Remington 700 BDL varmint special

[Wild Bill IV]

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

Very true!!!

But here comes the "BUT"!!! I've had the BDL Varmint Special, VLS, and VS!! When it comes down to actually using the varmint rifles on VARMINT, I'll take the GEN2 VLS any day!!! That added weight of the stock, especially at the fore-end, shifts the balance of the rifle forward, which minimizes lift and recoil!!! This aids in watching those "Prairie Rats" vaporize in a "red mist" through the scope!!! Especially with a 22-250!! Yeah, I had to drop to the next lower node to achieve this!!! After all, follow through is essential in good shooting skills!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IMHO, The Varmint Special is a classy rifle, the VLD is the true varmint rifle, and the VS is a great all around heavy rifle!!!

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Very true!!!

But here comes the "BUT"!!! I've had the BDL Varmint Special, VLS, and VS!! When it comes down to actually using the varmint rifles on VARMINT, I'll take the VLS any day!!! That added weight of the stock, especially at the fore-end, minimizes lift!!! This aids in watching those "Prairie Rats" vaporize in a "red mist" through the scope!!!

IMHO, The Varmint Special is a classy rifle, the VLD is the true varmint rifle, and the VS is a great all around heavy rifle!!!

great observations Wild Bill. I am a sucker for the tombstone safety models. I think production changed around 1968, give or take. I only have the tombstone HB in 6mmRem. Going one step further back in time.... I want to get a 722 with the heavy barrel. Never seen one in person. Not quite a varmint barrel but definitely a heftier barrel than the 722 and 700 standard barrels of the day.

 

[Wild Bill IV]

great observations Wild Bill. I am a sucker for the tombstone safety models. I think production changed around 1968, give or take. I only have the tombstone HB in 6mmRem. Going one step further back in time.... I want to get a 722 with the heavy barrel. Never seen one in person. Not quite a varmint barrel but definitely a heftier barrel than the 722 and 700 standard barrels of the day.

Very true!!! Every prefix letter in the serial number was a change (revision) in the 700 actions with a no prefix letter in the serial number being the original design!!! But the best of the best REMs were the 40X which were produced in the "Custom Shop" if memory serves me right!!! I always wanted to get the Rangemaster (27-1/2" heavy barrel) in 26-06 with the thumbhole stock!!! I just couldn't afford that rifle while going to college and a few years after!!! $275 for a NIB BDL Varmint Special vs over $1000 and up for a 40X Center Fire back in those days!!!!! NIB 700 ADL and BDL (non magnums and customs) sporters were around $200 to $250!!!!

 

[243winxb]

1970s Short action 700? Don't remember that one?

 

[243winxb]

But the best of the best REMs were the 40X which were produced in the "Custom Shop" if memory serves me right!!! I always wanted to get the Rangemaster (27-1/2" heavy barrel)

My vintage 1970s with original S2 Stainless barrel. Leupold 36 power scope. Grandson can hit an egg with it @ 300 yards.
Used a Redfield 6x18 variable scope when hunting woodchuck years ago on the farm. Now a shotgun/rimfire only area.

Great gun, the 40x. Single shot. Edit/Add This may be a " short action"?

more photos on 40x models, with prices.

 

[Wild Bill IV]

1970s Short action 700? Don't remember that one?

1970s Short action 700? Don't remember that one?

You're right!!! The 40XB RANGEMASTER (Introduced in 1964) was a walnut target stock!! Years later, stock choices were Walnut or Synthetic!!!! In 1998, Remington offered the Thumbhole Laminate target stock!!!! 40XB Rangemaster offered calibers from 222 to 300 Win!!!!!! SA, Standard (LA), Magnum receiver options!!! The barrel length was 27.25", not 27.5'!!! I hate getting older!!! Too many short circuits in the old memory board!!!! Had to go to my library and refresh the mind!!!!

And yes, I had to confirm, to myself, that the 40X target rifles were all produced in the Custom Shop after going though the old books!!!! The 40X receivers and bolts were SELECTED 700 (NON STAMPED) receivers and bolt blanks with final machining done by Master Machinists in the Custom shop!!!

 

[Wild Bill IV]

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

You lucky dog!!!
If the scope mounts/rings were not on that rifle, I would say it looks like it came straight out of the BOX!!!! NICE FIND 65swede!!!!!!

Question: Are you just collecting or collecting/shooting with your BDL Varmint Specials??????????

 

[Wild Bill IV]

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

Danny

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

Danny

Danny, look at Timberyote (post #87) year of 1979 VS (BDL Walnut Varmint Special)!!! Synthetic Stocks were 1st introduced by Remington in 1993!!!

Look at the year before you make a false claim!!!! There are 2 different versions of VS in the varmint class Remington rifles!!!! Prior to 1993 VS is short for us shooters that have/had those very accurate and well built Walnut BDL Varmint Special!! At, and after 1993, VS is Remington's model abbreviation for Varmint Synthetic!!!! And, IMO, after having a Varmint Synthetic, I personally would never buy another Remington Synthetic stocked rifle again!!! They flex too much with a bipod which changes POI!!!! They are not as rigid and heavy as the Walnut or Laminated stocks!!!!! Yes, I had the VLD and the VS (Synthetic) both in 22-250 at the same time out in the pastures and open ranges shooting prairie dogs!! Kept the older VLD and sold the POS synthetic (VS)!!!!! One of my worse NIB Remington rifle purchases ever!! IN MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND OPTION!!!!!

