 
If it is a late '60's vintage, you might want to check to see when the 700 was first available in 223. The first 223's I can remember were only available in the 760(?) pump. I can't say that I remember actually seeing a 700 in 223 before 1970, but they weren't as wildly popular back then either as the 22-250, 222 and 222 Rem Magnums were. So if it is in fact a late 60's varmint special in 223 it would be a pretty rare find, and in excellent firing condition even more rare. WD
 
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I always figured that the NICE older guns were worth as much as the CURRENT RETAIL price of a similar model. There are times that it is harder to do because that model is no longer available .. Example the BDL VARMINT was price just a little above the Sporter and with the exception of the 40X were the highest priced rifles

Good Luck

Jim
 
Had a mid/late 70's one in 22-250, 14 twist, bull barrel, was a custom shop one with a very light adj. trigger. Never should have sold it.
 
If it is the 60's through the 80's it is a 14" twist - everyone shot 55 soft points.
The 12" came about in the early to mid 90's because of the trend towards heavier bullets.
 
Love the Varmint Special,I have a .222,.25-06,and the .308.I still remember the first woodchuck killed with the .222,and the first whitetail buck with the .25-06 the .308 just gets used for target shooting at the local hunter bench matches,factory class.:)
Matt
 
My favorite rifle. I bought a new one in 1978, a .25-06. It is still my favorite and I use it every chance I get. the barrel wore out some time ago and has been replaced with a Krieger. Darn that rifle shoots great now, under .5" at 100 yards.

I believe the that rifle has a 1:12 twist for the .223.
 
civil82 said:
I've seen prices vary. I owned a 1968 in 22-250 that was as clean as they come for the age. No reserve auction on GB with an old Redfield (believe it was a 12x) sold for $1100. If it's late 60s and clean with no optic, I'd guess auction price above $750. The first iterations will have the fleur de lis stock and a duller bottom metal, almost grey.

As a side note, I picked mine up in 2007 at a local sporting goods store for $375...I "almost" felt guilty. Only the price tag was visible from across the counter, I pointed at it and said "I'll buy that" without even seeing caliber. There were several customers in that day including a close friend that likes varmint rifles. It was a quiet ride home :).

Example of early stock:
http://www.gunbroker.com/item/583036305
Click to expand...
Hey, That might of been mine! I bought one new in '67 or '68, can't remember which year exactly, and that was the most accurate factory rifle I ever owned. Had a Redefield 3200 in 32x on it. It loved IMR4064 and 52gr Sierra HPBTM bullets.
Hogs out to 400? No problem. :D
 
17Hunter said:
If its a fluer-di-lis, they bring a premium over the other patterns (in all calibers). A good shape fleur di lis $850+.
Click to expand...
Yeah? I figured the cheap pressed checkering would be the nadir phase of 700 values. I have a BDL Varmint Special in 6mm Rem, fleur de lis, near mint condition. Been thinking of selling it, it's almost too clean to take hunting.
-
 
17Hunter said:
The Varmint Special was introduced in 1967; fleur di lis pattern 67-68, ribbon pattern 69-73, solid cut checkering 74-77 and skip line pattern 78-97.

If its a fluer-di-lis, they bring a premium over the other patterns (in all calibers). A good shape fleur di lis $850+.
Click to expand...
I know this is an old post however, I'm wondering what pattern is on this 700BDL Varmint Special .222REM?Remington 700 BDL Varmint Special.jpg
 
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