I also had a Rem 700 classic wearing a Leupold 4x that shot small groups with factory Rem Core Lok't in either 200 or 250 grain. As others have commented recoil was stout...especially with the 250 grain. I shot groups with this Rem 700 Classic in prone from time to time and would always end with nice shade of purple bruise. The recoil pad on the Classic was hard compared to a Decelerator.
I do miss that rifle though. The Ruger 1A in 35 Whelen looks great to me.
