Remington 700 BDL varmint special

[AlNyhus]

Do you guys remember the first VLS stock version? I almost bought one and now I wished I had. It was essentially the Remington 700 BDL stock but made of laminate, opened up for the heavy barrel like what they did for the Varmint Special, then they went to the wider forearm laminate stock which was similar to the Varmint Synthetic stock.

The VLS series stocks had a cheek piece, a pressure point pad at the front of the barrel channel (weird but true) and the bottom of the fore ends were much more rounded than the Varmint Synthetic stock...which were originally supplied by H.S. and later by B&C. The VLS were also nicely gloss blued rather than the matte finish of VS series.

The VLS in 243 I bought new had the nicest bluing of any 700 I've seen outside of a Custom Shop gun.

 

[danny]

The VLS series stocks had a cheek piece, a pressure point pad at the front of the barrel channel (weird but true) and the bottom of the fore ends were much more rounded than the Varmint Synthetic stock...which were originally supplied by H.S. and later by B&C. The VLS were also nicely gloss blued rather than the matte finish of VS series.

The VLS in 243 I bought new had the nicest bluing of any 700 I've seen outside of a Custom Shop gun.

That could be true about the 2nd type of VLS stock. All that I remember for certain is that it was more of a true varmint stock than the first type.

Danny

 

[snert]

Yes, the laminate stocked ones were heftier...wider in several areas.

 

[danny]

Yes, the laminate stocked ones were heftier...wider in several areas.

That would be the second version VLS stock.

Danny

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Had one in 25-06 back in the late 70's . Put a 15x Unertl on it shot very well but couldn't get the windage to center up. Took off the unertl put a 12x Leupold in Leupold mounts, rings, had the same problem. Decided all the base screw holes were drilled wrong was going to send it back to Remington but a co-worker, and Remington collector talked me out of it even though I told him what the problem was. Still wish I had kept it.

that would make a great story to figure out the original issue with rifle.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

The VLS series stocks had a cheek piece, a pressure point pad at the front of the barrel channel (weird but true) and the bottom of the fore ends were much more rounded than the Varmint Synthetic stock...which were originally supplied by H.S. and later by B&C. The VLS were also nicely gloss blued rather than the matte finish of VS series.

The VLS in 243 I bought new had the nicest bluing of any 700 I've seen outside of a Custom Shop gun.

maybe the nicest blueing I ever saw was a 700 ADL from the 60s.

 

[Timberyote]

I have a 1979 VS in .308 that has over 9000rds through it and it will still do a 1/4" 2 100yds. This rifle purchased used in 1990 was my engagement present from my late wife.

It's stellar with the Federal 168gr match, and does very well with the 175's.

 

[danny]

I have a 1979 VS in .308 that has over 9000rds through it and it will still do a 1/4" 2 100yds. This rifle purchased used in 1990 was my engagement present from my late wife.

It's stellar with the Federal 168gr match, and does very well with the 175's.

You managed to put a lot of rounds through that Varmint Synthetic (VS).

Danny

 

[Timberyote]

You managed to put a lot of rounds through that Varmint Synthetic (VS).

Danny

Not Synthetic but Varmint Special.

 

[65swede]

You guys are a bad influence.

 

[danny]

You guys are a bad influence.

View attachment 1519635

Did you just buy it?

Danny

 

[65swede]

Did you just buy it?

Danny

Yesterday, 22-250 to go with my 222 and 223

 

[danny]

Yesterday, 22-250 to go with my 222 and 223

Smart/lucky guy.

Danny

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Yesterday, 22-250 to go with my 222 and 223

good for you. some people lost track of how well those were made.

 

[Wild Bill IV]

That would be the second version VLS stock.

Danny

Hey Danny!!!
Have an update for you!!! Yes, there are two different stock contours in the VLS! The 1st VLS stocks were contoured in the same shape as the original BDL (walnut) Varmint Special (w/cheek piece, Ebony fore-end and grip caps) "INTRODUCED" in 1995!!! The 2nd VLS (heavy beaver-tail fore-end w/no cap) stock was "Introduced" in 1998!!! And, there are 2 variations of those 2nd generation stocks!! Some have the "missing line" checkering on the palm swell, some don't!!! I have one of the 1st production run, 2nd generation VLS w/Checkering!!!!!! Made in November 1997 (AO date stamp)!!!!!!! The markings on the barrel are PROOF, PROOF TESTED, HARDENED, MAGNAFLUX, PATTERN TESTED and FINAL INSPECTION!!! All on a E series receiver (E prefix serial number)!!! It is the smoothest 700 action I have cycled!!! It is very close to working the action on a Rem 40 series!! The finish is a matte blue!!! HERE ARE SOME PIXS of the 26" long varmint barrel, 22-250 VLS!!

ADDED NOTE: Added the Leupold extended SA mount to hold the 10-40x50 Tasco World Class Plus Target Scope from bell to bell!!!!!!!!!

 

[243winxb]

1970s Varmint Special had a heavier action , if i remember correctly?

 

[snert]

You guys are a bad influence.

View attachment 1519635

Pure sexy

 

[snert]

1970s Varmint Special had a heavier action , if i remember correctly?

No, but did have a heavy barrel.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

I have a 1979 VS in .308 that has over 9000rds through it and it will still do a 1/4" 2 100yds. This rifle purchased used in 1990 was my engagement present from my late wife.

It's stellar with the Federal 168gr match, and does very well with the 175's.

the Rem 700 VS was a high water mark for Remington.

 

[6.5 forever]

Hey Danny!!!
Have an update for you!!! Yes, there are two different stock contours in the VLS! The 1st VLS stocks were contoured in the same shape as the original BDL (walnut) Varmint Special (with the cheek piece) "INTRODUCED" in 1995!!! The 2nd VLS (heavy beaver-tail fore-end) stock was "Introduced" in 1998!!! And, there are 2 variations of that 2nd generation stock!! Some have the "missing line" checkering, some don't!!! I have one of the 1st production run, 2nd generation VLS w/Checkering!!!!!! Made in November 1997 (AO date stamp)!!!!!!! The markings on the barrel are PROOF, PROOF TESTED, HARDENED, MAGNAFLUX, PATTERN TESTED and FINAL INSPECTION!!! All on a E series receiver (E prefix serial number)!!! It is the smoothest 700 action I have cycled!!! It is very close to working the action on a Rem 40 series!! The finish is a matte blue!!! HERE ARE SOME PIXS of the 26" long varmint barrel, 22-250 VLS!!

Nice!