 

[danny]

Danny, look at Timberyote (post #87) year of 1979 VS (BDL Walnut Varmint Special)!!! Synthetic Stocks were 1st introduced by Remington in 1993!!!

Look at the year before you make a false claim!!!! There are 2 different versions of VS in the varmint class Remington rifles!!!! Prior to 1993 VS is short for us shooters that have/had those Walnut BDL Varmint Special!! At, and after 1993, VS is Remington's model abbreviation for Varmint Synthetic!!!! And, IMO, after having a Varmint Synthetic, I personally would never buy another Remington Synthetic stocked rifle again!!! They flex too much with a bipod which changes POI!!!! They are not as rigid and heavy as the Walnut or Laminated stocks!!!!! Yes, I had the VLD and the VS (Synthetic) both in 22-250 at the same time!! Kept the older VLD and sold the POS synthetic (VS)!!!!! One of my worse NIB Remington rifle purchases ever!! IN MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND OPTION!!!!!

I made no false claim(s).

Danny

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

a

I made no false claim(s).

Danny

You guys are going to make me dig out my mint condition, no prefix, heavy barrel, tombstone safety, 6mmRem, in an XBR stock.

 

[Wild Bill IV]

a

You guys are going to make me dig out my mint condition, no prefix, heavy barrel, tombstone safety, 6mmRem, in an XBR stock.

Yeah, I know that feeling!!! I'm going to have to go and ask if I could borrow my brother in-laws 7-08 or 223 varmint special and check if he still has the boxes and the trigger guard tags which has the production code!! Then I'll have to go to a friends house and compare the fore-arms of the Varmint Special to the friend's 6mm Rem BDL!!! If memory serves me right, the base of the fore-arms is flatter and wider on the BDL VS where the standard BDL is thinner and more rounded!!! And, I believe the missing line checkering "Fleur de Lis" pattern is different too on the fore-arms due to the different shapes!! This will answer a question I have been wanting to know!!! DID REMINGTON HAVE 2 DIFFERENT BDL MASTERS FOR THE STOCK REPLICATER LATHES??????? The BDL Varmint Special ended production in 1993, and introduced the Varmint Synthetic in 1994!!! Yes, the end of an old VS was the beginning of a new VS!!!!

 

[Hal]

All the early 40 Xs were on short actions.

Hal

 

[Wild Bill IV]

All the early 40 Xs were on short actions.

Hal

Not all were SA!!!
40X Target: ('55-'64) 28" bbl, 22rimfire*
40X Sporter: ('69-'80) 24" bbl, 5 shot, 22rimfire*
40X Centerfire: ('61-'64) had 24" bbl, 222, 222Mag, 308, 30-06*
40XB: BR stock, 27.25" bbl, 222-300Win*, including 25-06*, 6mmRem*, and 30-06*
40XB Rangemaster: Target stock, 27.25" bbl, same Chambering as 40XB
The 40XB models started in 1964
40XB BR: BR stock, 22" bbl, 22BR

 

[Hal]

All REM 40X’s were short actions.
The 7 mm Mag and the 300 Win Mag I saw were built on Short actions.
You had to remove the bolt to remove a loaded round.

Hal

 

[Wild Bill IV]

All REM 40X’s were short actions.
The 7 mm Mag and the 300 Win Mag I saw were built on Short actions.
You had to remove the bolt to remove a loaded round.

Hal

Wow!!! I did not know that!!! They were all single shooters!!! Makes sense!!!
However, the earlier 22rimfires were not SA!!!!

 

[Hal]

Wildbill

The early . 22 rimfire 40X’s were built on Remington 722 actions than they switched to the REM 700
actions. Again as far as I know all 40X’s used short actions.
A couple long action 40X’s are said to exist but I never have seen any or pictures of any.

Hal

 

[danny]

a

You guys are going to make me dig out my mint condition, no prefix, heavy barrel, tombstone safety, 6mmRem, in an XBR stoL

All REM 40X’s were short actions.
The 7 mm Mag and the 300 Win Mag I saw were built on Short actions.
You had to remove the bolt to remove a loaded round.

Hal

Odd, about the short action use for 7mm Magnum and 300 Win Mag.

Danny

 

[Gary in MD]

Varmint Special in 22-250 ready to do it’s thing.

 

[danny]

Varmint Special in 22-250 ready to do it’s thing.
View attachment 1665660

Outstanding. Wish I had one. I got my first Remington 700 varmint rifle just as the BDL Varmint Special was getting phased out in favor of the VS and VLS. i should get one. They are classics.

Danny

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Varmint Special in 22-250 ready to do it’s thing.
View attachment 1665660

NICE,.. ^^^^
Mine LOOKS Exactly Like this One, only Has, a bit Smaller Diameter Barrel for,.."Walking Varmint" Use !
8 lbs approx and Shoots "Most",.. Good loads,.. SUB 1/2 MOA ( a Beautiful, 1981 Model )
Main Use, Splodin' Sage Rats w/ 50 V-Maxes ( BRAKED ! ) 2nd Use, Yotes to about, 350 yards with, 55's / 60's !