Rem 700 BDL .17 Remington

[Dman6.5]

I just picked one of these bad boys up at a local gun shop. From what I read and could find find these were only made for 1 year, 1971 can anyone tell me if this is right and about how much it’s worth? Thanks

 

[ShootDots]

I can't give you the info you want BUT I remember when they came out and were all the rage for "settled eastern 'chuck fields".. I read a lot about it back then and really wanted one. The one thing I do remember that was "negative" (if it even is a negative) was that due to the small diameter barrel, after about 25 shots the accuracy fell off the table. However, with some of the Viht powders, which burn very clean, I would bet you could double that to 50 rounds before a good scrubbing became necessary. I still think they would be a blast to shoot! Good job picking one up!

 

[Dean Slater]

I just picked one of these bad boys up at a local gun shop. From what I read and could find find these were only made for 1 year, 1971 can anyone tell me if this is right and about how much it’s worth? Thanks

I think 1971 was the first year of production for the Rem. 700 .17 Rem. BDL. I have one I bought new in the early 1980s. Don't know how many years they were made.

 

[Dman6.5]

I can't give you the info you want BUT I remember when they came out and were all the rage for "settled eastern 'chuck fields".. I read a lot about it back then and really wanted one. The one thing I do remember that was "negative" (if it even is a negative) was that due to the small diameter barrel, after about 25 shots the accuracy fell off the table. However, with some of the Viht powders, which burn very clean, I would bet you could double that to 50 rounds before a good scrubbing became necessary. I still think they would be a blast to shoot! Good job picking one up!

Thanks

I can't give you the info you want BUT I remember when they came out and were all the rage for "settled eastern 'chuck fields".. I read a lot about it back then and really wanted one. The one thing I do remember that was "negative" (if it even is a negative) was that due to the small diameter barrel, after about 25 shots the accuracy fell off the table. However, with some of the Viht powders, which burn very clean, I would bet you could double that to 50 rounds before a good scrubbing became necessary. I still think they would be a blast to shoot! Good job picking one up!

thanks

 

[457ciSBC]

I just picked one of these bad boys up at a local gun shop. From what I read and could find find these were only made for 1 year, 1971 can anyone tell me if this is right and about how much it’s worth? Thanks

No, I purchased a NIB .17 Remington BDL in 2005, made in 2004. They were produced from 1971 to 2004.

 

[snert]

Newer bullets tend to shoot better and not be as quick to copper the barrel as the original 25 grain remington bullet. Just saying

 

[Lone Hunter]

I can't give you the info you want BUT I remember when they came out and were all the rage for "settled eastern 'chuck fields".. I read a lot about it back then and really wanted one. The one thing I do remember that was "negative" (if it even is a negative) was that due to the small diameter barrel, after about 25 shots the accuracy fell off the table. However, with some of the Viht powders, which burn very clean, I would bet you could double that to 50 rounds before a good scrubbing became necessary. I still think they would be a blast to shoot! Good job picking one up!

What SD said about the accuracy falling off. I had one in the late 80’s, very pretty rifle, but after around 10 shots it would start to keyhole bullets at 100. I liked the rifle but it didn’t stay at my house very long because you had to constantly clean it. No recoil and not a bad muzzle blast either. Hopefully they have changed some since then.

 

[rockrat]

I had one back in the early 70's. I could go easily 50 rounds or more with little fouling. Sounds like it was an exception to the norm.

 

[Oso]

As others have mentioned the 17 Remington was introduced in 1971. The first few years of production the rifles came with a 1:10 twist barrel, but they shifted to a 1:9 twist afterwards. It was common for the earlier factory barrels...well everyone's barrel at the time... to foul fairly quickly in part do to the shallow depth of the grooves and also the bullet jackets. I bought a vintage Sako L461 that was chambered in 17 Rem. with a bull barrel that was only 16.5" long. My guess is that it was set-back and rechambered at least 3 times by the original owner.... burn out a throat... lop off 2"-3" and rechamber....repeat.

Something to put on the back burner for when it is time to swap out barrels:
The preference for .17 cal barrels is 1:9 twist 3-grooves (deeper). The 1:9 twist allows you to shoot 25gr Vmax without issue, and the 3 groove have proven to foul less (clean after 50 rounds as opposed to after 10-20 rounds). When it comes time to rechamber your rifle the favorites barrels are Lilja, Pac Nor, and Shillen.

