Jaytee: On very RARE occassions you can find one of these older Remington 700 Varmints in 222 Remington for a bargain price!
My friend Louie found one at the Centralia, Washington gunshow last year (2,012) for $400.00 - the seller obviously did not know the true market value of that MINTY Rifle.
I have one myself from the early 70's and it IS a tack driver indeed.
To tell the truth I have a vintage Redfield 6x18 variable scope on hand and I am looking for an early 70's Remington 700 Varmint to mount that scope on.
I have been looking for a "deal" on one of these early Remington Varmints for several years now.
These vintage Remington Varmint Rifles DO command a premium as they are selling now for much more than they cost when new.
Some people think the older Remington Varmints shot/shoot better than the new Remington heavy barrels - I do not agree with this as a blanket rule.
I am VERY happy with the accuracy I get from my current production heavy barrel Remingtons.
$750.00 is not what I would call a "good" deal - I would try offering the owner $650.00 and ask that he throw in a nice gun case with that deal.
First I would inspect the barrel very carefully - use a bore scope if at all possible.
The finish on the wood of these early Remingtons is very hard to scuff or to show use, so don't judge the Rifle by that - inspect the leades of the rifling carefully with a bore scope (again, if at all possible). If it shows little use (the leades under magnification appear to be square and not rounded or undefined!) then maybe you should "bite the bullet" and pay full price?
Best of luck to you and let us know how it turns out.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
