Remington bdl varmint 222 question

[FryeGuy]

so I have the opportunity to purchase the above gun. It looks as thou it hasn't been shot much at all, the bolt face is completely clean. Downside is It has the old school pressed checkering, in the fluer de lis style. Action locks with safety on. Pretty sure it's 1972 production. The barrel code is UAW, the U is farther away from the AW, so march, 72. Not sure the trigger has ever been adjusted actually, because it's stiff! The fore end isn't as wide as the last walnut stock guns were. The blurring isn't as deep and dark as some I have seen either. What is this thing really worth? I see prices all over the place. I guess I have always wanted one in a 222 rem, so here is my chance. I guess I have second doubts on it because I have really gotten used to my Sako's. Not sure it'll shoot as accurate as my 22-250 varmint. Opinions are welcome, never thought I would second guess buying one....

 

[Fast14riot]

I have a couple remingtons from this Era and generally I find them mechanically pretty darn good, fit and finish is nice as well. I don't have a 700 in 222, but I do have a 788 in 222 that old that shoots pretty darn good.

 

[jds holler]

Me and one of my early coyote pardners had 700's from that period. Mine was an ADL, his a BDL. His had a darker, nicer stock with forend cap, and I think grip cap. His bolt had the jeweled finish, and I think I remember his blue being nicer than mine. And of course the BDL had the hinged floor plate. Both rifles were deadly accurate right off the rack with no work at all.

We shared the same ammo that I reloaded, back when I thought neck sizing was the way to go. We found out the hard way that his chamber was a little tighter than mine. Went back to FL sizing and no problem.

I've still got my ADL, and am finally rebarreling it after all these years. The barrel is fried, and it still shoots sub MOA and sometimes a .5 MOA group.

I'd buy another of these rifles in a heart beat for any kind of good price.. I wouldn't pay any kind of premium for the BDL version though. The floor plate system just isn't that important to me. jd

 

[ireload2]

I am pretty sure your Sakos will not win BR matches nor shoot as well as the .222.

 

[Intheshop]

The impressed checkering makes a great....oh,how you say?practice pce for learning the skill of "real" checkering.

Guy gave me a nice checkering kit from Brownells years and years ago for some job as a thankyou.Did a,ironically enough,700V impressed conversion as a test really,just trying them out.Turned out VERY nice.

 

[17Hunter]

Frye,

If it has the fluer-di-lis then 1972 is too late. Remington used that pattern 1962-1968. Could be a different barreled action in that stock. 1972 would be the pressed ribbon pattern checkering, 1969-1973. The .222 varmint specials in fluer-di-lis all original and in good shape can bring $1,000+. The .222 brings a premium in that pattern, sporter or HB.

 

[sdbob]

Last weekend I bought the same gun in 243 win. made in 1967. Paid $1150, condition of coarse is everything but I would buy any of the heavy barrels with the aluminum butt plate if priced under $1000.

These are great investments and will only go up in price.