 

[B23]

Something to put on the back burner for when it is time to swap out barrels:
The preference for .17 cal barrels is 1:9 twist 3-grooves (deeper). The 1:9 twist allows you to shoot 25gr Vmax without issue, and the 3 groove have proven to foul less (clean after 50 rounds as opposed to after 10-20 rounds). When it comes time to rechamber your rifle the favorites barrels are Lilja, Pac Nor, and Shillen.

Lots of really good barrels out there but I've had numerous gunsmiths, that build a lot of 17 cals, tell me their "go to" preferred 17 caliber barrel is Lilja and PacNor. If I ever build a 17cal something, it will be with one of those two barrels.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

My mid 80's 17 rem bdl was Remington recalled for a barrel issue. It would only go 12-15 shots with W760 and accuracy would go south. The replacement barrel would go 40-50, but would not shoot anything over 25 gr very good. I later checked the twist,1-10. When I replaced it, I went 1-9 Lilja. Fantastic shooter, haven't encountered an accuracy drop off due to fouling. I just clean it every once in a while because I feel guilty. I shoot mostly 29-30 gr bullets for coyote.

 

[Oso]

Lots of really good barrels out there but I've had numerous gunsmiths, that build a lot of 17 cals, tell me their "go to" preferred 17 caliber barrel is Lilja and PacNor. If I ever build a 17cal something, it will be with one of those two barrels.

I have a Pac Nor on a 20 VTG that has performed nicely (limited use). If I did a .17 barrel I would go Lilja ... this is a specialty barrel size that Lilja has found the sweet spot. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Pac Nor.

 

[yotehater]

I couldn't wait to buy the .17 Remington offered as the Model 700 Classic in 1999. Those have the 1-9 twist. I'll never sell that one.

 

[Prose]

I have the 17 fireball and can go 100 or so shots between deep cleaning. 4200 FPS with a 20 gr pill is wicked stuff. I have to admit, I like it even more than my 20 Vartarg when it comes to zapping prairie dogs.

 

[trader steve]

I have a 71 bdl also its a shooter I get 60 rounds it needs cleaned. My cz go a lot more.steve

 

[danny]

I have the 17 fireball and can go 100 or so shots between deep cleaning. 4200 FPS with a 20 gr pill is wicked stuff. I have to admit, I like it even more than my 20 Vartarg when it comes to zapping prairie dogs.

Nothing wrong with 20 VT, but I already have 17 Fireballs and 17 Remingtons, so I don't myself need to step over to 20 VT. Thanks for the assesment.

Danny

 

[bighornbob]

My factory barreled .17 Remington 700 BDL will shoot 61-63 rounds before needing cleaned. 64th round with miss target by feet not inches... Run a brush and patch down it and I'm good for another 62 rounds...


Bob

 

[Ray123]

I think 1971 was the first year of production for the Rem. 700 .17 Rem. BDL. I have one I bought new in the early 1980s. Don't know how many years they were made.

Yes, I bought 2 Remington700 BDL's in 17 Rem cal...just went out to shoot it yesterday...shooting Hornady all copper 15.5 gr bullet at 4803 fps...4700 fps was more accurate.. accuracy was good for about 50 rds... I didn't moly coat these, that tends prolongs accuracy, it was just a fun test for speed.. Benchmark powder was supposed to push it over 4900 fps but I didn't have any. Used H322, I've never had a rifle shoot a bullet at 4803 fps.

 

[SSL]

I got fascinated with the .17 Remington early on. The 'fouling' issues were more related to copper compositions and powders available early on. I have had three (on my third) .17 Remingtons so far and none fouled any worse than any other high-performance rounds. My current .17 likes both the 20 and 25-grain Hornady VMax bullets as well as the old 25-grain Hornady HPs. Best powders I have used are AA2700 and CFE223. Both give good velocities with the above bullets and accuracy with my preferred loads is outstanding. Cleaning is about every 60 to 75 rounds for me.
Do be careful in brass selection. Remington brass and Nosler brass show a considerable difference in case capacity and, with the pressure combined with such a small bore, real problems can occur when mixing brass.

 

[17VLD]

I bought a used BDL and it shot pretty accurately and I was able to kill a few coyotes with it, but seemed about 200 FPS slow to me,turned out it was shot out so it became a 20 cal Varmint rifle.
I found this at Zander’s so I still would have a 17 Remington