Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Early 700 bdl 222 value

I have an early Remington 700 bdl in 222 I picked up a few years ago but I've never used. It's the 1960s style stock with the pressed checkered and metal butt plate. It has all numbers serial with no letter prefix and looks like a lower serial number as it starts with 15 if irrc.

It's in good shape but not great. It's spent some time afield but the rifling looks great, the bluing is all in good shape and theres no major dings just several lighter ones in the stock. I think it was carried in the field a decent amount but not shot a lot.

It has a long steel tube weaver fixed 12 power with a fine reticle and parallax adjustment up front. The scope looks like it's still in working order but I've never shot the gun.

I saw some like it bring huge money on gun broker a few years ago when everything was crazy. They seem to have come down in price a good bit. I'd mentioned here a while back I was wanting to sell it and I had some kind members willing to help me out and give me $400-$500 for it. I'm thinking it's worth more than that and want to list it but don't want to put an absurd price on it. I want to give someone a fair deal but don't want to leave a bunch of money on the table.

What range should I start it at? I can always come down.

Bb

Seems like most in that condition you describe go for 800-1200 on GB. Hard telling without seeing the condition but the scope adds a bit to it.

Sounds like a great rifle.

20" or 22" barrel? Iron sights in place?

Regardless of length, and if sights are there I'd give $900 shipped.

I just picked up a 700 adl 1972 vintage in 222 here on the classifieds. Very good condition , nice wood for $750. Several people had back up offers.

^^^^^^^^^^^^


THIS...tops.

The sights are off and I'm pretty sure it's a 22" barrel. It might be a better one to run on gunbroker. I should have sold it 2 years ago.

Bb

I have a set of sights that I'll donate to you to maximize the value of the rifle. Yours for the cost of shipping.

Great gesture Bang!

I really appreciate the offer. I'll PM you.

Thanks,
Bb

I'll see if I can round those sights up and get back to you. If you could see the box(es) of parts I have it, wouldn't be a surprise that it might take a bit of effort to lay my hands on them.

I picked up a heavy barrel version from a local auction in October or November IIRC. It
is in like new condition with a Tasco 3x9 scope. I was out the door under $500.
The auction was a online and I didn’t get a chance to look at it other than the poor pictures. I was pleasantly surprised to the condition. I was hoping it was a standard weight.
I doubt you will have a difficult time selling it. Brass is available at the moment.
There is a show in Nampa this coming weekend. I will be setting up. Not sure what Im bringing but might have something to trade.
Edited to say : Did the very early 700 all have 20” barrels?

Original 700 all had 20" barrels in standard cartridge chamberings.

The year code on mines barrel is M so it was made in 1965. I measured the barrel and it is actually a 24" shorter. I did some research and the early 222s and 222 mags in sporters were actually 24" barrels so mines correct for the period. The other standard non mag ones were 20".

The more I look at it the more I'm tempted to buy some dies and brass and shoot it. The bore and rifling look really good.

I'm also still looking for sights for it if anyone has some to sell.

Thanks,
Bb

Pics will tell the story, without them and saying good but not great shape, I might say 700

Thinking '63/64 is when the switch from 20" to 22"+ was made. 20" to 24" on 222 and 222 Magnum, 22" on other standard cartridges.

Here in Canada, the 222s seem to be at a premium right now, esp the 700s both std and HBs. I think a lot of those guns got torn down for the action and became 223s.

I recently saw a nice 700 varmint listed for $1500 CDN. I have one like it topped with a 12x Leupold. Bedded, trigger done, shoots well. Only issue is that a previous owner dropped a 308 box in it with a 222 follower. I just put a single shot follower in it and it works fine.

Same with the 6mm BDL VS. A guy has to be ready to pay up if he finds one.

Get dies brass etc and shoot it. I have had a .222 of one kind or another since I was 15 over 60 years ago. I like the caliber better than the .223 but brass is so easy to get I have some of those too. Great caliber.

Yup .... Classic old rifle that will only go up in value and continue to be a great shooter along the way.

I have a ‘77 BDL in .243, the trigger recall is on much later rifles, 90’s I think. Price range depends on the condition. I’d say 500-700 is probably a fair range.

Dang lithe model 7’s in 222 are pricey as well 222 is a great cartridge

PM sent

The trigger recall is for the early 700s with the split sear.

Completely different trigger than Walker style.

They would replace Walker styles free of charge. Not sure about the ones that didn't lock the bolt down.

IIRC, that is a different, later recall which is for a version of the X-Mark trigger.

Interesting...the first centerfire rifle I ever shot was a Remington BDL in 222 with a Redfield scope. I still remember the heft of the gun in my young hands, and the smell of Hoppes and gun oil. I was 12 years old in 1964, and that's when I shot it. I'd be interested when you set a price. It would bring back memories :-)

Remington heavy barrels in 223/222 are the most consistently accurate rifles I have owned. New or old, it didn’t matter.